Crows & Ravens
A two-player trick-taking game of restraint, risk, and prediction.
Overview
Each round consists of seven tricks. One player calls Crow (low) or Raven (high), and both players attempt to influence the outcome while navigating the power of the Shiny (trump suit).
- Crow: Aim for 0–3 books
- Raven: Aim for 4–7 books
- Magpie: Scores by disrupting the caller
- Shiny: The trump suit
Setup
- Use a standard 52-card deck
- Deal 7 cards to each player
- Place remaining deck face-down
- Dealer is the Magpie, other player is the Caller
- Flip top card → suit becomes the Shiny
Call Phase
The Caller declares:
- Crow (0–3 books)
- Raven (4–7 books)
The goal is not to win tricks — it is to win the right number.
How to Play
Trick Rules
- Non-dealer leads
- Must follow suit if able
- If not, may play any card
- Highest of suit wins unless trump is played
- Trump beats all non-trump
- Each trick = 1 book
- Winner leads next trick
- Card order: A K Q J 10 → 2
Shiny Rule
- Trump cannot be led until broken
- Broken when trump is played off-suit
Round End
After all 7 tricks:
- Caller becomes Magpie
- Shuffle and deal new hand
There are always 7 tricks per round.
Scoring
Magpie
If the Caller fails their range → Magpie scores 2 points
Caller
Caller only scores if they land within their declared range.
| Call | Books | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Crow | 0 | 3 |
| Crow | 1–2 | 2 |
| Crow | 3 | 1 |
| Raven | 4 | 1 |
| Raven | 5–6 | 2 |
| Raven | 7 | 3 |
First player to 10 points wins.
Optional Variants
Exact Call
- Call exact number of books
- Exact = 3 points
- Miss = 0
Magpie Swap
After Shiny is revealed, Magpie may swap one card with opponent.