Introduction

GOPS, Game of Pure Strategy aka Goofspiel. Is a very fun, intruging bidding card game that can be adjusted to 3 players, or 4 by adding another deck of cards. The objective of the game is to win most points by outbidding the opponent. In the two player variant GOPS is played with a 3-suit deck where players bid to win auction cards.

The Play 

• Setup: Shuffle only the diamonds and place them face down to form the auction pile. One player takes all the spades, and the other takes all the clubs. Hearts are not used.
• Auctioning: Flip the top card from the auction pile face up. Both players select a card from their hands to bid for the auction card, revealing their choices simultaneously. The player with the higher bid wins the auction card.
• Continuing the Game: After each auction, turn over the next card from the auction pile and repeat the bidding process until all 13 auction cards have been auctioned.
• Ties: If both players bid the same value, the auction card gets added to the next bidding round.
• Scoring:At the end of the game, players calculate their scores based on the auction cards they’ve won:
  • Ace = 1 point
  • Cards 2 to 10 = face value
  • Jack = 11 points
  • Queen = 12 points
  • King = 13 points

Strategy 

Here are some useful tips to enhance your strategy in GOPS:

1. Track Your Opponent’s Cards: Keep a mental note of the cards your opponent has played.

2. Bid Wisely: Use your higher-value cards to bid on the more valuable auction cards.

3. Strategic Bidding: Aim to win each auction by exactly one point more than your opponent.

4. Low Bids: If you need to bid low, use your lowest card to minimize the loss of bidding power.