No Thanks! (2004)

No Thanks! is a card game designed to be as simple as it is engaging.

The rules are simple. Each turn, players have two options:

• play one of their chips to avoid picking up the current face-up card
• pick up the face-up card (along with any chips that have already been played on that card) and turn over the next card

However, the choices aren't so easy as players compete to have the lowest score at the end of the game. The deck of cards is numbered from 3 to 35, with each card counting for a number of points equal to its face value. Runs of two or more cards only count as the lowest value in the run - but nine cards are removed from the deck before starting, so be careful looking for connectors. Each chip is worth +1 point, but they can be even more valuable by allowing you to avoid drawing that unwanted card.

This game was originally called Geschenkt, meaning Given as a Gift. Also published in Italy as No Merci! by Dal Negro, in 2007.

Awards

• 2005 Spiel des Jahres Recommendation.

Microbadges

Online Play

• GamePixies (turn based and real time)

Rules for a "tactical variant" are included, but this variant is overwhelmingly unpopular.

The simple "press your luck" aspect of when to play a chip and when to accept a card (and all chips that were already played to avoid it) deals with the bidding mechanism of Michael Schacht's Mogul.

Components:

• 1 set of rules
• 33 cards numbered 3 to 35
• 55 playing chips