Lovebirds

Lovebirds is a quick, cutthroat card game for 3–5 players from Reiner Knizia, where the goal is deceptively simple: get birds, pair them up, don't let anyone die alone. Easier said than done.

Every round, players secretly pick a number and reveal it at the same time. Play the highest card in the group, and you're stuck with Female Lovebirds. Play the lowest, and the Males come home with you. Get one of each, and congratulations, it's love, they fly off together, and you're one step closer to a clean slate. Get stuck with a mismatch, though, and you're just accumulating heartbreak, one point at a time.

The trouble is, you have no idea what everyone else is about to play. Aim for the middle and dodge both extremes? Sure, if you don't mind watching someone else scoop up the whole flock. Go for broke on a 50 or a 1? Just hope the birds you get are the ones you actually need.

Nine turns per round, one round per player, and a pile of lonely, heartbroken birds waiting to punish anyone who wasn't paying attention. Fewest Sadness Points at the end wins, and yes, everyone will absolutely blame you if they end up single.

Five optional variants are included for players who think regular heartbreak isn't punishing enough.