Euchre Dice

Re-imagining the classic card game as a soon-to-be-classic dice game.

Ages: 8+

Players: 2, 3, or 4

Interesting Features: It has the feel of the card game, but with some twists only a dice game can bring!  And if you are losing you can always throw the dice (which will hurt more than cards!)

***Attention*** upon the advice of  legal counsel, we here at KenMGames would like to hereby publicly state that we do not condone the throwing of any game pieces … card,dice or otherwise.  Such juvenile behaviour could result in potentially minor personal injuries that we do not condone.  If you are losing and want to hurt the other players then you should make sure that you do it properly.

***Attention*** upon further advice of our legal counsel we here at KenMGames must categorically state that we do not condone the use of violence in any way shape or form … whether it be in game settings or anywhere else.  No one should be treated in such a way … unless they are humourless lawyers who can’t take a joke and always have to ruin everything for everyone else!

***Attention*** as KenMGames is now representing itself in any further legal matters we have nothing more to say and ask that you disregard everything we have said to this point as it was not us that said it and we shouldn’t be held responsible for some crazy guy who hi-jacked our keyboard.  Thank you, be nice to lawyers, and play safe.  That is all.

Extras Needed: 5 standard six-sided dice per player plus one extra and a Dice Cup.

DOWNLOAD: EUCHRE DICE

Printing Suggestions: One piece of paper for the rules.  Print the player screens on a second sheet (heavy card works best) then cut and fold.

Designer’s Notes: Stephen and Dave, over at the wonderful podcast The Spiel (you really should give it a listen!), have been talking recently of some of their pet projects they would like to see come to light in the new year.  Chief among them was a dice adaptation of a classic card game.  That got me to thinking … but that began to hurt … so I stopped it and threw together this design instead.  It was a fun exercise, (translating from one genre to another) so I may try it again.  There are so many good games out there that could be ruined adapted!  … Once my headache subsides that is …

The Tiltyard

Will you be the knight who makes his fortune, or might you be the one to lose your fortune or even your life? Its time to step onto the field of glory … It’s time to enter the Tiltyard!

Ages: 7+

Players: 2

Interesting Features: The lance, the axe, the sword.  Three rounds with two passes each to prove your skill and best your opponent.  but battles are won or lost just as easily in the courts of royal favour as they are on the field of honour.  Whose favour will you seek?  Or are you confident enough in your abilities to go it alone?

Extras Needed: A standard deck of cards (Jokers optional)

DOWNLOAD: THE TILTYARD

Printing Suggestions: Pretty straightforward – one piece of paper with the rules printed on both sides.  Fold it in half and you are ready to go!

Designer’s Notes: Sean Ross, over at the Geek (BoardgameGeek) initiated a 2-player card game design contest.  This was mySPECTACULARLY AWESOME ENTRY … that lost …  As I post this the constest is still going on, but since the first round of voting is over and my game didn’t make it through I proudly (???) offer it here for your consideration and enjoyment.  When you have tried this out why not go check out all the other great entries in the contest.  You won’t be sorry (for them I mean … I make no such claims for mine!)

Frozen Fountain Tag

Yet another variation on the classic childhood game of “Tag.”

AGES: 3+

PLAYERS: 2+

NEEDED: One large ball (soccer ball, kick ball, etc) a group of kids, and (some) room to run.

GAME RULES: To begin the game everyone starts together in the middle of the yard or the field.  The player who is “IT” (choose however you like) begins the game by throwing the ball straight up in the air.  The ball should go at least 10-20 feet up (decide with all players what you think is appropriate based on age).

As soon as the ball is thrown all the other players scatter and run.  When the player who is “IT” catches the ball they yell out “Freeze!” Everyone must stop immediately.  Without moving from the spot where it was caught, the ball is then rolled at any of the other players.

If it touches any part of that player they are now “IT” and play continues with the new person picking up the ball, throwing it (at which all players run again), catching and calling out.  IF the player misses, they must go pick up the ball and repeat the process.

GAME NOTES: The player who is it may throw the ball at an angle as long as it still goes up high enough before coming down.  The person who is “IT” may not yell out “Freeze!” until the ball is caught.  If they drop the ball they must chase it, pick it up, and then and only then call out “Freeze!”  Any player who moves in any way trying to avoid the ball is automatically “IT.”

This game is best if played in large groups in a relatively small yard or field.  Obstacles like trees and other people are also a lot of fun!

DESIGNER’S NOTES: Many thanks to Wil, Derek, and Myles who spent many hours in granny’s backyard playtesting this with me so many years ago.  Too bad I don’t have any of the photos left for blackmail!