Pot de Vin

Board Game Geek Reviews

1. 5 out of 10

   Andy Parsons

   Each card in the deck shows one of four characters; these are the suits. In addition, each card shows one of six symbols. Sets of symbols are what score. The catch is that you want either a low number of a type or a very high number; middling numbers score negative points. The deal leaves a significant portion of the deck as a face down pile used to randomly determine trump each trick. This is part of my problem with Pot de Vin. Assume that I'm not the last player to play to a trick; what are the odds that I'll win it and in winning gain symbols I don't want? Too hard to calculate. So try to avoid winning a trick unless you are the last to play to it or take a chance and maybe get hosed. At least where a trick is obviously bad, Pot de Vin offers a way out, giving each player a supply of gems that can be paid to the opponent who led instead of playing a card. Production quality is good. Luis Francisco's characters aren't quite as grotesque as previously, but his artwork is still handsome.

2. 6 out of 10

   Travalgar

   A trick-taking game with a definite trump, short play time, but lightly tricky scoring system. Might be off-putting for new players.

3. 6 out of 10

   LordVorpal

   Filler da 15-20 minuti. Le carte del mazzo sono divise per semi e valore numerico, si applicano regole simili alla briscola per ogni turno (la "briscola" cambia) per stabilire chi prende le carte giocate. Le carte fanno poi punti in base alle quantità prese dello stesso seme.