Tricky Tactics

Rules overview

Tricky Tactics 2P Automa Rules

Executive Preview

Uses 3P deal with two humans and one automa. Ranks for tricks are A high, then 10 down to 2. K, Q, J are map Locations only. Reveal happens only on the automa’s turn. Follow checks only the two revealed cards. Lead always plays the higher of the two revealed cards. Actions: Add first if possible, otherwise Remove. Ties resolve K, then Q, then J; if still tied between players, choose the next clockwise from the automa.

Components

• Player decks for tricks use ranks A, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 in four suits.
• Automa deck of 16 cards built as a normal player deck.
• Cubes and markers equal to a human player.
• Board Locations are K, Q, J per suit. These are map areas only.

Setup

• Play as a 3P game with two human players and one automa.
• Deal as for 3P: each human receives 12 cards; the automa receives 16.
• Do not reveal any automa cards during deal or between turns.
• Give the automa a normal cube supply.

Objective

Play the standard game flow with the automa occupying the third seat. It contests tricks and resolves the post-trick Action using deterministic priorities.

Core Concepts and Terms

• Reveal Row: the two face-up automa cards available when it must play.
• Carryover: after the automa plays, the unplayed revealed card remains public for its next turn.
• Revealed-only follow: suit obligation is checked only against the two currently revealed cards.
• Location tie order: K, then Q, then J.
• Player tie for Remove: next player clockwise from the automa.

Turn Structure

Follow base timing. When the automa must contribute to a trick, use Automa Play. If the automa wins the trick, resolve Automa Action Priority. All other rules stay unchanged.

Automa Play

Reveal timing

• The automa reveals cards only when it is about to play.
• On its first play of the hand, reveal the top two cards to form the Reveal Row [Left, Right].
• After it plays one card, slide the unplayed card to Left and immediately reveal one new card to Right.
• Between its turns, only the carryover card remains public.

Rank order for tricks

• Highest to lowest: A, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

Following a lead

• If at least one revealed card matches the led suit, the automa must play a matching card.
• If both match, play the higher value in that suit.
• If one matches, play that card.
• If neither revealed card matches the led suit, play the higher value of the two revealed cards.

Leading a trick

• When leading, reveal as needed, then play the higher value of the two revealed cards.

Actions

When the automa wins a trick, it performs exactly one in-suit Action.

Add first

• If the automa has cubes in supply, it must Add.
• Target selection, in order:
• Any empty area of the matching suit’s Location.
• Otherwise the Location area with the most total cubes.
• Ties: K, then Q, then J.

Remove if Add not possible

• If the automa has no cubes in supply, it must Remove.
• Target selection, in order:
• The Location with the largest total cube count.
• Within that Location, remove from the opponent with the most cubes there.
• Ties: K, then Q, then J.
• If still tied between opponents, remove from the next player clockwise from the automa.

Impossible actions

• If the required Action has no legal target, skip it with no substitution.

Scoring

Score the automa exactly as a standard player. All cubes, claims, and area effects apply normally.

End of Round or End of Game or Ties

Use the base rules. If a choice is required on the automa’s behalf during any timing window, apply the same target ladders and tie rules above.

Information Limits

• Human players may not inspect unrevealed automa cards.
• All automa decisions derive only from its two revealed cards and public game state.

Examples

• Follow with one match: Led suit Hearts; Reveal Row [9♣, A♥] → plays A♥.
• No match: Led suit Clubs; Reveal Row [10♦, 8♥] → plays 10♦.
• Add target: Wins a Spades trick with cubes in supply. If K-Spades is empty, Add there; otherwise choose the Spades Location with the most cubes, ties K → Q → J.
• Remove target: No cubes in supply. Hearts totals: K=5, Q=5, J=3. Remove at Q-Hearts; if players tied there, remove from the next clockwise.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and clarifications