Play Your Cards Right is a simple game that functions remarkably well as a social icebreaker.

This is not the product of a big game company, but the passion project of a 28 year old guy who is honestly barely passable at Catan, who despite not knowing much about board games in general got it into his head that the solution to things like the frustrations of dating apps and making new friends outside of school and work might lie in the format of a deck of cards. 

Play Your Cards Right is not just variations of the “36 Questions That Lead To Love”, like some other offerings in the genre (I’m looking at you WNRS). Sure, you may get asked when the last time you cried was, but at some point, you’re also going to have to map out a business plan for a theme park in the middle of the Sahara Desert. 

That’s because the idea was to create gameplay that not only led to revealing, deep conversation, but also encouraged players to show a wider spectrum of their personalities, from their creativity, to their goofiness, to their powers of persuasion. Also, there are Wild cards, just to add a touch of chaos. 

There’s really no right or wrong way to play this game (despite what its name would suggest). Skip cards. Make up your own rules. Play it with friends, or use it to make new ones. That’s one of its features I really hope people take advantage of. Have you ever seen someone, at a bar, or a party, and wanted to approach them but weren't sure what you’d say? Or, maybe you’ve been at said bar or party on the other end of the equation, waiting for that someone to approach you. Only they didn’t. Because approaching new people is hard.

Or at least it used to be. Now of course you’re about to own your very own copy of Play Your Cards Right, which makes it really easy. Now all you have to do is invite that attractive or intriguing stranger over to your friend group to preside over the heated debate you’re about to have about whether fish have necks. Seriously, try it. It works.