Taboo
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-- our price: $25.99
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Editorial Review

It sounds so simple: get your team to name common words withoutvoicing a few choice descriptors. But could you describe a wristwatchwithout mentioning time, wrist, or clock? Taboo rewards those whothink--and speak--fast. The team that correctly identifies as manywords as possible in a minute (measured with an hourglass timer) wins.If a member of the opposing team, armed with the blaring buzzer,catches the clue giver using any of the taboo words, a point is deducted from the group's score. It's a good idea to separate peoplewho know each other well, because their familiarity can be too great anadvantage. If the clue is spinach, prompting with "Mom made this everyMonday" just doesn't seem fair, though it is permissible according tothe rules. Playing Taboo requires an AA battery and a sense ofhumor--you'll need them both! The timer is included. Taboo is for fouror more players. --Leah Ball ... Read more

Features

• The game of unspeakable fun! Help your team guess everyday words but without using some of the most obvious clues!
• Features more than 1,000 words to guess! Requires 2 "AA" batteries (not included). For 4 or more players.
• Ages 12 to adult. Time is against you. You know what ypu'd say if you could only find the words.
• But some things in life are strictly...Taboo!
• Contents: 504 taboo cards card holder buzzer timer scorepad

Reviews (88)

A great game worthy of buying
Taboo is a fun and exciting game full of laughs and enjoyable experiences. As you probably know, you try to get your team mate to guess (or you try to guess) the word on the Taboo card. You can't say any of the 5 taboos though, or you'll lose a point! I have played this game at a party at my friend's house. It's always challenging and exciting, trying to describe and guess the word. Even when you it's not your turn, you still get to have fun trying to buzz other people, so you don't often get bored. I rated this game 4 stars because it's often hard to find four people to play with, but when you do, it's very fun and exciting!

Very fun game...
Taboo is a game that I played as a kid & I never forgot about it.I remembered it being so much fun that I asked for it for Christmas several years in a row & I've finally got it.We really enjoy this game.It's so much fun for all ages & you may think it sounds really easy but you'd be amazed at how many times you actually slip & say one of the words listed on the card that you are not supposed to say.When that happensyou will get buzzed or when you pass on a card the other team will get a point.So sometimes when it's your teams turn to give clues the other team can actually come out with more points then you earned on that turn.It's such a great game that I highly recommend.

A good game for about a half hour
I enjoy playing Taboo and always get a few laughs out of it, but a half hour is plenty.I find party games like Cranium, Balderdash and Rigamarole are far better at keeping a group's attention and interest. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBJ
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Party Games    5. Grownup   

Now here's an original idea: the picture on this puzzle is of an aged stone monastery with a bright blue sky overhead and rows of lavender bushes in front of it. And thanks to a special aromatic inclusion, when you open the box, the smell of lavender drifts out. As you assemble the 500-piece puzzle, your olfactory senses will get a kick out of the pleasant fresh scent. The challenge of the multiple rows of lavender, the sky, and the extensive slate roof on the building will keep even experienced puzzlers plenty busy. When you're finished, you can preserve your masterpiece by using the enclosed FixPuzzle mixture. --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Asin: B00000ITAS
Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Jigsaw Puzzles    3. 100-999 Pieces   

Scattergories
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-- our price: $25.99
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Editorial Review

Scattergories is a fast-paced word game that's a real crowd pleaser. Each player takes a categorylist with 12 categories--such as vegetable, state, president, things you throw away--and must write down thename of one item that fits into each category. Sounds easy enough, but each item has to begin with aspecific letter that is determined when the 20-sided die is rolled. For instance, you roll the letter "R." Youranswer list for the above categories might look something like this: rutabaga, Rhode Island, Roosevelt,rubbish, etc. You have to think fast, because a round lasts only 3 minutes! Players score points for eachunique answer. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Features

• Think fast to come up with words all beginning with a specific letter.
• Includes 6 folders and 48 category cards
• 2 to 6 players
• Adults

Reviews (63)

Good for quick-thinking players
Scattegories is so much fun! Even though it's a word-based game, you don't need a huge vocabulary to play. The categories are pretty well-known and general. The hard part is coming up with the right word in time!

To play Scattegories you choose one of 12 different games, each with 10 separate categories. So the categories in one game might be, for example:

* Things you find at the beach
* Famous people

And so on for 10 in total. You then roll a die that has letters of the alphabet on it to determine which letter all of your answers have to start with - and no repeating words in the same game! You get bonus points for multiple word answers that all start with the chosen letter. For example an answer for "Famous people" might be Ronald Reagan (2 points). Like I said before, there's a lot more pressure when you can hear the timer ticking down! Whoever gets the most points wins the game. Sometimes it's fun to make up words and see if you can get everyone else to believe you.

Scattegories is an easy game for almost anyone who can read and write. It's good with groups or just two people. You can even play it over the phone if you really want to. Highly recommended for people who like board or word games.

Great in Teams!
I'm always intrigued when I read of folks playing this game as individuals . . . I've only played it with teams (usually of 3 players each).

I host a potluck dinner and "game night" at my home every couple of months . . . sometimes a mixed group of singles and couples, sometimes friends bring their children, sometimes just a group of women friends . . . after dinner and chat we move on to the game for the evening . . . we have tried several different games, but have settled on Scattergories as one of our favorites --- it is easy to play in teams and the answers are creative and fun (with few blank spots when the timer stops!)

Each team designates one person to write while all the team comes up with answers . . . some teams have one person start at the bottom of the list while another starts at the top and they meet in the middle . . . we have found that with team play some like to move away from the table for the fill in portion of the game (into the family room, out onto the deck, etc.).

What's great about this game is that it's fun to play with all ages . . . the kids get to see adults having fun (and not taking themselves too seriously) everyone gets to play and no one is ever made to feel foolish or stupid.Even friends who think that they don't like to play games because they aren't competitive enough have enjoyed this game when played in a team.

Even people who don't like to play games like this one!
There are a few people in our extended family who simply don't enjoy playing board games or even party games of any type.However, these same people have loved playing Scattergories.It is simple in concept but challenging to the intellect.Also, it just ends up being hilarious to hear the answers that people come up with.This is the game our family has enjoyed playing more than any other game.

A must have for your game collection! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWEP
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Party Games    5. Family Favorites    6. Grownup   

Pictionary - The Game of Quick Draw
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-- our price: $25.99
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Editorial Review

Can you draw a cat? How about sketching something that conveys the word area or The English Patient? Can you do it in less than 60 seconds while your team yells the wrong answers at you and the other team is close to getting it right? Welcome to the game of Pictionary, in which players attempt to guess words from sketches made by other members of their team. The words can be objects, people, actions, places, animals, or the dreaded "difficult," although in the heat of an exciting game, even house can be difficult. Word cards are randomly selected, the timer is activated, and players begin scribbling franticly as they race to beat the clock. Correct answers are rewarded with a toss of the die and progression around the board toward victory. Pictionary veterans should note that this is an updated edition of the game, including more than 1,000 new words to challenge even the most experienced quick-draw artist. Pencils, sketchpads, and a 60-second timer are included. Pictionary is for four or more players. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Features

• The Classic Game of Quick Draw-- with more than 2,800 words to guess!
• Get your teammates to guess the secret word before your time is up!
• Includes challenge die with fun game variations!
• For 3 or more players.
• Ages 12 to adult. contents: gameboard, one-minute timer, 324 cards including 4 category cards, 4 movers, 4 pencils, 4 pads of paper, card holder and standard die plus challenge die.

Reviews (30)

Fun for non-artists too
The thing I love about Pictionary - apart from laughing at the crazy drawings people come up with - is that you don't have to be a great artist to win. That's good for me, I can tell you! You see, it's not so much how *well* you can draw, but more how well you can get a point across in *what* you draw. I've seen people guess the right answer from some pretty simple line drawings. In fact, you'll be amazed at how some partners seem to almost sense what the answer is.

I'm sure most people know how the game is played, but just in case, here's the gist:

There are several categories that come up randomly as you progress around the Pictionary board. Sometimes one person from each team draws (we make this rule apply all the time); otherwise one person draws and their partner guesses what their drawing means. The first person to guess before the timer runs out wins the round and that team rolls to go again. That's basically it anyway.

I love this game and I highly recommend it for a good night of entertainment with friends and family.

One of my most prized posessions!
My friends and I have taken Pictionary to a whole new level.Most of the time it's guys against girls, and the men in my life have yet to win a game!This is a game for everyone, although I have found that the better you draw, the worse it is for you.Artists tend to take there time, and when you're faced against the timer...all bets are off!I would definitely recommend this game to anyone who likes to get together with friends and have a good time.

Blechy Blech
Before I begin to rant-get one thing straight. I LOVE BOARD GAMES!!! So you can imagine how bad this is, if someone like me, who owns at least 200 board games, despises it. This game is just plain stupid. Also, since I tend to get nervous when I'm on timer, hated the little hourglass, pouring sand into the bottom chamber. Please, don't throw away your hard-earned money, get yourself a fun and more worthwile game, like Trivial Pursuit, or Clue. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBI
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Party Games    5. Family Favorites    6. Grownup   

Boggle
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-- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

You can't beat a classic like Boggle for sheer return of fun on one's investment in a simple game. A small container holds 16 cubes, each cube marked with a different letter on each of its six sides. Give the container a good shake, and the cubes land within little pockets. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to find as many words (of three-or-more letters) as you can--in three minutes. Points are tallied by word length. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• The original 3-minute word search game!
• Just shake up the lettered cubes, drop them into the grid and start the timer.
• Then race to see who can list the most words with the highest point value among the random letter assortment in the grid!
• For 2 to 6 players.
• Ages 8 and up.

Reviews (42)

Fast-paced Introduction to Word Games
In Boggle, players compete against one another and a 3-minute hourglass to find word combinations across randomly distibuted letter cubes on a 4x4 grid.

The game develops pattern recognition skills, and because most possible words are only three or four letters long, astute younger players can play adults without too much of s handicap.

Tactics learned playing Boggle translate well into success at Scrabble and other word games, while the clock management skills help with chess and test taking.

Boggle is lightweight and makes a good travel game, though you might want to bring a zipper-lock sandwich bag to avoid losing the letter cubes. As an added plus, the game can be played solitaire with minimal dropoff in entertainment value.

If you enjoy Boggle, you might want to seek out Big Boggle, which uses a 5-by-5 grid (56% more cubes). Words and time limit are both longer.

Fast Passed, A Lot Of Fun
I have played this game for years. It is a lot of fun but my friends got tired of it. I love the fast passed action, which to me is less boring than scrabble, but not everyone thinks so. If you like scrabble you should enjoy this game. Finding with whom to play is a different story. If you are a parent do not hesitate to purchase this game for your child. I recommend having a scrabble dictionary close by. If you do you will find out in no time that most of your made-up words DO exist. And since you do not get penalties for them try as many as you wish.

The game is simple. You shake the letter cubes and when they are all in place you try to make as many words as possible by following a continuous path through adjacent letters in the rack. (Diagonal counts as adjacent) The path need not be straight, but each letter in the path can only be used once. You have three minutes (sand clock included) to do so. Only words that are three letters or more are permitted.

You can't go wrong with this game, plus it is not expensive. It's worth a try.

ADVANCED PLAYERS: If you look around you might find Boggle Master. That edition has a 5x5 grid and 9 more letter cubes. You still have three minutes (and the grid is as noisy as ever) but you can make a lot more points in this one. Happy hunting and good luck.

Fun times
I love this game and have for years. With so many words to make and such variety with who you play against and what letters might come up, it's always a different game every time you play it. The only drawback is the noise when shaking up the letters in their box. I would like to see a version that wasn't so irritating in that respect. As a tip, if the noise bothers you and you play the game a lot so it's worth the effort, put some thin felt strips in the box top (the kind with the self-adhesive backing) so when you shake it, it makes less noise. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWCZ
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games   

Sorry
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list price: $16.99 -- our price: $15.99
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Editorial Review

This classic game of luck, strategy, and determination is easy to grasp for children as young as 6 years old, yet it's fun for adults and older siblings too. By drawing cards, players move their game pieces around the board, hoping to eventually accumulate all their pieces at the final destination--home sweet home. Sorry is known as the game of "sweet revenge," since players can send each other's pawns back to the starting line, thus forcing one another to lose ground and begin all over again. This kind of frustration may be hard for children under age 8 to handle. In fact, young ones typically crumble into tears of outrage when their pawns are cavalierly sent back. The only recourse is to teach children how to plot their own revenge, which makes them feel as powerful as superheroes. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Great game!
I've played this game since I was a teeny kid and it's still a ton of fun.
As with most games, there are small pieces involved that very well may end up someplace where they're not supposed to, plus you can't really afford to lose any of the pieces. Plastic bag 'em!

get rid of the video games ;0
My kids love this game.They sit down together and play this game all of the time.The neighbor kids come over to our house because they love to play board games and SORRY is the one they choose the most.We do not have video games at our house, and this was considered a drawback to the neighbor kids until my kids introduced them to board games.Now they come over all of the time just to play board games.I say hide the video games and let the kids interact with each other playing board games.

Sorry is top game in our house.

Sorry!
This game was fun the first and second time you play it but when you figure out that the game is pretty much based on luck and no strategy you'll think twice when you want to play this a third time. Although this is still a good game for the family. It features a detailed bored with a deck of cards that have number 1-12 and selected cards that say SORRY! this means you switch places with another player. All in all I would recomend this game to anyone who loves a game of luck.

Your Friend
the Z-MAN ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWD0
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites   

This elaborate puzzle not only offers up a rendering of the beautiful painting "Interior with Portraits" by Thomas LeClear, but can provide relaxation for whoever puts it together--whether it be one person or a group (it's great for families). Puzzles offer an alternative to television and can generate conversation--doing a puzzle together is the epitome of quality time. And when this one's done, it's literally a work of art. Thomas LeClear (1818-1882) was a genre and portrait painter who for many years had a studio in Buffalo, New York. When completed, the puzzle--one of four in the Smithsonian Collection--measures 22 by 28 inches. --Nadine Mendoza-Province ... Read more

Asin: B00000JI0B
Subjects:  1. 1000-1499 Pieces    2. Artists    3. Jigsaw Puzzles    4. Puzzles   

Clue 50th Anniversary
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Editorial Review

Call the police! (Again!) The unfortunate Mr. Boddy has beenshowing up dead in his mansion ever since Anthony Pratt invented thegame of Clue in England in 1944. Here's another chance for intrepidcountry-house weekenders like you to do him in (or have fun trying tofigure out who did). In this 50th Anniversary edition, the 19-inch,square green board represents nine rooms in the Boddy mansion. Thesuspects are 1.75-inch metal figurines of Colonel Mustard, ProfessorPlum, Mrs. Peacock, and the late Mr. Boddy's other so-called friends.Other game elements include a die, a Clue card pack, and a pad forkeeping track of suspects, locations, and weapons. The weapons are1.5-inch-long metal models of a dagger, a pipe wrench, etc. Read the storyof a weekend gone tragically wrong, and then set up the board and seekthe awful truth. Just be sure to watch your back--unless, of course,YOUdunit. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Educational and Fun for All Ages!
My memories of Clue go back to when I was a young child, playing with my friends. When we first began playing, it was a challenge to figure out the connections. How could knowing one thing about one person help determine if others were guilty? When those connections worked out, a lightbulb went on. This was fun!

Over the years, the game has never lost its appeal. You are in the middle of a murder mystery, figuring out who did what based on what you hear and see. You can make guesses about why people are asking certain questions based on their personality, and use the straightfoward knowledge of your own evidence to guide you. It builds up amazing skills in logic and deduction that are used in just about every test you can take. And it's SO much fun!

This is definitely a game you can play with young adults and grandparents at the same time and have everybody enjoying themself. And the 50th anniversary addition is so much better than the regular one! I gave my regular copy away to charity when I bought this new one, so that others could enjoy the game while I played my new one. The case is EXCELLENT and stores the pieces nicely. The pieces are great, it's like a treasure trove for Clue fans.

Definitely a gift to get for anybody that doesn't yet have a copy!!

Fantastic edition of the great game
I was thrilled to open this and very surprised by the quality of the pieces and the forethought put into this edition.
This is not simply the same game in a metal tin, they made fancier looking cards and game pieces.
I haven't used it too many times yet, and the only drawback is that it looks like the board may wear out after a while.Please note that if wearing out this game is the worst that can happen, I will be extremely pleased.My oldest of three kids is four now, and I am looking forward to the years ahead playing this and other games with them.

Great Collection!
Clue has always been my family's favorite board game. My sister loves it the most, and whenever we visit my mother, we always play a few games before we head off to bed. Recently, my sister had recieved this great 50th Anniversary Clue Collection game. We carefully ripped off the plastic and stared at the pieces. The collection includes a more detailed board, diecast metal figures and weapons, Clue pencils, notebooks, the cards, and a cool 50th Anniversary collection book! We were so suprised at how many goodies they supplied in this awesome collection. So then we played a few rounds, and of course my sister won. Well, I am glad she recieved this board game, and I think you will too! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWFG
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Party Games    5. Grownup   

Mastermind
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-- our price: $12.99
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Editorial Review

Test your code-cracking prowess with Mastermind, "the challenging game of logic and deduction." The codemaker sets a code of four colored pegs--choosing from yellow, red, orange, blue, green, or white--and conceals it behind a flip-up shield. Your mission: replicate the code in 10 moves or fewer. With each of the codebreaker's attempts, the codemaker uses red and white key pegs to offer cryptic clues about color and position. Make the game even more difficult by using multiple pegs of the same color or by leaving one or more peg holes empty. With more than 2,000 possible code combinations, every game is guaranteed to be a brain-bender. All of Mastermind's components can be stored in the game board. Mastermind is for two players. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Truly a game that spans generations
This game has such a wide range of age appropriateness.I started playing it against my parents when I was in my early teens, and we loved it.My younger sister, probably seven or so, was jealous of how much we loved the game and taught herself the rules through observation.Soon she was able to beat the rest of us at our own game!If someone is interested in the kind of logic and systematic deductive approach required to play Mastermind, it can be enjoying by someone of any age.

I would recommend this game for people who have grown out of simpler games such as Connect Four.

This is a great game for grandparents to play with younger people, because the older person doesn't have to "dumb down" their technique to play a kids game.It exercises your brain without having any overt educational tone.Everyone can benefit from some good Mastermind strategy practice!

Warning on the shipped product colors!!!
This is great "mind" game, however I received it from Amazon but I must write here a warning note about the game's board colors that are just horrible!!! The image on the product page has nothing to do with the frightful blue-yellow colors of the board shipped. Obviously it isn't the original MasterMind I was supposed to buy, very dissapointing. Its manufacturer looks poor also. Too bad for a game as good as this. You have been warned.

Want to excercise your brain?
This game will put your noodle to work big time. Plus it is a lot of fun and challenging. You will need to use your logic and deductive reasoning to the max.

The object of the game is to guess a secret code consisting of a series of 4 colored pegs, which will remain hidden behind a shield. The codebreaker has to duplicate the exact colors and positions of the secret code. Each guess results in feedback narrowing down the possibilities of the code. The winner is the player who solves his opponent's secret code with fewer guesses.

I have been playing this game for years. It still is one of my favorites. I am a game collector and got hold of ADVANCED MASTERMIND. To bad it is so hard to find. In the advanced version the color code is made of a sequence of five colors instead of four. Plus there are eight different colors to choose from, nine if you use vacant holes as a color. This raises the possible combinations from 2,000 in the classic game to around 60,000 possible combinations! Yet really advanced players should break the code in four to six guesses. You get a maximum of 12 guesses instead of the ten in the classic game. If you find this version you will love it and wonder why it's so hard to get.

The only bad thing about Mastermind would be the time it takes some players to make a guess. We resolved the problem using a chess player's clock. We give anything between 6 to 12 minutes for the codebreaker, obviously stopping the clock when the codemaker places the feedback pegs. If you run out of time you get zero points.

This game is for people who love to think. It is awesome for kids, and will help them develop their logic skills. Do have in mind that you will need to place the pegs in bags or they will get lost. Have fun!
... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBF
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Brain Games    4. Family Favorites   

Pavilion Prestige Backgammon
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-- our price: $9.99
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Reviews (1)

I love this game!
I think backgammon is an excellent game for younger kids because it helps them with counting and simple math.Also, it is great for older kids and adults, because there is a great deal of strategy and tough decision making involved.
For [item price], this set really can't be beat.It is a fold up, leatherette case with stitched points, a felt playing surface, rolling cups, and decent checkers.If you're a tournament player or whatever, this board is obviously not for you.But, if you want something just for fun, this is the perfect set.I can see maybe a couple problems with it.The slot for the dice was a bit tight when I got it, and the board on the inner side got stretched out a bit when I put all the dice there.It didn't break, though, so it's ok.Also, the space for the checkers is a bit too large, so when the checkers are "home" they fall down, but,again, it's no big deal. ... Read more

Asin: B00004ZCS2
Sales Rank: 2253
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Backgammon    3. Board Games    4. Strategy Games   

Scrabble
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list price: $11.99 -- our price: $7.99
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Editorial Review

After all these years, it's still hard to get a triple word score, the tiles are still made of wood, and there's only one "X" in the whole box. The game of Scrabble has sparked feuds and a near-cult following. All the fuss is over a spelling game that hasn't had an upgrade in 50 years. It takes a little luck and a lot of skill to make high-scoring words out of seven little letters, sometimes with an overabundance of vowels and letters that don't go together--sometimes there's Q without U. Two to four players battle it out on the board, and while some players might be proud of impressive words ("I spelled gestalt!"), skilled players know how to use the premium letter and word squares on the 225-square board to their best advantage. This crossword game has strict rules (no names, no slang) and comes with a warning label: "Choose a dictionary first to avoid any ugly word disputes." --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Features

• The classic crossword game played by millions around the world!
• Use your seven letters to build crosswords, and use bonus spaces to add to your score!
• Genuine wooden letter tiles and racks.
• For 2 to 4 players. Ages 8 and up.

Reviews (66)

The classic word game
Scrabble is a word game that anybody can play as long as they can spell in the language in which the game is being played. It can be a lot of fun but it's wise to have a dictionary at hand to settle disputes that arise when somebody creates a dubious word or spelling. The dictionary should only be used to settle disputes - leafing through its pages trying to find a word that fits your letters is definitely cheating. The game is intended to be played by between two and four players but it is possible to practise alone and I'll explain how later, though it isn't as much fun as playing against another person. If more than four people are available, they can either team up or just find something else to use instead of racks to hold the tiles.

Scrabble comes in various editions but all of them have certain things in common. There are 100 tiles each with a letter on them, four racks (one to hold each payer's tiles) and a bag into which all tiles are placed at the start of the game and from which all players draw letters as the game progresses. The main playing area is a board of 15 x 15 squares, most of which are of a standard gray color. Some squares are red, pink, dark blue or pale blue - these are premium-scoring squares (triple word, double word, triple letter, double letter respectively).

To begin with, each player draws seven tiles from the bag. The first player makes a word from any or all of their letters and places it on the board, beginning, ending or crossing the central square, which automatically gives them a double word score. (it is pink) and replaces the used tiles with a corresponding number of tiles from the bag. Subsequently, players take turns to create a new word (thereby building a crossword on the board), attempting to score as many points as possible. Any tiles added must all form part of one word and link to tiles already on the board but strategy as well as vocabulary is useful.

Most of the time, you just place letters focusing on an existing tile on the board, using that tile as part of the word you create, However, if you have a letter S in your rack, you may be able to add it to the end of an existing word while also using it as part of a word of your own, if there is clear room on the board for you to do so. Thus, you score for your own word but you also score for the word that you made into a plural. This is just one example of how you can (sometimes) score for more than word while sticking to the rules, but it teaches you not to waste S letters - keep them for when they can be most effectively used.

When there are no more tiles in the bag, play continues until one player uses up all their tiles or nobody is able to. At that point, points on unused tiles still in players' racks are deducted from their score.

To play alone is quite simple, if less satisfying. The object is to score as many points as possible. Obviously, scoring is much easier since you can build the crossword in a very open design - you aren't trying to block your opponents - but if you find that those opponents usually beat you, a bit of practice on your own might improve your chances of beating them in future.

So, if you decide to buy Scrabble, it comes down to deciding whether to buy the Deluxe edition (if you can afford it), the Travel edition (for taking away from home with you) or the standard edition. Just make sure you have that dictionary at hand to settle disputes, otherwise it won't be much fun.

The ultimate spelling test.
A great way to pass time, teach kids how to spell and learn the meaning and purpose of words. Definatley to be played with a dictionary (I suggest the Oxford scrabble dictionary which not only tells you if words are valid but also gives their true scrabble score!) It's a good laerning curve but can cause lots of heated debate!!

Fun for everyone!
This game is so much fun!Even my mom who hates to play games with me, will play this game!I like this game because everyone can play it!Fun and educational at the same time as you learn to build words and you can even use it to show how to use a word and grow from it.I think this game is worth the money they charge.My only regret is that I didn't get one with a turn table luckily my mom had one from the 70's and we use it.My advise buy this game! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWDB
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Classic Games    5. Family Favorites   

Pavilion Solid Wood Chess Board
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (8)

AWESOME DEAL
This is an amazing deal. For a wooden chess board with wooden pieces, this is an excellent price. Although the wooden pieces arn't really heavy and don't have felt bottoms - this is an excellent deal for $9. This fits perfectly on my desk and looks great. People are constantly telling me how nice it looks and amazed I would pay so much for it. The board is solid and very heavy - very nice. Enjoy!

Great set for the price!
My set arrived in wonderful condition, no cracks or other flaws and, although the peices aren't big on detail, they are a good size, light and do have a design to them.Plus they get the job done.The board isn't too small for me either.I wanted a smaller, lighter set for travel, playing at the beach etc...For $9.99 this is a real bargain!

Nice game
This is a good quality chess set for its price, but there is something about the company Pavilion that really bothers me. A few chess sets I've seen by them has a picture showing the light-coloured square on the left hand side, but it's supposed to be set up on the right hand side. I'm not trying to bash Pavilion or anything, I just don't want begginers and children to be confused about how the chessboard should be set up, as it is a very important factor of the game. ... Read more

Asin: B00004YUYR
Sales Rank: 2574
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Strategy Games   

Yahtzee Deluxe Edition
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $16.99
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Editorial Review

Yahtzee has been called America's favorite dice game and, with tattered boxes closeted in homes across the nation, that claim is not hard to believe. Put five dice in a shaker, mix in strategy, add luck, stir--then let the fun begin! So how do you improve on something this good? By sprucing it up.Yahtzee Deluxe is aglitter with sparking dice, a velvet-lined playing tray, a sturdy cushioned shaker that has the feel of soft leather, and detailed score cards that make totaling points easier than ever. The detailed instruction booklet even includes a section on the history of dice. The plush playing surface is set inside a light plastic frame that seems a trifle small, but this is a minor complaint. As a handsome replacement for an old, faded game, or a brand-new source of family fun, Yahtzee Deluxe offers the same excitement that has been entertaining players since it was first released in 1956. --George Laney ... Read more

Features

• The classic shake and score dice game - Yahtzee Deluxe Edition. Gold glitter dice, flocked dice tray, leatherette dice cup, giant scoring chips.
• A real treat for YAHTZEE connoisseurs! Shake 5 clear, golden-flecked dice in the plush cup.
• Roll them into the sleek, felt-lined tray. Place "keepers" in the handy dice holders.
• If you roll a bonus yahtzee, take an exclusive token. Keep score with Deluxe yahtzee pencils.
• For elegance and style, you just can't play a better game of yahtzee. Ages: 8 and Up , 1 or More Players

Reviews (20)

Pathetic
The tray is beyond pathetic. Do not buy this. It's criminal that is proudly labelled as DELUXE. A waste of money. An embarrassment. A cheat.

The best Yahtzee ever!
This is a great value and we have enjoyed many hours entertainment from this simple FUN game.

Yahtzee Review
This game is loads of fun.I got it for my eighth birthday.I thought to myself "Oh, it's one of those stupid board games again," but it wasn't.I'm 10 now, and I'm still playing with Yahtzee.I like it because of how much thinking is involved, and you have to make impartant decisions, like "Hmm...should I put my score in 4 of a kind, or in my fours up top?"That skill can also help you along the way in school.But you know what, most games that are educational can be boring.But not Yahtzee!Yahtzee is also fun because of the excitement in you while hoping to get a Yahtzee, which is worth fifty points, which is the most points you can get.And you always feel happy when you roll something that you know is good!Now, I don't have the Deluxe Edidtion of Yahtzee, but I'm sure that if I liked the regular Yahtzee, the Delexe Edition would be even better.I hope you order this game soon.And for those of you out there who don't want to buy Yahtzee, because you think you are too cool or too old for it, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBL
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Classic Games   

Connect Four
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $12.99 -- our price: $7.99
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Editorial Review

Connect Four is like vertical tic-tac-toe. Unlike tic-tac-toe, however (as the name suggests), youmust get four checkers in a row. One player has red checkers; the other has black checkers. To play,alternate turns at dropping one of checkers down a slot at the top of the upright grid. The first player to getfour checkers lined up in a row in any direction--horizontal, vertical, or diagonal--wins the game.--Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (47)

An EXCELLENT game with real play value!
I'd never seen this game before but it's turned out to be one of my two kids' favorite games. It's fun to play with just the pieces and to make simple patterns for decoration when you're not playing the "official" game, and throwing the lever that dumps the pieces out of the bottom is exciting, noisy and fun. Really a great game with real play value, a favorite! BUY IT!!!

Great fun and there is even a movie about it!!
Connect four has always been a favorite of mine since i was a little kid. It is a simple game with simple rules, but yet it is still a game of stratagey and can stump even most adults. This spring of 2005 Upsidedown square productions will be releasing a new blockbuster hit movie about Connect four Titled "C4 A connect four movie" Check out how this childs game changes young uryans life around at https://www.turnuptheblaarg.tk .

Fun, Easy Game
I had this game growing up and have played it with my children as well.My game from childhood is still in fine shape and was used regularly, but we took care of it and didn't fight over it or drop it.I can see how this game may break if misused a little.Anyway--it's a fun game and easy for little ones to pick up, but as other reviewers have said once you are well versed then it boils down to who goes first.I recommend for age 4 to 8 or 10. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWI1
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Brain Games    3. Board Games    4. Family Favorites   

Tri-Ominos
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

In Tri-Ominos, a number-matching game, players begin by drawing several tiles, taking care to keep the numbered sides hidden from their opponents. The first piece is played and, depending on the numbers involved, bonus points might be awarded. With the first piece on the table, players start matching numbers. If they don't have a matching tile, they draw from the "well" until a match is made. They receive penalty points for each tile drawn, but will be awarded points when they finally make a match. Certain matches (closing a hexagon, or building a bridge) will earn players as many as 50 bonus points. Fun for the whole family, children will be adept at matching numbers wherever possible, and adults will appreciate the strategy involved in making the best moves for the most points. The first player to accumulate 400 points wins. --Wendy Slotboom ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fun for the whole family - really!
So many times, games promoted as "fun for the entire family" are really not; they are either difficult for the youngest to understand (or have a chance at winning without "help"), or oh-so-tedious for the adults.I've played this game with friends and family from ages 7 to 70, and everyone has a great time.The concept and rules are simple; there's enough strategy involved to hold adult interest, yet enough luck involved to even the playing field.The kids get a real thrill out of defeating us adults "fair and square".There's a juvenile version available for very young children, but even our 7-year-old liked the adult version (maybe because it made her feel "grown up".)Conversely, the juvenile version (which uses pictures instead of numbers) is no less of a challenge to adults than the original, and the pictures are really cute!The only durability "threat" is loss of game pieces. Educational value is limited--matching & numbers--but Tri-ominos more than redeems itself with a 5 in "family togetherness" value.Worth more than every penny of its price!

Review of older version of this game
I have an older set of Tri-Ominos.This is an elaborate version of dominoes, with the pieces being triangular.The triangle shape results in complex configurations and occasional chances to score bonus points by completing hexagons or bridging one section to another.The game is fun and, with each round taking 15 to 40 minutes, the pace is fairly quick.There is some strategy and planning involved, but it's mainly a game of chance.My older version is very sturdy, but the version sold here appears to be different, and I do not know about its durability.

poor Quality
We have the original game and the playing pieces are much more durable.I was very disappointed in the quality of the playing pieces in this addition.I could not give this as a gift as planned. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IZET
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Classic Games    4. Strategy Games    5. Family Favorites   

Deluxe Parcheesi
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

Parcheesi, a family classic since the 1860s, is the ultimate race-and-chase board game. The object is take four pawns from start to home, using rolls of the dice to dictate your moves. It sounds easy, but to accomplish your mission you have to first roll a five to even move off of start, and then you must avoid running into blockades and dodge your opponents, who threaten at every turn to send you back to the beginning. If you plot your moves strategically and use the safety zones scattered around the board, you might just make it. Parcheesi comes with a game board, 16 wooden pawns in four colors, two dice, and a dice cup that's a little too small to be truly useful. Parcheesi is for two to four players. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Deluxe Parcheesi
Deluxe Parcheesi is the original game and I think this is the one that should be available in stores, not the new one.

My fav. game!
I love this game and its even better then the one I had when I was younger cause you can actually pick up these pieces,the older ones were just little round peices.This game is awesome..=)

Very Very Good
Parcheesi is one of the most exciting games you can find now. We went by the name of Ludo. I played it couple years ago and from since then I always one. Now me and my sisters play everyday. What makes it more interesting is we each man pays a quarter for each of his man that is sent back to the beginning (we call it "eat"). I really think you guys should try it one time, you'll see how much more fun it is. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBH
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Classic Games   

Trivial Pursuit Iv
Average Customer Review:
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Editorial Review

It's become the high praise of the day: "I'd sure like to have her on my Trivial Pursuit team." Life is never dull when there are people around who know what baking ingredient, sprayed at high pressure, the U.S. Air Force replaced its toxic paint stripper with. Or what male body part Mademoiselle magazine found to be the favorite of most women. The object of the game is to show off one's general knowledge--that is, it's to move along a circular track, answering questions, and to collect colored wedges for correct answers in six categories: People and Places, Arts and Entertainment, History, Science and Nature, Sports and Leisure, and Wild Card. The game includes a 20-by-20-inch game board, question-and-answer cards in two card storage boxes, dice, six plastic tokens, and 36 scoring wedges. For two to six players or teams. (Still wondering about the answers to the above questions? Baking soda and eyes!) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A little easy
Could just be because I'm a child of the era, but I find this version a little bit too un-challenging for my tastes. Still fun though.

It's enjoyable -- but not quite as challenging.
This update to the Trivial Pursuit line attempts to modernize the questions -- and switches some of the traditional categories around in an effort to appeal to a broader audience. The "Arts and Literature" category is now gone, for example, swallowed up by a huge Entertainment section that skews heavily towards more "pop" references. Almost all the history questions are targeted at the latter half of this century -- making questions on things like American politics ludicrously easy for people who've been paying attention for the last two decades -- and "Science" is now less concerned with rare conditions and more interested in recent breakthroughs.

In other words, compared to the previous editions, this one will seem noticeably easier -- and much narrower in focus -- to real trivia hounds, but much more accessible to wider audiences. Given that this was a stated goal of the revision, however, it's no so much a problem as a "feature;" younger people used to feeling adrift in a sea of Baby Boomer references (like I was as a child) will probably appreciate many of the changes.

Fun
This game is fun, it gets your brain juices flowing, and you learn a lot from it! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IVZW
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Trivia   

Rl 2cards Dce Bns Pck
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

They're a classic pair--and a staple in any game lover'scollection. Open the outer storage box to reveal two boxed 54-carddecks, one red-backed and one blue-backed, sealed in plastic. Each cardboasts a finish designed to allow easy dealing and comfortable gripping.As always, the Victorian design with bike-riding cherubs graces the backof each playing card, and the set is guaranteed against manufacturer'sdefects. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The quintessential deck of cards
Fun: A standard deck of playing cards offers an incredible variety of ways to have fun. There are, of course, the different kinds of games you can play. Bidding games, like Bridge; betting games, like Poker; solitaire games, like Klondike; and trick games, like Euchre. These games can be played alone, or with as many as seven people... and, more if you add another deck.

You can also try to build structures (although, the taller your house of cards, the more decks you may need)-- and the Bicycle brand cards are ideal for this activity because of their slick coating. In other words, it's a challenge! And, of course, there's the ol' putting a card in the spokes of your bicycle wheels trick just for the heck of it.

Finally, one of the coolest things you can do with this deck of cards is practice and perform magic tricks. Instructions sold separately. :)

Educational value: As a former 8th grade math teacher, I swear by the educational value of playing cards. From simple games like "War", which teach relative numeric values (a 5 is greater than a 3, etc.), to blackjack and 31, which teach adding, and on to 5-hand draw poker, which teaches probability... even when young player doesn't realize he or she is learning. As an adult, of course, there's always room to learn more about probability and finesse, esp. with social and gambling games like poker and bridge.

Durable: The Bicycle brand cards set the standard of quality for plastic-coated playing cards. They don't bend or crease easily and, treated well, can last for years of normal use. Only casino-style cards like Bee can outlast Bicycles in the plastic-coated class. The most durable playing cards are 100% plastic, like those made by Kem (among others), but Bicycle is a great value for both cost and durability.

General: Bicycle stands as one of the few standard brands against which all other plastic-coated playing cards are judged. They last ten times longer than most decks that cost half the price; the face designs are attractive; the numbers are easily readable. These are my brand of choice when I host a card game. ... Read more

Asin: B00001QHVP
Subjects:  1. Cards    2. Playing Cards   

Vacation Fun Mad Libs: World's Greatest Party Game (Mad Libs (Unnumbered Paperback))
by Roger Price Leonard Stern
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 1987)
list price: $3.99 -- our price: $3.99
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Reviews (1)

XLENT!
I always liked mad libs but this is one of the best of the best mad libs ever!Buy it now! ... Read more

Isbn: 0843119217
Sales Rank: 21014
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Games & Activities - Puzzles