Button Shy Games has made a name for itself by publishing minimalistic games, featuring a deck of 18 cards that fit within a plastic wallet-size holder. They now have a considerable number of these games (you can even subscribe to releases) available for purchase or as print-and-play files. They were kind enough to send a few games my way and my favorite of the bunch was a solitaire-like game called Numbsters. Players attempt to winnow down a numbered deck of 18 cards to exactly two cards. The game gives off a strong solitaire-like vibe and can be without a table, holding the cards in one hand. The print-and-play version of the game is on sale at the moment for $1 while a Kickstarter is underway for a reprint of the physical version.
Numbsters
Designer: Milan Zivkovic
Publisher: Button Shy Games
Players: 1
Ages: 8+
Time: 10 min
(review copy provided by publisher)
The rules are fairly simple. The deck consists of 18 cards numbered from 1 to 18. They are shuffled face-down, six are drawn from the deck and the “8” (called the mouth card) is placed in the second from the top position. The goal is to use the Mouth card to eat (discard) the other cards until there are only 2 cards left – the mouth and any other card. However, if the Mouth card ever reaches the top of the deck, the player loses.A turn consists of drawing a new card, optionally moving cards around, and then “eating” a card.
New cards are drawn from the top of the (face-down) deck and placed on top of a players’ hand. Note, it is simple to put the face-down portion of the deck underneath the face-up hand, keeping the entire game in one hand.
Next, a player may (does not have to) make a move. They can move any single card anywhere in the face-up stack OR they may switch two face-up cards.
Finally, a player MUST “eat” one of the two cards next to the Mouth. The two cards must be in sequence (9 & 10 or 4 & 5) and the smaller number is eaten (removed from the game. I found it easy to place them face-up at the bottom of the deck to keep them separate from the draw deck while continuing to hold everything in one hand.)
While that comprises a moderately interesting (but probably very difficult) game, what adds spice to the game are all the special powers. Every card has a special eating rule that MAY be used instead of the basic one (the higher of two sequential numbers eats the lower one.) The card on the top of the face-up stack determines the special power at the moment. Special powers include things like reversing the eating (the highest number is eaten) or slightly more specific things (like any even number can eat a single-digit odd one.) As mentioned, turns are repeated over and over until there’s only two cards left, the Mouth and one other card (which must be on top or the loss condition is triggered.) Players wanting a greater challenge are encouraged to try to win the game at least once with each of the non-Mouth cards.
Verdict: As I mentioned, what I appreciate about this game is that whole feeling of solitaire, but without the need for a table. I thoroughly enjoyed playing several rounds of the game in the back of a car during a road trip and it would be very easy to break out the deck and play when waiting in line or in a waiting room. There is some strategy here, and there’s room for a learning curve – I did lose my first couple games but then got better. My results improved as I became more familiar with the powers in the deck, but I’d like to think I was making better strategic decisions. You can’t beat the cheap print and play option (it only takes 7 pages for the rules plus the deck) nor the easily transportable physical game (in the nifty wallet.) I think it should connect well with any fan of traditional Solitaire
Ratings from the Opinionated Gamers
I like it.
Neutral.
Not for me…
