This is a card game my friends and I came up with some day back in like 2020. I've written and lost the rules several times at this point, so who knows if I actually remember the whole thing! I think we managed to create a game with raw fun factor that also does some interesting things with social deception and blurring the lines between cooperation and competition. I've playtested this game quite a bit at this point and can say with confidence that it is a good game! Kids especially seem to get really into it and play a bunch of games in a row.
The object of the game is to own the most cards by the end of the game.
HiJack is a game to be played by 3 - 6 players using a standard deck of playing cards. The Deck is to be shuffled thoroughly. Count the number of players, and give each player than number of cards face down. Players may look at their cards. Then, place the same number of cards face-down on the table in a line, so that they looks like train cars put end to end. You are now ready to play! This game is western-movie themed, ridiculous southern accents and role-playing are encouraged!
Play proceeds in two phases, First, a cooperative phase, then a competitive phase. In the first phase, the 'train' of cards on the table must be defeated. This means starting at one end, each 'train car' will be flipped face-up. Then, the players will try to match or exceed the number on the card, by playing cards of their own. For example, suppose the 'train car' is the 4 of hearts. If I play the 5 of hearts, the car has been defeated. However, if the suit does not match, I must match double the value on the 'train car'. In the case that I play the 5 of diamonds, I have not defeated the 'train car' and must play another card with a value of 3 or higher, because the total value of the 'train car' is now 8.