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Vivo

Overview

Vivo is a trick-taking card game of harmony, timing, and precise suit play.

The game is played over 2 rounds, each consisting of 12 tricks.

In each trick:

  • Players must collectively play the exact number of suits shown on the current Harmony card, if possible.
  • At the end of the trick:
    • The player who played the highest rank scores
    • The player who played the lowest rank scores

After 2 rounds:

  • The player with the most points wins.

Harmonize with other players to hit the right notes and play a perfect puppy performance!


Components

  • 48 Playing cards
    • 4 suits
    • Ranks 1–12
  • 15 Harmony cards

Card Types

Playing Cards

Each card has:

  • Suit
  • Rank

Ranks range from:

  • 1–12

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Harmony Cards

Harmony cards show how many suits must appear during the current trick.

Possible harmonies:

  • Solo = 1 suit
  • Duet = 2 suits
  • Trio = 3 suits
  • Quartet = 4 suits

Setup

  1. Grab a pen and paper for scoring.
  1. Remove cards based on player count.
Players Remove
3 Remove any 1 suit
4 Use all 4 suits

Harmony card adjustments:

Players Remove Harmony Cards
3 Remove 1 Solo, 1 Duet, 1 Trio
4 Remove all 3 Quartets
  1. Shuffle the Harmony cards.
  1. Reveal 1 Harmony card face-up in the center.
  1. Place remaining Harmony cards in a face-down pile.
  1. Reveal the next Harmony card face-up beside the pile.
  1. Shuffle the Playing cards.
  1. Deal each player 12 cards.
  1. The player who most recently sang a song leads the first trick.

Playing a Trick

The lead player:

  • Plays any card from their hand.

Then, moving clockwise:

  • Each player plays 1 card.

Players must follow the harmony if possible.


Following the Harmony

On your turn:

Count how many different suits have already been played this trick.


=== If the required number of suits has already been played:

You must play:

  • One of the suits already played

=== If the required number of suits has NOT yet been played:

You may play:

  • Any suit

Provided the required number of suits can still be completed by the end of the trick.


Forced New Suit

If the harmony can only be completed by introducing a new suit:

  • You must play a new suit.

Impossible Harmony

If the required harmony cannot be completed regardless of what you play:

  • You must still play a new suit.

Playing Off-Harmony

If you have no cards that follow the harmony:

  • You must play off-harmony

To play off-harmony:

  • Choose any card
  • Play it face-up as normal

Important:

  • Off-harmony cards are ignored during scoring
  • Off-harmony players cannot score points

Scoring a Trick

After everyone has played:

Ignore all off-harmony cards.

Then resolve scoring:


Score Highest

The player who played the highest rank:

  • Flips their card face-down
  • Adds it to their scoring row

Each facedown card will be worth:

  • 2 points

Score Lowest

The player who played the lowest rank:

  • Keeps their card face-up
  • Adds it to their scoring row

Each face-up card is worth:

  • Its printed rank

Discard

All other played cards:

  • Are discarded face-down

Each player keeps their scored cards in a scoring row.


Tie Breakers

If players tie for:

  • Highest rank

OR

  • Lowest rank

The player who played later in the trick wins the tie.


All Cards Tie

If all players tie:

  • The tie winner scores as highest rank
  • No player scores lowest rank

Next Trick

After scoring:

  1. Discard the current Harmony card.
  2. Replace it with the next Harmony card.
  3. Reveal the following Harmony card, if available.

Next lead player:

  • The player who scored lowest rank

If no player scored lowest:

  • The player who scored highest rank leads instead.

Round End

After 12 tricks:

Each player totals their scoring row.

Scoring:

  • Each facedown card = 2 points
  • Each face-up card = printed rank

Record scores.

If only 1 round has been played:

  • Set up and play a second round.

First player of Round 2:

  • The player who scored lowest rank in the final trick of Round 1.

Game End

After Round 2:

  • Add both round scores.

The player with the highest score wins.

Tie:

  • Victory is shared.

Clarifications

  • Players may NOT look at:
    • The discard pile
    • Opponents' facedown scored cards
  • In a Solo:
    • All players must play the same suit as the lead.
  • In a Trio with 3 players:
    • Every player must play a different suit.
  • In a Quartet with 4 players:
    • Every player must play a different suit.
  • If harmony becomes impossible:
    • You must still attempt to introduce a new suit.

Strategy Tips

  • Going late in a trick gives tie-breaker advantage.
  • Sometimes playing low safely is better than chasing the high card.
  • Watch which suits have already appeared before committing.
  • Off-harmony hurts—protect your suit flexibility.

Credits

  • Design: Vic Village, LEO
  • Illustration: Sai Beppu
  • Graphic Design: Anca Gavril & Co.
  • Rules Editing: Jeff Fraser, Eric Slauson
  • 3D Artist: Filip Gavril