Box cover of "Escalado - The Great Horse Race Game for All the Family" by Chad Valley, depicting a close-up scene of horse racing with jockeys, placed on a patterned fabric surface.
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Escalado (1929)

ByMichail

Escalado

Escalado is a horse racing board game that was invented and patented in 1928 by Swiss inventor Arthur Gueydan and produced by the United Kingdom-based toy company Chad Valley. The game features model race horse game pieces, originally made of lead, that make their way across a long fabric race track towards the finish line at the other end. The horses move across the race track by means of a mechanical hand crank that vibrates the entire track in a random fashion so that it simulates the events of a live race. Escalado was a popular English table horse racing game from the late 1920s.

Why is Escalado Popular?

Escalado was a sensation when it was first introduced, and it broke all records during the last three months of 1928, becoming the biggest seller of all games that year. The game was popular among children in the early 20th century, but changing social stigma on gambling has made the game less appropriate for younger audiences. Despite this, Escalado remains a significant game in the history of board games, and it is still played by enthusiasts today.

Game Components of Escalado

– Model race horse game pieces
– Long fabric race track
– Mechanical hand crank

Game Setup of Escalado

1. Set up the long fabric race track on a flat surface.2. Each player chooses a model race horse game piece.3. Place the horses at the starting line.

Gameplay Mechanics of Escalado

– Players take turns to crank the mechanical hand crank, which vibrates the entire track in a random fashion.
– The horses move across the race track based on the vibration of the track.
– The first horse to cross the finish line wins.

Game Objective of Escalado

The objective of Escalado is to be the first horse to cross the finish line.

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Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl