APEX
Trick-taking · 1-6 players · 15-30 min · ages 8+
Mechanics & Theme
APEX is a modern, streamlined evolution of Jass, Switzerland's national card game: a single 36-card deck, eleven ways to play, for 1 to 6 players.
The deck has four suits numbered 0 to 8. In each suit, the 3/9 and the 5/10 are double-marked: as soon as their suit becomes trump, they turn into a 9 and a 10, the two strongest cards in the game, much like the trump jack and nine in Jass.
Scoring is deliberately simple: only the 0s, the 8s and those two trump cards carry points, for a total of 12 points per round. You may trump at any time, even when you can follow the led suit.
Eleven variants
Each variant has its own page in the booklet, with a complexity rating from 1 to 5. To get started, Open is played by two with every card visible, so an experienced player can guide a newcomer.
| Players | Variants |
|---|---|
| 1 | Solo - a puzzle against the deck |
| 2 | Open - every card visible Twist - trump changes every 3 tricks |
| 3 | Misery - score as little as possible Balance - finish in the middle Edge - highest or lowest, never in between Gap - predict your exact score |
| 4 | Team - 2 against 2, with bidding Covert - bid for the right to call a hidden partner |
| 5 | Gala - a star and a hidden partner against the orchestra |
| 6 | Menu - two teams of 3, a three-course menu |
Development
I have played Jass since childhood, with my family. Today I mostly play a variant called l'estimation, and three times a year I organise tournaments that bring together around thirty people.
APEX Team was the first adaptation: a version of l'estimation designed for a new deck. Once that deck worked, I adapted the other variants from the ones I knew.
The goal is to keep the essence of Jass and remove what holds newcomers back: simpler scoring, every variant gathered in a single booklet, and above all fewer convoluted little rules, which often frustrate players who did not grow up with the game. APEX is meant for trick-taking fans who want to discover this traditional game, without being Swiss or having played it since childhood.
As with my other games, the design and visuals are homemade, using Canva.
Production choices
APEX is printed in a run of 150 copies, half as many as Button and Ladybug. Button sold mostly among friends who already play Jass. APEX is aimed instead at trick-taking fans curious about this tradition: a more targeted audience, beyond my close circle. A smaller run limits the risk of unsold stock.
Detailed costs per copy
| Component | Unit cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Box | $0.88 |
| Box insert | $0.12 |
| 36 cards (350g C2S) | $1.96 |
| 2 rule booklets (FR + EN, 28 pages) | $2.71 |
| Assembly and shrink wrap | $0.08 |
| Shipping carton (36 games per carton) | $0.02 |
| Total per copy | $5.78 |
Amounts rounded to the cent; the exact invoiced total is $5.78.
The two 28-page booklets, which contain all eleven variants, account for almost half the cost. The small run has a price too: at 150 copies, each card costs more than at 300. That is why APEX costs more than Ladybug, with fewer cards.
Cards and booklets have a linen finish; the box has a matte lamination.
Shipping and customs: provisional estimate
The shipping and customs invoices are not known yet. In the meantime, I am using Button's shipping cost: $870 for 300 copies, or $2.90 per copy. The estimated cost is therefore $8.68 per copy ($5.78 + $2.90).
Converted at today's rate ($1 = CHF 0.827, 26 October 2026), this gives a base price of CHF 7.18. I will adjust it, up or down, as soon as the real amounts are known.
Development contribution
The base price covers only material costs. Beyond that, you may add a voluntary contribution to:
- Fund future game creations
- Cover additional costs (travel, festivals, website hosting…)
- Support future artistic collaborations
Offering time, spreading the word, or sharing feedback are equally valued forms of support.
