ECK: A Solo Trick-Taking Card Game

ECK (like “deck” without the ‘d’) is an abstract solo trick-taking card game where the you play against the AI opponent ECK attempting to collect trick cards by winning exactly the number of tricks shown on the available trick cards.

The ranks of the cards are polygon shapes where increased complexity means increased trick value: line, triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon. The suits are colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

There are 6 ranks (shapes) and 6 suits (colors). There are also 6 circle cards: three white and three black, which act as trump cards. The small circle symbol below the shape in the top left corner of a color card is a color symbol to aid those who may have issues differentiating colors.

How to play:

The player draws a hand of 13 cards and plays one trick for each card. The AI opponent ECK is the deck of 29 remaining cards. Both the player and ECK play one card per trick, with ECK's cards determined based on the AI system described in the rulebook.

There are 7 trick cards numbered 2,4,6,8,10,12, and 13/0. The player's goal is, at the end of each round, to have won exactly the number of tricks shown on one of the available trick cards, collecting that card if successful. Collecting 4 trick cards wins the game, though there are ways for ECK to win also.

For a more complete description of the rules, download the full rulebook using the link above.

Check out these video reviews from the BGG 2020 Solitaire PnP Contest where ECK took fourth place overall and first place in the Most Innovative Mechanic and Best AI System categories.

Solo McLaughlin:

"I think that it satisfies that itch of playing a trick-taking game by yourself. I think it is a very ingenious little game"

Solo Adventures:

"I had fun with ECK and I think you will too."

ECK is featured on an episode of the 1 Player podcast:

"I have enjoyed this game. I really had a lot of fun playing it. I keep playing it."

1P 178 - Eck | 1 Player Podcast