• Simple Concept, Complex Strategies
• Beautiful, Educational, and Gratifying Game Pieces and Cards

While vacationing on the Oregon Coast, I had a vision for a game that would contain what I thought would be the right balance of luck and strategy. The idea came to me in the transitional state between sleep and wakefulness, and I built on it throughout the remainder of the trip.

Being someone who loves poker, I wanted to create a game that is straightforward, yet filled with frequent hard decisions involving calculation, risk, and reward. Within weeks of returning home, most of the concept was complete — including the name FOURBID. “FOUR” because the count of 4 plays a central role in many elements of the game, and “BID” because the tension and gamesmanship are centered around a unique process of bidding.

For the first edition of FOURBID, I chose an ocean-life theme inspired by the trip. Card sets group marine plants and animals into scientific classifications, adding a nice educational element along with animals and imagery that have a wide appeal. The game boards needed to be high quality with good tactile properties, so my deluxe prototype features colorful pieces on a magnetic scoreboard that provides a satisfying "snap" when placed. I also have a low-cost compact edition consisting of just the cards and simple scorepads, as well as a design for an electronic version with automatic scorekeeping.

Years of testing went into refining the rules and the scoring to account for the wide variety of strategies players would attempt. The rules and game design have been patented and have remained virtually unchanged since 2022.

• Familiar and Easy to Learn / Difficult to Master
• Competitive and Fun for All

FOURBID plays like a classic card game, so learning feels natural. Players spend and earn points with the goal of finishing with the highest net score. While the bidding and scoring process takes a moment to grasp, most players have it down after just one practice hand.

Like all the best games, becoming a master of strategy and tactics comes with time, as there are multiple paths to winning. Your decision making and ability to calculate risks improve with experience, as does how to influence the order of play and slow down your opponents. These elements appeal to the serious competitor.

On the flip side, FOURBID also falls squarely into the category of family fun. Players immediately understand the familiar card game traits of drawing/discarding and set collection. It doesn’t have to be very competitive; it can just be groans when you don’t get what you’re looking for and laughs when you go out first and win the hand. Kids and adults alike will be practicing their basic math when scoring their hands and learning about mammals, mangroves and other inhabitants of the ocean while they play. But even novice players tend to quickly form their own new ideas for how they might play the next hand to better their chance of winning.

• Balance: The opening, mid game, and end game contribute equally to the outcome. A tournament option rotates player positions and keeps everyone alive and involved to the very end.
• Blend of Skill and Luck: The outcome of the game depends on observations and tactics, but drawing good cards helps a great deal.
• Simplicity of Play: Nothing is too complex, and the objectives are clear.
• Engagement: Playing a hand requires continuous decision making and the possibility you’ll have to change your approach midstream.
• Repeat Play Value: Every hand and game feels different.
• Mental Stimulation: Engages and rewards players who like to observe, plan, and calculate.
• Social Interaction: Laughter and anguish come with the territory as players attempt to gain for themselves and steer opponent’s choices. Players may even collaborate with one another to slow down someone who’s in the lead.
• Psychology: Paying attention to opponent’s tendencies can make a difference.
• Flexible Play Time: Quick games, extended sessions, or tournaments.

• Adaptable Theme: Ocean Life is just the beginning — many themes are possible.
• Production Friendly: Attractive components with minimal manufacturing cost.
• Easy to Explain: The concept (and fun) of FOURBID can be explained in seconds.
• Proven Track Record: The play elements have been popular throughout history.
• Rules and Tips: Rules are fully comprehensive, but not lengthy or difficult to understand. A booklet containing strategy and tactics for beginners is included.
• Wide Audience: Great for families, game enthusiasts, classrooms, and social venues.
• Players: 3–5 players (4 ideal for tournament play), Ages 8+.