Speculation (1992) Board Game

Speculation is a board game that was released in 1992 by designer Dirk Henn and published by db-Spiele. It falls under the category of economic games, where players engage in commodity speculation, dice rolling, hand management, memory, and stock holding. The game has garnered a decent following over the years for its strategic gameplay and engaging mechanics.

Game Components of Speculation

Game board

Commodity cards

Stock cards

Money tokens

Dice

How To Setup Speculation

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the commodity and stock cards and place them in their respective decks.

Give each player starting money tokens.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Speculation, players take on the roles of investors trying to make the most money by speculating on the commodities market. Players buy and sell commodities, invest in stocks, and try to manipulate the market to their advantage. The game ends after a set number of rounds, and the player with the most money at the end wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Strategic gameplay that requires careful planning and decision-making

Engaging mechanics that keep players on their toes

Replay value due to the different strategies players can employ

Cons:

Can be overwhelming for new players

Luck factor due to dice rolling may frustrate some players

Personal Thoughts on Speculation

Having played Speculation multiple times, I can say that it is a well-designed game with a good balance of strategy and luck. The build quality of the components is decent, and the artwork by Harald Lieske adds to the overall appeal of the game. In terms of pricing and availability, Speculation can be found both used and new, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

In terms of alternatives, games like Acquire and Stockpile offer similar gameplay experiences for those interested in economic board games. Overall, I believe Speculation is worth your time if you enjoy strategic games with a financial theme. It is suitable for players aged 10 and above, but those who prefer more straightforward gameplay may want to skip it.

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