Straw (2006) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Straw is a card game released in 2006, designed by Richard James. It falls under the Arabian themed category and features hand management and push your luck mechanics. The game is suitable for 2-6 players, with a runtime of around 30 minutes and is recommended for players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Straw

65-card deck featuring items of varying weights and special cards

Rulebook in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish

Cartoonish, Arabian-themed artwork by Octographics

How To Setup Straw

Setting up **Straw** is straightforward and quick. Players start by shuffling the deck and dealing a hand of four cards to each player. There is no significant setup time beyond this, making it easy to get the game started.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players maintain a hand of four cards.

Card Placement: Each turn, players place one card onto the camel, adding to its total weight.

Weight Limit: The camel can carry up to 50 pounds. Exceeding this limit breaks the camel’s back.

Special Cards: Cards like the flying carpet reduce weight, while others like Aladdin’s lamp allow players to choose the weight.

Scoring: The player who breaks the camel’s back scores 0, while other players score the total weight of the cards in their hand. However, using the feather card to break the camel’s back at exactly 50 pounds allows the player to score instead.

Player Experience

**Straw** offers a fun and fast-paced experience with simple yet strategic gameplay. Players must balance the risk of adding high-value cards to avoid breaking the camel’s back while trying to maximize their score. The game is easy enough for children to learn but engaging enough to hold adult attention. It incorporates basic math skills and encourages strategic thinking and risk-taking.

Pros

Quick and easy setup

Simple rules with enough depth for adults

Suitable for both children and adults

Encourages strategic thinking and risk-taking

Excellent for teaching basic math skills

Fast-paced gameplay with “take that!” moments

Cons

Cards may exhibit faster wear due to frequent play

No scoring pad provided to track scores over multiple rounds

Some players may find the component quantity a bit light for the price

Personal Thoughts on Straw

**Straw** is an excellent choice for families and casual gaming groups. It is a great filler game that can be played in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for short gaming sessions. The game’s light-hearted theme and easy-to-understand mechanics make it accessible to children, while the strategic elements keep adults engaged. Despite some minor drawbacks, **Straw** offers a fun and entertaining experience that is well worth the investment.

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