Game: Hamsterrolle

Thread: Confused over constructive passing

chaschen — 2008-08-30T00:10:28+00:00

When it says to take a piece from one of the "two lowermost sections of the wheel" does that mean in altitude or the two last sections going counterclockwise (if looking at figure 2). Being that this was probably translated, I thought that "lowermost" might have been a misinterpretation.

Also the instructions say to place the piece into a section of their choice ... Does that mean any section of the wheel or do you stil have to comply with original building rules? And does it have to be "higher" in the direction of building?

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jonathan bruton — 2008-08-13T09:18:22+00:00

Need to move a piece

Thread: My first three sessions of Hamsterrolle, after three beers.

diehard4life — 2008-03-18T02:38:20+00:00

So my three buddies and I get together in a basement to play some games on a Friday, away from the spouses, and it started as the usual euro-heavy evening, coupled with a variety of 24 imported beer types.

Man-heaven, as I like to call it. Yep, it might get better than that, but I don't wanna know about it if it does.

So we finish our second game of Pandemic and we are pretty pumped about gaming. We take a break and one of the guys suggests that we pull out some dexterity games.

I've never played a dex game since I played with a carrom board at age 10, so I have usually been intrigued, but somewhat lukewarm to the idea. You know, it always seems less interesting than a meaty strategy game in my head.

But then out came Hamsterrolle. I'd seen the BGG photos, and knew about it for several years. The concept was incredibly easy to learn, and I had three beers in my by this point, so I said "what the heck, why not?"

Immediately, while playing our first solo game of four players, I was pleased with the different sized pieces and platforms in the wheel. We started placing pieces gently, flat to the little platforms, careful to place our heavier pieces first.

But rather quickly one in our group diverted from the script and began placing longer pieces vertically on the platforms. This created the height rule issue, and it forced riskier moves. I liked that more aggressive play style.

So it escalated from there. We eventually began placing pieces which were vertical and leaned, or rested only 1/2 on the platforms or other pieces. We extended pieces beyond other platforms above it, making precarious structures.

Even with this play style, there rarely fell more than one or two pieces at a time.

Until, I knocked out the black plumb-bob... which did some damage.

But it was hilarious when I placed that later, moving the entire wheel about three inches, without disturbing a single piece.

Each game we played was different. We vaccilated between intensity and alpha-male whoops and yells (and had to be warned about a sleeping wife upstairs, as it was now 1am). We pumped fists, we pointed, we chided, we did all we could to provide cognitive dissonance to each competitor we faced.

But mostly I think we looked like the men Robert Bly writes about... but I digress...

Anyway, it was a blast. Our last game of teams was a hard fought battle where my partner was incredibly deft while I was incredibly shaky. (I had the shakiest hands at the start of each game... due to stimulant meds I take) And twice during the game I knocked out five or more pieces.

But we stood fast, staved off defeat when they were only left with three pieces, and eventually I placed the winning piece at about 2:15am.

It was a blast, and a great pairing with some imports or domestics. We will definitely be playing more dexterity games in the near future. And I am glad that this one was our first.

Thread: Re: Going OOP?

Satrapis — 2008-03-14T15:01:10+00:00

Yeap me too

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autumnweave — 2008-03-13T06:28:15+00:00

Side of box cover.

Thread: Re: Going OOP?

autumnweave — 2008-03-12T04:53:02+00:00

Where have you seen it? I'd love to pick up a couple at less than the $44-$50 that I normally have to pay.

Thread: Going OOP?

Rappak — 2008-02-26T15:40:38+00:00

I've seen this go on clearance at a lot of the online game stores. Is this going OOP?

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autumnweave — 2008-02-01T20:39:10+00:00

The proper training of a board game player starts at an early age and is a lifetime effort. When my niece comes to the US every summer we play board games every day. This was a present to her in Germany from her doting uncle so that she can convert the

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hrc333 — 2008-01-25T00:51:10+00:00

A Christmas Game

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simonh — 2007-11-20T07:18:39+00:00

BGG.con'07

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ytter — 2007-11-19T01:54:26+00:00

Go around again!

Thread: Re: For Trade! Anybody want it?

dude163 — 2007-10-08T14:20:29+00:00

you have geekmail :P

Thread: First Four Games of Hamster Rolle

Kiboko Hippo — 2007-10-08T02:13:23+00:00

Played my first four games of Hamster Rolle this weekend. Yesterday we tried two four-player games. I had skimmed the rules the night before and thought I remembered them. Consequently I forgot that for four players, you play in teams of two so that more pieces have to be placed on the wheel. Not surprisingly the first game was "too easy" and the starting player (me) won in seven turns after placing seven pieces.

In the second game, we figured out that the game would be more interesting if we didn't keep placing all our pieces in the bottom rungs but start to be adventurous and place them in the empty rungs to force the wheel to turn faster. This helped a little bit. The black cone, who we called "Albert", fell out, as did one or two other pieces, but not much else. And again, someone won in seven turns. We then progressed to other games.

This morning, I read through the rules again and decide to try the two-player game with my spouse. That's when I notice the rules about the four-player game. I do get the rules correctly this time, i.e., that for two players, we start with two sets of seven pieces each. This game is much more interesting. My spouse seems to be very good at this and she handily wins after I make a move that causes four pieces and Albert to fall out of the wheel.

We decide to play one more game, and this one is even more interesting. At this point, we're starting to make much more aggressive moves. Pieces fall out here and there. I'm the first to cause Albert to fall out but I get him back in the wheel. Then my spouse causes Albert to fall out, and now I think I have a chance. Then for my second last piece, I cause three pieces to drop out. My spouse just needs to move the wheel back to the centre of the table and place Albert, although it's a tricky position with pieces hanging precariously. She succeeds!

The pictures below show the wheel just before she places Albert, and right after the winning move! This was the first game where we saw pieces hanging off sections on top of the wheel; three sections in fact. The purple piece was particularly precarious. I'm surprised it didn't fall.

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Kiboko Hippo — 2007-10-08T01:40:21+00:00

The winning move! Albert makes it back on to the wheel.

Thread: For Trade! Anybody want it?

Sonja — 2007-10-02T00:31:26+00:00

I have a copy for trade. I played it and decided that I liked Villa Paletti more.

I currently really want Kreta, Thebes, Yspahan, Winner's Circle, Edel Stein und Reich and Atlantic Star, Notre Dame and Kutschfahrt zur Teufelsburg, or maybe two of the above.

Thread: Re: What is the "next but one free section"?

Guantanamo — 2007-07-11T00:01:22+00:00

rossum wrote:
Here's how we've played it:

As an example, take the starting configuration where the black cone is in the 6 o'clock position. We've played that a legal play is in 6 (the same section), 7 (the next section), or 8 (the "next but one" section).

Of course, a piece must be further along the wheel- you can't try to make the wheel roll backwards.

MDK

Yeah got it today and this was confusing. The option c seems like option b. Although the 'third one' seems almost unplayable. I guess at sometimes it may be. and if you are able to pull it off, it might make it move further and force the next person into trouble.

Thread: Re: Curiosity factor and the outcast

ellephai — 2007-06-27T01:27:30+00:00

Awwww. See, it just goes to show that ~~resistance is useless~~ there is a game for everyone.

Thread: Curiosity factor and the outcast

GameCrossing — 2007-06-26T13:04:10+00:00

Once a month, my wife's family (hence my family-in-law, I suppose) get together for dinner and to get a headache from teeming masses of shrieky kids. But once some of the kids filter out with their parents, it gives me a good chance to rope in some of the brothers-in-law for a good game of whatever strikes my fancy. But the family (my wife is the oldest of six kids) has one sister who doesn't really fit into the mold of the rest of the family. And her husband is moreso. They always stay mostly for the kids and try to make their way out as soon as they can. And it's hard, because their 10 year old daughter is quite the mini-gamer.

But then I brought my newest acquisition to the party. Hamsterrolle. With all the little kids around and all the attention a game that looks like a toy would bring, my first concern was finding a place out of the way of little hands and table-shakers. The spot we found.... the little half-wall that keeps kids from falling down the stairs. And my brother-in-law Rob, who is a cabinet-maker and likes working with wood, was fascinated. And for the first time in family history, Rob joined in.

The game itself wasn't so memorable. The moment we were all waiting for never happened, which was for pieces that spilled out to go down the stairwell and make people have to chase after them. They all tumbled towards us. And I ended up taking the largest of the collections of spilt parts. But Rob had a good time joining in. He even displayed some strategy in using blocks of one color to keep someone from going out as easily, and it worked. He wasn't interested in another game, and no more games happened since the throng of part-grabbers hounded those who wanted to play again. Later that night I roped a couple of the guys into a game of Power Grid. But the highlight of the night, the highlight of many, many nights of family dinners, was that Rob didn't feel isolated, even if it was just for fifteen minutes.

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gamephotos — 2007-06-12T16:44:55+00:00

Three Ways To Defy Gravity

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gamephotos — 2007-06-12T10:31:43+00:00

Which Way Up?

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gamephotos — 2007-06-12T08:33:20+00:00

All Player Pieces - Four Of Each Shape And Colour

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

cornjob — 2007-03-20T22:18:50+00:00

riogames wrote:
It is likely faster to contact Jay at Rio Grande Games.
He distributes the game for Zoch in the US and would certainly
be able to help you. His email is riogames@aol.com.

Jay

For any interested parties: I was able to speedily obtain a replacement piece for a pittance through Jay and Rio Grande Games. Thanks Jay!!

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

Donald — 2007-02-27T18:13:02+00:00

Not as much as Hamsters hate Richard Gere.

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

mitnachtKAUBO-I — 2007-02-27T17:57:11+00:00

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

mitnachtKAUBO-I — 2007-02-27T17:56:20+00:00

cornjob wrote:
Hmm....I don't seem to be getting any acknowledgement from Zoch. Anyone know a good way to reach them? I'd like to purchase a replacement block so that we're not limited to 3 players.
I've gotten a response emailing them before (address from their website), but they directed my request to Jay (RGG) for handling. You might try him if you get no response.

FYI,
http://www.riograndegames.com/games/rio035.html

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

riogames — 2007-02-27T17:52:52+00:00

It is likely faster to contact Jay at Rio Grande Games.
He distributes the game for Zoch in the US and would certainly
be able to help you. His email is riogames@aol.com.

Jay

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

cornjob — 2007-02-27T17:42:58+00:00

Hmm....I don't seem to be getting any acknowledgement from Zoch. Anyone know a good way to reach them? I'd like to purchase a replacement block so that we're not limited to 3 players.

Thread: Re: What is the "next but one free section"?

rossum — 2007-01-28T19:04:27+00:00

Here's how we've played it:

As an example, take the starting configuration where the black cone is in the 6 o'clock position. We've played that a legal play is in 6 (the same section), 7 (the next section), or 8 (the "next but one" section).

Of course, a piece must be further along the wheel- you can't try to make the wheel roll backwards.

MDK

Thread: Re: Dogs hate Hamsters!

Ninjabob — 2007-01-04T01:54:23+00:00

Shoot! When I read your title I was ~~hoping~~ [now that doesn't sound very nice]...thinking that you might need a new wheel. I do have a spare one of those, but no spare pieces. sorry.

Thread: Dogs hate Hamsters!

cornjob — 2007-01-03T15:38:41+00:00

Recently, while playing my copy of Hamsterrolle at a friend's house.....some pieces bounced off the table and onto the floor. We quickly grabbed them, but momentarily missed one of the yellow blocks. About a minute later, I noticed it was missing...so we looked again. Sadly, it was at this moment that I realized Lucy (a shih tzu) was gnawing on it. The piece was mutilated almost beyond recognition....but strangely, in an almost silent fashion.

I've emailed Zoch in an effort to purchase a replacement. Does anyone have a spare block to trade? (the parts trader function seems to be down on this game page). Anyone need a shih tzu?

Thread: Re: Hamsterrolle review

Jathomas — 2006-12-11T18:13:16+00:00

Thanks for the review and description of the rules! I wish the instructions which came with it were as precise!

Thread: TVB - 4P - By special request, roll'em roll'em hamsters...

RPardoe — 2006-11-19T20:36:46+00:00

Dave, Ben, and Lawrence arrive to start an evening of four player games. The first game up was Lawrence's special request: HamsterRolle

We last played this game at TVB 27 April 2005. Hamsterrolle is a visually attractive dexterity game with a bright yellow wheel that is placed in the middle of the table. Stuck on the inside of this wheel are regularly space black blocks. Each player has a variety of coloured blocks that they on the inside of a wooden wheel. As the wheel slowly rolls forward, the pieces on the rising side might fall off. If they stay in the wheel, no harm. Should they fall out of the wheel, the player takes them back into their collection. The first player to place all their pieces wins.

Teams were Ben/Lawrence and Dave/Rich. Each player started with 7 pieces hoping to get rid of them all. The first few pieces are easily placed as the wheel rolls along. Pretty soon, everyone was down to 4 pieces each. Ben and Lawrence had collected a few pieces that fell out of the wheel while Rich and Dave had "passed" - moving a piece on the wheel instead of playing on of their own. All the players seemed to be doing well, until Dave was the first to trigger a "crash" wherein 5 pieces fell off the wheel for the one he added. But no worries, as Rich was down to a single piece that he did place, so now he could play Dave's pieces also.

At this point, Sabrina had finished her homework and started to come by to offer her advice. While others were gently placing the pieces on the wheel - Sabrina suggested the piece should just be played to "plopped" into place. In fact, she offered to help others, but did add the provision - if any pieces fell of, it was not her fault!

Things looked good for Dave/Rich as Lawrence was next to capture 5 additional pieces falling of the wheel increasing his count to 8. Rich and Dave worked Dave's pile down to 3 pieces while Ben/Lawrence had 11 pieces between them. (For those doing the math had home - this means 15 pieces on the wheel, the original black cone plus player's pieces). But Rich's skill at "plopping" the pieces onto the puzzle betrayed him as he placed a piece and found 6 tumbling to the table!

The game continued with the teams closely matched. Rich/Dave had 6 pieces left. Ben/Lawrence had 8 pieces left. Sabrina had in fact been helping Rich place his pieces with good results. But Rich wanted to take a turn again. Sabrina protested mildly, but let Rich take the turn. Again, disastrous results for Rich as 9 pieces fell off the wheel. Sabrina could only comment; "Guess it's my turn again." More amazingly - three pieces became wedged into their space as it rotated to the top of the wheel and were suspended there.

Ben was soon out of pieces and Dave had but a single piece. Now, for the 4 player version, if both teams have a player without pieces, the team with the fewest pieces held by the other player wins. So Dave couldn't play his last piece as it would give the victory to Ben/Lawrence. Dave started passing hoping to get Ben to gain more pieces or Lawrence to have more than Rich. But the only player gaining pieces was Rich (through his own hand's not Sabrina's). As Rich kept gaining pieces, Dave/Rich conceded the game so as to move on to another game for the night.

Victory: Ben/Lawrence

A nice dexterity game. It plays best with 2 or 4, but as can be seen above, having players join in the middle or leave in the middle is generally no problem as folks seem to spend time worrying about where to place a piece and what might fall off then actually worrying about who wins the game. Another advantage to this game - easy set up (no balancing required) and quick play.

Thread: Re: Rules ambiguities

ansi — 2006-05-08T08:08:08+00:00

These are the houserules that we played the game at FinDipCon.

msfleck wrote:
When doing constructive passing, can you stabilize the wheel with your free hand the whole time you are removing and replacing a rear piece?

Yes.

msfleck wrote:

Can you place pieces on a slight diagonal to make them "higher" than a previously placed piece? Even though the smallest nudge would place them back to even with the prior piece?

yes, as long as they are higher after you let go. Test the height using pieces not yet in the wheel

msfleck wrote:

With the same hand you are placing your current piece, can you use it to catch any falling pieces you've dislodged so that they don't hit any lower sections?

No. You can only touch the piece that you where trying to put into the wheel

msfleck wrote:

Can you drape pieces any which way as long as they are further clockwise along the loop? Can a piece be higher along the outer edges of the ring, even going around the black dividers and into the next section?

No piece can be placed on top of the divider, but you can try to go around it. good luck on that..

Thread: Re: Rules ambiguities

ansi — 2006-05-08T08:01:21+00:00

msfleck wrote:
One of my issues was poorly explained. Here's what I meant:
When you start to place a piece on a high ledge, the very weight of that piece can start to roll the wheel, and as long as you are placing the piece, it obviously isn't falling. By the time that you've shifted the weight onto the wheel, the wheel is now in a new position such that the piece won't fall. However, the wheel has rolled.

After playing about 4-6 times hamsterrolle last weekend, I prefer that the player whose turn it is can "roll" the wheel with the help of a piece. As long as no pieces fall out, its ok in my book. If someone sucseedes in this, he has earned to get ride of a piece.. But if piece's fall out before the wheel has stabilized, the player get's em.

msfleck wrote:

However, there is still the issue of the proper "release" of the wheel. A swift release could start a rocking of the wheel that dislodges many pieces. A slow release of the wheel could safely stabilize everything.

We play it so that you can desabilize the wheel when you let go of it. If pieces fall out, he gets them.. its a risky thing to do, but i think its more fun..

Thread: Re: Rules ambiguities

msfleck — 2006-03-25T20:51:29+00:00

One of my issues was poorly explained. Here's what I meant:
When you start to place a piece on a high ledge, the very weight of that piece can start to roll the wheel, and as long as you are placing the piece, it obviously isn't falling. By the time that you've shifted the weight onto the wheel, the wheel is now in a new position such that the piece won't fall. However, the wheel has rolled.

Is this fair?

Maybe one solution would be to REQUIRE the player to hold the wheel while placing a piece-- preventing the roll of it while placing a piece. This would stop my problem.

However, there is still the issue of the proper "release" of the wheel. A swift release could start a rocking of the wheel that dislodges many pieces. A slow release of the wheel could safely stabilize everything.

Again, an ambiguity I wish was more clear in the rules. Maybe if the placement is separated into two phases:

1) always hold the wheel while placing.
2) once a piece is placed, you can no longer touch it, and your second hand now can release the wheel as gradually as you wish.

This also might address my concern that people can can falling pieces to prevent others from getting knocked out... if both hands are occupied, this might be reduced.

Thread: Re: What is the "next but one free section"?

alkaiser — 2006-03-13T03:02:02+00:00

Blackberry wrote:

(c) "next but one" section, I take it to mean the second section along after the last-played section.

I do recall it mentioning that but I also recall observing that that space two forward of where the last piece was placed is almost always unplayable.

Thread: Re: What is the "next but one free section"?

Blackberry — 2006-03-13T02:34:22+00:00

Since the rules say that you can place in the (a) last-played section, (b) next section after that, and (c) "next but one" section, I take it to mean the second section along after the last-played section.

Thread: Re: What is the "next but one free section"?

Joe Casadonte — 2006-01-27T17:10:52+00:00

smithhemb wrote:
Do the rules just mean that you can place a piece in (a) the section where the last piece was played or (b) the next two free sections?

That's how we play it.

Thread: Re: What is the "next but one free section"?

alkaiser — 2005-12-31T21:00:20+00:00

We've played that you could place your piece in the same space as the last piece placed or in the next space (which should by definition be empty!). Note that if placed in the space where the last piece was played, your piece has to be placed such that some part of your piece is further along the wheel than any part of the last piece played.

Thread: What is the "next but one free section"?

smithhemb — 2005-12-31T04:06:45+00:00

Do the rules just mean that you can place a piece in (a) the section where the last piece was played or (b) the next two free sections?

Thread: Session Report: Hamster Roll- First Play

not2fear — 2005-11-21T10:06:23+00:00

Players: KC, Colin, Yopi, me (Terence)

A bunch of us Gamecon 1 volunteers were familiarizing ourselves with the various games we would be demoing at Gamecon and we were playing our way through the list of games. As I hadn’t played this game before, and it was sometime ago when KC last played it, we took it out. Colin gallantly saved us from having to refer to the rules again by joining us and explaining the rules. Yopi was keen to play Attila at the other table and was only half heartedly with us.

The pieces started being put in very quickly. About sometime in the midgame, I had to pickup 3 more blocks which fell off the wheel. Colin, who was sadistically trying to prolong the game for Yopi, was positioning his piece to force Yopi (who was playing after Colin) into triggering an avalanche. Unfortunately, the trap was sprung too early as a whole slew of pieces toppled out of the wheel before Yopi could come over. Colin was forced to pickup the lot! I had to leave the session for dinner so we ended there. KC had the least pieces at that time and we declared him the winner.

It’s an interesting manual dexterity game, but I find it not quite as exciting or strategic as Villa Paletti.

Winner: KC

Thread: Re: Table needs to be level?

artmark — 2005-08-05T19:11:50+00:00

the table doesn't have to be exactly level, just hard (soft, like a card table makes the game too easy). It there is a little bit of a lean to the table, say north to south, you would place the rolle going east to west. As long as when you place the rolle and the large black starting piece it doesn't start rolling already.

Thread: Re: how many players?

artmark — 2005-08-05T15:06:46+00:00

3 players (each playing for themselves) or 4 players (on 2 teams) are probably most fun, but I've been bringing my copy to parties lately and it can be easily modified for the number of players you have. If you have 6 players you can play with 3 teams, having the 2 people on each team taking turns. etc for more players.

Thread: Table needs to be level?

Sonja — 2005-08-05T06:58:24+00:00

Does the playing table need to be perfectly level for the game to be playable? Or can it be any normal and non-perfectly level table?

Thread: how many players?

Sonja — 2005-08-05T06:56:53+00:00

How many players is this game most fun with??

Thread: Hamsterrolle review

dougadamsau — 2005-05-20T02:16:17+00:00

This review was first posted to at Kulkmann's G@mebox...

Hamsterrolle

Author: Jacques Zeimet
Publisher: Zoch zum Spielen
Players: 2-4

Hamsterrolle is another in the weird and wonderful range of dexterity games available from Zoch zum Spielen. I really enjoyed playing Bamboleo, from the same company, so I was very interested in seeing what this game was all about.

Hamsterrolle is dominated by one component - a large wooden wheel, around 15 inches in diameter, with a rim about 3 inches wide. On the inside rim of the wheel, one inch high vertical pieces of wood have been glued, pointing towards the "hub" of the wheel. These pieces of wood divide the inside rim of the wheel into twelve equally spaced compartments. The quality of the wheel is marvellous.

The object of Hamsterrolle is to be the first player to place all your wooden blocks into the wheel's compartments. The game comes with 28 blocks of wood, divided into seven differently coloured sets of four. Each player takes a set of seven blocks, and play begins.

The wheel is stood up vertically, like a bicycle wheel, and a conical "start" block is placed in the bottom segment of the wheel. Players then begin to take turns inserting one of their blocks into a segment of the wheel. Blocks can only be inserted in the "direction of building" and only in the current building segment, or in the next one or two segments in the build direction. No two blocks of the same colour may exist in the same segment.

As blocks are added, the wheel begins to roll forwards under the weight of the added pieces. Pieces away from the direction of building start to climb up the opposite side of the rim, and pretty soon begin to clatter out onto the table. When this occurs, the player whose turn it is has to take these pieces as a penalty. That player now has more pieces to add.

Another option for a player on their turn is to relocate a piece in the wheel. This is allowed as long as no two pieces of the same colour exist in the same rim segment.

The game ends when one player has successfully placed all their pieces inside the wheel. It appears initially impossible, but tricks are quickly learnt, such as wedging larger pieces between rim segments so they won't topple out.

While Hamsterrolle doesn't have quite the "wow" and fun factors of Bamboleo, it's still a very entertaining and clever game. Recommended for dexterity game fans.

Thread: Session Report

RPardoe — 2005-04-29T00:59:33+00:00

With Q exhausted and 30 minutes to spare, we needed something light and "silly" to end the session. Dave had mentioned Hamsterrolle as a game he wanted to try. Hamsterrolle is a dexterity game where players place wooden blocks on the inside of a wooden wheel. As the wheel slowly rolls forward, the pieces on the rising side might fall off. If they stay in the wheel, no harm. Should they fall out of the wheel, the player takes them back into their collection. The first player to place all their pieces wins.

The four player game is played partnership style. Should one team place all their pieces they win. Alternatively, should a player from each team place all of their share of the pieces, the team with the fewest remaining pieces wins.

The early turns saw the team of Rich and Lawrence a bit more butter fingered as they seemed to be gaining pieces instead of placing them on the wheel. But a couple of critical collapses saw the team of Dave and Carrie get additional pieces to place. As the game neared the end, Rich and Carrie each had 1 piece left to place while Dave and Lawrence each had five pieces in front of them. In other words, both teams were tied, but it was Dave's turn to go. A small piece was added to the wheel, an inconsequential piece, but the precarious balance was upset and 5 pieces came tumbling out for Dave to hold. Rich managed to place his piece. With the turn to Carrie, she might have tried a defensive placement but decided that the spirit of the game was to try to place a new piece if one had a reasonable chance. Carrie managed to do this emptying her hand of pieces. As Rich was also devoid of pieces, the game ended. Lawrence still had his 5 pieces, but Dave had gained a net 4 pieces for 9 to give the win to Rich and Lawrence.

A great game night with 3, count'em 3 "Q" games played (OK, 1 Q game and 2 pretenders) and a game involving small furry rodents (in name only). I do believe that everyone enjoyed themselves and hope we can have as much enjoyment next week when we hit the "R" games.

Thread: Session Report

TamiWhitsett — 2005-04-24T00:21:42+00:00

Hamster Rolle, a cute little dexterity game in which you are placing pieces such that each piece goes further around the wheel than the previously placed piece. Unfortunately, it seemed that the first player had a bit of an advantage, because if nobody knocked any pieces down, it was the first person who went out. That’s exactly what happened the first round. My fellow hamsters were David, Bobby, and Terry. Terry won the first game. I won the second, and David won the 3rd. By that point, Terry had decided to get daring in his placements, putting pieces on parts of the wheel that made it difficult to “best”… he skipped spaces, hoping to mess the rest of us hamsters up. It was not to be, however; someone verified the rules where it said that you could steady the wheel with one hand, so steady it I did, and pulled out my second win on the 4th round. I give this a 6, because it’s clever, and a decent enough balancing game. One note: one of the pieces was missing, and I was assured that that particular piece made playing more difficult, so I’d like to play again with the little rod, to see how it actually affects the game.

Thread: Re:Rules ambiguities

Alan Kwan — 2005-04-04T02:05:12+00:00

This is supposed to be a "fun" game, so why not just make house rules?

To what degree can you "push down" on the wheel to use the weight of the current piece to stabilize the angle of the ledge you are placing on? On one hand the rules say you can stabilize the wheel FIRST by holding onto it, on the other hand it is often easier to let the piece roll the wheel as you place it to get into a better position.

I feel that if the current ledge is so high up that it becomes difficult to rest a piece on it, it becomes somewhat unfair and less fun. It would be better to allow the player to even roll the wheel (a bit!) with his hand so that he can rest a piece on the ledge. Of course, after releasing his hand, if the balance isn't right, the wheel will roll back and the piece will still fall!

When doing constructive passing, can you stabilize the wheel with your free hand the whole time you are removing and replacing a rear piece?

Which way do you think is more fun?

Can you place pieces on a slight diagonal to make them "higher" than a previously placed piece? Even though the smallest nudge would place them back to even with the prior piece?

I'd prefer "no".

The difference between this question and the first is that, in the first situation, the player can't really place anything and it is unfair. In this situation, the player should place in the next compartment, causing the wheel to roll, which is the point of the game and the fun.

With the same hand you are placing your current piece, can you use it to catch any falling pieces you've dislodged so that they don't hit any lower sections?

Perhaps you can allow one to catch falling pieces from the other side (which is spectacular and fun), but never from the side where he is placing.

Can you drape pieces any which way as long as they are further clockwise along the loop? Can a piece be higher along the outer edges of the ring, even going around the black dividers and into the next section?

That sounds fun, as some time later said pieces will slide before they fall.

Thread: Rules ambiguities

msfleck — 2005-03-11T15:14:41+00:00

Some rules issues:

To what degree can you "push down" on the wheel to use the weight of the current piece to stabilize the angle of the ledge you are placing on? On one hand the rules say you can stabilize the wheel FIRST by holding onto it, on the other hand it is often easier to let the piece roll the wheel as you place it to get into a better position.

When doing constructive passing, can you stabilize the wheel with your free hand the whole time you are removing and replacing a rear piece?

Can you place pieces on a slight diagonal to make them "higher" than a previously placed piece? Even though the smallest nudge would place them back to even with the prior piece?

With the same hand you are placing your current piece, can you use it to catch any falling pieces you've dislodged so that they don't hit any lower sections?

Can you drape pieces any which way as long as they are further clockwise along the loop? Can a piece be higher along the outer edges of the ring, even going around the black dividers and into the next section?

I feel like I have other questions, but wondered how people have interpreted these so far. Is anyone else mildly frustrated by these ambiguities?

Thread: Session Report

Chris Schreiber — 2005-03-04T01:58:02+00:00

Maggie, Adam, Shivanni, Chris

Before study time at the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts (where I work as a residential coordinator), I brought out Hamsterolle and Blokus. Both had just arrived earlier that day and I was very excited to play both, but Hamsterolle sounded interesting to everyone so we started there.

We stumble for a minute or two through the rules, but once we just started it was pretty obvious. And it sucked us up immediately and by the time everyone had played a turn we were completely focused on the marvelous rocking game of physics, dexterity, and strategy. At first, we all focused on placing our heavy yellow block but Maggie seemd to start the idea that we should be placing things in the most interesting, creative ways possible. Everyone quickly followed suit and I was often impressed/

At the end of the first game we had the first real strategic breakthrough---columning someone! The thin grey column piece really, really complicates the next players turn because it won't support much of anything and it's big enough to not leave any room. Score a strong victory for Maggie as she made the stategic breakthrough first.

We played several more rounds quickly and when we weren't being mesmerized by the phyics and colorful pieces there was much playful banter and joking around. One thing I was impressed by was how much stratgey there is and how frequently players can make truly impressive placements. Some of the most impreswsive moves were made when there was very little on the line.

Absolutely one of the best dexterity games I have ever played (it actually has strategy and creativity!). We're likely to play more this evening after the students finish studying. No doubt many other students will gather round to watch as we play this impressive and stunning game.

So glad I made the purchase. Thank you Rio Grande for importing several impressive Zoch titles. I'm excited to play Blokus with the students also, but it may have to wait another night. Zoch games continue to asound me---they are absolutely ingenious.

Thread: Session Report

loiosh13 — 2004-07-15T15:35:42+00:00

Derk brought out his copy of this classic dexterity game (still my favorite, of the dexterity games I've played). We played the four player partner game - Derk/Aldie vs. Dave and I. As far as the game, Derk/Aldie ended up beating Dave and I pretty handily, due to my being a bit less than careful on some of my moves and gathering more than my fair share of pieces!

This is definitely one of the best dexterity games out there - there is certainly a requirement for manual dexterity, but there is also a relatively strong element of strategy in choosing the proper piece, and where to place it on the wheel. You can place a piece to help out your partner, making it "easy" to play the next piece, or you can make the next play extremely difficult through placing a piece vertically, and by choosing the same to place a piece your opponent still has (as they can't place the same piece in the segment with your similar piece in it).

If you've never tried this one, I definitely suggest it, as it's a lot of fun - the only downside being that it really only takes 2, 3 or 4 players, so it doesn't work for a larger group (in which case I'd suggest Bamboleo).

Thread: Session Report

jultz — 2004-06-17T03:09:24+00:00

After a really long Seafarers game, Dan, Elizabeth, and I opted for something that would take about 15 minutes. I suggested this. Both had played as a four player partnership game before, but only Elizabeth had played a three player game.

Elizabeth started and we were on our way. To keep things interesting, I kept starting new compartments so the other side got up rather quickly. Interestingly enough, a yellow piece got wedged with the round grey piece! After the game we tested it and sure enough it never would have fallen. Very strange. Several times grey pieces had to be placed on other horizontal pieces stretching over the black supports. We all caused a few to fall - including one of my last pieces. But eventually Dan caused a double avalanche on both sides letting me easily place my remaining two grey round pieces.

Thread: Fun Varient for Hamster Rolle!

otrex — 2004-02-01T19:46:59+00:00

Heres how we play around my house:

Pick one player to be start player using any method you like. Mark that player with anything you like, but it should be big enough to be easily seen/remembered. That player starts the game, and the rest follow as per usual.
Starting in the second round, each player secretly places in their hand the piece they would like to play next. Once all players are ready, they all simultaneously drop them onto the table (not too hard!). The person with the biggest piece places first, followed by other players in order of piece size. For the purpose of size determination, the grey cylinder is considered the smallest piece.
Any ties during the bidding round are resolved by player order. Of the tied players, the person sitting closest to the start player is the first to move (with obviously, the start player being closest to him/herself).
Once the round is complete, the person who played first in that round takes the starting player marker, and another bidding round begins!
This has worked well with any number of players (2-4), and I highly recommend trying it as a fun way to play the same game.
Your comments are more than welcome!

Thread: Re:Session Report

wtrollkin2000 — 2003-04-04T00:21:30+00:00

hinj (#7330),

On the subject of playing surface I must strongly say the smoother the better. Tr to get access to a glass coffee table or a sheet of flat plexiglass if you must. On such a surface the wheel rocks quite a bit with the slightest touch making the game all the more exciting...

Thread: Session Report

hinj — 2003-04-01T14:06:22+00:00

I
resisted buying this game for a long time because of the price. Then at
SouthWest Games, I got to try it. It immediately went on my MUST BUY
list. Andy and I each took two sets of blocks. The first thing we
discovered is my dining room table has a definite downward slope heading
east. North/South, however, was fine, so we oriented the wheel in that
way. There were some amazing things in this game, including the yellow
and blue piece which wedged against each other and made it nearly 190
degrees from the table before falling out. In the end, Andy won. Well
met!

Thread: Session Report

PBrennan — 2003-03-31T11:00:30+00:00

I finally lashed out, and now I have the bookend dexterity game collection with Villa Paletti, the 2 that seem to garner most praise. I've enjoyed HR with my kids as a fun pastime, and there was some nice tension with the gamers. But I also played VP with gamers last weekend, and that had tension to burn and burn. So, jury's out. A rating of 6 after 6 plays; ok game that will come out sporadically. VP's a 7, as you get to be constructive to boot.

Thread: Session Report

Deleted User 1 — 2002-03-31T21:43:05+00:00

It was time to break out Andrew’s favorite dexterity game, Hamster Rolle. Dan was the newbie this time.

Game One

In the first game, Andrew showed us why he is the king of this game and kicked our asses.

Winner: *Andrew*

Game Two

In the second game, Andrew was on his last piece but caused a cavalcade of crashing chunks (of wood) – a big setback. I was able to balance my last tiny piece to grab the win.

Winner: *Rick*

Ratings:

Andrew – 8
Rick – 7
Dan – 9 (for what it is)

Thread: Session Report

Deleted User 1 — 2002-01-23T16:08:45+00:00

Another Monday night has rolled around (ah, what a punster I am) and another session of the Terminal City Gamers is on. Our usual host, Dan, called in sick so I (Rick) took up the job of hosting for tonight. (It’s gotta be hard for Dan - I’m not sure what he would find worse, being sick or not being able to come to a game night!)

Andrew and William arrived at the stroke of 6 so we settled down to a quick game of Hamster Rolle before the rest of the mob arrived. Andrew and William had played the game before, I hadn’t.

Early in the game William was doing a great job putting his pieces in the wheel and not having any fall out. Andrew and I had one or two fall out during our turns. Towards the end, though, William was almost on his last piece when disaster struck and a pile of pieces fell out. Andrew was then able to clinch the victory.

Score:

*Andrew* - 0 Pieces Left
Rick – 2
William – 5

This makes three victories in a row for Andrew in Hamster Rolle. Andrew is the undefeated Hamster Rolle God! (What an, uh, honor!)

Thread: Session Report

Deleted User 1 — 2002-01-09T17:20:59+00:00

In my never-ending quest for ‘something different’ I came across this dexterity game by the folks that brought us Bamboleo. Once I saw the concept I knew I had to try it.

The concept not that easy to describe, but if you see the game you’ll get it right away. The game is basically a wooden wheel with small dividers inside – like a hamster’s wheel. Each player has a number of differently shaped wooden blocks that they must place inside the wheel. Of course, as the blocks are placed in the wheel it rolls – and blocks start to fall out. If you make blocks fall out, you have to take them. The object is to get rid of all your blocks.

Andrew, William and Joe played the game twice.

Winners: *Andrew*, *Andrew*

Ratings:

Andrew – 8
William – 6
Joe – 7

At the relatively quiet Medina table we heard quite a ruckus coming from the guys playing this game. It sounded like fun.