Las Vegas (2012) – Board Game Guys

Las Vegas

“Las Vegas” is a board game designed by Rüdiger Dorn and published by Ravensburger in 2012. The game is named after the city of Las Vegas in Nevada, United States, and has a gambling theme. It was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres prize in 2012. The game is for two to five players and consists of six small boards representing different casinos. Each casino is dealt a bill from the deck, and each casino must hold at least $50,000. The game is played for four rounds, and there is an expansion set titled “Las Vegas Boulevard” released in 2014.

Why is Las Vegas Popular?

“Las Vegas” is a popular board game because it is easy to learn and offers a fun gambling experience without having to travel to the actual city of Las Vegas. The game has gained popularity in Nevada and other states, as evidenced by a World of Card Games study that found it to be the favorite game played in Nevada.

Game Components of Las Vegas

6 casino mats, each representing a different die value (1-6)

40 dice, with 8 dice in each of 5 player colors

54 banknote cards, ranging from $10,000 to $90,000

1 start player card

Additional white dice for variant play with lower player counts.

How To Setup Las Vegas

To set up the game, lay out the 6 casino mats in ascending order in the middle of the table. Shuffle the banknote cards and deal them to the casinos until each casino has at least $50,000 in total value. Each player selects a color and takes the 8 corresponding dice. The oldest player receives the start player card.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll their dice and place them on the casino mats matching the die values.

Majority Control: The player with the most dice on a casino mat wins the highest-valued banknote associated with that casino.

Strategic Placement: Players must strategically decide where to place their dice to maximize their winnings.

Variant Play: Includes the use of white “phantom” dice to simulate additional players in games with fewer participants.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most money over four rounds by winning the highest-valued banknotes from the casinos.

Player Experience

**Las Vegas** offers a blend of luck and strategy, making it engaging for players of various skill levels. The game is known for its quick setup, short playing time of 15-30 minutes, and high level of interaction among players. The dynamic nature of the game, where each roll can swing fortunes significantly, adds to the excitement and emotional rollercoaster of playing.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Fast Gameplay: Quick rounds and short overall playing time.

High Interaction: Players constantly engage with each other’s moves.

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic thinking about dice placement.

Portable: Compact design makes it easy to take anywhere.

Cons

Luck Element: The game’s reliance on dice rolls can lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Lower Player Count Issues: The game is less optimal with fewer players, though the variant with white dice helps mitigate this.

Personal Thoughts on Las Vegas

**Las Vegas** is perfect for those who enjoy light, fun, and fast-paced games with a mix of luck and strategy. It’s ideal for families, casual gamers, and anyone looking for a quick game that doesn’t require a significant time commitment. The addition of the variant rules with white dice ensures that even games with fewer players remain engaging. If you’re looking for a game that combines simplicity with strategic depth and a dash of schadenfreude, **Las Vegas** is an excellent choice.

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