I’ve always enjoyed a good dice game. I think it goes back to my childhood and the fact that my mom frequently brought Yahtzee
Combo King is a new family game from Gamewright that plays in about 20 minutes and is suitable for 2-4 players. (By the way, Gamewright produces a ton of games for kids – including Sleeping Queens – and most of the ones we’ve tried are excellent.) Combo King is best for ages 8 and up.
In a nutshell: Each player starts the game with 5 cards and 1 chip. Each card describes a “goal” that the player will try to reach using the dice. Examples of goals would be “three 2′s” or “full house” or “total is a multiple of 7.” The cards also designate how many dice you may use to achieve the goal (1-8), how many rolls/chances you get, and how many chips you receive if you achieve the goal.
On your turn, pick one of your cards, announce to the other players what you’re shooting for, grab the dice, and go. If you beat it, you get to discard that card, and collect chips. If not, you keep the card; better luck next time around. Chips are used for “additional actions” during the game – you can pay chips in order to trade away a particularly difficult goal card, or pay to get an extra roll on one of your turns, etc. The winner is the first player to get rid of all their cards.
Easy Come, Easy Go
In a nutshell: Easy Come, Easy Go is a game of dice and thievery. When the game begins, 9 “prize tickets” are placed in the middle of the table. Each ticket lists the dice conditions that must be met in order to win that prize — for example, “3 of a kind, with all dice being odd” or “total is exactly 13.”
On your turn, you attempt to win a prize by rolling the four dice. You may roll three times, but the twist is, on each roll you must “freeze” at least one of the dice – in other words, put it aside, keeping the number that it shows. If you reach one of the goals, you claim the corresponding ticket, take it from the middle and place it in front of you.
Now here’s where things get interesting. Players can claim tickets from the middle, OR from other players. So the player who got 3 of a kind (with all dice odd) can have that ticket stolen from him if another player rolls a combination that also fits that description.
In order to win, you must get three prizes AND hold onto them until the start of your next turn. Admittedly, the game can be frustrating, since you may be just about to win when the player before you rolls just the right combination of dice… and steals one of your tickets. But hey, that’s all part of the fun.
In summary:
Combo King & Easy Come, Easy GoNumber of Players: 2-4
Time required: 20-30 minutes
Ages: 8 and up
Where to buy: Amazon.com or Time Well Spent.Callapidder recommends it for: Both games are quick to learn and quick to play, so pull them out when family comes to visit, or for a fast right-before-bedtime round with the kids.
Read all of Callapidder’s Game Reviews HERE.
Another fun game. I feel like a little kid again because I plan to put some of these games you’ve reviewed on my Christmas wish list. I’m particularly anxious to get Blokus, the one you reviewed last week. It’s so neat that you do this. This is much better than trying to figure games out by the information on the box.
Sounds like two more winners. I may try that Combo King one out.
Did you know that Phase 10 has a dice version? It’s quick and easy as well.
We love games. A nice post!
Have you ever played Settlers of Catan? We are HUGE gamers. HUGE! Settlers blows every other game we have played out of the water. It is that much fun. Oh yes, it is.
Wooden Porch – yes, I have Settlers and I’ve played it (and you’re right – it’s great!), but my husband hasn’t. However, the two of us have played the 2-player Catan card game MANY times and we love it!