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Mow Money (2016) Board Game

Mow Money is a card game designed by Mayday Games and released in in 2016. It falls under the category of economic games and involves players bidding, managing their hand, and collecting sets of cards. The game is suitable for players aged 10 and above and can accommodate 1 to 6 players.

Game Components of Mow Money

  • Neighborhood cards
  • Contract cards
  • Lawn mower cards (Basic, Medium, Advanced)
  • Bid cards (Basic, Medium, Advanced)
  • Bid tokens
  • Bluff cards
  • Odd Job tokens
  • Reputation points
  • Money tokens

    How To Setup Mow Money

    To set up Mow Money, players start by preparing the neighborhoods. Each neighborhood corresponds to a specific set of player bid chips and receives a certain number of Contract cards based on the number of players. The Bid cards are separated into Basic, Medium, and Advanced decks and shuffled. Each player receives three lawn mower cards of their color, with the Basic lawnmower face up and the Medium and Advanced lawnmowers face down. Players also get a set of bid tokens, 5 Basic Bid cards, and 3 Bluff cards. Finally, the Starting Player marker is handed to the first player to begin the game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics:

  • Blind Bidding:** Players bid on neighborhood contracts without knowing the bids of other players.
  • Hand Management:** Managing Bid cards and lawn mower upgrades.
  • Auction:** Bidding on contracts, with the lowest bid winning.

    Game Objective:

    The objective is to become the best landscaping company in the city by earning the best reputation. This is achieved by successful bidding on contracts, completing odd jobs, and upgrading lawnmowers to improve bidding capabilities.

    Player Experience

    Playing Mow Money involves strategic planning and tactical decision-making. Each round is divided into four phases: Invest, Bid, Resolve, and Maintenance. During the Invest phase, players spend money to upgrade their lawnmowers or buy more Bid cards. The Bid phase involves placing bids on neighborhood contracts or completing odd jobs. The Resolve phase determines the winners of the contracts and distributes income accordingly. The game requires players to balance their bids carefully, as the lowest bid wins the contract, and misjudging can lead to financial setbacks.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth:** Combines hand management and blind bidding for a challenging and engaging experience.
  • Quick Gameplay:** Rounds are typically short, making the game fast-paced.
  • Thematic Integration:** The game mechanics mirror real-life bidding and business management well.
  • Family-Friendly:** Suitable for players aged 5 and up, though best enjoyed with 3-4 players.

    Cons

  • Rich Get Richer:** Successful players can quickly build their empire, leaving others behind.
  • Lack of Catch-Up Mechanism:** No inherent mechanism to help trailing players catch up.
  • Initial Investment:** Players must manage their initial lack of funds carefully to avoid early setbacks.

    Personal Thoughts on Mow Money

    Mow Money is ideal for families and groups who enjoy strategic games with a touch of luck and bluffing. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate auctions and hand management, as it offers a unique blend of these mechanics. While it may not be universally appealing due to its theme, it proves to be an engaging and challenging game for those who give it a chance. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy with quick gameplay and has a fun, competitive edge, Mow Money is a great addition to your game collection.

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