Always a Bridesmaid

Always a Bridesmaid is a simultaneous card game about trying to shine just enough — but never too much. Over three rounds, each player plays accessory cards face down, then reveals them at the same time to build a visible total. The twist is that the highest total is not the best position: players score by timing their exit and aiming to be the most flattering runner-up rather than stealing the spotlight. Each round, players may play their HOLD BACK card to stop playing for the round. The first players to hold back may secretly set aside one final accessory card, which is revealed during scoring and added to their total. Negative cards can help a player avoid the top position, but using them may flip that player to their WILD side, creating an end-game penalty. After each round, scored cards are displayed and removed from future hands, while reserved cards enter the game between rounds. As the card pool changes, players must read each other’s timing, totals, and appetite for risk to finish in exactly the right place. —description from the publisher