Game: Edel, Stein & Reich

Thread: Re: ES&R gem cards = Basari archway spaces?

garygarison — 2008-08-12T08:04:45+00:00

For reference, here is the Basari board:

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Thread: ES&R gem cards = Basari archway spaces?

garygarison — 2008-08-12T07:56:47+00:00

30 gem cards in ES&R. And there are 30 archways spaces on the Basari board. For every card in ES&R, is there a matching Basari archway space?

Thread: Re: The Mystery is Solved

sbszine — 2008-04-01T00:41:09+00:00

The licence for an English copy of this game is for Basari only. ESR didn't get an English release from Rio Grande due to Basari already being in the market.

Thread: Re: The Mystery is Solved

tool — 2008-03-31T14:53:29+00:00

No, Basari is a precursor game.

Thread: Re: The Mystery is Solved

sbszine — 2008-03-31T04:32:48+00:00

The English version is Basari.

Thread: The Mystery is Solved

cabalzero — 2008-03-31T04:08:26+00:00

So I had a chance to speak to Jay Tummelson at GameStorm this weekend, and I used the opportunity to ask him about my personal favorite of the Alea small-box games, Edel, Stein & Reich. The question, of course, was why the game hasn't been produced in English. Jay informed me that a European company owns the rights, and they saw fit to make a few changes and reissue the game under another title (but not in English 'natch). Now you know.

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JStankowicz — 2008-02-04T07:42:02+00:00

Bidding for cash during the second to last round of the game.

Thread: Re: Mistake in English component list

fofluff — 2007-09-17T12:14:20+00:00

Thank you for posting this!

Thread: Mistake in English component list

starspangledgirl — 2007-07-19T17:46:14+00:00

The rules in English on the first page say there are 30 event cards (ereigniskarten) but there are actually 39. Further in, in the illustrated breakdown of each type of card, it adds up correctly.

Thread: Re: Question regarding the face down Event card

artfuldodge2 — 2007-04-15T18:10:01+00:00

Face up

Thread: Re: Question regarding the face down Event card

rplea — 2007-04-15T17:44:12+00:00

I've thought about this before, and I agree that it is appropriate to play with open cards.

Thread: Re: Question regarding the face down Event card

asmiles — 2007-04-15T16:41:21+00:00

I'm fairly certain that all cards are always played face up.

All player holdings are open.

Thread: Question regarding the face down Event card

shingoi — 2007-04-15T15:01:27+00:00

I played this game recently and one question that came up that I could not find any answer in the English translation of the rule.

If player decided to take face down event card.. say it was one of scoring card that would not have any effect until the scoring round.. can that player keep this scoring card hidden, face down or is it important that it is on the table face up.

Any help in this matter would be very appreciated.

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samoan_jo — 2007-03-23T08:54:44+00:00

Edel, Stein & Reich - Alea - German box back [higher quality]

Thread: Re: Edel, Stein, & Reich--A "Gem" of a Game

Hallow — 2007-03-09T21:58:50+00:00

Excellent Review!! I am going to try and teach it for the first time tonight.

Thread: Re: Any plans for an English version?

rplea — 2007-02-08T19:37:40+00:00

I do wish there was an English version. This would be a good intro game, but people are put off by the German. It's not such a problem for gamers. And I don't particularly want to deface my game with paste-ups.

Thread: First Impression

jonjacobmoon — 2007-02-03T15:31:30+00:00

This is my first review, so go gentle on me.

I played this with four other close friends. That was the first game. It took a few minutes to learn the game (really it took about 1/3 of that first game before we had it), but after that it went very quickly. In fact, after one of my buddies left, we played a second game, and that one went very fast. I would say once you learn this game, a typical four person game would take 45 minutes.

This was not a game I think I would be good at, but it is an elegant, easy flowing game that is fun with friends. I am a big fan of area-control and strategy games, but playing a light negotiation game is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

To back up, I will give a brief synopsis of Edel, Stein, and Reich. Basically, your goal is to make money. You can do this directly. You can acquire the most jewels (no points for second), or you can finance your way into it through contracts. There is a round of cards laid down in front of each player, and you secretly decide to pick the jewels on your card, the money on your card, or the contract that is available to all. The contract can give bonus points, penalize the group or just your opponents, or it can be a straight contract. You get special bonuses for acquiring straight contracts. (Its funny because you negotiating the right to take what is on your card. You don't choose of get your opponents. That is very easy to forget while playing it.)

The central idea here.... and where the fun is.... is when two people choose the same thing. If I want the specific jewels on my card, for instance, and one the other guys wants the jewels on his card. I can offer my jewels (there are four different colors) to get the jewels on the card in front of me. Or, I could take the jewels the other guy is offering. It can get interesting.

And, it can be thought-provoking. It is more a poker-style, read-your-opponent kind of game. It is easy to over-think what you are going to choose. Too often, I would over-think it, and be stuck with nothing or clash with someone else unexpectly. (You get nothing if three people choose the same thing.)

I'd play this game again. There are others that I'd prefer to play, but I certainly wouldn't mind another chance to look into the head of my friends and guess what they might be thinking.

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Dr_A — 2007-01-05T00:02:06+00:00

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Dr_A — 2007-01-04T23:47:06+00:00

Sparkly components...

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Dr_A — 2007-01-04T23:40:25+00:00

German rulebook.

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Werbaer — 2006-10-31T13:13:12+00:00

box cover

Thread: Re: Replacement Gems? :-(

BAYLEYAW — 2006-10-16T11:24:02+00:00

Try E Bay....sounds daft I know, but for UK £1.50 approx I got about 40 - 50 GLASS BEADS of one colour. By using several colours I made a full set of Gems for Sceptre von Zavandor. There also seem to several producers in the US....shipping to UK was too much, you may have better luck.

Thread: Re: Replacement Gems? :-(

Shakar — 2006-09-21T16:56:25+00:00

Try craft stores or even dollar stores(in their craft section, you will find different sorts of plastics gems).

Thread: Replacement Gems? :-(

apotheos — 2006-09-21T16:23:42+00:00

It wouls seem some of my yellow gems have gone missing! Woe is me!

Is anyone aware of a place to obtain a reasonable replacement? Something at least similar to the gems that come with the game?

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Verkisto — 2006-09-01T20:33:47+00:00

Space Saving Technique: Ditch the money chips (use paper or poker chips to track money), and everything fits into an Ultra-Pro deck box.

Thread: Re: Relation to Basari?

Verkisto — 2006-08-28T15:08:35+00:00

ES&R also does away with the board and dice, removing a large luck portion of the game. I haven't played ES&R yet (I'm going to try for it tonight), but I appreciate that change, even if the event cards could throw some more chaos into the mix.

Thread: Re: Relation to Basari?

sbszine — 2006-08-21T01:07:17+00:00

The main differences are five player support, and event cards. It's primarily worth getting if you regularly have a fifth player, or if you want a little bit less chaos (the event cards help you evaluate the other players' positions).

Thread: Relation to Basari?

punkzip — 2006-08-21T00:29:43+00:00

I own Basari - is this worth getting?

Thread: Re: Alea's official two player variant

sevorges — 2006-05-04T22:16:29+00:00

You don't need to try this variant to know how well it would work. While this will work as a 2 player game it will not hold nearly as much interest as the multiplayer game; here preventing particular players from getting their choice for free can often be more important than getting your most rewarding choice. That is missing from this version which I believe removes the heart from the game.

Thread: Re: Alea's official two player variant

cull — 2006-04-11T18:21:12+00:00

Anyone tried this variant?

Thread: Re: Any plans for an English version?

Tricky McGee — 2006-02-15T13:19:43+00:00

I agree, there aren't that many different types of cards. After one play through, my group knew what each card. The pictures on them can be clearly understood once their translated meaning is read from a card aid. This is a great game. It being in German adds fun to it, imo. How can you be a reputable jewel broker and not speak German?

Thread: Re: Any plans for an English version?

sbszine — 2006-01-19T02:29:35+00:00

If you print out the card aids and the rules translation, the German edition is quite playable without pasteups. Both the card aid and the translation are of exceptional quality. And the cards themselves have helpful illustrations. The components are the usual high Alea quality also. Don't let the lack of an English version hold you back.

Thread: Re: Any plans for an English version?

Kobra1 — 2006-01-19T01:57:14+00:00

Thats too bad, the OOB version is GARBAGE, and I refuse to buy it.

Sad.

Thread: Re: How does this play with 2?

rplea — 2006-01-11T20:23:34+00:00

The rules for two players are to be found on the alea website:

http://www.aleaspiele.de/Pages/B4/

Thread: Edel, Stein & Reich -- Session Report

gschloesser — 2005-10-31T22:38:00+00:00

Paul was anxious to try this Basari adaptation again, having played it with us a few weeks back, but only with 3 players. The game is much better with either 4 or 5 players, and this time we had a full contingent of five.

Marc, Paul, Diana, Gail and I vied to collect gems, cash and certificates, hoping to ascertain the cards our opponents would play so as to not enter into conflicts. That is difficult to do with five players, as there is always going to be one or more conflicts per turn.

Paul pursued the gem-heavy strategy, collecting the precious stones whenever possible. Initially, this appeared to be a lucrative strategy, but when the first round results were tallied, he was lagging far behind in last place.

My early cards made grabbing cash my wisest course of action, and I also managed to share the majority of certificates in both the first and second rounds. This was enough to hold off a late surge by Diana and claim the victory.

Round-by-round scores:

Round 1: Greg 36, Diana 25, Marc 23, Gail 13, Paul 10
Round 2: Greg 52, Marc 43, Diana 35, Paul 34, Gail 27
Finals: Greg 82, Diana 67, Marc 60, Paul 48, Gail 40

Ratings: Paul 8, Marc 8, Greg 7.5, Gail 5, Diana 5

Thread: Re: Single Central Gem and Event card Bidding option

Steve99 — 2005-10-06T11:54:22+00:00

It's on the Aleaspiele.de web site but I've posted a copy here.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geekforum.php3?action=viewthrea...

It's worth giving it a try but it doesn't fare that well compared to the 4+ player game.

Enjoy!

Thread: Alea's official two player variant

Steve99 — 2005-10-06T11:48:24+00:00

Edel, Stein & Reich
Game rules for the 2-person game

All rules for the multi-player game remain in force except where modified by the following:

Ten jewel cards are dealt to form a face down deck. One of the players begins and play alternates after that. The player whose turn it is (the active player), reveals the top jewel card from the deck. He also reveals the top event card. Then he chooses from the 3 actions (money, chance, jewel card) and places the corresponding action card face down in front of himself. His opponent is now allowed to prevent the action of the active player and/or to at least force a trade with him. So he chooses one of his 3 action cards and plays it face up.
There are two cases:

1) He has caught the active player, i.e. they have both played the same action card. In this case the active player reveals his action card. His action fails without effect.

2) He has not caught the active player. The active player merely announces this; he does not reveal his action card, however. Then the opponent plays one of his 2 remaining action cards. Once again there are 2 cases:

2.1) If the active player has not been caught, the players negotiate over the action. (Negotiations proceed as usual; the player with the fewer red jewels makes the first offer, etc.; one accepts the opponent’s offer, the other carries out the action).

2.2) But if the active player has not been caught, he carries out the action without restriction. (Thus, the opponent has two chances: on the first he can prevent the active player’s action completely; on the second he can try to force a negotiation and so possibly implement the active player’s action.)

Then it is the opponent’s turn to become the active player. He reveals the top jewel card. In addition he reveals another new event card (should the old one still remain, it is (as in the base game) placed under the deck).

In this way the game continues, alternating players until each of the 10 jewel cards have come into play. Then the first scoring round takes place (exactly as in the base game).

Then the next round begins. Ten more from the remaining jewel cards are counted out to form a new face down deck. The player with more money begins (in case of a tie, the player having more jewels).
The 3rd round is also conducted in the same way.
The player with the most money wins.

Translation by Rick Heli (http://spotlightongames.com)

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Toynan — 2005-10-04T12:46:15+00:00

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Toynan — 2005-10-04T12:46:15+00:00

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Toynan — 2005-10-04T12:46:15+00:00

Thread: Re: Single Central Gem and Event card Bidding option

db3000 — 2005-10-03T16:28:25+00:00

Sounds like an interesting variant. I'll have to try it. Have you played the 2 player variant? If so, do you know where I could find the English rules for it? Thanks.

Thread: Edel, Stein, & Reich--A "Gem" of a Game

r2mites — 2005-10-02T01:20:39+00:00

Edel, Stein, & Reich by Reinhard Staupe

A Snapshot Look
Edel, Stein, & Reich is a unique little auction game that pits players against each other in gem collecting. With a rock-paper-scissors element and a bit of bluffing, this game is a sure hit on just about any gamers table.

General Game Info:
Players: 3-5 (official 2-player variant available)
Ages: 9 and up
Play Time: 45-75 minutes
Game Weight: Medium Light to Medium
Game Mechanics: Auction/Bidding, Bluffing, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Set Collection
Theme: Adventures in Precious Gem Trading

Gamer Suitability:
Casual/New gamer = 5
Moderate Experience = 5
Experienced/Heavy Gamer = 4

Production Value (See Details Below):
Theme = 4
Presentation = 5
Components = 4
Gameplay = 4

Freshness Factor:
Fresh Experience with Every Play: Low Medium to Medium
Replay Value Over Time: Low Medium to Medium

Other Factors to Consider:
--There is an official 2-player variant available that is quite good.
--I’ve been told that this is the same game as Basari (just with a different theme).
--Edel, Stein & Reich is a German-language game. The Event cards have considerable German text, but the pictures on the cards also identify how they are used. After a few plays, non-German gamers should easily be able to play without referring to rules translations.

Overall Score = out of 5

The Details

Theme
Players take on the roles of directors at the trading house Edel, Stein & Reich. They attempt to accumulate as much wealth as possible by dealing for valuable gems and, ultimately, the money those gems represent for the company. Of course, players must compete with one another for the largest and most valuable collections of gems.

Within this theme, Edel, Stein, & Reich shines as a unique auction game with a hint of bluffing through a “rock-paper-scissors” type mechanic. Though the theme is not all pervasive, the beautiful components and general gameplay tend to fit the idea of the world of gem exchange. Thematically, Edel, Stein & Reich is not great, but it is definitely above average.
(Theme Score: )

Presentation
Edel, Stein & Reich is also very well presented by Alea. It comes in a very high quality box that is the same size as other games in the small-sized Alea bookshelf series of games. The fact is that Edel, Stein & Reich is the fourth game in that series (as evidenced by the #4 printed on the top left side of the game box). The artwork on the box is also very well representative of the gem trading business with the picture of a businessman with a strange similarity in appearance to Theodore Roosevelt. There is no doubt to gamers picking up the game for the first time that the game is a business related game.

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Inside the box, Alea has given no less attention to quality. The plastic insert is perfectly designed to hold the game components. There are slots to hold the cards as well as the money counters and also a compartment for the many gems included with the game. The great thing about this insert is the fact that pieces stay in their respective compartments even when the game is stored on end like a book (which it is intended to do). This is a plus for me.

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The rulebook also appears to be well laid out. Even though it is written in German, the diagrams and pictures should be very helpful for non-German gamers (especially with a translation close by). Alea has included the usual review column for gamers who simply need a refresher after time off from the game. I’m sure this is very useful to gamers that read German.

All of these things together add up to make the presentation of Edel, Stein, & Reich stand out above most games.
(Presentation Score: )

Components
Edel, Stein & Reich is primarily played using several different types of cards that are made of standard playing card material. Players should take care not to shuffle these cards too hard as they will wear out over time. There are 4 different types cards highlighted below:

1) Gem Cards (30 with gold backs)—These cards identify the gems or money that are placed up for auction in each round.

2) Event Cards (30 with grey backs)—These cards are also drawn and included as an item up for auction in each round. Each event card shows a different action that the winning player may take—either immediately or during scoring (depending on the card).

3) Action Cards (20 with blue backs)—These cards are actually used by players during the auction to determine the item each player wished to bid on. Each player has three of these cards (Money, Event, Gem) and in each round plays one in a rock-paper-scissors like competition. A fourth type of card (Free Action) is added for the five player game.

4) Scoring Card (1 double sided)—This card is not used in play, but assists players in scoring.

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There are also several cardboard money counters that are made of high quality cardboard. These are used to keep track of each players score as the game proceeds through the three cscoring rounds.

Finally, there are 88 hard plastic gems (22 in each of 4 colors). Pardon the pun, but these are what make the components of the game a “gem” among games. There really is nothing super special about these gems except that they just look cool and have an expensive feel to them.

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Edel, Stein & Reich has very high quality components with great appeal. These above average components make Edel, Stein & Reich worth every penny invested.
(Components Score: )

Gameplay
The object of Edel, Stein & Reich is to accumulate as much wealth as possible over three phases—each consisting of six to eight rounds. This is accomplished by bidding on and winning money, gems, or events during each round.

Play begins with each player taking a gem card and placing it face up in front of him. This card identifies the colors and quantity of gems he must bid on OR the amount of money he will bid on. The top event card is also revealed to all players. This event card is the event that players may bid on.

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The auction begins by determining which players will bid on which items. This is done through a rock-paper-scissors type mechanic. Each player chooses an action card (gems, money, or event) and places it face down in front of him. The card he chooses identifies the item that he would like to obtain in this round. After all players have chosen their desired actions, they compare cards and perform the actions in the following order:

1) Money Action—if one player has chosen “money”, he may take the money without hindrance. If two players have chosen “money”, they must barter for it (see below). If three or more players choose “money”, none of them may take the money.

2) Event Action—if one player has chosen “event”, he may take the event card and perform its action without hindrance. If two players have chosen “event”, they must barter for the right to perform the action (see below). If three or more players choose “event”, none of them may perform that event action.

3) Gems Action—if one player has chosen “gems”, he may take the gems without hindrance. If two players have chosen “gems”, they must barter for the right to take the gems (see below). If three or more players choose “gems”, none of them may take the gems.

4) Free Choice Action—if one player has chosen “free action”, he may trade any one gem he owns with any two gems from the bank. If two or more players have chosen “free action”, they each may take one free gem from the supply.

In the event that two players desire the same action, they must barter for it. Bartering takes place by bidding gems from each player’s supply. Only the player with the highest bid in gems may perform the action. Player’s should take care in bidding, however, because the losing bidder receives the gems that the winning bidder offers.

Play continues in this fashion with players drawing new gem cards in each round to identify the gems or money they will bid on. When the gem card pile is exhausted, the current phase is over and scoring commences. Players earn money based on the gems that they have in their possession.

This procedure continues through three phases and the winner is the player with the most money earned.
(Gameplay Score: )

Closing Comments
Though, this may sound a little confusing, it is really quite simple to learn and play Edel, Stein, & Reich. I have found Edel, Stein, & Reich to be a great, light filler with a hint of challenge in the many choices I face in each turn. Any game group that wants an occasional filler-type game that is simple to play, yet full of many decisions and great tension will find Edel, Stein, & Reich a game worthy of their play time. Definitely an A-list filler.

Overall Score = out of 5

Thread: Re: Event Cards Question

Zooboo — 2005-09-07T17:48:15+00:00

Also, don't forget that a player can take the face down card at the top of the deck instead of the face up one. I forgot this rule the first 2 times we played.

- Eric -

Thread: Re: Event Cards Question

Christine Biancheria — 2005-09-07T14:23:41+00:00

Well, I definitely like the idea better of turning over a new card. It's just not as fun with the same one face-up over the course of several rounds, and it cycles you through the deck a little better. Thanks, Adam.

Thread: Re: Event Cards Question

asmiles — 2005-09-06T20:57:58+00:00

I've always played that a new event card is turned up every turn. Doesn't matter if someone wins the event card or not.

You get a new gem/money card every turn, even if you don't win money or gems.

Thread: Event Cards Question

Christine Biancheria — 2005-09-06T20:23:17+00:00

During a turn, it may happen that no one gets the event card action. So what becomes of the face-up event card? Does it just stay there as is? Or does it go under the deck, with a new one turned face up?

Thanks for your help/thoughts.

Thread: Single Central Gem and Event card Bidding option

Steve99 — 2005-08-28T13:16:21+00:00

I've just got around to publishing this variant for one of my favourite card games. It has been successfully tried and tested over many years and has become the standard way in which I play this game.

The change is a simple one.

Instead of handing a gem card to each player, place one gem card centrally on the table beside the event card. All players now bid on these two cards and not on a personal gem card, as per the original version of the game.

This has two effects. It not only simplifies the card set up process but it drastically reduces the chaos that comes from having to consider multiple gem cards.

At the start of each phase, it's easier to set up two face down stacks of 7 Gem and 7 Event cards (in a 4 player game) and turn over the top card of each stack at the start of each round. When the seventh Gem and Event cards are turned over this automatically marks the end of each phase.

Thread: Tao of Gaming Review

Bankler — 2005-08-21T20:34:12+00:00

[Basari review originally written in 1999. ES&R Updated in 2003 -- Brian]

Basari was a sleeper from early '98. I played it once that year, but never got a copy (what with all of the other games coming out that year). I played it a few more times and eventually bought it.

What a great little game.

Basari is for 3-4 players who take the role of gem traders. The board shows a bazaar with a number of stalls surrounded by a scoring track. Each player starts in one (random) stall and gets 12 gems, 3 each in four colors. A turn is simple:

* Each player rolls a die and moves forward that many stalls,
* Each player secretly picks one of their three chits,
* You reveal and resolve.

Each stall has a combination of 2-4 gems and a point value (4-7). Each player has three chits, for three choices: Get the gems from the current stall, get the points, or roll the die and move forward (and get points equal to 6 minus the die roll). If a single person picks a chit (for example, I'm the only one trying for gems), then you get them. If 3+ players pick a chit, then no involved player gets anything. But if two people pick the same chit...

Then they haggle. The start trading each other for the rights to use the chit. And they trade gems. If you get an offer you can accept it or counter offer. A counter offer has to have more gems or better gems (like comparing high card hands in poker, the best gem, then the next best gem, etc.). You go back and forth until someone accepts the deal.

On the turn where one pawn made a complete lap (there are tokens to show where each pawn started) you score. Any player who completed a lap gets 10 points. Then the player with the most gems of a color gets 8, 10, 12 or 14 (depending on color) and returns 3 gems of that color to the bank. Then you slide your start token underneath your pawns current position. Three scoring rounds is a game, which takes 30 minutes or so.

Basari is full of tough choices and estimations. After everyone rolls then you have to decide what you think everyone is likely to go for and then decide whether you can be the sole player of a chit, or even if you want to. Haggling with a player is by no means a losing proposition. You could easily get a gem or two out of the deal (which may be as good or better than your other options), and you cost another player some gems. Often towards the end of a round players start angling to try deal with a specific player who may very well be inclined to trade away a crucial gem. And a clever or lucky player may spot that coming and play the same chit to block the deal. This game is simple estimation of everyone's best option and then trying to guess if others will estimate as you do.

All in all a very good game. Maybe even great.

Edel, Stein & Reich

It's a big year for Basari. Soon to be re-released in English, it has also been redone in German as Edel, Stein & Reich. (If you haven't played Basari, read the review above). The remake gets rid of the board and dice, instead each player is dealt a card that has the points and gems they earn. Also, each turn has a random event flipped up. The events could add bonuses to scores, or let players trade gems. But the players can select the event (instead of dice, as in Basari). But the basic idea of Basari is there. As a bonus, this plays with 5. If a fifth player is added, then each player gets a 'safe' option. Anyone taking the safe option simply selects a gem (or two if they are the only person). I haven't tried it with five yet, but it looks like a worthwhile improvement.

Thread: Re: How does this play with 2?

fizzix — 2005-08-06T14:42:44+00:00

I would definitely not attempt this with two. The fun of this game lies in the negotiation.

Thread: Re: How does this play with 2?

Steve99 — 2005-08-06T12:08:58+00:00

It's best with 4 or 5.

You can have a fair game with two though; I have played many such games and there is a 2 player variant knocking about other than the useless dummy hand version.

However, it's a much better game with more as the greatest fun is in anticipating what the other players are going to opt for and the more players you have to compete against the better the tension.

Thread: Re: How does this play with 2?

RandallPeek — 2005-08-06T08:14:51+00:00

Not designed for two, and as mentioned, a dummy player simply isn't the same. It really requires three, is better with four, and adds in a new option when played with the maximum 5. Don't even bother with just two.

Thread: Re: How does this play with 2?

Phuntom — 2005-08-06T05:03:23+00:00

Have played it with a dummy third, pulling random actions and then taking turns to decide the outcome for the dummy hand.

Although somewhat interesting, probably most useful for just learning the game.

Thread: Re: How does this play with 2?

Windopaene — 2005-08-06T03:03:46+00:00

It wouldn't

Thread: How does this play with 2?

cull — 2005-08-06T02:44:14+00:00

How does this play with just 2?

Thread: june 26

fireborn — 2005-06-28T01:14:55+00:00

Our second game of Edel Stien and Reich and we four were ready to rock:
Clif the mad man in the kitchen finally took off his apron and joined us, and so we were four as it was meant to be. The four were:
Paul: The virgin euroboardgamer whose cherry was about to get popped
Nathan: mr. nice guy until you play against him at a boardgame where you must endure endless trash talking and ghetto speak.
Andy: if this was the A-Team he would be 'Face' Andy is suave with the ladies but on the gameboard he can cast a stasis over the game with his "analysis paralysis" spell. You can actually hear his mind work...amazing.
Lastly, bringing up the rear is Clif: the master chef

The game is a rock paper scissors fest where each homeboy is a "Playa" in gemstone market. Each turn we simultaineously choose to take Gems (aka Bling!), Money (or as in Nathan-slang: MonAY!), or an Event card. If another playa chooses the same as you, then you battle it out by offering each other gems of increasing value until that other hommie backs the F down!
However if you are the only one to choose one of the three (Bling, Monay, or event card...dang need to think of the ghetto term for them event cards) then you gets it with out a fight.
So we started up with Andy going for the Bling each turn...he became as pridictable as his momma. But suddenly is round 5 he went for the event card and juked them other fools getting a majority in Mining event cards as well as green gems.
Paul was taking monay and having to bid quite alot through out the game. Nathan couldn't help but pick the same damn items at Paul each time but luckily Paul (being a virgin) would bend over for just about any bling. Nathan thought he had the situation under control but was really just being seduced by Paul. Nathan wouldn't realize this until the end however so the other players had to endure his insistance that he was their pimp.
Meanwhile Clif was piling mucho loot by just looking innocent and making easy trades with Andy the man whore. However it wouldn't prove to be enough. Sometimes Andy can trick the innocent and gay with his trixy ways.
The final score after 45 hot and sweaty minutes:
Paul - 72
Andy - 69 (no suprise there)
Clif - 54
Nathan - 49

Thread: Re:Money. Hidden or shown?

CortexBomb — 2005-04-03T22:07:42+00:00

Money is explicitly stated as being public in the rules...in fact going so far as to say that players should always change in their money for higher denominations if possible to make it easy to tell at a glance what their current score is.

Essentially, if the game had a board, it would have a score track, since it doesn't, the designer obviously wanted to be sure that scores were as public as possible.

Thread: Re:Session Report

bluepigeon — 2005-02-24T01:38:14+00:00

I am beginning to wonder if Toh Hean loses EVER!?!?

Thread: User Review

toucana — 2005-02-22T21:30:00+00:00

Edel Stein and Reich is a remake of Basari and though I have never played Basari, I believe that Edel is better than Basari since it supports one extra player that increases the tension of the game.

Rather than detailed instructions, I am going to give you what our gaming group felt about the game in general

Game play usually starts with players deciding whether they want to receive gems, money, an event or one gem. The last option for the single gem is available only if five players are playing. This single option actually increases the tension and I do think it balances the game out quite well. How players choose and win their actions depends on a simulateneous-action mechanism. The action is chosen by each player and simultaneously revealed. If actions are not in conflict, then they get to be carried out immediately. However if a conflict exists, then bartering has to occur. This concept is very similar to Lowenherz except that in Lowenherz, the actions chosen are not hidden from all the other players and here, gems are used instead of money

Certainly, the simultaneous-action type mechanism can turn some players off since it does depend on a huge dose of luck. One can guess what the opponents might choose based on how much money and gems are available for grabs, but second guessing and third-guessing usually boils it all down to luck. The game itself was received with mixed reviews from my gamer friends. While they all agreed that the tension was there during the selection of an action, the game drags on after three phases. Each phase is essentially the same except that gems are kept from the previous rounds. In addition, the bartering system was a little chaotic. We frequently observed that two sets of bartering were carried out at the same time between four players. This allowed players to pause and look at a neighboring trade to determine whether certain colored gems were being traded by their opponent or whether to increase or decrease the number of gems owned based upon the decisions made in the other trade. This we thought was rather unfair and had to be rectified.

Overall, my views were slightly different from that of the group. I still have a favorable view of the game and think highly of it. I believe that certain crowds are more suited for this game than others. I think since negotiations and bartering are involved, those people who enjoy Bohnanza or Settlers-type games might like this game more. For some reason, the female gamers in my group responded poorly with this game. This is probably a coincidence since unlike war games, there is no specific theme or mechanism here that I think favors one sex over the other.

In short : get this game if you want to experience some intense bartering and negotiations. There is a certain amount of tension in this game that stems from the simultaneous-action selection. Avoid this game if you dislike either bartering or simultaneous action mechanisms.

Thread: Session Report

toucana — 2005-02-22T17:47:51+00:00

Played the newly purchased Edel Stein and Reich with a bunch of colleagues. I had previously played this game once with other friends who owned the game and really enjoyed it.

The game started slow with the bartering rules a little fuzzy for the other players. The game slowly picked up pace at the end of phase one:

With four players, I was surprised that at least more than a quarter of the time, all three players choose the same action thus canceling any opportunity to carry those actions out. I would have thought that would be rare.

One colleague of mine hated the bartering system and did not think it was "fun". Certainly, I do believe that some folks do not enjoy the blind action rule.

Game play ended with a surprising win for me beating out NR with 2 mil.

Score : Me :82mil, NR:80mil, HC:64mil, JY:70mil.

Thread: Re:Few Rules Questions

Christine Biancheria — 2005-02-19T20:33:38+00:00

rplea (#54787),

The German rules require you to place your scoring Event Cards face up. Also, if you acquire a "play immediately" type of Event Card (which says "Sofort"), then you must either carry it out right then in full or choose right then not to do it at all.

The Event Cards come in two varieties: the "play immediately" or "Sofort" type, and the scoring type, which are then used in scoring and discarded (they may not be carried over into the next round).