Game Review

Concept:

Place bets on whether or not a player can roll a particular combination of dice.

Gameplay:

To begin, one player is appointed banker. The banker gives each player $5000 in chips to start. The deck of 36 cards are shuffled and seven are randomly selected, then placed face down in a pile on the side of the tray. All other cards are removed from play.

The game is played in seven rounds -- one per card on the tray. For the first round, the player who owns the game reveals the first card. The card displays a combination of dice that must be rolled, the number of attempts to roll that combination and a payout value. Easier cards have low payouts ($1500-2000), difficult cards have high payouts ($3000-4000).

At this point, a bidding round begins -- players call out money amounts until all other players pass. The player who called the highest bid must place that amount of money in the holding section of the tray. This player will be rolling the dice to complete the card.

Before the player rolls, all of the other players may place side bets -- they set a token to display a clover or the word "No" -- and then place up to $1000 on the token. It is not required to make a side bet.

Once the side bets are placed, the rolling player rolls the dice. Any dice that match the card are placed on the card. Any remaining dice are re-rolled. The goal for the dice rolling player is to have all of the dice on the card in the number of rolls that the card specifies (2, 3 or 4).

If the rolling player fails to complete the card, bank gets any money bet on "yes" (the clover) and the bank pays the players who bet "No". The bid is removed from the holding tray and given to the bank. Since the card was not completed, any dice that were on the card remain there. A new round of biding begins for a new roller to attempt to complete the card with the remaining dice.

If the rolling player succeeds, the bank pays that player the payout amount listed on the card. Any player who bet "No" gives their bet to the rolling player. Any player who bet "yes" (the clover) -- gets their bet matched by the bank. The bid is returned to the rolling player.

After a card is successfully completed, the player who completed it is given the card. A new card is revealed, and bidding begins anew.

In order to win, a player must have collected at least one card. The player with the most money and at least one card, wins. Any players who run out of money are eliminated from the game.

As the game goes on, some players will do extremely well and have more money -- therefore, they could conceivably buy all remaining cards to stop other players from winning. To prevent this, there is one special bidding rule: A player may call "Last chance!" during bidding -- if they do this, they automatically win the bid and place ALL of their money in the tray. If they are successful, they are still in the game...if not, they have no money and are eliminated from the game. Calling "Last chance" may only be done once per game by a player.

Winning Conditions:

• The player who has successfully won a card and has the most money at the end of the game, wins.

Our Opinion:

The game designers must have looked to a casino for inspiration...crowds people have fun playing craps. This is a family friendly version of gambling with dice.

There is a small amount of betting strategy in the game -- mostly bet "No" when someone else is rolling the dice. And when you bet "No" -- bet the full $1000 the rules allow. This is the only real way to make money in the game. You need the money to bid for rolling when it's as close to a sure thing as possible.

This game is mediocre fun with three of fewer players, but when six players are present -- cards are a lot more difficult to win, so bidding means more. Plus, as with any decent craps game, having a crowd wait on edge as you roll the dice is a great feeling -- cheers and jeers as people win or lose money is what makes the game fun. Serious gambling is ruled out by the $1000 limit per bet. (We prefer a house rule of unlimited betting, though.)

The volume of cards allows for the game to rarely repeat itself as only seven are used each round. The plastic tray is a nice touch to lend that small casino feel. Simple rules and gambling...and no casino raking some cash off the pot -- definitely fun for a crowd.

Where to buy:

Any local toy store -- Our copy was bought on clearance at Toys 'R Us for about $8. This game may be out of print, so look on clearance racks.