Ponder (2010) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ponder is a board game released in 2010, designed by Isabel Holmberg. It is a family-friendly game that revolves around animals and racing, suitable for players aged 7 and above. The game features hand management mechanics and is designed to be played by 2 to 4 players, with a runtime of approximately 45 minutes.

Game Components of Ponder

Game Board: A 9×9 grid representing a pond with 28 lily pad spaces.

Toads: Three rubber toads per player, each with the ability to land on their back, belly, or butt.

Movement Cards: A deck of 15 cards per player that dictate toad movements.

Lily Pads: Floating lily leaves used as stepping stones across the pond.

How To Setup Ponder

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and receives three rubber toads and a deck of 15 movement cards. The toads are placed behind a start line on the board, which is a 9×9 grid representing a pond. The movement card deck is shuffled, and each player turns up one card. Players roll their toads to determine who goes first; the toad that lands sitting up goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn: Consists of three actions – move a lily pad, move a toad according to the revealed movement card, and draw a new movement card.

Toad Movement: Toads move in the direction indicated by the movement card; they can land on their back, belly, or butt, which determines what happens in case of collisions.

Collisions: When toads collide, the player whose toad was jumped on rolls their toad to resolve the collision (back = knocked off, belly = back to start, butt = stays put).

Objective: Be the first player to get all their toads to the other side of the pond.

Player Experience

**Ponder** offers a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages. The game is easy to learn but has a deep layer of strategy, especially as players keep track of the movement cards that have been played. The game’s design is both silly and clear, with great artwork, making it enjoyable for a wide range of ages. The constant need to move lily pads and toads ensures there is very little downtime, keeping players engaged throughout the game.

Pros

Simple Rules: Easy to understand, with rules fitting on one sheet of paper.

Deep Strategy: Allows for sophisticated maneuvers and planning.

Engaging Gameplay: Constant action keeps players involved.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 7+ and enjoyable for all ages.

Cons

Collision Resolution: Can be somewhat random due to the rolling mechanism.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, limiting the number of participants.

Personal Thoughts on Ponder

**Ponder** is an excellent choice for families or casual gamers looking for a fun, strategic game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. Its unique mechanics, such as the rolling toads and movement cards, add a layer of excitement and unpredictability. This game is perfect for those who enjoy light-hearted, engaging gameplay with a dash of strategy.

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