Alles im Eimer plays like two different games, depending on the number of players.

The mechanics stay the same. Each player is given a hand of 12 cards which consists of cards from five suits differentiated by color and an animal picture, numbered from 1-8. The player then constructs a five-level pyramid out of 15 "buckets" (3 of the color of each suit), trying to make the bottom and middle of the pyramid strongest by matching the bucket colors to the strongest suits in his hand.

The pyramid gains strength this way because of the card play. A number of a suit is led, composed of between 1-3 cards of that suit. The next player has two options. He can play a higher number of that suit after which he draws one new card, and the next player then has the options.

If the player cannot or decides not to play a higher number he has to remove a bucket of that color from his pyramid. Since each bucket is supported by the two buckets below it, a chain reaction can occur if a lower level bucket is removed. All buckets above the removed one that are supported by it are also removed. This means that you want your strongest suits to be in the middle and bottom of your pyramid. After a player removes buckets, he will then lead and draw a card.

The game ends when either one (in a 3 or 4 player game) or two (in a 5 or 6 player game) are completely dismantled. No matter how many players are involved, the game plays quickly.

These mechanics result in completely different feels depending on whether you play with the minimum or maximum number of players.

Play Alles im Eimer with three and it is a game of luck. If you draw the right cards and play the right cards at the right time, you will win. Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do to figure out the right card to play. In short order, your hand and those of your opponents can change drastically, leaving you with a carefully constructed pyramid that is now painfully weak due to your draws. You also don't know what your opponents' hands now consist of, so you don't know what to play.

It is very different when playing with six. Your hand will maintain its starting integrity for a longer period of time. Also, by looking at the five other pyramids and which cards have been played you will have a lot more information on which to base your play. Strategy makes sense with more players.

Playing with four or five will give progressively more strategy and less luck. Where you draw the line on what you like will determine whether you like the game with those numbers of players.

The underlying reason for the difference is the large deck. It consists of 110 cards. So, in a three-player game, you are only starting with 36 of the cards in play. That leaves 74 cards that will be distributed after you and your opponents have set up your pyramids. In the six-player game, 72 cards will have been pulled from the deck at the start. By looking at your opponents' pyramids and your hand, you can have a much better idea of the distribution of the cards. This distribution will not be changed as quickly from drawing as in the three-player game. You can figure out even more by looking at which cards get played as you watch five opponents between your plays.

If you are just looking for a fun, quick, light game, then Alles im Eimer will do for you, no matter how many you have to play. However, if you hate to rely on luck, then you will want to play with six players, or at least five. If you have tried it with three or four and didn't like it, give it another shot if you have a larger group. It will be like playing an entirely different game.