Forrest Webber, Author at Bar Games 101

A Step By Step Guide to Replace a Pool Cue Tip Yourself

Forrest Webber — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 20:18:50 +0000

The pool cue tips often get worn out and need replacing. While you can always get a professional to do this for you, you can save your money and easily do this by yourself via some simple steps. Moreover, it might be hard to find a local cue repair guy in your area, especially if you realize that your cue tip needs to be changed with an important tournament coming up in a few days. Whatever your reason might be, without further ado, here is a step by step guide to help you replace a pool cue tip by yourself.

Materials required:

New cue tips from the best pool cues brands
Some fine-grit sandpaper
A razor blade or a sharp knife
Nail polish remover or preferably acetone
Super Glue gel
A rasp or a course file
Paper towels or disposable cloth

Once you are done with the gathering of all the required materials, read through the guide given below to know all the steps:

Step 1: Begin by removing the old tip. You can do so with the help of a sharp knife or razor blade if the tip is still strongly glued on. If the tip is ancient, it might fall off with just a little tug. You need to make sure that you remove all the leftover glue or leather material that might still be stuck on the ferrule. Be very careful while you do this step as you do not want to get the sides of the ferrule (or your fingers), which can create unwanted air pockets. These air pockets are formed directly under the tip and cause it to fall off easily.

Step 2: Next, lightly sand the ferrule with the help of fine-grit sandpaper to make it as smooth as possible. Take a cloth or some paper towels and dip it in acetone and clean all the dust particles from the ferrule. Be careful as you don’t want to get the acetone on your new cue tip or the pool cue wood.

Step 3: Select a pool cue tip of your choice with the size as close as possible to your ferrule. It is better to go for a bit larger than taking the risk if choosing a way too small. If it is large, you can just cut off the excess after fixing it to the ferrule and letting it dry.

Step 4: After selecting a tip, rub the back of the tip on some of that fine-grit sandpaper until it is nice and rough. The tip had to be properly roughed up, or the adhesive will not have any surface to adhere to.

Step 5: Get your superglue gel and put a small bit of it on the bottom of the tip as well as on the top of the ferrule. While you can also use a cement mixture, superglue gel is probably a better choice as it sets quickly.

Step 6: Place the tip gently on the ferrule and press it down. Be wary of glue oozing out, and no matter what you do, do not clean it with your fingers. Use paper damped with acetone instead to get rid of any oozing glue on the pool cue shaft.

Step 7: Next, fix the tip clamp and secure it tightly. Moreover, on the other hand, you can use a rubber band to hold the tip in place as well. Ensure the clamp or the rubber band stays on for at least an hour before you remove it.

Step 8: Before you remove the clamp, check if the tip is attached firmly to the ferrule. After removing the clamp, gently rock the pool tip between your fingers. If you feel any movement, you have to start over right from step one and put more glue the next time.

Step 9: With the help of sandpaper, remove any excess glue that might be stuck on the joint area.

Step 10: You need to shape the tip with the help of a rasp. File the edges of the tip until it is shaped, or use a blade if there is an excess amount of tip overhanging the ferrule’s edges. Lastly, apply plenty of chalk, and your pool cue is ready.

Some final thoughts

By now you might have understood that replacing a pool cue tip is not less than an art. You can easily do it all by yourself but don’t hesitate to a professional help either. Whatever the case is, it is an important skill that you must have if you are a regular player. In case of DIY, then practice the technique a few times until you are confident.

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The post A Step By Step Guide to Replace a Pool Cue Tip Yourself appeared first on Bar Games 101.

10 Best Engine Building Board Game Reviews

Forrest Webber — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 02:23:21 +0000

Are you looking for the best engine building board games? Then you have come to the right place because we are counting down our top 10 picks! An engine building board game is a subsection of strategy games and they are usually quite complex.

The term engine doesn’t come from the power source you find in a vehicle though. It means there are lots of small things and options that allow you to build something bigger and greater. But what does this mean?

At A Glance: Our Top 10 Picks for Best Engine Building Board Games

Well, it means you have many different ways to win. But these aren’t games like Monopoly or a card game you can play down at the pub. The best engine building board games are complex and intricate and require players to manage many different things. In some ways they are similar to RPG board games.

Now, these games can clearly be a little intimidating at first, especially if you have never played one before. But once you get into the swing of things there really is no other type of board game quite like them.

But that’s enough of the introduction, let’s get right down to it and look at our picks for the 10 best engine building board games.

10 Best Engine Building Board Game Reviews

IMAGE	PRODUCT
	Catan The Board Game Mixes RPG and engine building gaming elements Designed to ease players in gently	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Scythe Combines engine building and RPG elements Ideal for group gaming sessions	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Our Top Pick Terraforming Mars Classic engine building gameplay Plenty to do with many different resources to manage Ideal for longer gaming sessions	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Splendor Simpler design makes it great for beginners A very unique approach to engine building board games	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Race For The Galaxy Fast-paced gameplay Numerous expansions are available	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Dominion Second Edition Simpler, deck building gameplay Great for beginners	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	The Manhattan Project A unique twist on the engine building formula Lots of room for strategic gameplay	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Great Western Trail A fun twist on the Wild West setting A good middle-ground when it comes to complexity	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	Everdell More relaxed, laidback setting Brilliant artwork and craftsmanship	VIEW ON AMAZON →
	A Feast For Odin Intricate, complex gameplay Amazing Viking setting	VIEW ON AMAZON →

1. Catan The Board Game

Yes, Catan is a popular RPG board game but it’s also a great example of an engine building game as well. There are a lot of things to do and manage in Catan especially when it comes to building roads and managing terrain.

Now Catan isn’t solely an engine building board game but it still ticks all the necessary boxes. You have to build up your forces and invest in what you believe is the right way to proceed.

Of course, like in any good engine building board game, there is always the risk these investments could fail.

But that is just part of the experience and fun. If you are a fan of strategy games then Catan is easy to recommend and a great way to get introduced to engine building board games as well.

It’s suitable for up to 4 players, so ideal for group gaming sessions.

While it is quite complex it’s designed to ease players in gently to its many mechanics. So, don’t be intimidated this game would make a great engine building board game for first-time players.

Pros

Mixes RPG and engine building gaming elements.
Designed to ease players in gently.

Cons

Requires a lot of space to set up.

2. Scythe

Scythe is another RPG game that can also be classified as an engine building board game. In Scythe up to 5 players will go to war with each other using mechas but that is just the beginning of the game.

In Scythe you’ll also need to explore the board together, build up and manage numerous different resources, and more. There is a lot to juggle in Scythe and you’ll need to build up your resources to beat your opponents and win.

There are a number of expansion sets you can use to alter the game as well. And plenty of room when it comes to developing your winning strategy and building a bigger and better engine. Scythe isn’t a very beginner-friendly game but if you are experienced with more complex strategic board games then it could be a great jumping-in point.

Pros

Combines engine building and RPG elements.
Ideal for group gaming sessions.

Cons

Not a very beginner-friendly game.

3. Terraforming Mars Board Game

The last two games in our list have been lighter engine building board games. But Terraforming Mars is a pure 100% engine building game! Players are tasked with well what the name of the game says terraforming Mars.

Players will need to build up their resources which means managing many different materials like steel, titanium, plants, heat, and more. Players also need to keep tight control over their credits as well.

Each player will have to manage their empire carefully and build things up gradually. But you need to think about your priorities carefully. Do you focus on generating energy or make gathering materials your aim?

Suitable for up to 5 players Terraforming Mars is considered the classic engine building board game experience by many people. It can also be expanded with numerous different expansion sets that add new elements to the game.

Pros

Plenty to do with many different resources to manage.
Classic engine building gameplay.
Ideal for longer gaming sessions.

Cons

Will require a lot of time and space to play.

4. Splendor

Splendor is a very different take on engine building board games. Unlike the vast space adventures or huge worlds, you’ve seen in the other board games this game is a little more low-key.

In Splendor you take on the role of a gem merchant. There are 5 different jewels and as a merchant, you need to work on expanding your operation. This means building up a bigger mining operation and getting better transportation and tools. Every turn in Splendor is filled with risk and making the wrong investment can be very costly.

But like all good engine building board games, you start with nothing and can build a huge jewel empire as you progress further into the game. Splendor offers a simpler engine board game package for people and is a great choice for first-time players.

Pros

Simpler design makes it great for beginners.
A very unique approach to engine building board games.

Cons

The less complex design might not appeal to everyone.

5. Race For The Galaxy

Looks like we are going back to space with Race For The Galaxy. Like many engine building board games, this is a deck-building game as well. Players are tasked with building their own space colony and you have to grow and build more quickly than your opponents.

Yes, it sounds simple but like any engine building board game, there are a lot of options for you to consider to reach your end goal. As you play more and more of the galaxy becomes open for you to conquer. Players can even colonize the same planets as well.

But of course, racing to expand your colonies and forces means you are going to go head to head with other players sooner or later. Do you focus on social developments, build up your military, or try and balance everything?

Like all good engine building board games making the right decision isn’t easy. Race For The Galaxy can also be expanded in numerous different ways with several expansion sets. The galaxy is a big place after all.

Pros

Fast-paced gameplay.
Numerous expansions are available.

Cons

Deck-building design might not appeal to everyone.

6. Dominion Second Edition

Dominion Second Edition is one of the most popular deck building and engine building board games. Each player is a monarch and you have to race against each other to get more and more control of the land.

Building a bigger kingdom isn’t easy though you have to face threats, manage resources, build an army, construct buildings, and much more. With a wide range of expansion packs, Dominion can be enhanced in many different ways.

But if you are new to engine building board games then sticking with the basic set is advised. Dominion Second Edition is designed to be more streamlined as well which makes it a good game for beginners and less experienced players.

Pros

Simpler, deck building gameplay.
Can be expanded in a wide number of ways.
Great for beginners.

Cons

Simpler gameplay might not appeal to everyone.

7. The Manhattan Project

Suitable for 2 to 5 players The Manhattan Project is a bit of a hidden treasure when it comes to engine building board games. It isn’t one of the leading names but well worth checking out if you want to experience something a little different when it comes to the core engine building board game experience.

If you’re looking for one of the best engine building board games then this game could be for you! In The Manhattan Project, each player is tasked with building the most destructive bomb possible. But you aren’t throwing nukes at other players.

Each player will have to build up their own resources and research facilities in order to build the biggest bomb. It’s all about using your resources in the best way possible in order to out-think your opponents.

Do you want to prioritize bomb development or work on sabotaging the other players? That is just one of the things you need to consider. Like all good engine building board games, there are so many different ways to win.

Pros

A unique twist on the engine building formula.
Lots of room for strategic gameplay.

Cons

Might not appeal to fans of more traditional engine building board games.

8. Great Western Trail

Suitable for 2 to 4 players the Great Western Trail is a Wild West adventure but rather than shootouts each player will have to work the cattle trade! This game is all about building a powerful engine by focusing on economics.

Yes, that might not sound like a very interesting board game. But it really is a very unique engine building experience. There are a lot of things for players to think about from hiring farm hands to developing your ranches, building rail lines, and much more.

But of course, the end goal is to get the best cattle possible and sell them for the most money. The Great Western Trail isn’t really beginner-friendly but it’s not an overly complex game either. It hits the perfect middle-ground and is sure to be a great choice.

Pros

A fun twist on the Wild West setting.
Lots of options for engine building.
A good middle-ground when it comes to complexity.

Cons

Requires a lot of space to set up.

9. Everdell

Everdell is one of the newest engine building board games on our list and also one of the most unique. There is no intergalactic conquest or race to the top. In Everdell you are tasked with building up your animal village as it expands across the world.

It’s a much more laidback game and carries a relaxed fairytale-like whimsy to it. But don’t worry, like all engine building board games you will still need to build up your resources, create new facilities, and out think your opponents to win.

The game is great if you’re looking for an engine building board game for family night. But also ideal for people who want to try something a little more relaxed. The board and pieces are beautiful works of art and while this game might not be for everyone we think it is well worth trying.

Pros

More relaxed, laidback setting.
Brilliant artwork and craftsmanship.

Cons

Setting/ style might not appeal to everyone.

10. A Feast For Odin

In a Feast For Odin, players are tasked with entering the ancient world of the Vikings. Now as I’m sure you can imagine there is a lot to think about and consider when it comes to building up your new empire.

Player’s will need to balance trading, raiding, hunting, plundering, building houses, and exploration. Yes, there is a lot to do and think about in every round in a Feast For Odin. But that is exactly what fans of engine building board games want!

With numerous different resources, hundreds of different cards, and a versatile board this game has got everything you need for a long group gaming session. Suitable for up to 4 players a Feast For Odin is sure to be a fine choice for anyone who enjoys the traditional engine building board game experience.

Pros

Intricate, complex gameplay.
Amazing Viking setting.

Cons

Not really suitable for younger players.

Choosing An Engine Building Board Game

So, that finishes up our list of the best engine building board games. Now as I’m sure you can see there is a lot to think about isn’t there? Engine building board games are one of the most complex board games available. Let’s look at some FAQs you need to think about before choosing one to try.

How Much Time Do You Have To Play?

There is no denying that the best engine building board games can take a long time to play. Now if you are going for a long gaming session this won’t be a problem. However, if you don’t really want a long gaming session then choosing a game like Splendor is recommended because of its simpler mechanics and faster-paced gameplay.

How Much Space Do You Have To Set Up?

Many engine building board games come with a wide range of different pieces and huge boards. This certainly helps with the immersion but not everyone will have room to set them up. If you only have a smaller space available then a game like Dominion Second Edition is a good choice.

How Experienced Are The Players?

Many engine building board games are very complex and these wouldn’t be a great choice for beginners. Not if you want them to enjoy the experience anyway! So, if you are new to engine building board games then choosing a simple game like Race For The Galaxy is recommended. These games are still fun but offer a simpler package for new players.

So, What’s The Best Engine Building Board Game?

Well, it wasn’t easy but we have to give our pick for the best engine building board game to Terraforming Mars. This game really encapsulates everything that’s unique and wonderful about engine building board games.

It’s got a great setting, many different resources, and is suitable for up to 5 players. Yes, it’s not the most beginner-friendly game but it’s our favorite and sure to be a good time if you’re up for it.

The post 10 Best Engine Building Board Game Reviews appeared first on Bar Games 101.

How to Play Ancient Egyptian Senet Game: Rules to Know

Forrest Webber — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:31:43 +0000

Want to know how to play an ancient Egyptian game? Then the Senet game is what you want! With Ancient Egypt, in the name, you can probably already guess that Senet is a very old game with a rich history behind it.

As one of the oldest board games still played today Senet is well worth playing purely from a historical perspective. But it is also a game with a lot of strategy to it. Although like all good strategy board games the aim of Senet is quite simple.

There are variations to the standard rules of Senet but many people follow the traditional rules which we’ll be setting out in this guide. So, let’s learn more about this historic board game and learn how to play Senet.

What is Senet?

Well, we talked about this briefly but to really understand just how old Senet is some boards date back to 3100BC. Tomb paintings also show people playing the game as well. So, it’s fair to say Senet was likely the game of choice for people in Ancient Egypt.

But it was also played in neighboring countries like Cyprus. Senet is a two-player game with only 10 pieces and the aim of the game is quite simple. So, let’s take a more detailed look at how you play Senet.

How to Play The Senet Game?

What You’ll Need:

To play Senet you’ll need a board and thankfully you don’t have to go to Egypt to get one. Senet boards are available in numerous different forms, with many sporting Egyptian-inspired designs to emulate the historic boards of the past.

This stylish board from WE Games is a great example of some of the Senet games you can find available. These sets will contain everything you need to play Senet so are the best option for at-home play. Senet game boards are also quite small and portable so can be played on the go as well.

The Board

A Senet board can look a little unusual because it is rectangular, not square like many other games. The board is made up of three rows of ten squares which are called houses. Now Seent boards can be designed in a number of ways but most follow the standard or traditional design scheme.

There are usually five symbols on a Senet board, one in the middle house/ square. While there will be 4 designs in the 26 to 29 houses/ squares. The designs in these squares can vary but will usually follow the same pattern.

Square 15 – The House of Rebirth – Usually looks like an Ankh
Square 26 – The House of Happiness – Usually a bird symbol
Square 27 – The House of Water – Usually three lines
Square 28 – The House of Three Truths – Usually three dark circles
Square 29 – The House of Re-Atoum – Usually an eye symbol

The Senet Game Pieces

Senet is quite different from many games because it only has ten pieces (sometimes called counters). Unlike games like chess or checkers that have a lot more. Each player will have five pieces each of contrasting colors.

Each set of five pieces will also be different in shape as well. There is a lot of variation to this but usually, five pieces will be tall and pointed while the others will be small and round. In some variations of Senet, the pieces will be patterned as well.

The Senet Sticks

Another one of the reasons the game of Senet is so unusual is that it doesn’t use dice. At least not in most traditional sets. In place of dice, it uses Senent Sticks which are thin wooden rectangular shapes.

In some kits, they will be thin wooden popsicles sticks. There are 4 sticks in total and one side will be painted black while the other side will be a brighter color, usually white. To decide how your turn works you’ll need to throw the sticks into the air. How the sticks fall will decide how you move.

If four sticks show black you can move five squares/ houses and throw again.
If three sticks show black you can move one square/ house and throw again.
If two sticks show black you can move two squares/ houses and then your turn is up.
If three sticks show color you can move three squares/ houses and then your turn is up.
If four sticks show color you can move four squares/ houses and throw again.

Senet – Rules and Gameplay

The Aim of The Game

In a game of Senet, the aim is simple: you have to move your five pieces of the board. The board is made up of 30 squares with each square being a house. Each row of the board contains 10 houses. You have to move all your pieces across each row and off the board to win the game.

The Basic Rules

To win Senet, you have to move your pieces off the board. Once you reach the bottom of the row you turn a corner to move to the next. Once you reach the end of this row you turn again to the third and final row.

Once you reach the end the piece moves off the board. Only one piece can be on a square/ house at any time. As we discussed above turns are decided using the Senet Sticks. The board will also need to be set up carefully.

Setting Up

Despite its simple design setting up a game of Senet can be a little complicated. At the start of the game, players will need to decide who player one and player two are. Player one will then place their pieces on the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth squares/ houses.

Player two will place their pieces on the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth squares/ houses. The game then begins and you can start to move your pieces around the board.

The Advanced Rules

While Senet is perfectly playable with just the basic rules, you can add a further level of strategy to it with more advanced rules. Because only one piece can occupy a house/ square at a time these new rules give you a way to capture houses and protect your pieces.

If you land one a house/ square that is already occupied then you can capture the piece. The other player’s piece will then have to move to the square your piece occupied at the start of your turn.

If two (or more) of your opponent’s pieces are next to each other, then that square/ house is protected. This means the piece cannot be captured and as such, you can’t complete your turn. Which means your piece can’t move and you’ll have to wait till your next turn.

Playing With The Symbols

Earlier on in “The Board” section, we detailed the five symbol houses/ squares on the board. These symbol squares are an important feature in more advanced games of Senet.

You don’t have to play using them but they certainly add a new twist to the game. To find out how you play with each symbol check out the list below.

The House of Happiness: All players will need to pass through this house in order to move their piece off the board. This means they will need to land on it directly during one of their turns. You can’t pass over the square you need to land directly on it.

The House of Water: This works in conjunction with the House of Rebirth. If you land on this house, you will have to move your piece directly back to the House of Rebirth.

The House of Three Truths: This is a lucky square to land on. If you land on it you can then throw your sticks again and if you get three colors then that piece can be moved directly off the board.

The House of Re-Atoum: If you land on this house/ square you can once again throw your sticks. If you get two sticks color-side up then the piece can be removed from the board.

Senet – The Ancient Egyptian Game

So, this is how you have a game of Senet! Because the game is very historic there are a number of ways to play as you can see from this guide.

So, whether you want something simple or complex Senet would always make a fine choice at anyone’s board game night. Like Shogi, Senet is well-worth playing if you want to experience an older game as well.

The post How to Play Ancient Egyptian Senet Game: Rules to Know appeared first on Bar Games 101.

How to Play the Ship, Captain, and Crew Dice Game?

Forrest Webber — Wed, 27 May 2020 21:32:27 +0000

Some call it ‘bar dice,’ others refer to it as ‘Battleship’ or even plain, old 6-5-4, but we know it -and love it- best as the classic Ship, Captain, and Crew.

Whatever you call it, there’s no denying that it’s among the very best dice games for players of all ages and abilities, proving to be just as fun when you’re playing for stakes over a few beers with your friends as it is for keeping the kids entertained with nothing more than a handful of dice.

In today’s guide, we’ll show you exactly how to play the ship, captain, and crew dice game, talking you step-by-step through the entire process and explaining everything you need to enjoy this simple yet hugely entertaining game.

How to Play the Ship, Captain and Crew Dice Game

The objective of Ship, Captain, and Crew is pretty simple:

Get a ship, a captain, and a crew by rolling a 6, 5, and 4 respectively. The two dice which remain are your cargo, and the player with the most cargo (the highest score from the two dice) wins the round.

How Many People Can Play?

Although it’s technically possible to play with just two players, you’ll find it much more rewarding to play with at least 4 friends, if not more. Unlike some games that can just become too overwhelmingly complicated and time-consuming when too many people are involved, playing Ship, Captain, and Crew is a classic case of ‘the more the merrier.’

This makes a great choice for breaking out at parties, or even just for those rainy weekends when you and the family are stuck indoors.

What You’ll Need:

With your friends and family all ready to play, you’ll need the following items:

5 6-sided dice
Dice cup (optional)
Poker chips (optional).

Realistically, you’ll be able to play with any 5 dice you have lying around, though if you’re buying a set for the purpose of playing games like this one, opting for something like this Magic Vosom Felt Lined Professional Dice Cup with 5 Dice means you and your fellow players will find it easier to keep all those dice together.

Professional Dice Cup with 5 Dice

If you’re playing for stakes, then you might also want to get a good pack of poker chips, though honestly, you could use anything from coins to cookies for this.

Alternatively, if you’re playing Ship, Captain, & Crew as a fun drinking game, you could always change the rules so that the player with the lowest score has to down a shot, or something to that effect.

The Rules of Ship, Captain, and Crew

First things first, determine who goes first by having each player roll three dice. The player who scores the highest goes first, with the second-highest player taking the next turn and so on.

From there, the rules are pretty straight forward:

A player starts by throwing all five dice.

The goal is to get a ship by throwing a 6, a captain by getting a 5, and a crew by getting a 4. This has to be done in that precise order. In other words, you can’t get a captain until you have a ship, and you can’t get a crew until you have a captain.

If you get one or more of the required numbers, you set those aside and roll your remaining dice.

For example, if you take your first throw and get a 6, you’ve scored your ship and can set it aside.

Then, if you land a 5 on your second throw, you can set your captain aside and finally, if you then score a 4 in your third throw, you’ve got all three and two dice remaining. These two remaining dice are your ago, and they determine your points.

One thing you can’t do is earn your ship, captain and crew out of order. For example, if you took your first throw and landed a 5 and 4, they wouldn’t count. You’d have to put them back and roll again until you got a 6.

How to Win at Ship, Captain, and Crew

Once you’ve earned your ship, captain, and crew by throwing a 6, 5, and 4 respectively, you can then start to earn points according to how much cargo you have.

Cargo is the term given to points on the remaining two dice.

So, for example, say on your first throw you landed 6, 5, 4, 3,2.

Your 6,5, and 4 earn you the right to start scoring, so you can set them aside. Your cargo is the remaining two dice, so you have a cargo score of 3 + 2 = 5 points.

Yet because each player has three throws, you could throw the remaining two ‘cargo’ dice twice more, and add those points to your total.

As with other popular dice games like Shut The Box, the aim of the game is to get the most points in a single round and be declared the winner.

If you’re playing for stakes, then the winning player gets the entire pot.

If you’re playing as a drinking game, everyone except the winner drinks. If you really want to make things interesting, you could even set the rule that the winner gets to decide which drinks the losers have to down.

Another Gameplay Example

If all this is still sounding a little confusing, don’t worry, you’ll soon get the hang of it. To help you understand how it works, here’s an example of a full round played with three people.

Player 1

On their first throw, Player 1 lands neither a ship (6), captain (5), nor crew (4).

On their second throw, they land a 6 and a 5, so they have their ship and captain.

On their third throw, they get their crew by throwing a four.

The remaining two dice land on a 5 and a 2, so they have a cargo of 7.

Player 2

On their first throw, Player 2 lands a ship and a captain.

On their second throw, they need a four but fail to get to one.

On their third throw, they land 4,5,6.

That means they have their crew, plus a cargo of 11 (5+6)

Player 3

Player three lands none of the required numbers on their first score.

They land 4 and 5 on their second go but no 6, so that doesn’t count.

The same thing happens on their third throw so they get no points.

In this case, Player 2 is the winner.

What Happens in the Result of a Tie?

If the scores are even, then all the players who are tied simply roll again, this time using all of the dice as cargo.

The person with the highest score after this bonus round wins, unless it’s a tie again in which case the process is repeated until there’s a clear winner.

Fun Alternatives to Ship, Captain, and Crew

If you’re well into your 100th round of the game and looking to change things up a little, there are, of course, a number of different variations on this classic game.

These include:

Bow to Stern

This is basically the same game you’re used to, played with the opposite numbers. In other words, instead of the ship, captain, and crew being represented by the numbers 4,5, and 6, they’re represented by 1,2, and 3.

Shifting Cargo

Though it may only be a minor tweak to the existing rules, this one can make things pretty interesting.

In the normal game, players can choose to roll their cargo dice again if they have another throw available. However, if they choose to do so, they have to roll both dice.

In this variation, players can choose to stick with one cargo dice and just roll the other.

For example, if a player’s cargo dice land on a 6 and 2, they could choose to keep the 6 and re-throw the 2.

Dropping Anchor

This is another little fun tweak of the rules in which a player’s score is bumped up according to how many throws they didn’t use.

For example, if a player’s first go lands them 6,5,4,6,6, they can choose to forgo their other two throws. That would make their original total 12 (6+6), plus an extra 2 points for the throws they didn’t use.

Alternatively, don’t forget that if you’ve already got those five dice then you’ve got everything you need for a good, old fashioned game of Yahtzee or other classic dice games.

Final Thought: Adapting Ship, Captain, Crew For All Occasions

As we said right at the top of this article, one of the things we love most about this game is how versatile it is.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and enjoyable bar game you can break out the next time you’re hanging out with your friends, then you really can’t go wrong with this one.

Making things interesting by adding a stake or having everyone except the winner down a shot is a great way of keeping things interesting and entertaining.

Yet that’s not to say your kids can’t enjoy it too. Strip out the more grown-up aspects (or maybe just play for cookies!), and what you’ve got is not only a fun way to help them boost their math skills, but also a great, nautical-themed game that’s sure to keep them entertained for hours.

The post How to Play the Ship, Captain, and Crew Dice Game? appeared first on Bar Games 101.