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You play the highest card. You win two points. Then you find out the bassist—the one with the three—took three. And you realize that in VIVO, it's not enough to dominate: you also need to know when to disappear at the right moment.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
When trick-taking becomes a musical score
VIVO is a Japanese trick-taking game designed by LEO, published by VicVillage and brought to the West by Allplay in the Tiny Box series. The musical theme isn't just graphics: each hand represents a different harmony (Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet) which dictates how many suits you must follow to qualify for scoring.
Each round begins by revealing the harmony. You play a card following (or not) the lead suit. The player who played the highest on-harmony card wins 2 points. But here's the novelty: the player who played the lowest on-harmony card takes points equal to its printed value. Bassists count as much as soloists.
What they say abroad
"A trick-taker where losing the trick can win you more points than winning it."
A trick-taking game where losing the trick can win you more points than winning it.
— Meeple Mountain
Still few votes on BGG, but the concept is clear: asymmetric trick-taking where even the last one counts. We will update the page when we have more data from the public.
— FroGames
VIVO
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and play sessionsThe four game elements
What's in the Tiny Box
Harmony Cards
Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet: at the beginning of each hand, they reveal how many suits must appear in the trick to qualify for scoring. It changes everything.
Suited number cards
Four thematic suits (musician dogs), low and high values. High cards win the trick. Low cards, if on-harmony, collect their printed value.
Score track
Tokens advance hand after hand. The first to reach the threshold wins. Or the player with the most points after the established number of rounds.
Illustrated rulebook
Tiny Box format: small, clear, iconographic. Everything in a few pages. Perfect for those who already know trick-taking games.
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each hand
VIVO is a classic trick-taking game with a crucial twist: the player who plays high wins, but the player who plays low also scores. Harmony decides who can score.
At the beginning of the hand, a Harmony card is revealed (Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet). That card indicates how many DIFFERENT suits must appear in the cards played in the trick to qualify for scoring. Example: Trio = you must play a suit that, together with the other cards played, forms at least three different suits.
The first player leads with a suit. Others play clockwise. You can follow suit or play a different suit (breaking harmony). If you play off-harmony, you cannot score in that trick.
Among the on-harmony cards: the highest wins 2 points, the lowest takes points equal to its printed value. Players who played off-harmony get nothing. The winner of the trick leads the next trick.
When all cards are played, the points for the hand are totaled. A new Harmony is revealed, and cards are dealt. Play continues until someone reaches the winning threshold or the predetermined number of hands is completed.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Reveal the harmony, deal the cards
Everyone looks at the Harmony card. Trio: you must play three different suits to qualify. You look at your hand: you have two red cards, three yellow. You're already calculating whether to lead or wait.
First tricks: orientation
The first player leads with a yellow 7. You have a yellow 3 and a red 10. If you play the 3, you stay in harmony but risk only getting 3 points. If you play the 10, you break, but you get nothing. You decide.
Mid-hand: card counting
You've seen three high blue cards come out. One is missing. If you play it now, you'll probably win the trick. But you look at your green 2: if harmony holds, that's a sure 2 points without risk. The tension rises.
Someone breaks the harmony
A player plays off-harmony: they are excluded from scoring. The others breathe a sigh of relief. You play your lowest on-harmony, a 4. An 8 wins. But you pocket 4 points while the winner only gets 2. The table erupts in laughter.
Last trick, final count
The last cards are turned over. Someone curses themselves for holding an ace instead of playing it earlier. You count the points: the one who seemed behind won by betting on the lows. The next hand changes the harmony. We start over.
🐸Before you know itThree honest things, from friends▼
Before you know it
Three things to keep in mind
The game works, but it loses symmetry compared to 4 players. With three players, tricks are less predictable, and some harmonies become easier to respect. Not a serious flaw, but 4 players is the ideal number for balance.
If you know trick-taking games, you'll pick it up immediately. But after 4-5 games, you might have exhausted the surprises: there are four harmonies, and strategies are quickly mapped out. Perfect as a filler or gateway game, less so as a marathon game.
The cards have clear symbols and numbers. Text is minimal (only on Harmony cards). Those who don't read English can play with a translated reference sheet, available online.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
Victory conditions and end of game
VIVO is played until a score threshold is reached or for a fixed number of hands. The player with the most points wins.
Victory
- Be the first to reach the established point threshold (e.g., 20 points in a short game, 30 in a long game)
- Or: score more points than others at the end of the predetermined number of hands
- In case of a tie, the player who won the most total tricks during the game wins
How NOT to score
- You play off-harmony: your card does not meet the criteria of the revealed Harmony, so you do not score points in that trick
- You play neither the highest nor the lowest on-harmony card: in that case, you score zero points
- You waste high cards too early or keep low cards when harmony changes: wrong strategy costs points
A trick-taking game that rewards both those who dominate and those who hide. Very rare. And it works.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
VIVO FAQ
What mechanics does VIVO use?
Classic trick-taking with asymmetric scoring: the highest on-harmony card wins (2 points), but the lowest on-harmony card also scores (points equal to its value). The variable harmony (Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet) changes each hand and determines who can qualify for scoring.
Is it suitable for those unfamiliar with trick-taking games?
Yes, the rules are immediate and the iconography helps. But those who have already played Briscola, Hearts, or The Crew will immediately grasp the novelty of the double scoring. Perfect as a gateway to modern trick-taking games.
How much does initial hand luck matter?
It matters, but less than it seems. An unbalanced hand (only high or only low cards) closes off some avenues, but harmonies change, and you can compensate with table reading and timing. It's not about who has the best cards, but who plays them at the right time.
Does it work well with 3 players?
It works, but the sweet spot is 4. With three, tricks are less predictable, some harmonies become easier to respect, and the game loses a bit of tension. It's not broken, but if you can, play with four.
Is it available in Italian?
No, this is the English edition published by Allplay. The text on the cards is minimal (harmony symbols and numbers): the game is accessible even to those who do not read English. The rulebook is in English, but fan translations circulate online.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
VIVO is a 3-4 player trick-taking game by LEO and published by Allplay in the Tiny Box series. Games last 20-30 minutes, recommended age 10+ years. The mechanic revolves around variable harmonies (Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet) that dictate how many suits must appear in each trick to qualify for scoring. Unlike classic trick-taking games, VIVO rewards both the highest card (2 points) and the lowest on-harmony card (points equal to its printed value). This creates a constant tension between dominating the trick and hiding to collect low scores. Artwork by Higawind and Sai Beppu, musical theme with instrument-playing dogs. Available on FroGames.it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
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