TARGET

Designing a card game for the American market is an exceedingly difficult assignment. In Europe, gamers readily accept quirky card games. But in America, the cry seems to be "Give me something different, but make it the same." Paradoxical? You bet. But Target, a two to four player family card game designed by Andy Daniel, manages to do just that!

Target comes with two decks. 28 Target cards and 82 Playing cards. Target cards describe various melds and are worth 2 to 5 points. The playing cards consist of four suits marked by color (blue, red, purple, and green) and design (hexagon, circle, diamond, and starburst) with values ranging from 0 to 9. (Wild cards, already displaying a number, may be played as any of the four suits.) The playing cards are shuffled (separately from the Targets) and each player is dealt a hand of five cards.

Five Target cards are placed, face up, on the table. In turn, a player draws a card (from the stock or the draw pile) and may then make a meld to match one of the Targets on the table. Targets are similar to poker hands (straight, flush, three of a kind, etc.) with some notable differences. (For example, a three card straight is possible.) A player making a meld takes the matching Target card. (Sometimes, a meld may actually meet more than one Target. In that case, the player scoops up ALL met Target cards!) Captured Target cards are replaced so there are always five on the table. Players end their turn by discarding one card.

Play continues until the draw pile is exhausted. At that point, the point values of each player's captured Target cards are added. High total wins!

The high quality cards are user-friendly. The colors are easily differentiated; no problems in distinguishing blue and green or red and purple. The numbers are large and easy to see. A nice balancing touch is that players who make a meld no NOT immediately replenish their hands to full strength. Instead, they may only draw one card per turn giving players who have not melded a chance to catch the leader.

Target is a skillful blend of gin rummy and poker enlivened by everchanging and variable goals. Players not only have to focus on the different Targets available but also need to consider their differing point values in selecting their Target - and possible alternatives should your Target be taken before you can meld. By using elements familiar to card players, Target is extremely easy to learn, introducing card players to the possibilities that exist beyond standard card play. Target hits the target - a bullseye!

Gamers Alliance Report
Summer '99
Copyright 1999 by H.M. Levy, All RIghts Rserved
Reprinted by permission.
Gamers Alliance and Gamers Alliance Report are trademarks owned by H.M. Levy
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