Whats Up?
This is a fun little game that is great for some light hearted fun. It is playable for up to 6 players. It will appeal both to newer gamers and the more hard core types. The instructions are short and sweet. You can easily read them immediately prior to play. The game is loosely based on an auction type of system, where players compete to form the best sets of antiques. In addition you can also attempt to steal other players cash, and their antiques by sending your thief after them. You can also try to catch other peoples thieves by playing your detective. The game is basically a race to see who can complete a circuit of the board the fastest. Points are awarded based on who can show off the best collection of antiques each turn.

The game boils down as follows: Each turn players must decide whether they will go to auction or to the castle. This is done blindly, and all players reveal simultaneously their actions.

If they go to the auction they may then either attempt to buy artwork or attempt to steal cash. Each person has a hand of cards, and some of these cards represent money. Each player has different sums of money - not everyones cards are the same. Players then simultaneously reveal either a thief or a money card. Whoever plays the highest money card takes one of the two available antiques. If only one player plays a thief he takes the money that bought the antique.

If a player goes to the castle they may play a theif, show antiques, or play a detective. Each player chooses one secretly and then they all reveal simultaneously. Any players playing antiques must show matches of antiques. These must be a series of antiques such as A,B,C or E,E,E(antiques are marked A-F).The largest show each turn wins, and then the player may move their pieces along the board. The amount of movement is always determined by the place the leading player is on. If multiple people play antiques, only the best two shows get to move their players.

If a thief is played in the castle, the thief owner may take any one antique from each player who elected to show antiques that turn. If multiple thieves are played by many players, theives steal in order of experience. Every player starts the games with two theives, but every thief has a number on them denoting its 'years' of experience. Each player has differently experienced thieves.

If a detective is played by any player in the castle, then all theives played that turn go to jail. Once a thief is in jail, more theives will need to be caught before one is released. If your detective catches a thief, you get to move your piece further around the board.

Once a turn is complete, its all done over again. This continues until a player makes it all the way around the board to the dining room table. Then all players show their best antique show and the winner gets to move an additional 8 places.

The Good:
-Unique game play. Its fun trying to anticipate your friends moves!
-Short Game - We played this three times in 2 hours!
-Every playing piece is different - this makes it more interesting. Some players will have more money, others will have better thieves.
-Stealing stuff and messing with other people in a game like this is fun!

The Bad:
-The 'bidding' system isn't really bidding. Its guessing what the other person will play. Once you play one card its down.
-Once a person gets rolling with a set of aniques near the end of the game, they can just keep playing their set every turn. If they are careful, a thief won't really stop them from winning.
- Its a better game when more than 4 people are playing. If there is no competition in the auction hall or castle, then the players do what they want uncontested. This is bad for everyone else.
- If you run out of money, or all your thieves go to jail its not as much fun. You become very limited on what you can do each turn.

In summary:
Fun game. Interesting and unique game play. Not really an 'auction' game but more a lesson in psychology on guessing what everyone else will do. Its worth picking up, and is a good game to break out when time is short.