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Holly Oak

Holly Oak

2023·Thomas Lehmann

3 - 5 players
30 - 40 min
Light weight: Learn it in minutes

From BoardGameGeek

In the seasonal trick-taking game Holly Oak, 3-5 revelers mark the passing of the seasons, seeking the favor of the Celtic Oak and Holly kings, locked in their endless cycle of growth, decay, and renewal. You must follow the current season if you can, but if you can't, then you may play any card. If you play a card of the next season, the season changes! A change in season often alters who wins that trick, as the highest rank card of the season that the trick ends in, wins that trick. These potential mid-trick season changes means that standard trick-taking maneuvers, such as drawing out trump, often won't work. Players score points either by taking the 6 Holly and Oak kings, worth 1 or 2 points each, or by taking no tricks at all, worth 8, 5, or 3 points in 3, 4, and 5 player games respectively. Between no-trick scoring and mid-trick trump changes, Holly Oak becomes a game of manipulating both the lead and current season to your advantage. Can you master the changing seasons?

Holly Oak

Which Holly Oak video should I watch?

Holly Oak has 2 videos from 2 creators: 2 reviews. They date from 2023 to October 2024.

If you like it, try Res Arcana, Race for the Galaxy, New Frontiers and Dice Realms, also by Thomas Lehmann.

All videos

Holly Oak - Learn While PlayingReview44:52

Holly Oak - Learn While Playing

Getting Games

Getting Games

Holly Oak Review with Tom VaselReview4:29

Holly Oak Review with Tom Vasel

The Dice Tower

The Dice Tower

Creators who cover this

All channels
Getting Games
Getting Games
1 video of this game
The Dice Tower
The Dice Tower
1 video of this game

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About Holly Oak

From BoardGameGeek:

In the seasonal trick-taking game Holly Oak, 3-5 revelers mark the passing of the seasons, seeking the favor of the Celtic Oak and Holly kings, locked in their endless cycle of growth, decay, and renewal. You must follow the current season if you can, but if you can't, then you may play any card. If you play a card of the next season, the season changes! A change in season often alters who wins that trick, as the highest rank card of the season that the trick ends in, wins that trick. These potential mid-trick season changes means that standard trick-taking maneuvers, such as drawing out trump, often won't work. Players score points either by taking the 6 Holly and Oak kings, worth 1 or 2 points each, or by taking no tricks at all, worth 8, 5, or 3 points in 3, 4, and 5 player games respectively. Between no-trick scoring and mid-trick trump changes, Holly Oak becomes a game of manipulating both the lead and current season to your advantage. Can you master the changing seasons?

Designer

Thomas Lehmann

Artist

Harald Lieske

Publisher

Rio Grande Games

Categories

Card Game

Mechanics

Trick-taking & Climbing
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