Fox in the Forest
In this clever two-player trick-taking game, winning too many tricks costs you everything—master the art of calculated restraint to claim victory.
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What You'll Need
About This Game
A trick-taking game designed specifically for two players. Win tricks to score, but win too many and you'll be greedy - balance is key.
How to Play
SETUP: Shuffle the deck and place it between both players. Each player draws a hand of 13 cards. The player who didn't deal plays first.
GAMEPLAY: Players alternate playing one card per trick, with the first player setting the suit. The second player must follow suit if possible; otherwise, they may play any card. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick, unless a special card is played (see below). The winner of each trick leads the next one.
SPECIAL CARDS: Fox cards can beat any other card in a trick. Witch cards force the winner of that trick to become the loser instead. Faerie cards allow you to play a card of a different suit even if you have the led suit.
SCORING: After all 13 tricks are played, count how many tricks each player won. The player with 7 or more tricks is considered 'greedy' and scores zero points for the round. The opposing player scores points equal to the number of tricks they won (maximum 6 points per round). If both players won 6 or fewer tricks, each scores their trick total.
WINNING: Play multiple rounds (typically 3-5) until one player reaches a target score (commonly 21 points). The first to reach the target wins the game.
KEY MECHANIC: The innovative scoring system creates a push-your-luck dynamic unique to two-player trick-taking games. You want to win tricks, but not too many—winning 7 or more tricks in a round punishes you with zero points, forcing strategic decisions about which tricks to concede.
History & Background
Fox in the Forest emerged in 2015 as a refreshing innovation in the trick-taking genre, a card game category with centuries of history. Designed by Joshua Buergel and published by Renegade Game Studios, the game was created with a singular focus: delivering an engaging trick-taking experience specifically tailored for two players. While traditional trick-taking games like Bridge and Hearts were designed for three or more players and often felt awkward when forced into two-player variants, Fox in the Forest solved this problem by building its entire design philosophy around the two-player dynamic from the ground up.
The game's most innovative contribution to card gaming is its unique scoring system, which introduces a push-your-luck element rarely seen in trick-taking games. The concept of becoming "greedy" by winning too many tricks—earning zero points for winning seven or more tricks—fundamentally changes strategic decision-making compared to traditional games where winning every trick is always desirable. This mechanic creates tense moments where players must actively decide which tricks to concede, adding psychological depth and unpredictability to every hand.
Since its release, Fox in the Forest has gained significant recognition within the board gaming community, becoming a go-to recommendation for couples and two-player enthusiasts seeking quick, accessible games that don't sacrifice strategic depth. The game's success spawned expansions and variants, but the original remains popular for its elegant design and compact gameplay. With a complexity rating suitable for newcomers yet offering enough nuance to engage experienced gamers, Fox in the Forest has solidified itself as a modern classic in two-player card gaming, proving that trick-taking games don't require a large player count to be engaging, competitive, and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Fox in the Forest with 2 players?
Yes! Fox in the Forest is an excellent choice for 2 players — in fact, it's designed specifically for a duo. You'll get the full experience without any compromises.
How long does Fox in the Forest take to play?
A typical game of Fox in the Forest takes about 20-30 minutes. This can vary based on players' experience level and how quickly decisions are made.
What do you need to play Fox in the Forest?
To play Fox in the Forest, you need: Fox in the Forest game box. That's it — no special equipment required.
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