Sushi Go Party!

Why it's in our library

Sushi Go Party! is a card-picking game made for a big table, so a whole family can sit down and play together at once. Everyone chooses and reveals at the same moment.

How to play

Over three rounds, you collect sushi cards that score in different ways. The most points at the end wins.

Before you start, the group picks a menu for the game: one nigiri, one roll, a few appetizers, a couple of specials and one dessert. The box suggests ready-made menus, and a gentle starter menu is a good choice when anyone is new. Only the chosen dishes go into the deck, and some dessert cards are added at the start of each round. Each player puts a pawn on the scoring track.

To play a round, deal everyone a hand. Hands are bigger when fewer people are playing. Each player quietly picks one card to keep and sets it face down, then everyone turns their card over together. Pass the rest of your hand to the left and pick again. Keep picking and passing until the hands are gone.

Then score the round. Some dishes reward sets, some reward having the most of something, and some boost another card. Some specials let you do something, like trading a card back or taking an extra pick later. Move the pawns along the track and clear away everything except desserts, which stay in front of you until the end.

After the third round, score desserts and add them in. The highest total wins. If there is a tie, the player with more dessert wins.

A tip for teaching: explain only the dishes on this game's menu.

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