Bootleggers (2004) Board Game

Bootleggers is a board game that was first released in in 2004. It is set during the Prohibition era in the United States, where players take on the roles of rival gangsters looking to control the illegal alcohol trade.

Game Components of Bootleggers

Little plastic mobster-looking guys (influence markers)

Plastic trucks

Wooden crates (representing moonshine)

Dice

Paper money

Muscle cards (numbered from 1 to 72)

Remote stills

Speakeasy improvement markers

Men of Action cards

Board featuring six speakeasies

Reference cards for each player

How To Setup Bootleggers

To set up the game, players start by shuffling and dealing three Muscle cards from each of four colored groups to each player, giving them a total of twelve cards. Each player receives a small truck with a capacity of four crates, a family still, and some initial cash. The remaining trucks, money, dice, remote stills, and wooden crates are placed in a bank. The board is set up showing six speakeasies, and a cube is placed on a twelve-space track to mark the rounds. Men of Action cards are shuffled and placed in their designated area.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Area control

Card drafting for initiative

Dice rolling for resource production

Negotiation and trading

Game Objective:

Players aim to make their fortune by controlling the distribution of illegal alcohol.

Influence markers are used to control speakeasies and secure the best prices.

Players must produce moonshine using stills and transport it using trucks.

Muscle cards determine turn order and allow players to expand their operations or disrupt opponents.

Avoiding the cops, who can destroy liquor if a player produced the most whiskey in the previous turn.

Player Experience

Playing Bootleggers involves a mix of strategic planning, dice rolling, and social interaction. Players must navigate alliances, deceit, and direct competition to dominate the bootlegging market. The game encourages negotiation, as players can rent unused trucks or sell crates of moonshine to each other, but beware of backstabbing deals. The game is balanced but can feel repetitive with strong strategies emerging over multiple plays.

Pros

Quality components

Well-written rulebook

Quick play with little downtime

Mid-level complexity

Strong theme

Expansion available (The Casino)

Cons

Paper money

2-player option is less enjoyable; game plays best with 5-6 players

Dice rolls can be unpredictable, affecting production

The cop mechanic can be more of a nuisance than a significant challenge

Strong strategies can make games feel identical over time

Personal Thoughts on Bootleggers

Bootleggers is ideal for those who enjoy games with a strong theme, particularly fans of the prohibition era or shows like “Sons of Anarchy” and “Deadwood.” It’s a fun, mid-level complexity game that excels with a full group of 5-6 players. However, players need to be comfortable with direct player interaction and the potential for backstabbing deals. The game’s blend of American theme and German mechanics makes it a unique and engaging experience.

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