Diamonds Card Game Rules & Cards

Diamonds is a popular trick-taking card game that involves collecting Diamond Crystals, which are rare acrylic crystals included in the game, rather than cards bearing that suit. The game differs from other trick-taking card games, as it involves Suit Actions that a player can take when they cannot follow suit.

The Suit Actions are based on what suit they select to play and are also taken by the winner of each trick, as well as at the end of a full round of the game. The Diamonds game is designed for two to six players and is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Cards to play the Diamonds Card Game

The deck in the Diamonds card game consists of 60 standard playing cards numbered 1–15 in the four suits of diamonds, hearts, clubs, and spades. The game also includes six player aid cards, six vaults, 110 small clear diamond crystals worth 1 point each, and 25 large red diamond crystals worth 5 points each.

Diamonds Card Game Rules

The goal of the game is to collect as many Diamond Crystals as possible. The game is played over a series of rounds, with each round consisting of ten tricks. The person who finishes with the majority of Diamond Crystals at the end of the game wins.

The players can score points by taking Diamond Crystals from the Supply and moving them to their Showroom (where they may score 1 point) or to their Vault (where they will score 2 points). The Vault is a secure area, but the Showroom is vulnerable to theft by the other players.

When each round finishes, the player who has taken the most cards in every single suit gets a Suit Action. Whenever they have taken no tricks, that player gets two Diamonds Suit Actions.

How to Play Diamonds Card Game

The game starts with the dealer shuffling the deck and handing out ten cards to each of the players. After dealing cards equally among all the players, put down the remaining cards in the center of the table to form the draw pile. Then, to start the play, flip the top card of the draw pile to start the discard pile.

Start Playing

To start playing, the player that is next to the dealer plays the first card on the deck. This means that every player must play a card of the same suit as the first card, if possible. Whenever a player cannot follow suit, they can play any card, and they immediately get a Suit Action in the suit they played.

Playing Turns

The player who played the highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick and gets a Suit Action. The winner of the trick leads the card for the next trick, and play continues until ten tricks have been played.

Playing the Cards

The card that is played must match the suit of the card that was flipped, and if they cannot follow suit, they can play any card of their choice. The highest card in the suit might most likely win the trick.

Suit Actions

When a player cannot follow suit, they immediately get a Suit Action in the suit they played. A player can take a suit action to take Diamond Crystals from the Supply and move them to their showroom (where they may score 1 point) or to their Vault (where they will score 2 points). The Vault is a safe area, but the Showroom is more susceptible to theft by the other players.

End of Round

After a full round of ten tricks, the player who has taken the most cards in each suit gets a Suit Action. If a player has taken no tricks, that player gets two Diamonds Suit Actions. All players then start a new round, and the player with the most Diamond Crystals at the end of the game wins.

Winning and Scoring

In the Diamonds Card Game, the players can score points by taking Diamond Crystals from the supply and moving them to their showroom for one score point or to their Vault for two score points. The game ends, and the first player with the most Diamond Crystals at the final turn wins.