INTRODUCTION

GOPS stands for Game of Pure Strategy. Players can learn the rules in seconds. A combination of quick rounds and basic tactics makes this a fun game for children.

HOW TO PLAY GOPS

THE DEAL

Sort the pack into suits ♠️♣️♦️♥️ I and place them into four piles. ♦️are the trumps and are placed face down in the middle, they will form the deck. Each player takes one of the other piles. If only two players, discard all the ♥️s.

THE PLAY

The top card from the deck is turned over to reveal a ♦️ card e.g. 5♦️. Each player bids to win that card by picking one card from their hand and placing it face down in front of them.

HOW TO WIN
Once all cards are played, the person with the highest points wins. Points are combined from all Diamond cards a player has won.

REVEALING CARDS

When all players have played a card, they are turned over at the same time e.g. 2 and 4.

The highest card wins the ♦️ card e.g. 4 is higher than 2. The winner takes the ♦️ and puts it to one side. Play resumes with another ♦️ card being turned over from the deck. A new bidding round starts. Cards can only be used once.

IF PLAYERS BID THE SAME

If both players bid the same, then another ♦️ card is turned over from the deck e.g. 8♦️. Players then bid again for both ♦️ cards.

FOUR OR MORE PLAYERS

If two players bid the same amount and there are three players in the game, then the third player wins the ♦️ card, even if their bid is lower.

When playing with four to seven players, if there is a tie then the highest unique card wins e.g. if with four players 8 8 8 6 are bid, then the 6 wins.

POINTS PER CARD

ENDING THE GAME

When all ♦️I have been turned over from the deck, the game ends. Players separate ♦️ their cards and count their total points.

THE WINNER

The winner of the game is the player who has the most points. Scores can be written down with the overall winner being the first to score two hundred points.

VIDEO OF HOW TO PLAY GOPS

TIPS

Place a higher bid when there is more than one ♦️ card as the total points are higher.

STRATEGY

The best players use a combination of remembering previous cards played and having a strategy of which cards they want to win.

EXTRAS

All bids are played face down. Once a card is placed face down it
cannot be changed. 

Keeping the suits separate after playing them makes it easier to start a new game.

SIMILAR GAMES

  • Goofspiel

FAQ