Xylotar has you playing cards into a trick.
What that card is… is just your best guess.
You’ve found the long lost xylotar schematics from the instrument originally designed by Bobby McColdsnap and Keifer Basset. This unique musical device was based on both xylophone and synthesizer technology in the mid 80’s. and was created as an alternative to the keytars of the era. Without knowing exactly how it should work, play until you discover the sweetest sounds.
Xylortar Quick Rules Summary
Each player receives a set of cards. You sort your cards in ascending order and add a special High Note card to the back of your stack.
Once sorted, you pass the entire face-down stack to the player on your left and that becomes their hand for the round.
You don’t look at the cards you receive, you lay them out in the order .
Play then proceeds in standard trick-taking fashion. The lead player starts the trick, and everyone must follow suit if they can. The highest card of the lead suit wins the trick, and that player leads the next one.
Because you don’t know exactly what value the cards are, just the suit you have to make a guess based on which cards you’ve seen so far.
How Do You Win?
During a game, players will play a card to bid for how many tricks they think they’ll win. You get 1 point per trick and 5 points if you bid correctly.
After 3 rounds, the player with the most points wins.
Main Mechanisms
Xylotar mixes trick-taking with deduction and a light memory challenge.
The fun comes from know you passed a poor hand to the player on your left, and watching them flounder.
But also, trying to make the most of the unpredictable stack you receive.
USP
The way cards are recieved and played gives a unique twist to traditional trick-taking. It keeps the familiar flow but adds a layer of deduction and chaos that makes every hand feel different.
Theme
There’s no real theme unless you include the stretchy one in the publishers blurb. It’s a fairly abstract card game with bright, musical-inspired artwork that fits the idea of “high notes” and patterns, but it’s mainly mechanical.
Setup
Setup is quick. Shuffle the deck, deal the cards evenly, sort your stack, add your High Note card, and pass it on. Once bids are made, you’re ready to play.
Components & Artwork
The art is simple, colourful, and clean. It’s clear to read, and the card design pops nicely on the table.
Ease of Teaching
Very easy to teach. Once players understand the “sort then pass” step, the rest is just trick-taking. It takes one hand to see how it flows, but after that, it runs smoothly.
Similar Games
Pikoko is the closest match, as it’s also a trick-taking game where you don’t have full knowledge of your own cards.
Xylotar Trick-Taking Game Review
Positives
The pass-and-play system is clever and gives each round a fresh feel.
Working out your hand as you go adds tension and fun.
Bright, clear artwork and a quick setup make it easy to get to the table.
Negatives
Setup can feel slightly clunky while sorting and passing stacks.
Bidding can be swingy, especially as your ‘bid’ is a best guess on which card you pick.
Summary
Xylotar is a smart, compact twist on classic trick-taking.
It’s familiar enough for card gamers to pick up instantly but fresh enough to feel different every time you play. A great, quick-thinking puzzle that rewards good timing and a bit of luck.