Doctor Who Trump Card Game

Published February 26, 2025 Updated February 26, 2025

Game for two players in which Doctor Who and the Legendary Legion join battle with the Alien Hordes.

1978 United KingdomPop CultureSci-FiBBCJotastarDoctor WhoCard Games

Issued in the middle of Tom Baker’s ‘reign’ as the Fourth Doctor (1974-1981), this is a card game of challenge for two players in which Doctor Who and the Legendary Legion of Earth’s past Heroes join battle with the Alien Hordes from deep space. The cards are divided into Heroes and Aliens (20 of each), with values allocated for Mental Ability, Special Powers and Weapons. Players challenge their opponents on one of these three criteria, with the higher value winning the ‘trick’.

What is curious is that most of the hero cards are historical figures and fictional characters who had no connection with any episode of the TV series. The full list of names is given on one of the extra cards. Tom Baker and his famous long, multicoloured scarf dominate the colourful, borderless back design, with a Tardis tucked into one corner. Daleks are noticeably absent from this set! • See the box

 Doctor Who Trump Card Game published by Jotastar, UK, 1978  Doctor Who Trump Card Game published by Jotastar, UK, 1978  Doctor Who Trump Card Game published by Jotastar, UK, 1978

Above: Doctor Who Trump Card Game published by Jotastar, UK, 1978. Printed in Hong Kong. 40 cards + 2 extra cards in tuck box. Size: 58 x 89 mm. © BBC 1978

In the list of Heroes, there are a couple of spelling mistakes: ‘Earp’ is spelt ‘Earpe’ and ‘Doctor’ is spelt ‘Docto’.

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By Roddy Somerville

France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact

Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.

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