Pick-a-Polar Bear (2013) Board Game

Pick-a-Polar Bear is a fun and engaging board game designed by Torsten Landsvogt and published by AURUM, Inc. It was released in 2013 and has since gained popularity among players of all ages. The game revolves around players trying to collect sets of polar bear cards by quickly recognizing patterns and matching them. With its real-time gameplay and cute polar bear theme, Pick-a-Polar Bear offers a unique and exciting gaming experience.

Game Components of Pick-a-Polar Bear

30 cards, each with five attributes: large/small, with/without a raised arm, orange autumn/blue winter background, with/without goggles, and with/without canned fish.

Bonus round cards

Penalty cards

How To Setup Pick-a-Polar Bear

To set up the game, lay out 30 cards in a grid and give one card face down to each player. This initial setup ensures each player has a starting point to compare their cards against.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Setup: Lay out 30 cards in a grid; give one card face down to each player.

Gameplay: Players shout “Go!” and then look at their card. They must grab cards from the grid that are either identical to the top card in their hand or differ in only one attribute.

Stopping the Round: A player yells “Stop!” when they think they can’t grab more cards. If correct, they earn an extra card; if incorrect, they lose all cards from that round.

Variants:

Variant 1: The player with the most cards from the previous round cannot grab a card identical to their top card in the current round.

Variant 2: Bonus round cards are shuffled into the deck. When revealed, players must quickly identify how many cards in the grid match two specified attributes.

Objective: Collect the most cards to win the game.

Player Experience

**Pick-a-Polar Bear** offers a fast-paced and engaging experience, requiring quick thinking and strategic planning. Players must constantly adjust their strategies based on the changing attributes of the cards they collect. The game is ideal for those who enjoy rapid decision-making and pattern recognition.

Pros

Fast-paced gameplay: Encourages quick thinking and reaction.

Strategic depth: Requires players to adapt their strategies as the game progresses.

Variants: Adds replayability with different rules and challenges.

Simple to learn: Easy to understand the basic mechanics.

Cons

High reliance on luck: The initial card and grid layout can significantly affect the game’s outcome.

Potential for mistakes: Players who make errors lose all their collected cards, which can be frustrating.

Limited player interaction: Players mostly focus on their own card stacks rather than interacting with each other.

Personal Thoughts on Pick-a-Polar Bear

**Pick-a-Polar Bear** is perfect for families, casual gamers, and those who enjoy quick, strategic games. It’s a great addition to any game collection, especially for those who have enjoyed **Pick-a-Dog** or **Pick-a-Pig**. The game’s simplicity and the inclusion of variants make it appealing to a wide range of players, from children to adults looking for a fun, fast-paced experience.

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