Question 1

How many people can play Battleship?

Accepted Answer

Two.

Question 2

Is Battleship luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Early shots are luck, but a good search pattern and smart follow-up shots make a big difference.

Question 3

What is the Salvo variation?

Accepted Answer

A variation in which you take several shots in a turn. The name goes back to the game's pencil-and-paper days.

Question 4

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Typically about 15 to 30 minutes.

Question 5

How many people can play Catan?

Accepted Answer

The base game is for three to four players, with a 5 to 6 player extension sold separately. There are variants for two players, though the game works best with more people.

Question 6

Is Catan luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

A bit of both. The dice decide what you collect each turn, but where you build and how you trade usually matter more over a whole game.

Question 7

What does the robber do?

Accepted Answer

The robber sits on one hex and stops it producing resources. You move it when you roll a seven, which also lets you take a card from a player with a building next to it.

Question 8

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Roughly an hour to 90 minutes for the 6th edition, though your first game may take longer while everyone learns the rules.

Question 9

How many people can play Cluedo?

Accepted Answer

Two to six players. Hasbro's guide also includes rules for two players or for teams.

Question 10

Is Cluedo luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly deduction, though the dice decide how quickly you reach the rooms you need. Careful notes and watching what others ask about give you the edge.

Question 11

What is the difference between a suggestion and an accusation?

Accepted Answer

A suggestion is a question you ask from inside a room to gather information, and it does not end your game. An accusation is your final answer, and you only get one go at it.

Question 12

Who is the victim?

Accepted Answer

In the 2023 Hasbro edition the victim is Boden “Boddy” Black. Older UK editions called him Dr Black, and older North American editions called him Mr Boddy.

Question 13

How many people can play Connect 4?

Accepted Answer

Two players, one for each colour of disc.

Question 14

Is Connect 4 luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Skill. There are no dice or cards, so the result depends on how well you plan your moves and block your opponent.

Question 15

Does the first player have an advantage?

Accepted Answer

With perfect play the first player can force a win by starting in the centre column. In ordinary games it is far less certain, so most families take turns going first.

Question 16

What happens if nobody makes four?

Accepted Answer

The game is a draw once every space is filled. You then release the discs and play again.

Question 17

How many people can play cribbage?

Accepted Answer

Usually two, but three- and four-player versions exist.

Question 18

Is cribbage luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. You cannot control the cards you are dealt, but the discards, pegging and counting reward skill.

Question 19

What is the crib?

Accepted Answer

An extra hand made from cards the players discard. It belongs to the dealer and is scored at the end of the hand.

Question 20

What is pegging?

Accepted Answer

The first scoring stage, when players take turns laying down cards and score for combinations such as fifteens and pairs.

Question 21

How many people can play Exploding Kittens?

Accepted Answer

Two to five players.

Question 22

Is Exploding Kittens luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly luck, with some tactics. How you use action cards and when you defuse can make the difference.

Question 23

What is a Defuse card?

Accepted Answer

A card that lets you survive drawing an Exploding Kitten. You then slip the kitten back into the deck.

Question 24

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Around 15 minutes.

Question 25

How many people can play Jenga?

Accepted Answer

Any small group can play, and you can also practise alone. Because turns are quick, it works well with larger groups.

Question 26

Is Jenga luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly skill, built on a steady hand and careful block choice, with some luck in how the tower settles.

Question 27

How many blocks are there?

Accepted Answer

A standard Jenga set has 54 wooden blocks.

Question 28

What does the digital die do?

Accepted Answer

It adds variations to normal play. Check the rules in the box to see how each result works.

Question 29

How many people can play Midsomer Murders?

Accepted Answer

One to six players, according to retailers.

Question 30

Can I play on my own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The game is listed for one player, so you can work through a case solo.

Question 31

How many cases are there?

Accepted Answer

The game has 30 case cards, each a different murder.

Question 32

What do I have to name to win?

Accepted Answer

The killer, their motive and the weapon, once you reach Causton CID.

Question 33

How many people can play Monopoly?

Accepted Answer

At least two. More players means more trading, but usually a longer game.

Question 34

Is Monopoly luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. Dice and cards decide where you land, but what you buy, how you trade and when you build are down to you.

Question 35

What happens when you go to jail?

Accepted Answer

You go to jail by landing on Go to Jail, drawing a card that sends you there or rolling three doubles in a row. You then have to meet one of the conditions in the rules before you can move again.

Question 36

How long does Monopoly take?

Accepted Answer

It varies widely, from around an hour to several hours, depending on how many play and how much trading goes on.

Question 37

How many people can play Mousetrap?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players, according to Hasbro.

Question 38

What age is Mousetrap for?

Accepted Answer

Hasbro lists the current edition for ages 6 and up. The game has small parts, so keep it away from very young children.

Question 39

Is Mousetrap luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly luck. Dice rolls decide where you land, and there are few decisions to make.

Question 40

How long does setup take?

Accepted Answer

Assembling the trap takes about 5 to 15 minutes, so allow some time before the first game.

Question 41

How many people can play dominoes?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players for most basic games.

Question 42

Is dominoes luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

A mixture. The tiles you draw are luck, but counting what has been played and planning your moves brings real skill.

Question 43

What is a double?

Accepted Answer

A tile with the same number on both ends. In many versions it is laid crosswise.

Question 44

Which dominoes game should I start with?

Accepted Answer

Try the block game or the draw game. Both use the same matching rule, so you can switch between them once you are comfortable.

Question 45

How many people can play chess?

Accepted Answer

Two. You can also practise alone by working through chess puzzles.

Question 46

Is chess luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Pure skill. There are no dice or hidden cards, so the better planner usually wins.

Question 47

What is checkmate?

Accepted Answer

Checkmate is when a king is under attack and has no way to escape. It ends the game immediately.

Question 48

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Beginners' games can be quick, often under half an hour, but they can run longer as players improve.

Question 49

How many people can play RISK?

Accepted Answer

Two to six players. Hasbro's rules also cover a two-player variation.

Question 50

Is RISK luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. Dice decide each fight, but planning, timing and diplomacy decide who wins over a whole game.

Question 51

How long does a game of RISK take?

Accepted Answer

Full games can run for hours. Hasbro's rules also include a shorter variation if you are short of time.

Question 52

What are RISK cards for?

Accepted Answer

Collecting sets of cards lets you trade them in for extra armies on your turn.

Question 53

How many people can play Rummikub?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players.

Question 54

Is Rummikub luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

A mix. The tiles you draw are luck, but spotting ways to rearrange the table is a real skill.

Question 55

What is a group in Rummikub?

Accepted Answer

Three or four tiles of the same number, each in a different colour.

Question 56

What is a run?

Accepted Answer

Three or more tiles in number order, all in the same colour.

Question 57

How many people can play Sequence?

Accepted Answer

Two to twelve people when played in teams. With teams, the players must divide evenly into two or three teams.

Question 58

Is Sequence luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. The cards you draw are luck, but choosing where to play, when to block and when to use a Jack is skill.

Question 59

What does a one-eyed Jack do?

Accepted Answer

It lets you remove one of an opponent's chips from the board, unless that chip is already part of a completed Sequence.

Question 60

Can I use the corners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The four corners are free spaces that count for everyone, so you only need four of your own chips to complete a Sequence using a corner.

Question 61

How many people can play The 1% Club board game?

Accepted Answer

Three to six players, according to the publisher.

Question 62

Do I need to have seen the show?

Accepted Answer

No. The questions test logic and common sense rather than TV knowledge, and reviewers say you do not need to be a fan.

Question 63

What kind of questions are there?

Accepted Answer

Logic and reasoning questions rather than obscure trivia. They get harder as you go, and the hardest is meant to be one that only 1% of people can answer.

Question 64

What is in the box?

Accepted Answer

A game board, 200 double-sided question cards, a question card tray, a timer, game money, scorecards and playing pieces.

Strategy

Find a game

Players

Play time

Age range

Game type

Best for

Battleship Classic Board Game

CATAN 6th Edition – The Strategy Board Game

Cluedo Classic Refresh

Connect 4 Grid Game

Cribbage Board Set with Playing Cards

Exploding Kittens Original Edition

Jenga Game with Digital Die

Midsomer Murders – The Board Game

Monopoly Classic Refresh

Mousetrap Board Game

Premium Dominoes Set with 4 Racks

Quality Wooden Chess Set for Kids

RISK Strategy Board Game

Rummikub Classic Game

Sequence Classic Board Game

The 1% Club: The Board Game