Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game

I've been on the hunt for a quick, engaging solo game to fill those 10-minute gaps in my day, and Orchard has absolutely hit the spot! The core concept is deceptively simple: you lay down cards to create overlapping fruit trees, scoring points based on how many trees of the same fruit you can stack. But don't be fooled, the strategy here is surprisingly deep, and I find myself constantly trying to outsmart my previous scores.

What I love most is how satisfying it is to pull off a clever combo. The dice you use to track your harvest add a fun tactile element, and the "rotten fruit" tokens introduce a delightful bit of risk-reward decision-making. The overall theme is charming and the compact size makes it perfect for travel. I've even played it on the train a few times, though I'll admit it's best enjoyed on a table.

However, I did encounter one minor issue. My copy arrived without instructions, which is a bit of a bummer. Thankfully, they were easily found online, but it would have been ideal to have them included. It's possible this was a packaging oversight and not a manufacturer issue, but it's worth mentioning.

Overall, Orchard is a fantastic pick for anyone looking for a solo game that packs a punch in a small package. It's quick, fun, and thought-provoking, making it a perfect fit for those "in-between" moments.