Wizard Junior (2006) Board Game

Wizard Junior is a children’s board game designed by Ken Fisher and published by AMIGO in in 2006. It is a simplified version of the popular trick-taking card game Wizard, designed specifically for younger players aged 8 and up. The game features cute and colorful artwork by Franz Vohwinkel and combines elements of auction/bidding and trick-taking mechanics.

Game Components of Wizard Junior

Instructions

Score pad

15-20 bidding tokens (varies by source)

Card deck

How To Setup Wizard Junior

To set up Wizard Junior, first shuffle the card deck and deal the cards evenly among the players. Each player should receive a number of cards based on the number of players, though the exact distribution is not specified in the available sources. Place the score pad and bidding tokens within reach of all players. The game is ready to start once all players have their cards and the necessary components are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Auction/Bidding: Players bid on the number of tricks they think they can win.

Trick-taking: Players take turns playing cards, with the goal of winning tricks to match their bid.

Objective: The objective is to accurately predict the number of tricks you can win, earning points for successful bids and losing points for unsuccessful ones.

Player Experience

Wizard Junior introduces children to the basics of trick-taking and bidding, making it an excellent learning tool for more complex card games. The game is designed for 3-6 players and takes approximately 20 minutes to play, making it a quick and engaging activity for family game nights or casual gatherings. The colorful and straightforward design helps young players understand the game mechanics easily.

Pros

Simple and easy to learn

Introduces children to complex card game mechanics

Short playtime suitable for younger attention spans

Encourages strategic thinking and prediction skills

Cons

Limited complexity may make it less engaging for older players

User ratings are mixed, with some finding it too simple or not engaging enough

Personal Thoughts on Wizard Junior

Wizard Junior is ideal for families with children aged 8 and up who are looking to introduce their kids to card games. It provides a gentle learning curve and is a great stepping stone to more advanced games. While it may not offer enough depth for adult gamers, it is a valuable tool for teaching children about strategy, prediction, and social interaction through gameplay. If you’re looking for a fun and educational card game for your kids, Wizard Junior is certainly worth considering.

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