Pickomino (2005) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Pickomino, also known as Heckmeck am Bratwurmeck, is a fun and engaging dice game designed by renowned game designer Reiner Knizia. Originally released in 2005, Pickomino has garnered a strong following among board game enthusiasts due to its simple yet strategic gameplay mechanics.

Game Components of Pickomino

16 barbecue worm helpings (dominoes) with varying point values and worm symbols

8 dice with numbers and worm symbols

Player stacks for collected worm helpings

How To Setup Pickomino

To set up Pickomino, place the 16 barbecue worm helpings in ascending order on the center of the table, forming a “barbecue grill.” These helpings are numbered and each contains one to several worms. The youngest player starts the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll 8 dice to collect numbers and worm symbols.

Press Your Luck: Players decide whether to continue rolling or stop, managing the risk of failing to collect any worms.

Symbol Collection: Players collect dice with specific numbers or worm symbols, ensuring they do not collect the same symbol more than once per turn.

Worm Snatching: Players can steal worms from other players if they match the exact score of a visible worm helping.

Game Objective

The objective is to collect the most worms by matching the sum of the collected dice to the numbers on the barbecue worm helpings.

Each collected worm helping is worth 5 points, with the player having the most worms at the end of the game declared the winner.

Player Experience

Pickomino offers a unique blend of strategy and luck, making it an engaging and entertaining game for players of all ages. The game’s absurd theme of collecting fried worms for chickens adds a humorous touch, making it a great icebreaker for family game nights or casual gatherings. The gameplay is simple to learn but challenging to master, as players must balance the risk of continuing to roll the dice against the reward of potentially gaining more worms.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Interactive: The ability to steal worms from other players adds a fun and competitive element.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Social: Great for casual gatherings or drunken play sessions due to its light-hearted nature.

Addictive: Press-your-luck mechanics keep players engaged.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Success can be heavily influenced by dice rolls.

Short Game Length: Games typically last between 20-50 minutes, which may be too short for some players.

Limited Strategy Depth: While strategic decisions are involved, the game’s simplicity may not appeal to fans of more complex games.

Personal Thoughts on Pickomino

Pickomino is an excellent choice for those looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-play game that still offers some strategic depth. It is ideal for family game nights, introducing new players to the world of board games, or for casual gatherings where the focus is on fun rather than intense strategy. Reiner Knizia’s design ensures that while the game is simple, it remains engaging and entertaining, making it a gem in any board game collection.

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