Favoriten (1989) – Board Game Guys

Favoriten is a board game published in 1989 by Walter Müllers Spielewerkstatt. The game is a simple betting/race game with a press-your-luck element, involving five horses in each of three races. Although not much information is available about the game’s history and background, it is clear that Favoriten is a classic board game that has been enjoyed by players for decades.

Game Components of Favoriten

Game board featuring two lanes for horse movement

Five horses

Betting tokens (three per player)

Dice for determining horse movement

Rules booklet

How To Setup Favoriten

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player receives three betting tokens. The five horses are positioned at the starting line. Players decide who goes first, typically the youngest player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2 to 5

Age: 9 and up

Duration: 60 minutes

Objective: Players aim to win by placing bets on horses that will finish in the top three positions in each of three races.

Gameplay:
– Players take turns rolling a die to move one of the five horses forward.
– Before each turn, players can place bets on the horses.
– Betting continues until all players decline to place a bet.
– The first player to bet on a winning horse receives the highest payout, with diminishing returns for later bets.
– The game consists of three races, with payouts after each race.

Player Experience

In **Favoriten**, players engage in a thrilling mix of strategy and luck. The game requires careful decision-making about when to place bets and which horses to back. The press-your-luck element adds an exciting layer of unpredictability, as players must balance the risk of backing an unpopular horse against the reward of early betting.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of betting and dice rolling creates a captivating gameplay experience.

Strategic Depth: Players must weigh the risks and rewards of their bets carefully.

Social Interaction: The game encourages social engagement as players discuss and React to each other’s betting decisions.

Positive Reception: Received positive reviews and nominations for several awards, including the 1990 Spiel des Jahres and Deutscher Spiele Preis.

Cons

Luck Factor: The dice rolling introduces a significant element of luck, which may not appeal to all players.

Limited Replayability: The game’s simplicity might lead to repetitive gameplay after multiple sessions.

Personal Thoughts on Favoriten

**Favoriten** is an excellent choice for those who enjoy racing and betting games with a strong social component. It is particularly suited for families or casual gaming groups looking for a fun, relatively quick game that combines strategy with a bit of luck. However, players seeking complex, deeply strategic games might find **Favoriten** too light. Nonetheless, its unique blend of mechanics and engaging gameplay make it a worthwhile addition to any board game collection.

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