What follows is my retrospective of Tichu, along with some Tichu tips by Mary Prasad and thoughts from the Opinionated Gamers. Fortunately, designer Urs Hostettler generously agreed to answer a few of our questions, and I interviewed him in November about the game’s history. It has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and has been in-print continuously for 25 years.ĭespite the game’s wide appeal, little is known about its origins. Tichu has more than 100,000 logged plays on BGG (the most of any trick-taking or climbing game), and most major conventions have dedicated events for it. It is the highest-ranked trick-taking or climbing game on BoardGameGeek, and it has long been in the BGG Top 100, a rare accomplishment among older games. In a hobby that is often defined by the “cult of the new,” Tichu is still a perennial favorite among gamers, and it is arguably the hobby’s favorite traditional-style card game. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Tichu’s publication. Pocket Size Game Series.Game History by Chris Wray, Tichu Tips by Mary Prasad Chimera for five players is normally played to 400 points.Ĭhimera & More is #13 in our E.G.G. One player bids to be Chimera, then chooses one other player to be their partner (the Pi Ya) through a bid system the other three players then team up as the Chimera Hunters to defeat them. Chimera for three players was previously published as Chimera by ZMAN Games.Ĭhimera for five players plays similarly to Chimera for three players, but with additional cards and rules. Chimera is normally played to 400 points, although longer or shorter games may be played. Players compete for points in several hands of play, and the winner is the player who scores the most points once the designated point score is reached by one or more players. In each hand, one player bids to be Chimera and the other two players team up as the Chimera Hunters to defeat this player. Chimera & More is composed of two games - one for three players and one for five players - with each game being similar to climbing- and shedding-based card games like Tichu, The Great Dalmuti, Big Two, and Beat the Landlord.Ĭhimera for three players is a game of two against one.

Tichu for two players