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 Cluedo?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

How many people can play cribbage?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

How many people can play Exploding Kittens?

Accepted Answer

Two to five players.

Question 14

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 15

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 16

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Around 15 minutes.

Question 17

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 18

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 19

How many blocks are there?

Accepted Answer

A standard Jenga set has 54 wooden blocks.

Question 20

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 21

How many people can play Midsomer Murders?

Accepted Answer

One to six players, according to retailers.

Question 22

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 23

How many cases are there?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 24

What do I have to name to win?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 25

How many people can play Perudo?

Accepted Answer

Two to six players. Each player has a cup and five dice, so a full set for six players has 30 dice.

Question 26

Is Perudo luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. The roll is luck, but deciding when to bluff, when to raise and when to call Dudo is skill, and reading the other players matters most.

Question 27

What does Dudo mean?

Accepted Answer

Dudo is Spanish for “I doubt”. You call it on your turn to challenge the previous bid and make everyone reveal their dice.

Question 28

What is Palifico?

Accepted Answer

Palifico is a special round that starts when a player is down to one die. Ones are not wild in that round and the starting player's chosen face cannot be changed, so players can only raise the quantity.

Question 29

How many people can play dominoes?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players for most basic games.

Question 30

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 31

What is a double?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 32

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 33

How many people can play RISK?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 34

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 35

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 36

What are RISK cards for?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 37

How many people can play Rummikub?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players.

Question 38

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 39

What is a group in Rummikub?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 40

What is a run?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 41

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 42

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 43

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 44

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 45

How many people can play Duel for Middle-earth?

Accepted Answer

Exactly two. One plays the Fellowship and the other plays Sauron.

Question 46

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Around 30 to 45 minutes, according to Punchboard's review.

Question 47

Is it like 7 Wonders Duel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is a Tolkien re-theme of that game with additions such as a map of Middle-earth and fortresses.

Question 48

How can I win?

Accepted Answer

By winning the Quest of the Ring, holding every region of the map, or rallying six different races.

Question 49

How many people can play The Traitors board game?

Accepted Answer

The box is designed for four to six players.

Question 50

Do I need blindfolds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and they come in the box. Each player gets a blindfold, a voting sheet and a stand.

Question 51

What does the Traitor do?

Accepted Answer

The Traitor has a secret assignment during each mission, and completing it lets them murder a player later in the game. They have to avoid being found out in the discussion.

Question 52

What happens when a player is banished?

Accepted Answer

They stay in the game but must return two gold pieces to the bank.

Question 53

How many people can play Ticket to Ride Europe?

Accepted Answer

Two to five players. Days of Wonder recommends it for ages 8 and up.

Question 54

Is it luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. The cards you draw are down to luck, but choosing routes and tickets well, and blocking others at the right moment, usually decides the winner.

Question 55

What are tunnels, ferries and stations?

Accepted Answer

They are the three additions in the Europe version. Tunnel routes can cost you extra cards, ferry routes need locomotive cards, and a station lets you borrow one rival's route through a city to help finish a ticket.

Question 56

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Around 30 to 60 minutes, according to the publisher. Your first game may run a little longer while you learn the rules.

Question 57

How many people can play Labyrinth?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players.

Question 58

Is Labyrinth luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly skill. The treasure cards you draw are luck, but how you shift the maze decides who gets there first.

Question 59

Can I block other players?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Shifting the maze can cut off an opponent's path as well as open your own, which is where much of the tactics come from.

Question 60

Is there a version for younger children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ravensburger also makes Junior Labyrinth, but check the listing to make sure you are buying the standard game.

Strategy & Tactics

Find a game

Players

Play time

Age range

Game type

Best for

Battleship Classic Board Game

Cluedo Classic Refresh

Cribbage Board Set with Playing Cards

Exploding Kittens Original Edition

Jenga Game with Digital Die

Midsomer Murders – The Board Game

Perudo Liar Dice

Premium Dominoes Set with 4 Racks

RISK Strategy Board Game

Rummikub Classic Game

Sequence Classic Board Game

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

The Traitors Official Board Game

Ticket To Ride Europe

Ravensburger Labyrinth