Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
It’s fun to try this with different groups. Some groups play fast, some play slow. Some groups have a bit of awkward laughter as they’re getting ready to make a big play, some groups sit stone faced. Every group I’ve played with strategies how to use the throwing stars differently. Some groups may not like this — I’m not saying it is for everybody — but it is unique and worth trying, and regardless, you’ll learn a lot about your teammates with The Mind .
The biggest factor to consider in The Mind card game is the level of communication that you allow when playing the game. The Mind is some of the most fun I’ve had with a light card game in a long time. It took me between 10 and 15 sessions across multiple different groups before we were finally able to beat the final level. When we did, it was one of the most satisfying and rewarding feelings I’ve had with a tabletop game. The more you play, the more you feel mentally connected to your friends and you’ll slowly see your results improving with each session. And because The Mind doesn’t feature actual turns, everyone can play a card whenever they want, there is no real downtime, which means that no one is getting bored or feeling disengaged, unless they happen to empty their hand first. But even then, watching the rest of your group try to finish out the level is a blast and you’re still able to vote on using a throwing star.
Game Play
In several ways, The Mind is a sort of spiritual successor to The Game, a 2015 Spiel Des Jahres nominee. But where The Game solely revolved around the idea of playing ascending numbers in strategic fashion as its foundation, The Mind uses that concept as a piece of a wholly different foundation: reading each other’s minds. After a few sessions of The Mind, you realize that playing the cards is just the mechanic chosen to highlight the real beauty of this game. Once the team has successfully completed level 2, they receive one throwing star as a reward. One throwing star is taken from the edge of the table and is added to the current throwing stars. All players set aside any cards in their hands that are lower than the card that was wrongly placed. Once you've successfully stumbled through the first round, you move to the second. This time, each player receives two cards, the rounds getting progressively harder in this fashion. And each time you'll feel like you've just barely eked out your win from the last round. But through this, you consistently feel like you're getting better as a group, from round to round and session to session. I watched Eric Martin’s preview, and then I read the rules. I have to be honest: I didn’t think the central mechanic would work that well. But it does, and the first time we played it, I found it novel and fascinating. The Mind is one of those highly addictive games that you’ll want to play again and again.
After a while, the concept does have the potential to wear thin as it’s pretty one-dimensional in terms of its actual rules. But again, it will completely depend on the group of people you play with. Really, for such a low barrier of entry and such a fun experience, it’s hard to go wrong.
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At the start of the game, players receive lives equal to the number of players and a single shuriken. At any time during the game, a player can raise their hand to suggest a shuriken is played. If all players agree to play a shuriken every player discards their lowest card and play resumes. Gameplay This is a very inexpensive game that you won’t grow tired of anytime soon. If you’re constantly playing with the same group, you might find it slowly becomes a less interesting or varied option, but if you’re mixing in some different people often enough, you’ll want to keep bringing this little gem to the table. Plus, different player amounts feel very different and alter the number of levels for even more variety. Not to mention an expert mode for once you become a true telepath. You basically dictate your own replay value with The Mind. The more you play it with new or different amounts of people, the more it’ll feel new and fresh. I own this game, when I play it I have a lot of fun, but with that being said it is never a game i want to play…
You are not supposed to say what you have in your hand to other players. This is obviously one of the biggest grey areas in board game history. There are hundreds of ways to indicate what you have without coming right out and saying it. Board games are about fun and comradery so no need to play this strict, find the level that is comfortable and challenging for your group. ADVANCED RULESSimply say "stop" to interrupt play - everyone places a hand on the table - refocus - remove hands - and the game goes on!
Example: Tim, Sarah and Linus play level 2. Each player now has 2 cards in their hand. Each of them places a hand on the table to focus their concentration before play is started.
End of the Game
Based on the number of players, the team is given a specific number of Life cards and Throwing Stars, which are placed face up in the center of the group. For two players, the team is given two Life cards and one Throwing Star. For three players, the team is given three Life cards and one Throwing Star. For four players, the team is given four Life cards and one Throwing Star. HOW TO PLAY THE MIND Whether you and your group can pull it off depends on your ability to read others, those who are familiar with the Pinochle rules already could have an advantage with their bluffing skills.
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