Pearls (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Pearls is a card game released in 2019 by ABACUSSPIELE. Designed by Christian Fiore and Knut Happel, the game is set in a nautical theme where players collect pearls to score points. With its unique combination of hand management, market, and set collection mechanics, Pearls offers a fast-paced and engaging gameplay experience for 2 to 6 players.

Game Components of Pearls

Deck of pearl cards with various values and colors

Bonus cards for scoring sets

Joker cards (zeros) that can be used as any color

Player scoring piles

How To Setup Pearls

To set up the game, shuffle the deck and deal six cards to each player. Place the remaining cards in a face-up display. Ensure each player has a scoring pile where they will place their scored cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players must manage their hand carefully, as there is a hand limit of ten cards.

Card Collection: Players can either collect all cards of one color from the face-up display or score cards from their hand.

Scoring: Scoring involves placing cards of the same color into the scoring pile. Bonus points are awarded for scoring sets of four or more cards of the same color.

Joker Usage: Zero-value cards can be used as any color to complete sets.

Game End: The game ends when all bonus cards are gone or the deck is depleted, followed by a final scoring round. Cards left in hand incur penalty points.

Objective: The objective is to accumulate the highest score by collecting and scoring valuable pearl cards efficiently.

Player Experience

**Pearls** is a quick and engaging game that plays in about 15 minutes, making it an excellent filler. It is simple to learn but requires strategic thinking, particularly in managing your hand to maximize scoring opportunities. The game supports two to six players, ensuring it is versatile for different group sizes.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Quick Playtime: Games are short, lasting about 15 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Requires good hand management and strategic scoring.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as six.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not appeal to players seeking more complex games.

Luck of the Draw: The face-up display can sometimes limit your options.

Hand Limit Constraints: The ten-card hand limit can be restrictive.

Personal Thoughts on Pearls

**Pearls** is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a quick, fun game to fill gaps between longer gaming sessions. Its simplicity and short playtime make it a great addition to any game collection, while its strategic elements keep it engaging for players of all ages.

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