Payday is a usual board game that is a bit of a “hidden gem” nowadays. But while it might not be the most famous board game in the world, it’s still well worth playing. Before we look at the rules, let’s briefly examine what the game is all about.
What is The Payday Board Game?
While it might not be as famous as Monopoly, this fun board game is still ideal for a family night in. The Payday board game was launched in 1975 and is perfect for families looking for something a little different.
Thanks to the clever rules and premise, young children and adults can both play this board game on relatively equal footing. The idea behind the game is for players to travel around the board and collect or pay money.
The board in this board game is designed like a calendar, and the goal is to be the player with the most money at the end of the month. This might seem easy enough, but you’ll quickly learn that there is a lot involved with the Payday board game.
Each full trip around the board is classed as one month. You can play the game over as many months as you like, although a minimum of two months is recommended. Why not play all twelve months if you want a big challenge or a more intensive game?
While keeping track of your money and savings might seem a little complicated initially, this board game is quite easy to play. It can even help younger children develop their mathematics skills!
If you’re bored of playing Scrabble and looking for a change from UNO, add the Payday board game to your next game night! Children and adults will surely enjoy this unique game of chance and skill.
What You’ll Need to Play?
To play Payday, you’ll need a game set. This board game can be tricky to find in shops, so you’re best looking online. The classic edition of the Payday board game from the Winning Moves Games company.
You might be surprised by all the cards when you open the box. Don’t worry; we’ll explain how these all work in the rules section below. While it might initially seem complicated, the Payday board game is pretty simple once you get used to a few rules.
Rules And Gameplay
Here is what you need to know to play this game. Read on.
1. The Aim of The Game
To win in Payday, you need to have the most money at the end of the game. But when the game ends, it will vary. Each trip around the board is one month, and normally you’ll need to play at least two, but you could play a much longer game if you wanted to.
2. The Set-Up
Payday can be played with between two to four people, and we think the more, the merrier certainly rings true with this game! Once every player has chosen their colored token, you should all decide how many months they want to play.
Normally, a minimum of two months is required, but if you’re playing with young children (or simply want a quick game), you can play for a single month. The more months you play, the longer the game will be.
You’ll then need to choose a Banker and a Record Keeper; we’ll explain what these two jobs mean soon. The Banker will then shuffle the Mail and Deal cards and place them on the board. Then simply decide who will go first.
If you can’t all agree, the Banker should go first with play continuing in a clockwise direction around the table. All players start on the Sunday “Start” place on the board and travel upwards as they continue through the month.
3. Payday Spaces
On your turn, you roll the die and move the required number of spaces around the board. Remember, you start on a Sunday and follow the calendar like you normally would. Now, like many board games, what you’ll end up doing will depend on the space you land on.
To help outline the many different things you could end up doing, we’ve listed the main elements of the game below.
4. Mail Spaces
If you land on one of these spaces, you take a mail card from the pile and carry out whatever it requests. These cards will normally involve you giving money to someone or putting it into the jackpot pile.
5. Deal Spaces
These are items you can buy and will be able to sell later on for an increased value. You don’t have to buy if you don’t want to, as there is a risk vs. reward structure to buying deals, so think carefully.
6. Lottery/ Sweepstakes
All players pick a number between one – six, and then the player who landed on the Lottery space will roll the dice. The number will decide who (if anyone) wins, and they will be awarded $1000 from the bank. Sweepstakes are much simpler; anyone who lands on this space will win $5000.
7. Found A Buyer
If you have a Deal card, you can then sell it for the increased value! This money is paid to you from the bank, and you then discard the card you sold.
8. Radio Contest
You roll the die, and if you get a three, then you win $1000 from the bank! If you don’t roll a three, then the play moves to the player on the left and continues until one player rolls a three and wins.
9. Birthday/ Jackpot
Similar to the card from Monopoly, all players must award you $100 from their own money. If you land on the Jackpot, any money collected for it will be awarded to you!
10. Payday
This is the end space of the game, and once you land on it, your turn is almost over. You must collect your total payment from the bank, which is $3500; if you have any loans, you must pay the 10% interest. You can pay off any loans in total if you want to.
11. Job Roles
The Banker is responsible for handling any money from the bank. Normally this role is given to the oldest player, but anyone can do it. The Record Keeper is responsible for keeping track of any loans taken out. This includes marking off any payments on the interest.
12. Loans
Loans can be taken out at any point from the bank in increments of $1000. Every time you reach the end of the month, you will be charged 10% interest on your total loan amount, so think carefully before running to the bank!
13. Winning Payday
Once all players have completed the final month of the game, players should (if they can) pay off any loans they have left. Players will then have their final net pay, and the player with the most money will win the game!
Payday – A Fast-paced, Family Board Game!
Payday will surely be a hit at anyone’s game night, so why not try it? While it might seem similar to Monopoly and the Game of Life, it’s quite different, and you’ll be sure to enjoy playing Payday!
