Animal Circus

Animal performers take turns entering the circus ring, each attempting to outdo the previous act. Every player has an identical deck of 22 animal cards, each with a value and a unique ability. On a turn, a player draws a card and plays one into the ring. The played card must have a higher value than the previous card, or the previous player claims all cards in the ring. Card abilities may provide immediate or conditional effects, or change the rules for the next turn. When a player claims the ring and someone has no cards left to draw, the game ends. Players score points from their collected cards, with some worth three points and others worth negative three.

Players: 2–5 best 5
Playing time: 30–40 min
Age: 8+
Complexity: 1.5 / 5