The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game

About this board game

The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game is a 2–6 player horse-racing game from 1989 with an approximate playing time of 90 minutes. Each player is assigned a horse and moves it around the track by rolling a single die.

Rolling alone would make for a fairly straightforward race, but the game adds a tempting layer of deception. Players can bet on another player’s horse, creating a dilemma: should you move your own horse badly to make it easier for the horse you backed to win?

That uncertainty is intensified by the cards issued to each player. These cards allow competitors to commit a range of dirty tricks that can disrupt the race and turn a promising position into a precarious one.

• Assign a horse and race around the track.
• Roll a single die to determine movement.
• Bet on another player’s horse.
• Use cards to interfere with the race.
• Make a horse fall or force the winner to take a drug test.

The central challenge is deciding how openly to pursue your own horse’s success. A player who has bet elsewhere may have a reason to hold back, while a well-timed card can add another twist to the contest.

With its combination of chance, betting, and deliberate interference, The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game presents horseracing as a contest where questionable tactics are part of the fun. The result is an unusually interactive race filled with shifting incentives and plenty of opportunities to play nasty.