Guest Author - Lynn Little

In a Pickle

Ages 10 and up

Players 2 to 6

Playing Time varies but about 30 minutes

In a Pickle is a card game that challenges players to think inside the box or outside of it. Players vie to make a row of four cards that fit into one another. The game is challenging and might cause some heated debate. It's good thing there are rules for such occasions in the game.

In a Pickle consists of 320 cards that feature a noun on each card and a down arrow. Cards are shuffled and placed in the card holders. Each player begins each round with five cards. Once those cards are dealt, place four cards face up onto the playing field in the shape of a plus (+) sign with the arrows pointing away from the center. It is now time for play to begin.

The first player can play one of his cards onto any of the four cards. If his card is smaller than the noun described on the card, then he places it on the end where the arrow is on the card. If it is larger, then he places his card behind the card on the playing field. Then it's time for the next player to do the same thing. Once a row has four cards, then each player has a chance to lay down a card that is larger than the one on the end of the row. The person who played the fourth card has once last chance to trump the last card played and win the row. The person who plays the last card wins the row. Add another card to the playing area from the deck and all players get to replenish their hand to five cards.

Winning the game is all about collecting rows. The more players that are playing, the less rows are needed to win. For a two person game, five rows are needed to win.

There are two sets of rules to play by. There is the free-for-all where cards played on a pile do not have to relate to the other cards. The other way to play is sort of like a story mode - where each card played onto a pile must make sense. For example, you could have a baby card and play a bathtub card on top of it. Then play the noun house followed by Hollywood. Those four cards would make sense and go together. This makes it a little more challenging of a game.

Any card played can be challenged by other players. Ultimately a vote by players will decide if the card is allowed to be played. So, be prepared to defend your cards. Sure, a turkey might fit into a purse if it's a sliced turkey. This might be accepted by players or it might not. A majority vote will decide if it will.

In a Pickle is a fun, thought-provoking word game. It is a good exercise in using your brain in thinking outside the box or what fits into a box or car or house. In a Pickle retails for $9.99.