Item: Niggle (Oh Hell)
Rating: 84
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

84/100

Niggle (also known as 'Oh Hell') is a card game that relies on precision rather than luck. The goal is to bid exactly how many tricks you think you'll win—no more, no less. This mobile version captures the addictive 'push-your-luck' nature of the game perfectly.

The AI in Niggle is surprisingly shrewd; they won't just let you take your bid, and they’ll actively try to 'break' your hand if they realize you're over-extended. The interface is clean and snappy, making it easy to see what has been played and what trump is currently active. It’s one of those card games that is easy to learn in five minutes but takes years to master the subtle psychological bidding wars. If you enjoy Spades or Bridge, this is a must-download.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

Card games are staples of my family gatherings, and Niggle is a faithful recreation of Oh Hell. That said, as a piece of software, it’s barely passable. The UI is functional but lacks any sort of aesthetic charm. The card animations are stiff, and the overall 'feel' of the game is plastic.

The AI is decent—it doesn't make blatantly stupid moves—but there’s no sense of personality. It’s a very literal translation of a physical game. If you specifically need to play Oh Hell on your phone, this will do it, but don't expect to be impressed by the presentation. It’s utilitarian to a fault.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Faithful ruleset
Customizable AI difficulty
Fast gameplay

Ugly interface
Lacks multiplayer
No visual polish

Technical Report

Performance: Perfectly stable; extremely low footprint.

Accessibility:

Large card faces

Audience Fit

Buy if: You are a fan of 'Oh Hell' and just want to play against bots.

Skip if: You want a modern-looking card game with animations.

Similar Games:

Hardwood Solitaire
Hoyle Card Games

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative gamer
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 4 hours
Status: Played many rounds

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

386151503

$4.99 4+★3.5 15 reviews

Author : Sean O'Connor

Pubish Date : Fri Dec 17 2010

Last Update Date : Sat Aug 24 2024

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 5.2.0Sat Aug 24 2024

- added a new mode: 'trumps are chosen by the next card, but an Ace will mean No Trumps'
If you're looking for the card game Oh Hell! then this is the app for you!
It's got a powerful AI so you'll never have an easy game (I write AIs for a living!) and a huge range of customisable rule options to suit however you've traditionally played the game yourself. The AI players even have emotions and get happy and sad when they think they're going to make their bid or not. You can also play against your friends on their own devices over local WiFi or Bluetooth.
For newcomers to the game, Niggle (also known as "Oh Hell") is an easy to learn card game in which you must try to guess how many tricks you are going to win each round. The fun comes from trying to get exactly the number of wins you guessed while stopping your opponents from achieving their target.
For the latest news on all of my games follow @SeansGames on Twitter!
Requires iOS 12.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
If you're looking for the card game Oh Hell! then this is the app for you!
It's got a powerful AI so you'll never have an easy game (I write AIs for a living!) and a huge range of customisable rule options to suit however you've traditionally played the game yourself. The AI players even have emotions and get happy and sad when they think they're going to make their bid or not. You can also play against your friends on their own devices over local WiFi or Bluetooth.
For newcomers to the game, Niggle (also known as "Oh Hell") is an easy to learn card game in which you must try to guess how many tricks you are going to win each round. The fun comes from trying to get exactly the number of wins you guessed while stopping your opponents from achieving their target.
For the latest news on all of my games follow @SeansGames on Twitter!

Ratings & Reviews

3.5 out of 5 with 15 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Niggle is a four-player card game where the objective is to bid exactly how many tricks you will win in each round. With a varying number of cards dealt each hand, players must adapt their strategy to changing circumstances. Featuring smart AI, customizable rules, and smooth animations, it's the definitive digital version of the classic 'Oh Hell!' game.

Features

Advanced AI opponents

Customizable card decks

Adjustable game speed

Detailed score tracking

Multiple difficulty levels

Tips

The Zero-Bid Strategy

Bidding zero is often the hardest move. You must play defensively to ensure you don't accidentally win a trick. Watch for low-value cards and use them early to stay out of the lead.

Gameplays

Bidding and Play

After cards are dealt, select your bid. During play, follow suit if possible. The winner of the trick leads the next. Score bonus points for exactly matching your bid.