Big Top (2003) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Big Top is a card game released in 2003 by APE Games. Designed by Ray Mulford and illustrated by Alessandra Cimatoribus, this game is suitable for 3-6 players and has a runtime of about 60 minutes. It falls under the categories of Card Game and Educational, with a focus on hand management as the main gameplay mechanism.

Game Components of Big Top

Cards: 52 cards, including 4 suits each with a light (white numerals) and dark (black numerals) set of cards numbered 1 through 6, and a Poster card (“P”) for each suit.

Organizing Charts: 6 charts for players to manage their cards and bids.

Gate Receipt Tokens: 24 tokens ($10, $7, $5, $3) representing the earnings for completing suits.

Scoring Tokens: 6 tokens for tracking players’ scores.

How To Setup Big Top

To set up Big Top, each player receives an organizing chart, a set of gate receipt tokens, and a scoring token. The dealer, determined by who most recently visited the circus, deals out all the cards among the players, even if some players end up with more cards than others. Each player then places their gate receipt tokens face-down on their organizing chart, bidding on which suits they think they can complete during the hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card Playing: Players play cards from their hand or called cards (cards on the organizing chart) to piles in the center of the table.

Calling Cards: Players can call a card from their hand by placing it on their organizing chart, which can be strategic to stall other players or gain points.

Poster Cards: No cards of a suit can be played until the Poster card of that suit is played to the table.

Game Objective

The objective is to be the richest and most successful circus owner by playing your entire hand to earn money from Gate Receipt tokens and points from the Scoring Track. The player who first plays all their cards wins the round and earns the most points.

Player Experience

Playing Big Top involves a mix of strategy and tactical decision-making. Players need to assess the value of their cards, make strategic bids, and carefully decide when to play or call cards to block or facilitate the progress of other players. The game requires a balance between getting rid of your own cards and controlling the suits to limit other players’ options. The dynamic of calling cards adds a layer of complexity, allowing players to influence the game even when they are not the ones playing the cards.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Big Top offers a rich strategic experience with multiple layers of decision-making.

Interactive Gameplay: Players can significantly influence each other’s progress, making the game highly interactive.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide range of ages, making it a great family game.

Cons

Game Length: The game can be longer than desired, often taking around an hour, which may be too long for some players.

Complexity: New players might find the game mechanics and strategies challenging to grasp initially.

Personal Thoughts on Big Top

Big Top is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card games with a social twist. It is perfect for families or groups looking for a game that combines elements of classic card games like Fan Tan with unique mechanics like calling cards. While it may take some time to get accustomed to the rules and strategies, the game offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy tactical gameplay and social interaction. However, players seeking a quick game might find Big Top’s duration a bit lengthy.

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