I’m constantly looking out for games to occupy my young grandkids. My challenge is finding ones they’ll enjoy but which I still have at least a chance of winning. Frankly this rules out most video games and quite a few board games these days. However I’ve just struck lucky with Skullduggery from Cheatwell.
The first big bonus is it comes in a small box – easy to pack for holiday trips and only contributes minimally to the growing toy mountain which used to be my lounge.
It’s basically a card and tokens game which has elements of poker or rummy but is a lot more fun. You probably guessed from the title, it’s based on pirates and the object is to display the highest number, using your four number cards, by the end of the game, either by rearranging your own cards or helping yourself to your neighbours’ cards. A photographic memory is definitely an advantage.
You each have four cards with a single number, arranged in a row. The numbers, 3, 5, 2 and 9, for example, are counted as 3,529. So you can see that having the largest number on your far left card gives the best chance of winning.
To win, you must peek at your own and your opponents’ cards, but only when allowed, and memorise them. Then you must try to swap the positions of your own cards, or swap your cards with your opponents’ cards. All these actions require picking up a card from the central pile and either keeping it or discarding it. Discarding a card triggers the ‘swap’ or ‘peek’ actions named on each card. Just to make things even more interesting each player also has two tokens which display more actions, and the players can use these strategically to get the cards they want.
Recommended age range is 8+ years. Having road-tested this with my 8-year old grandson, he struggled a little at first, but with help from me and his father, he soon picked up the rules. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children. I enjoyed it (and not just because I won) – it really keeps you on your toes and is actually a good game for older adults who are keen to exercise their memory.
At just £10 RRP (on special offer at £8.39 from Toystreet.co.uk at the moment) this is a fun holiday game.
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.