Gamehelpprey

Prey

Overview

Prey is a trick-taking game where players alternate between being powerful predators and vulnerable prey.

Each round contains:

• 6 Predator tricks
• 6 Prey tricks

To score:

• Win a number of tricks matching one of your Goal Numbers

The first player to score 2 points wins the game.

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Goal

Play 6 tricks as predators...

...and 6 tricks as the prey that survive.

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Components

• 48 Animal cards
  • 4 suits
  • 12 cards per suit

• 8 Dice
  • 2 per player

• 4 Score cards

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Setup

1. Each player takes:
   • 1 Score card
   • 2 matching dice

1. Place Score cards with the 0 side face-up.

1. Each player rolls both dice.

Important:

• If you roll doubles:
  • Reroll until the numbers are different

1. Place dice on your Score card.

1. Shuffle the Animal cards.

1. Deal each player 12 cards.

Players should hold cards with:

• Predator numbers at the top

3-player game:

• Deal a 4th hand of 12
• Set it aside unused

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First Lead Player

The player with:

• The lowest total on their dice

leads the first trick.

Tie breaker:

1. Lowest individual die
2. Random choice

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Goal Numbers

Your 2 dice create your Goal Numbers.

To score 1 point for the round:

• Win tricks equal to either Goal Number

Example:

• Goal Numbers = 2 and 5
• Score by winning exactly:
  • 2 tricks

OR

• • 5 tricks

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Special Rule: Goal Number 6

A Goal Number of 6 is special.

If you rolled a 6:

You may score by winning:

• 6 tricks
• 0 tricks
• Your other Goal Number

Example:

• Goal Numbers = 2 and 6

You score if you win:

• 0 tricks
• 2 tricks
• 6 tricks

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Predator & Prey Tricks

Each round contains:

Trick Numbers	Mode
1–6	Predator
7–12	Prey

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Predator Tricks

During Predator tricks:

• All cards use their darker Predator numbers

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Prey Tricks

After the 6th trick:

• All players rotate cards in hand to the Prey side

During Prey tricks:

• All cards use their Prey numbers

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Playing a Trick

The lead player:

• Plays any 1 card

The suit played becomes:

• The Lead Suit

Then, clockwise:

• Each player plays 1 card

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Following Suit

If possible:

• You must play the Lead Suit

If you do not have the Lead Suit:

• You may play any card

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Winning a Trick

Predator Trick

The winner is:

• The highest Predator number in the Lead Suit

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Prey Trick

The winner is:

• The highest Prey number in the Lead Suit

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After Winning

The winner:

1. Takes all cards in the trick
2. Places them face-down in front of themselves
3. Leads the next trick

Players keep trick piles separated to clearly show:

• Number of tricks won

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Round End

After the 12th trick:

• Each player counts tricks won

If your total matches one of your Goal Numbers:

• Score 1 point

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Scoring Points

When a player scores their first point:

• Flip their Score card from 0 to 1

When a player scores their second point:

• The game ends immediately
• That player wins

If multiple players score their second point simultaneously:

• Victory is shared

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New Round

If no player has won the game:

1. Players reroll Goal Numbers
2. Shuffle and redeal cards
3. Play a new round

The player who won the final trick:

• Leads the next round

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Strategy Tips

• Winning too many tricks can be just as dangerous as winning too few.
• Goal Number 6 creates strong “avoid everything” strategies.
• Saving off-suit cards for the Prey phase can create huge swings.
• Watch opponents’ trick piles carefully.

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Clarifications

• Predator tricks always use Predator values only.
• Prey tricks always use Prey values only.
• You only need to match ONE Goal Number to score.
• Players may score simultaneously.

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Credits

• Design: TORU II
• Illustration: Sai Beppu
• Graphic Design: Anca Gavril
• Rules Editing: Jeff Fraser