High Spirits with Calvin and the Colonel (originally designed as just “High Spirits”) is a card game designed by Sid Sackson and published by Milton Bradley in 1962. Licensed with the Calvin and the Colonel animated TV series characters, the game features a card-picking mechanic where players select cards from overlapping face-up stacks, considering not only the value of the card taken but also what future picks their choice will reveal for other players. Cards have different values in different rounds, adding a strategic layer to each pick.
Components
Playing cards with character artwork (various point values)
Score pad
Rules sheet (printed inside box lid)
Setup
Arrange the cards into overlapping face-up stacks on the table, so only the top portion of each card is visible.
Each player can see what card is on top of each stack and partially see what cards are underneath.
Determine who goes first.
Turn Structure
On your turn:
Pick a card from the top of any face-up stack.
Score the card based on its value for the current round.
The card beneath your pick is now revealed and available for future picks.
Actions
Picking Cards
Select the top card from any available stack.
Consider not only the card’s value but what card your pick reveals underneath.
The revealed card becomes available to all players on future turns.
Strategic Considerations
Taking a high-value card may reveal an even higher-value card for your opponent.
Sometimes it is better to take a lower-value card to avoid giving opponents access to better picks.
Scoring / Victory Conditions
Cards have different point values that may change from round to round.
Score each card based on its current round value.
After all cards have been picked (or a set number of rounds), total all scores.
The player with the highest total score wins.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
Variable card values: The same card may be worth different amounts in different rounds, requiring adaptive strategy.
Information visibility: Players can see upcoming cards in the stacks, creating an information game about future picks.
Sid Sackson design: This was Sackson’s first professionally published game, showcasing his signature focus on elegant mechanics.
License tie-in: The Calvin and the Colonel characters were added to boost commercial appeal; the core game functions independently of the theme.