Camel Up: The Card Game (2023) Board Game

Camel Up: The Card Game is a 2023 release by designer Steffen Bogen and publisher Pretzel Games. It is based on the popular Camel Up board game, which won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in in 2023. The card game version offers a more portable and streamlined experience, focusing on betting and bluffing mechanics with hand management elements.

Game Components of Camel Up: The Card Game

Racing cards: Used to move the camels along the track.

Betting cards: Include Leg Betting Cards, Midfield Cards, Final Betting Overall Winner Cards, and Final Betting Overall Loser Cards.

Camel pieces: Five colored camels and one black “crazy camel” that moves in the opposite direction.

Shortcut and Fennec tokens: Used to manipulate camel movements.

Coins: For tracking players’ earnings.

How To Setup Camel Up: The Card Game

To set up the game, place the five racing camels behind the start line, with their heads pointing towards the finish line. Shuffle the racing cards and draw the top five, moving the corresponding colored camels forward one or two spaces based on the cards. The crazy camel is placed on the seven spot, facing the start line. Players then lay out the track using cards, each having two spaces or an alternate sandstorm side with one space.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Acquire the most money by placing correct bets on how the camels will place in the race.

Player Actions: Each turn, players can take one race track action and optionally one betting action.

Moving Camels: Camels are moved based on the racing cards drawn, with the possibility of stacking camels.

Betting Actions: Players can take Leg Betting Cards, Midfield Cards, Final Betting Overall Winner Cards, and Final Betting Overall Loser Cards.

Crazy Camel: Moves in the opposite direction, potentially disrupting other camels’ positions.

Player Experience

The game offers a delightful mix of strategy and chaos, similar to its board game counterpart. Players must balance their betting actions with the manipulation of camel movements using racing cards and special tokens. The game’s compact nature makes it easier to transport and set up, although some players may miss the visual appeal and random elements of the original board game.

Pros

Portable: Takes up less space compared to the original board game.

Strategic Depth: Allows players more control over the race with the use of racing cards.

Betting Variety: Multiple types of betting cards provide various strategies for winning.

Fun and Chaotic: The crazy camel and stacking mechanics add unpredictability and excitement.

Cons

Less Table Appeal: The card game lacks the visual appeal of the board game, including the dice tower and camel figures.

Slower Setup: Setting up the card game can be more time-consuming due to the need to lay out cards and manage decks.

Less Randomness: The use of cards instead of dice reduces the random elements that some players enjoyed in the original.

Personal Thoughts on Camel Up: The Card Game

Camel Up: The Card Game is ideal for fans of the original board game who are looking for a more portable and potentially more strategic experience. However, if you already own the 2nd edition of the board game, it might not be necessary to upgrade, as the card game lacks some of the charm and randomness of its predecessor. This game is perfect for game nights or travel, offering a fun and engaging experience with a minimal learning curve.

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