If you are looking for a fun filler to relax with, or a great game to play with family or introduce to new gamers, Trendy by Reiner Knizia hits the spot. Trendy is a game with rules so simple that you might wonder if there's even a game to play. But even with its incredibly fast playing time, you'll find a few opportunities for strategy and a chance for a well-timed "Take that!" or two.

So what makes Trendy a winner? At first, it's the simplicity. You can jump right in and enjoy yourself. There aren't many tough decisions and the game clips along rapidly. And it's fun to wreck everyone else's streak with an unexpected "Out!" card. For these reasons, Trendy will always be a favorite filler, as well as a good family game, and even a good game for bringing new gamers into the hobby.

I first played this light, yet strangely addicting card game from Reiner Knizia at Gulf Games 10 back in August 2002. I enjoyed it so much that I played it several more times during the course of the convention. At the time, the game was relatively unknown to most folks, but the surge of enthusiasm displayed by the many folks who played it during the course of the convention spread like wildfire. Soon, the game was being discussed on numerous internet forums and became a game that was highly sought.

Since the theme is that of fashion designers attempting to set the latest fashion trend, it wasn't surprising that many folks adopt faux designer personas while playing. This bit of fun role-playing adds to the fun.

The cards depict various fashion models wearing the latest fancy duds from famous fashion designers. The deck is comprised of 65 cards, with suits of 3 7. However, there are not an equal number of each suit. Rather, the formula to determine how many cards there are in each suit is: 2x suit number + 1. So, for example, there are nine 4s: (4 x 2) + 1 = 9. Plus, each suit has a Super Model card, which actually acts as two cards of that suit, as well as an Out card, which causes all cards of that suit played in the current round to be discarded.

Game play is astonishingly simple. The cards are shuffled and six are dealt to each player. On a turn, a player plays one card face up and draws a card to refill his hand. The next player does the same and this process continues until there are a number of cards played in one suit equal to the number of that suit. For example, once seven 7s are on the table, the fashion trend has been set (it's the sevens, with a lovely green, form fitting dress with a saucy slit to expose the leg!). All players who played one or more sevens get to keep those cards in their score pile, while all other cards are discarded. A new round is now played.

As mentioned, the Super Model card counts as two cards of that suit, so the proper timing of its use can be critical. Of course, the nasty Out card can also prove critical and cause quite a bit of consternation when it disrupts a potential trend.

Once all of the cards in the draw pile are expired, the round concludes once the next trend has been set. Each player then totals the value of all the cards in their score pile and records this amount. If no one has achieved 100 points, a new round is played. Usually, it takes about three rounds until someone tops 100 points and claims the victory.

Yes, the game is very light and simple, but that makes it easy to learn and play. It certainly falls squarely into the filler category and has also proven popular in the family gaming venue. The game is filled with moans, groans and jeers as players see their attempts to set a trend with one suit (lets say 5s) disrupted by other players playing cards to set a different trend. Keeping an eye on how many cards of each suit have been played is an important skill. Further, it is quite possible for the leader to be cut out of many trends, so leads are not very safe. So, in spite of its simplicity, it is not completely bereft of strategy. Another fine, albeit very light filler from Herr Knizia.