Ligretto (1988) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ligretto is a fast-paced card game that was released in 1988 by German designer Michael Michaels. It has since gained popularity for its quick and exciting gameplay that challenges players to think and act quickly.

Game Components of Ligretto

160 unique cards, each featuring a face of red, green, yellow, or blue color, and numbered from 1 to 10.

Each player has a deck of 40 cards, with ten cards of each color, and a distinctive design on the reverse side to identify the player’s cards.

How To Setup Ligretto

To set up Ligretto, each player shuffles their deck and places ten cards face up on the table to form a “stack.” Next to this stack, three cards (four cards in a three-player game, five cards in a two-player game) are displayed face up to form a “row.” The remaining cards are held in each player’s hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Get rid of your cards faster than other players by discarding them in the middle of the table.

Mechanics:
– Simultaneous card play triggered by a player saying “Ligretto!”
– Cards must be played in numerical order and in the same color as the top card on any pile.
– ‘1’ cards can initiate new piles and must be played from the row or hand.
– Piles are complete when the ’10’ card is played on top.
– Players draw cards from their stack if they cannot play a card.
– The game restarts when no player can play another card.

Player Experience

Ligretto is a dynamic and reactive game that demands hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and counting skills. Players must act quickly to discard their cards, making it a thrilling and competitive experience. The game is suitable for 2-12 players and is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Pros

Fast-paced and engaging: Rounds last approximately 5-10 minutes, keeping the game energetic.

Simple to learn: Basic rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

High replayability: Despite short rounds, the game encourages multiple plays to reach the winning score of 99 points.

Develops reaction time and coordination: Players must act swiftly and accurately.

Cons

Luck factor: The game has a medium chance element, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Potential for long overall game time: If players are evenly matched, the game can extend beyond 30 minutes to reach the winning score.

Some players may find it repetitive: Continuous rounds with similar gameplay can become monotonous for some.

Personal Thoughts on Ligretto

Ligretto is an excellent choice for families, groups of friends, or anyone looking for a quick, fun, and interactive card game. It is particularly good for children due to its educational elements, such as teaching colors and numbers. However, players seeking a game with deep strategy or those who prefer longer, more complex games might find Ligretto too light or repetitive.

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