Gone Cardboard News: Bargain Hunter - Schnäppchen Jagd Returns from Valley Games
Big news for fans of trick-taking games—Valley Games will publish an English-language version of Uwe Rosenberg’s Schnäppchen Jagd, first published by Queen Games in German in 1998. “We’re proud to be the first to bring the game to a wider audience,” says Kevin Nesbitt. “As some gamers may know, this game is near-legendary for its strong three-player gameplay, a rarity in card games.”
For those who don’t know the game, here’s a summary of the game play: Schnäppchen Jagd is a trick-taking game that’s standard in some ways and unusual in many others. In each trick, each player plays one card to the table, following suit if possible, and the high card wins the trick and leads. That’s the end of the normal stuff.
As for the unusual, the deck has two cards of each suit/rank combination, and if you play an identical card in a trick, you can announce that it’s higher or lower than the card already played. More interestingly, trump is determined each trick. If the second player in a trick can’t follow suit, that player can name the suit that he does play trump for that trick; if he passes, the third player (if throwing off a third suit) can name that suit trump. Your goal is to collect cards of a particular rank, preferably in large groups, as you score one rank of cards after each round and two ranks after the final round.
The working title of the new edition is Bargain Hunter, and Valley Games plans to keep the original theme of shopping for bargains at flea markets and yard sales. Asks Nesbitt, “How could we change something that fun and original?”
Bargain Hunter—or whatever its final name turns out to be—will remain a game for three to four players with no changes to the rules. Expect to see this title soon on Valley Games’ 750 Special preorder page. This game has been added to Gone Cardboard.
Source: Valley Games
Posted by W. Eric Martin on Aug 25, 2007 at 11:00 AM in Game News, Gone Cardboard News / 1369
Comments:
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Okay, in the words of Butch Cassidy, “Who ARE these guys?” I mean, it looks like Valley Games wants to be EVERY gamer’s new best friend! Not only do they republish tons of gaming grails, but it seems as if they’re trying to find the ones that every conceivable kind of gamer wants. Well, they got me. Schnäppchen-Jagd is indeed one of the most sought after trick-taking games around and I have struggled mightily to find a copy for my very own. I had a few shots of getting one through German online shops, but then they would sell out before I could grab one. It certainly is one of the best 3-player trick takers ever and an essential purchase for the trick-taking lover in you. It’s now officially a 749 Special, because I’ll be signing up for it right away. I guess there’s still concern how Valley will manage to release all these wonderful baubles, but a small and non-revised card game like Bargain Hunter should be relatively easy to pull off. I also think Habitat, the other title they just announced, looks like it could be interesting. Schnäppchen-Jagd and Titan side by side. Now THAT’S a game company! Posted by Larry Levy on Aug 25, 2007 at 11:20 AM | #
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As long as they let Mike Doyle do the box art, but stay FAR away from the game components on all of these upcoming games, I’ll be happy. Posted by Matt Fullenwider on Aug 25, 2007 at 12:16 PM | #
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Agreed, Matt. Sometimes Mike’s covers are nice and sometimes they’re weird, but either way, they don’t affect the gameplay. While his component designs often look like they’d get in the way of actually playing the game. Posted by Larry Levy on Aug 25, 2007 at 01:51 PM | #
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Okay… make that a 748 special, as I am interested in seeing this one, too! Posted by David Reed on Aug 25, 2007 at 05:07 PM | #
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I was lucky enough to get a copy for Christmas and it quickly became a favorite. Definitely one of my favorite 3 player games of all time. Even though I already have a copy, I will be sure to buy another. I am glad Valley Games is keeping the same theme. I don’t know if it is possible, but I think it would be great if they kept the same art on the cards. There is something very cheery and whimsical about the art! :) Posted by Dean Rekich on Aug 25, 2007 at 08:41 PM | #
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Finally, I get to re-buy it! Posted by Mike Siggins on Aug 28, 2007 at 03:47 AM | #
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