On the front of the card box for Flip 7 is the bold statement: “The Greatest Card Game of All Time!” Naturally, that’s going to make any gamer want to put the game to the test. So let’s see how Flip 7 lives up to the promise!
Flip 7 is a push your luck card game for 3+ players, ages 8 and up, and takes about 20 minutes to play. It’s currently a Walmart exclusive, with the 2nd edition of the game selling for $7.99 at Walmart stores or at Walmart.com. It will also be getting a wide release on May 1st.
Flip 7 was designed by Eric Olsenand published by The Op Games, with illustrations by O’Neil Mabile.
There’s not a lot in the box: a deck of 94 cards, and a rules booklet. The cards are of good quality, and shuffle easily. The deck consists largely of numerical cards, with some special ability cards mixed in.
The numerical cards are numbered 0-12, and aside from a single “0” card, every other numerical card has the same number of cards in the deck as their value. So, for example, one “1”, two “2”s, three “3”s, etc.
You can download a copy of the rulebook here.
The goal of the game is to be the first player to 200 points.
Either have a pen and paper handy to keep score, or you can use the web app. There are also printable score sheets if you so desire.
Shuffle the cards thoroughly, and choose a player to be Dealer for the round.
In turn order, the Dealer deals one card face up to each player including themselves. If an Action card comes up during the dealing, it is immediately resolved, then continue dealing until every player has been dealt a card.
The Dealer now offers each player the option to “hit” (get dealt another card) or “stay” (exit the round and bank points). If you take a card, it is placed face up next to the one(s) you have already received. If you are ever dealt a numerical card that matches another card in front of you, then you bust and receive no points for the round.
Play for the round continues in that fashion until everyone has either stayed, or have busted. At that point, every player that has not busted adds up their numerical cards, applies any score modifier cards they have received that round, and then notes their total for the round.
If you have 7 or more unique numerical cards after you stayed for the round, then you also “Flip 7,” and take an additional 15 points for the round.
The deck then moves to the next player in clockwise order, who becomes the Dealer for the next round.
There are 3 different action cards in the game, with 3 copies of each. Action cards can be played on any active player, including yourself. They are:
Modifier cards increase your total score. There are 5 different cards in the deck that will add an amount to your total score ranging from 2 to 10, and 1 card in the deck that will double your score.
The game ends when one of the players reaches 200 points. The player with the most points, wins.
Flip 7 is GeekDad Approved!
So, is Flip 7 “the greatest card game of all time”? Well, probably not. But is it really fun to play, easy to teach, and just a delight in a tiny package? Absolutely!
I have yet to play Flip 7 with anyone that didn’t thoroughly enjoy the game. My last play, with my girlfriend and her teenage daughter, resulted in more laughter from everyone than we’ve had together in quite awhile. They appreciated that they were able to learn the game from me in just a minute or two, and then we could focus on just playing and having a good time.
Flip 7 has simple gameplay, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of strategy. Knowing exactly how many of each card there are in the deck allows players to strategically decide when to take a card, and when to cash out on your points. It’s a push your luck game that you can definitely know your odds before you ask for another card.
The Action cards add dimension to the game, in a good way. They can save you, in the form of the “Second Chance!” card, or they can ruin your day, like when you’re on the receiving end of a “Flip Three!” card and you get a duplicate number card…on what would have been your seventh numerical card, like I did in one game. So not only did I not get that Flip 7, I ended up with zero points for the round.
Being a small card game, Flip 7 is easily transportable. Just throw it into a bag and you’re good to go! The price point is certainly worth mentioning too. With the costs of many board games rising not just due to inflation but because of the recent tariffs, it’s refreshing to see a game this good that comes in under $10, even after taxes.
Flip 7 includes a few non-playable cards that you can hand out to people that you think might like to play the game. I anticipate that I will pretty quickly hand those out, but mostly as reminders of the name of the game for people I’ve played it with, so that they can go out and get their own copies.
Flip 7 may not be the greatest card game of all time, but it’s likely going to be one of the greatest card games in your collection. It works great as a filler game that’s super quick to get to the table on a game night, but is also enjoyable to play several rounds of if you’re at a party. It’s definitely well-deserving of being awarded “GeekDad Approved.”
For more information or to make a purchase, visit The Op Games!
Disclosure: GeekDad received a copy of this game for review purposes.
Source: geekdad.com