Tricks and the Phantom is a simple deduction game using only ten (or eleven) cards with an element of bluffing. Deduce the culprit from among the four players. However, there might be a "phantom" who attempts to confuse you.

In the base game, ten cards are dealt to four players, so each players has a hand of only two or three cards. As in a trick-taking game, each player places one card face down in turn order. While doing this, each player predicts who has the highest card (that is, the culprit). Each card has a color (suit), and you have to show that color when you play your card; this allows opponents to narrow down the number of your card, but some cards have a special effect, so big numbers don't automatically win. Points are given to whoever played the highest card (the culprit) and to whoever correctly forecasted that player winning.

Tricks and the Phantom is more than just card luck. It is a strategy inference game that needs you to read each other's psychology.