# Blackbird! > Classic trick-taking card game with customizable rules and AI opponents. (iPhone/iPad app by R. Don Wilson.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbird/id563960217 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [R. Don Wilson](https://appshunter.io/developer/563960220) - Category: Games, Card, Casino - Price: $2.99 with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.70/5 from 6,950 App Store ratings · 168 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 38 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2012-09-28 - Data updated: 2026-09-03 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbird/id563960217/reviews.md ## What is Blackbird!? This game is similar to the classic ROOK® card game*. Compete against the computer in this classic trick-taking game. Bid aggressively for the chance to declare trump. Take tricks with pointers to reach your bid or you’ll get set! Play with two widely different rule sets (Kentucky Discard or Western Wyoming) or create your own set of rules to play with any of these options that can be on or off: • Include 1's worth 15 points • Low/high/10.5 Blackbird card • Remove the Blackbird card • Allow Blackbird card to be played anytime • Winning bidder leads the first trick • Red 1 worth 30 points • Adjustable game winning score • Bonus for taking most tricks • and more! Get awarded when you complete achievements and challenge your friends to complete them. Have fun looking at all of the statistics that are tracked so that you can analyze how you play. * This is not in any way endorsed by or affiliated with Hasbro, Inc. ROOK® is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. ## Key features - Classic trick-taking gameplay - Customizable rule sets - AI opponents - Achievement system - Detailed statistics tracking - Multiple rule variations ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: $2.99. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Christmas Theme | $0.99 | one-time | | Independence Day Theme | $0.99 | one-time | ## Chart rankings - #66 in Top Paid · Card (US App Store) - #16 in Top Paid · Casino (US App Store) ## What do users think of Blackbird!? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Fun game - 👍 Customizable rules - 👍 Accurate to real Rook game - 👍 Great for practicing Rook skills - 👍 Brings back nostalgic memories **Cons** - 🐛 Partner AI plays poorly - 🐛 Opponents seem to have unfair advantage - 🐛 Inability to continue saved games - 🐛 Rook card not played correctly - 🐛 Buggy multiplayer experience **Commonly reported bugs** - Forced to take bid even when undesirable - Inability to reverse trump or discard mistakes - Inconsistent card dealing - Multiplayer crashes and glitches - Themes and settings not working as expected **Most requested features** - Multiplayer mode to play with friends - Option to call your own partner - Ability to shoot the moon - Customizable nest size - More rule variations ## Recent user reviews (10 of 168) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbird/id563960217/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Won’t let me play multiplayer *2026-07-22, version 1.8.0* Idk where it’s but I can’t see to find the multiplayer mode on this game. ### 5/5 — D’hanis TX ROOK MAFIA WILL ACCEPT ALL CHALLENGERS *2026-07-08, version 1.8.0* Look, I know this game has some pretty funky rules, but the makers did a really good job of allowing you to modify. If you are reading this, then you no doubt understand how to play this game. But unless you’re from Medina County Texas, you have no right to consider yourself even an average rook player. I’ve heard this game is played all over the United States, but ain’t nobody out there more diabolical, strategic, or savvy enough to challenge the ancient German Rothe/Rath/Zinsmeyer/Cosgrove/Christopher/Bader/Long/(you aughta catch my drift by now) bloodlines that pass this game down with as much pride as Grand Pappy’s chili recipe. So consider this an open invitation for any of you northern hippies to come try your luck against the true champions. If you accept this invitation called the Pico Gas Station in D’hanis, Texas. Leave your name and phone number, and ask them to put it on the community bulletin board with the simple phrase “Rook Game Wanted” and we will answer the call. ### 5/5 — Love it *2026-07-06, version 1.8.0* Love playing this game! ### 1/5 — Keeps freezing. *2026-07-01, version 1.8.0* I don’t normally pay for games but figured why not? Now I know. Please fix. ### 5/5 — Crappie *2026-06-24, version 1.8.0* Loved this game from my childhood. ### 3/5 — Too many bids *2026-06-05, version 1.8.0* Players are not supposed to be able to submit more than one bid per round. ### 4/5 — Only thing missing… *2026-05-30, version 1.8.0* Is the ability to play other players rather than cpu ### 4/5 — I would pay for multiplayer *2026-05-22, version 1.8.0* Amazing game. I love the ability to make custom rule sets. Just wish I could play with family. ### 4/5 — Needs update *2026-05-14, version 1.8.0* Would be nice to play online. Also would be nice if there were different levels of difficulty. If you play enough you can see the computers pattern. ### 1/5 — Don’t play *2026-05-10, version 1.8.0* Can’t win ## Frequently asked questions about Blackbird! ### What is Blackbird!? Blackbird! is a digital card game that emulates the classic ROOK® card game. It features trick-taking gameplay where players bid and aim to win tricks to meet their bids. ### Does Blackbird! have ads? No, Blackbird! does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application that offers an ad-free gaming experience. ### What rule sets are available in Blackbird!? Blackbird! offers two standard rule sets, Kentucky Discard and Western Wyoming, and allows users to create their own custom rule sets with various options. ### Can I play Blackbird! offline? Yes, Blackbird! is designed for single-player against the computer, making it fully playable offline without an internet connection. ### How much does Blackbird! cost? Blackbird! is a paid application available for $1.99. This one-time purchase grants you access to the full game and all its features. ### What devices support Blackbird!? Blackbird! is supported on iPhone and iPad devices, offering a consistent experience across Apple's mobile platforms. ### How often is Blackbird! updated? The latest version of Blackbird! is 1.8.0, and it was last updated on October 28, 2024. Updates typically address bugs and may introduce new features or rule variations. ### What do users like most about Blackbird!? User reviews highlight that Blackbird! is a fun game, offers highly customizable rules, and is accurate to the real Rook game. Many users appreciate it for practicing Rook skills and for the nostalgic memories it brings back. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.8.0 — 2024-10-28 Themes are now free! Several general fixes and updates ### 1.7.7 — 2018-08-15 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. • Restore the size of the cards. • Add support for iPhone X • The multiplayer button has been removed. I feel really bad that multiplayer has been disabled for so long and that so many people just saw a message saying it was "coming soon". I really did intend to fix it well before now. But my life has gotten more busy than it was before and I don't want to promise it's coming soon. It is still on my list of things to add. I'd love to have a single device multiplayer mode. I'd love to have it work over bluetooth so you can play with nearby friends when you don't have an internet connection. And more. Aside from multiplayer, there are still requests to support more variations of the rules that I'd love to implement and many other features. I do plan to add more features. Multiplayer will take some time and I can't promise when it's coming. Thanks for your support! ### 1.7.6 — 2018-08-11 Add support for iPhone X The multiplayer button has been removed. I feel really bad that it has been disabled for so long and that so many people just saw a message saying it was "coming soon". I really did intend to fix it well before now. But my life has gotten more busy than it was before and I don't want to promise it's coming soon. It is still on my list of things to add. I'd love to have a single device multiplayer mode. I'd love to have it work over bluetooth so you can play with nearby friends when you don't have an internet connection. And more. Aside from multiplayer, there are still requests to support more variations of the rules that I'd love to implement and many other features. I do plan to add more features. Multiplayer will take some time and I can't promise when it's coming. Thanks for all your support! ### 1.7.5 — 2017-06-28 Minor AI improvements and bug fixes. Since iOS 10, the multiplayer hasn't worked. I'm really sorry for this. I'm actively working on a solution for this! ### 1.7.4 — 2016-02-16 • It will teach you how to change trump if you tap the wrong one accidentally • Minor improvements to the computer's playing skills • Fix for fetching themes • Other minor bug fixes ## Apps similar to Blackbird! | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Rook+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rook-plus/id1425547915) | 4.7 (234) | $2.99 | Games | | [CrowsNest Card Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crowsnest-card-game/id1585057041) | 3.5 (64) | Free | Games | | [Raven](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raven/id1615441791) | 4.6 (22) | $0.99 | Games | | [Rook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rook/id789382449) | 4.8 (6,895) | Free | Games | | [Kentucky Discard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kentucky-discard/id1671638842) | 3.4 (10) | Free | Games | | [Blackbird Classic Card Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbird-classic-card-game/id1610996773) | 4.3 (88) | Free | Games | ## More apps by R. Don Wilson - [StuntCopter!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stuntcopter/id1094136174) - [Am I At Sea Level?](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/am-i-at-sea-level/id1122090389) All apps by R. Don Wilson: https://appshunter.io/developer/563960220 ## Related topics [blackbird classic card game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/blackbird-classic-card-game) · [rook](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rook) · [blackbird](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/blackbird) · [rook card game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rook-card-game) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*