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Official Horse Race Game Thread (6 Viewers)

thecabal said:
So rolling the dice is always the first thing a player has to do, and a Joker can only be played after the dice are resolved.
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This all sounds good and I'll try to introduce this slowly to my group. Basically, the only question I have left is this: If a player rolls a number that causes a horse to cross the finish line can another player then play a Joker to negate the win?
 
Tony_M said:
This all sounds good and I'll try to introduce this slowly to my group. Basically, the only question I have left is this: If a player rolls a number that causes a horse to cross the finish line can another player then play a Joker to negate the win
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No, Jokers can only be played on your own turn. Holding these cards in your hand is part of the game's risk assessment. If someone ends the game unexpectantly, you have to pay into the race pot for still holding those cards. And your risk will vary depending on the number of players in the game. In a four player game, it is probably less risky to hold on to these types of cards longer so you can use them exactly how you want because your turns come around fairly quickly. However, in an 8 player game, a lot can happen in between your own turns--you may feel it necessary to use some cards sub-optimally just to get them out of your hand in case the race ends. It may seem better to allow special cards to be used any time, but I find the stricter rules of use force players into some fun mental calculus on risk.
 
What about extra cards?
I was thinking of only dealing out same number of cards to each player and if anyone rolls a scratch they are offered an extra card for paying an extra $1
 
Sparkynutz said:
What about extra cards?
I was thinking of only dealing out same number of cards to each player and if anyone rolls a scratch they are offered an extra card for paying an extra $1
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That would be easy enough to add.

I deal cards based on the number of players:

4 Players: 2 Suits of cards +1 Joker (6 cards per player, 3 cards set aside).

5 Players: 2 Suits of cards +2 Jokers (5 cards per player, 3 cards set aside).

6 Players: 3 Suits of cards +2 Jokers (6 cards per player, 5 cards set aside).

7 Players: 3 Suits of cards +2 Jokers (5 cards per player, 6 cards set aside).

8 Players: Full deck of cards + 2 Jokers (6 cards per player, 6 cards set aside).

9 Players: Full deck + 2 Jokers (6 cards per player, 0 cards set aside).

10 Players: Full deck +2 Jokers (5 cards per player, 4 cards set aside).

11 Players: Full deck +1 additional Suit +2 Jokers (6 cards per player,1 card set aside).

12 Players: Full deck +1 additional Suit +2 Jokers (5 cards per player,7 cards set aside).

The 9 player variant is the only one that doesn't have some cards left over. Selling left over cards during the game could be interesting. After the scratch round, players can often surmise at least some of the cards in the set aside pile. Depending on what horse is close to winning, some players might want to snap up those cards.
 
IMG_1757.jpeg
 
Just played a test run of my rooster racing.
I gave $5 in 25c chips for 6 players.
30 rolls in I have a few players out of chips.

Anybody else have that many unlucky rolls? 7 in a row were scratch.

Now what?
Tempted to make all scratches 1 chip instead of 1-4
thoughts?

Update-
Did another run and charged 1 chip per scratch no matter which it was. Lowest chip count left at end of race was 5 chips.

Anybody else just do one chip per scratch roll to keep it cheaper?
 
It really depends how many players you have. The more players the cheaper it will be on average per player. I think if you ran a simulation you'd find that the pot size will average the same regardless of the number of players in the game.

Of course variance plays a factor. If someone is really unlucky they'll roll the 4th scratch every. single. time. That someone is usually me.

Edit: When I ran it last time we did a $20 buy in. Nobody ran out of chips for the entire orbit but we were 7 or 8 handed.
 
TonZaga said:
Weighed the interest for my group and now the search for the perfect board begins…
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Ordered mine off Amazon (link above), it showed the next day.

In case anyone is interested: I got this one because it folds into its own case. Seems pretty well built, the horses are pretty stout, I don't think I'll have to deal with any of them breaking unless someone goes out of their way to break it. Case has holes to store the horses, but they fall out if you put the case on end. So I bought some half inch foam with adhesive on the back. Should be here today, I'll stick it to the part that folds over the horses and that should hold them all in place. Came with a rack of chips, a couple decks of cheap cards, a pair of dice, and a tote bag to carry the case.

Game this weekend, we'll see how it goes.
IMG_0047.jpeg
IMG_0048.jpeg
IMG_0049.jpeg
 
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chippitydoodah said:
Go with NASCAR
View attachment 1283837
Across The Board NASCAR Car Racing Game, Maple https://a.co/d/2xaXaFx
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I lost interest in NASCAR several years ago and being from Kentucky, if I had the choice between the two (living 10 mins from Churchill Downs) and didn’t pick the horses, I may be forced to move. Bourbon and thoroughbreds is a lifestyle.

And it didn’t take me long to go with the ATB deluxe in walnut. Should be here on Saturday!
 
I really like the looks of this folding race track. How did it work out on the first testing? Did the foam solve the loose horse problem?
Thanks for showing us your new race track.
 
iowa said:
I really like the looks of this folding race track. How did it work out on the first testing? Did the foam solve the loose horse problem?
Thanks for showing us your new race track.
Click to expand...
Sadly, my poker game got scrubbed this weekend so I didn't get to run it yet. The foam did solve the problem, though 1/2" is just slightly too thick so the box doesn't close all the way. If I got less dense foam it would probably be fine, but I got something like a foam rubber. There are impressions where all the heads of the jockeys make contact, so I am probably going to use a drill to take just a tiny bit if material out on those spots and I should be good.

This is the included tote bag to protect the game, and carry it around, so that's cool.
IMG_0054.JPG
 
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TLDR: went through the whole thread before ordering but just ran my first 9 handed simulation ($20) start. $.25/.50/.75/$1 scratches and all 4 of player 3’s horses got scratched.

Do you all have a house rule or something when that happens?
 
TonZaga said:
TLDR: went through the whole thread before ordering but just ran my first 9 handed simulation ($20) start. $.25/.50/.75/$1 scratches and all 4 of player 3’s horses got scratched.

Do you all have a house rule or something when that happens?
Click to expand...
In my games, they still participate and roll, paying into pot when necessary. I also use a jockey pot, so winning that is their best chance of ameliorating a bad hand.
 
Sparkynutz said:
Anyone tried this?
Curious how it plays with top 2 and bottom 2 rolls combined. Also appears no scratch horses.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alderac/ready-set-bet-high-roller-edition-from-aeg
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Haven't played it, but it seems well designed. I see it has "bonus moves" for all the horses but number 7, I assume to help compensate for the statistical variance of rolling particular horses. I don't think you could just switch out the play money for real money, but some of the bets you can make give me some ideas.
 
Guys, what do you do if a player runs out of money in the middle of a round? Kick them out, let them free roll or do some complicated side pot?
 
So there seems to be a Star Wars™ version of everything these days. I call it Hyper Space, and the goal is for the tie fighters to get to the Falcon before it makes it into Hyper Space.

I finally finished this project, thanks to @Colquhoun @Darson @rjdev7

Here is how I do scratches (so 6 is the first scratch, 7 was the second ...)

IMG_1227.jpeg


IMG_1230.jpeg


IMG_1229.jpeg

IMG_1227.jpeg
 
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Darson said:
Guys, what do you do if a player runs out of money in the middle of a round? Kick them out, let them free roll or do some complicated side pot?
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I've read (in this thread I think) that some just have them buy back in.
 
On my annual Spring Training baseball trip with my friends and busted out the horse race game, did like 5-6 races. It was a big hit! One race a dude got all four queens, and the 12 won for the scoop.
 

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