Vivo

Overview

Vivo is a trick-taking card game of harmony, timing, and precise suit play.

The game is played over 2 rounds, each consisting of 12 tricks.

In each trick:

• Players must collectively play the exact number of suits shown on the current Harmony card, if possible.
• At the end of the trick:
  • The player who played the highest rank scores
  • The player who played the lowest rank scores

After 2 rounds:

• The player with the most points wins.

Harmonize with other players to hit the right notes and play a perfect puppy performance!

Components

• 48 Playing cards
  • 4 suits
  • Ranks 1–12

• 15 Harmony cards

Card Types

Playing Cards

Each card has:

• Suit
• Rank

Ranks range from:

• 1–12

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Harmony Cards

Harmony cards show how many suits must appear during the current trick.

Possible harmonies:

• Solo = 1 suit
• Duet = 2 suits
• Trio = 3 suits
• Quartet = 4 suits

Setup

1. Grab a pen and paper for scoring.

1. Remove cards based on player count.

Harmony card adjustments:

1. Shuffle the Harmony cards.

1. Reveal 1 Harmony card face-up in the center.

1. Place remaining Harmony cards in a face-down pile.

1. Reveal the next Harmony card face-up beside the pile.

1. Shuffle the Playing cards.

1. Deal each player 12 cards.

1. The player who most recently sang a song leads the first trick.

Playing a Trick

The lead player:

• Plays any card from their hand.

Then, moving clockwise:

• Each player plays 1 card.

Players must follow the harmony if possible.

Following the Harmony

On your turn:

Count how many different suits have already been played this trick.

=== If the required number of suits has already been played:

You must play:

• One of the suits already played

=== If the required number of suits has NOT yet been played:

You may play:

• Any suit

Provided the required number of suits can still be completed by the end of the trick.

Forced New Suit

If the harmony can only be completed by introducing a new suit:

• You must play a new suit.

Impossible Harmony

If the required harmony cannot be completed regardless of what you play:

• You must still play a new suit.

Playing Off-Harmony

If you have no cards that follow the harmony:

• You must play off-harmony

To play off-harmony:

• Choose any card
• Play it face-up as normal

Important:

• Off-harmony cards are ignored during scoring
• Off-harmony players cannot score points

Scoring a Trick

After everyone has played:

Ignore all off-harmony cards.

Then resolve scoring:

Score Highest

The player who played the highest rank:

• Flips their card face-down
• Adds it to their scoring row

Each facedown card will be worth:

• 2 points

Score Lowest

The player who played the lowest rank:

• Keeps their card face-up
• Adds it to their scoring row

Each face-up card is worth:

• Its printed rank

Discard

All other played cards:

• Are discarded face-down

Each player keeps their scored cards in a scoring row.

Tie Breakers

If players tie for:

• Highest rank

OR

• Lowest rank

The player who played later in the trick wins the tie.

All Cards Tie

If all players tie:

• The tie winner scores as highest rank
• No player scores lowest rank

Next Trick

After scoring:

1. Discard the current Harmony card.
2. Replace it with the next Harmony card.
3. Reveal the following Harmony card, if available.

Next lead player:

• The player who scored lowest rank

If no player scored lowest:

• The player who scored highest rank leads instead.

Round End

After 12 tricks:

Each player totals their scoring row.

Scoring:

• Each facedown card = 2 points
• Each face-up card = printed rank

Record scores.

If only 1 round has been played:

• Set up and play a second round.

First player of Round 2:

• The player who scored lowest rank in the final trick of Round 1.

Game End

After Round 2:

• Add both round scores.

The player with the highest score wins.

Tie:

• Victory is shared.

Clarifications

• Players may NOT look at:
  • The discard pile
  • Opponents' facedown scored cards

• In a Solo:
  • All players must play the same suit as the lead.

• In a Trio with 3 players:
  • Every player must play a different suit.

• In a Quartet with 4 players:
  • Every player must play a different suit.

• If harmony becomes impossible:
  • You must still attempt to introduce a new suit.

Strategy Tips

• Going late in a trick gives tie-breaker advantage.
• Sometimes playing low safely is better than chasing the high card.
• Watch which suits have already appeared before committing.
• Off-harmony hurts—protect your suit flexibility.

Credits

• Design: Vic Village, LEO
• Illustration: Sai Beppu
• Graphic Design: Anca Gavril & Co.
• Rules Editing: Jeff Fraser, Eric Slauson
• 3D Artist: Filip Gavril