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Trio
Cocktail Games · 2021
3–615 min6+ yrs1.1/5 complexity7.4 BGG#490 BGG25,2 KKids
⚡ short answer
How do you play Trio?
The objective of Trio depends on the chosen variant. In the 'simple' variant, the first player to collect three different sets of identical cards wins. In the 'spicy' variant, the first player to collect two connected sets (where the numbers on the bottom of the cards link them, e.g., 1 and 6, or 1 and 8) and the number 7 set wins. Additionally, collecting the number 7 set is always an instant win condition in both variants, as it is considered the most powerful set.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
Shuffle the 36 cards and deal a specific number to each player and the center of the table, based on the player count, then arrange your hand in ascending order.
The rules, step by step
Setup
The game includes 36 cards. First, shuffle all cards thoroughly. Then, deal a specific number of cards to each player and to the center of the table, face down, according to the player count table provided in the rules. Players then take their dealt cards into their hand and secretly arrange them in ascending numerical order.
Objective
The objective of Trio depends on the chosen variant. In the 'simple' variant, the first player to collect three different sets of identical cards wins. In the 'spicy' variant, the first player to collect two connected sets (where the numbers on the bottom of the cards link them, e.g., 1 and 6, or 1 and 8) and the number 7 set wins. Additionally, collecting the number 7 set is always an instant win condition in both variants, as it is considered the most powerful set.
On your turn
Trio is played in a clockwise direction. On your turn, you must reveal cards one at a time. You can choose to reveal a card either from the face-down cards in the middle of the table or from another player's hand (including your own). If revealing from the middle, you can pick any card. If revealing from a player's hand, you must ask them to show you either their lowest or highest value card, which they then reveal face up. You continue revealing cards until either you form a set of three identical cards or you reveal a card with a different value than the previously revealed card(s) in that turn.
Scoring
If you successfully reveal three identical cards, you collect that set. These three cards are placed face up in front of you, indicating a collected set. If, however, you reveal a card that does not match the value of the previously revealed card(s) in that turn, your turn immediately ends. All cards revealed during that turn (except any sets already collected) are then returned face down to their original positions (either to the center of the table or back to the player's hand).
Game end
The game concludes when one of the following conditions is met: a player successfully collects three different sets of identical cards (in the simple variant), a player collects two connected sets and the number 7 set (in the spicy variant), or a player collects the number 7 set (in either variant). The player who achieves any of these conditions first is declared the winner. Trio can also be played in teams, but those rules are left for players to discover independently.
Tips
An important rule to remember is that you can execute the same action multiple times within a turn. For example, you can repeatedly ask an opponent to reveal their highest or lowest card until your turn ends. Even if you start your turn with no cards in your hand, you can still play by requesting cards from other players or revealing cards from the center of the table. When revealing cards from your own hand, you must also choose either the lowest or highest value card; you cannot pick a card from the middle of your hand.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity1.1 / 5
BGG rating7.4 / 10
Vibe
Kids
Language dependence
No in-game text needed
Play time
15 min
Players
3–6
Recommended age
6+ yrs
BGG rank
#490
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The objective of Trio depends on the chosen variant. In the 'simple' variant, the first player to collect three different sets of identical cards wins. In the 'spicy' variant, the first player to collect two connected sets (where the numbers on the bottom of the cards link them, e.g., 1 and 6, or 1 and 8) and the number 7 set wins. Additionally, collecting the number 7 set is always an instant win condition in both variants, as it is considered the most powerful set.
Q2How do you set up the game?
The game includes 36 cards. First, shuffle all cards thoroughly. Then, deal a specific number of cards to each player and to the center of the table, face down, according to the player count table provided in the rules. Players then take their dealt cards into their hand and secretly arrange them in ascending numerical order.
Q3How does a turn work?
Trio is played in a clockwise direction. On your turn, you must reveal cards one at a time. You can choose to reveal a card either from the face-down cards in the middle of the table or from another player's hand (including your own). If revealing from the middle, you can pick any card. If revealing from a player's hand, you must ask them to show you either their lowest or highest value card, which they then reveal face up. You continue revealing cards until either you form a set of three identical cards or you reveal a card with a different value than the previously revealed card(s) in that turn.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
If you successfully reveal three identical cards, you collect that set. These three cards are placed face up in front of you, indicating a collected set. If, however, you reveal a card that does not match the value of the previously revealed card(s) in that turn, your turn immediately ends. All cards revealed during that turn (except any sets already collected) are then returned face down to their original positions (either to the center of the table or back to the player's hand).
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes when one of the following conditions is met: a player successfully collects three different sets of identical cards (in the simple variant), a player collects two connected sets and the number 7 set (in the spicy variant), or a player collects the number 7 set (in either variant). The player who achieves any of these conditions first is declared the winner. Trio can also be played in teams, but those rules are left for players to discover independently.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
An important rule to remember is that you can execute the same action multiple times within a turn. For example, you can repeatedly ask an opponent to reveal their highest or lowest card until your turn ends. Even if you start your turn with no cards in your hand, you can still play by requesting cards from other players or revealing cards from the center of the table. When revealing cards from your own hand, you must also choose either the lowest or highest value card; you cannot pick a card from the middle of your hand.
Q7How much does Trio cost?
No store is currently tracking Trio. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy Trio cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Trio?
Trio is a animals game, for 3–6 players, taking ~15 minutes, featuring matching. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Trio — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Trio support?
Trio is played by 3–6 players.
Mechanics & categories