Disclosure: Meeple Mountain received a free copy of this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This review is not intended to be an endorsement.
Flip 7 is a card game for 3–99 players (100 would break the game!) that taps into the brain’s dopamine release. The gameplay is straightforward: the rotating dealer deals a card, and each player chooses to “hit” or “pass.” Fans of blackjack will immediately recognize the inspiration.
If players pass, they are out for the round and score the sum of the cards in front of them. If they choose to “hit,” they’re dealt another card, and play moves to the next player. The round continues until all players have either passed or successfully flipped seven unique number cards. Successfully flipping 7 cards (hence the name) will also net a +15 point bonus.
The numbered cards range from 0 to 12, with each number represented by that many cards in the deck (e.g., there are twelve 12 cards, one 1 card, and even one 0 card). If players draw a card they already have, they automatically “bust” for the round and score zero.
Hidden within the deck are three types of special cards that can shift the game’s dynamics. The player who draws a special card decides whom to play it on:
- Freeze cards lock a player’s hand, forcing them to pass.
- Flip 3 cards automatically deal three more cards to a player.
- Second Chance cards act as a shield, preventing one bust during the round.
The game ends when a player reaches 200+ points at the end of a round.
Flip 7 is a simple yet addictive card game that encourages back-to-back plays. The high-stakes drama of risky draws elicits cheers and jeers from everyone at the table. For fans of casino games, it feels like sitting at a table game—minus the money loss or the need to tip the dealer!
Risk-taking is rewarded and encouraged. Players who play it safe by passing early often fall behind quickly. Modifier cards, ranging from +2 to +10, can also boost your score. There’s even one highly coveted x2 card that can push a strong hand even further. Since cards are quantified by their value, the game rewards card counting—but don’t worry, there’s no pit boss here! Each hand becomes a fun little statistical guessing game to decide whether the draw is worth the risk. However, the game is almost entirely based on chance. Competitive players may react negatively, as they can often be dealt out of the game (even on the first hit) or face an uneven distribution of second-chance cards. Those who dislike games of chance are likely to avoid this one.
I received the promotional edition, which is sized down to a standard playing card deck box—perfect for travel or pub visits. While tracking scores can be a bit cumbersome (you’ll need a pen and paper or use the Flip 7 scoring app), the fun scales up with more players. We played as high as a 12-player game!
We found that the minimum three-player game generated less drama since fewer special cards appeared. However, with the game accommodating nearly infinite players, it’s perfect for parties or gatherings where everyone can join the fun. The ease of teaching and feel of familiarity will draw in gamers and non-gamers alike.
The box boasts “The Greatest Card Game of All Time”—which might be true! So, stop reading and grab a copy of Flip 7 to see what the buzz is about. You may regret that last card draw, but you won’t regret bringing this to your next social function!
Flip 7 details
- Designer: Eric Olsen
- Artists: N/A
- Publishers: Catch Up Games, The Op Games
- Release Date: 2024
- Player count : 3 - 99
- Age range : 8+
- Time range : 20 minutes
- Mechanism(s): Push Your Luck
- BGG Geek Rating: 7.10616 - converted to Meeple Mountain scale: 3.5.
- More articles about Flip 7.
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