‘Autocards’ is a vivid example of ‘Easy to learn, hard to master’. The game is so intuitive that an explanation is often unnecessary. By simply playing it, almost all rules become clear.

The goal of the game is subtly woven into its name: ‘Autocards’ is readable as ‘out of cards’, meaning: to get rid of your cards. Once you have no cards left, you win.

All players receive a certain number of cards. Depending on the number of players, there is also a stack of cards for each player.

The player whose turn it is chooses a number of cards (1 to 5) with the same number to lay down. The next player (clockwise) must attempt to play cards of a higher value but with the same quantity. For example, if the first player lays down three 4s, the next player must play three cards of a higher value, such as three 6s or 10s. If unable to do so, the player must pass. This continues until no one can or wants to exceed. The last player to have played cards is now in turn.

These are the basic rules; further details can be found in the instructional video, coming soon.

Although the game seems simple at its core, it offers numerous strategic opportunities. A seeming advantage doesn't necessarily guarantee a player's victory.

Unlike my other games, such as ‘Vak!’, ‘Autocards’ is not my own creation. It was taught to me by Aaron Veldkamp of Solvid, who suggested developing this game as a standalone project. The game, originally called ‘Chinese Poker’, was played a few times for me to understand its appeal and identify areas for improvement. I then made various adjustments until I felt the game was better. The first change was the name, as the game has nothing to do with China or Poker.

Het bedenken van een nieuwe, passende naam was een uitdaging. Ik wilde een naam die het doel van het spel direct weerspiegelde. ‘Autocards’ doet dat en geeft het spel zelfs een thema, namelijk auto’s. Hoewel ik persoonlijk niet veel affiniteit heb met auto’s, spreekt iemand als Leonardo da Vinci mij meer aan. Het beeld dat bij me opkwam was schematisch: Lijnen, punten, ‘scribbles’, en onderdelen. Van daaruit ben ik begonnen met het ontwerpen van het spel. Het huidige ontwerp neigt naar de ontwikkeling van de eerste auto, met sepia-toning.

Unlike my first game, ‘Vak!’, my intention is to release ‘Autocards’ internationally. While undoubtedly posing various challenges, such as shipping costs and increasing international recognition, I am determined to spread the enjoyment of ‘Autocards’ worldwide.

Banaaaaaan