more than
just a game
In 1972, I discovered a game that would become a beloved tradition in my family.
My grandmother, the epitome of elegance, wisdom, and brilliance, took me with her to Lake Tahoe when I was 16 to spend a few days with her friends from San Francisco. There, I found myself at a picnic table playing cards with some incredibly cool teenagers. The game we played was "Oh Hell" an old favorite from their family. I felt like a grown-up, hanging out in bikinis with kids from the magical city of San Francisco.
Years later, while raising kids and striving for a holistic life, we chose not to own a TV. Instead, we played games as a family, read books, and valued our rural lifestyle. As the years passed, we tweaked and edited the game I learned that summer years ago in Tahoe. Today we call it “HyJack”.
HyJack became our family's game of choice. We played it on vacations, summer evenings, cold winter nights and rainy weekends. Sitting around the table, sometimes joined by friends, we engaged our competitive spirit and embraced the challenge that never grew old. Playing cards as a family kept us connected and laughing together.
Teaching HyJack to our grandchildren was even more delightful! When they visit we play and have fun, and to this day it's a family tradition. We've refined the game, drawn on family talent and designed the cards and are ready to share it with every family who loves playing cards together.
HyJack is more than just a game. It's a thread that weaves through the tapestry of our family history, bringing us together in joy, laughter and love. It connects us across generations, reminding us of carefree Lake Tahoe vacations, cold winter weekends, summer nights and the timeless bond of family fun.
Kathy Schipper
Creator of HyJack
Meet the Royal Gang
Vera's Triumph
One summer evening, as our family gathered around the table to play our favorite game, HyJack, five-year-old Vera joined us for the first time. I still remember her big, curious eyes and infectious giggles, she picked up her cards with a mix of excitement and determination. As the game progressed, Vera, with her innocent wisdom and keen observation, started to win tricks—one after another. We thought it was beginner's luck, but her confident plays and strategic moves soon proved otherwise. By the end of the hand, Vera had won every single trick, leaving us all in awe and filling the room with her triumphant laughter.
Vera's victory became a family legend, a testament to the magic of childhood and the joy of our cherished game. That night, her triumph brought us all closer together, reminding us of the timeless fun and connection that HyJack brought to our lives. Vera's remarkable achievement that evening cemented her place in our family’s card-playing lore, a story we continue to tell with pride and fondness.
