Every once in a while, a game comes along that I really make a conerted effort to dislike, but somehow becomes a favorite (Medici comes to mind in this category.) Well, The Bucket King has a lot working against it for me: the English-language title is kind of weak, I really loathe the box art and card art, the game is too choatic -- but I really like this game.

What I like about it: it is simple, it is fun, and non-gamers adore it. Each player starts off with 3 buckets in each of the 5 colors and makes a 'pyramid' out of them. Bottom row has 5, next row has 4...etc,...top row has 1 buckt. To begin a player plays a set of cards (1-3) in one color (eg. a Blue 5.) On your turn, all you do is raise the previous bid (eg. a Blue 3 and a Blue 4.) If you can't beat the previous card set (or choose not to beat it), you lose a bucket in that color and any buckets that were on top of the bucket are lost too. If you can raise the bid, then the next player has to try and beat it. Around and around we go. The fun is in trying to kick key buckets in other plaerys' pyramids, and trying to decide when to take a hit yourself, or up the bid.

The game is so simple a 5 year old could play (I am quite serious), but hardened gamers even seem to really like this one too. It is simple, and you don't have a lot of control, but there seems to be some strategy in building your bucket-pile at the beginning, and their seems to be an illusion of control that somehow satisfies even if there does seem to be a lot of chaos. A great game for 3-6 players, that both gamers and families should enjoy.

This is one of the better non-gamer games I have ever player because of theme, the shorter playing time, the simplicity of rules, and the fun decisions each turn. It doesn't really 'wow' you, but it never seems to get boring. This could be a runaway hit...but just don't call it the Bucket King! It's the bucket game!