Guest Author - Lynn Little

Players: 2 or more

Ages: 6 and up

Playing Time: less than 12 minutes

Hocus Focus card game is part of the selection of card games that Gamewright produces that can be played in less than 12 minutes. So, if you are looking to play a card game but don't have a lot of time, Hocus Focus may be the game for you.

There are 48 wizards cards in a deck. Each one depicts a wizards. The object of the game is to find 10 wizards that are exactly alike. Wizards will vary with different colored hats, robes, shoes, and wands. The wizards also have different sizes: skinny, medium, and wide. Take a few minutes to get familiar with the different wizards. Shuffle the deck when all players have had time to look at the cards. Then place the top 12 cards onto a flat surface faceup. Select one person to go first. The rules suggest whose birthday is next.

One players flips the top card of the deck then places the wizard card faceup. Now, all players search for a wizard that is completely different from the one on top of the deck. When a player thinks they have one spotted, they shout "Kazaam" and point out the card to the other players. Once all the players agree that the card is in fact completely different from the card on the deck, the player removes the card from the playing area and place it in front of them. Move the card that is faceup on the deck to replace the card in play. The first person to find 10 completely different wizards they win the game.

Finding a completely different card can be challenging. You can play with additional rules that if someone shouts "Kazaam!" and then their card is not completely different then they must forfeit one of their won cards, or in another word, lose one point. If there is no card that is completely different, then a player can shout "No match," and the wizard card is replaced. The round then begins again with everyone looking for a completely different card from the new wizard card.

Hocus Focus is a great game to play with younger kids. It's fast paced and games do not last that long, so there is less of a chance that the game will become boring and uninteresting. Hocus Focus retails for under $10 and is one of several card games that Gamewright publishes that can be played in under 12 minutes.