Camel Up

2014

Join the fun in Camel Up! Bet on racing camels, strategically place your bets, and navigate the unpredictable dice shaker. A thrilling race to riches!

30
minutes

2 - 8
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Camel Up is an exciting and dynamic board game set in the bright and bustling world of Egyptian camel racing. As players, you step into the shoes of wealthy spectators, placing bets on racing camels and hoping to strike it rich.

The game stands out for its unique pyramid-shaped dice shaker and colorful wooden camel pieces. With each shake, only one die is released, dictating the movement of the corresponding camel. The unexpectedness of the game’s progress, the strategic betting, and the unpredictable stacking of camels make for an exciting and engaging experience.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Camel Up is a fun, fast-paced board game with several components that contribute to the gameplay. Here’s a detailed list of every component included in the game:

1. Game Board: This is the main component where all the action occurs. The game board has a track where the camels race, a betting area, and spaces for the player’s pieces.

2. Five Wooden Camels: These are the main stars of the game. Each camel corresponds to a different color and moves around the track based on the roll of the dice. The camels can stack on top of each other, creating a pyramid. The order of the camels in the stack can significantly change the outcome of the race.

3. Five Pyramid Tiles: These tiles are used to help determine the order in which the camels move. Each tile corresponds to one of the wooden camels. The tiles are placed face down and shuffled, adding a level of randomness to the camel’s movements.

4. Five Dice: There is one dice for each camel, and these are used to determine how far the camels move. The dice are color-coordinated with the camels and are rolled inside the pyramid.

5. Dice Pyramid: This is a unique component of the game. The dice are placed inside the pyramid and rolled out one at a time. The pyramid adds a fun element to the game and helps randomize the movement of the camels.

6. Forty Betting Cards: These cards are used by players to bet on the outcome of the race. The betting cards are divided into five sets, with each set corresponding to one of the camels. Players use these cards to bet on which camel they think will win or lose the race.

7. Eight Desert/Oasis Tiles: Players use these tiles to influence the movement of the camels. A camel landing on an oasis tile moves forward an extra space, while a camel landing on a desert tile moves back one space.

8. Coins and Money Track: The coins are the currency of the game, and players earn and lose coins based on their betting. The money track on the game board is used to keep track of each player’s money.

9. Player Pieces: Each player has a piece that represents them on the board. The player pieces are used to indicate who has the current turn and who has already taken a turn in the current round.

Each component in Camel Up interacts with the game in unique ways, contributing to the unpredictability and excitement of the camel race. The players’ strategies, the roll of the dice, and the stacking of the camels all play a part in determining the winner of the game.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Camel Up is a fun and interactive board game where players bet on a camel race, trying to suss out which camels will finish first and last. The game is meant for 2 to 8 players and lasts for about 30 minutes. Here’s a step by step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Unfold the Game Board

Start by placing the game board in the center of the play area where all players can reach it. The game board represents the racetrack that the camels will move around.

Step 2: Set Up the Pyramid

Next, assemble the pyramid and place it on the designated area on the game board. The pyramid is used to roll the dice that will determine the camels’ movement.

Step 3: Place the Camels and Dice

Put all 5 camels on the starting space. The order does not matter as the game’s initial camel order is determined by the roll of the dice. Then, place each of the 5 dice of corresponding colors into the pyramid.

Step 4: Prepare the Betting Slips and Coins

Sort the betting slips by color and place them next to the game board. Each camel has a set of betting slips that determine how much a player can win if that camel wins a leg of the race or the entire race. Then, create a supply of coins near the game board. Each player starts the game with 3 coins.

Step 5: Distribute Player Pieces

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player pieces. Each player should have a desert tile and 5 betting cards, one for each camel.

Step 6: Determine the Starting Player

To determine who goes first, you can use any method you prefer such as rolling a dice or youngest player first etc. That player is given the pyramid tile which indicates the first player.

Step 7: Randomize the Initial Camel Order

The starting player shakes the pyramid, lets one die fall out, and moves the corresponding camel one space. Repeat this process until all camels have moved once. If a camel lands on a space already occupied by another camel, it goes on top of the already present camel(s), starting a camel stack.

Now, you’re all set and ready to start the game. Enjoy!

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Camel Up’ is a fast-paced board game where players bet on a camel race, trying to suss out which camels will end up in the lead. Understanding the structure of the game is key to predicting the unpredictable and winning the game. Let’s break down the structure of the game.

Game Setup:

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding Betting Slips, Pyramid ticket and Desert tile.
The 5 wooden camels are placed on the game board.
The 5 Pyramid tiles are shuffled and placed face-down in a stack.
The betting tiles are sorted by color and value, and placed next to the game board.
The coins and dice are placed next to the game board.

Gameplay:

A game of ‘Camel Up’ is played over multiple legs. Each leg consists of several turns and ends when all 5 camels have moved once.

Turn Structure:

During their turn, a player must perform exactly one of the following actions:

Take a Pyramid tile: The player takes a Pyramid tile and rolls the dice. The color of the dice determines which camel moves.
Place their Desert tile: The player places their Desert tile on the game board. The Desert tile influences the movement of the camels.
Bet on the leg winner or loser: The player takes a Betting Slip for the camel they believe will either win or lose the current leg.
Bet on the overall winner or loser: The player places one of their Betting Slips on the Winner or Loser space, betting on the overall outcome of the race.

End of a Leg:

A leg ends as soon as the last Pyramid tile is taken and the last camel has moved. The leg winner and loser are determined, and players receive or lose coins according to their bets.

End of the Game:

The game ends after the leg during which a camel crosses the finish line. The overall winner and loser are determined, and players again receive or lose coins according to their bets. The player with the most coins wins the game.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

‘Camel Up’ is an exciting and engaging board game where players bet on a camel race in the desert. During a player’s turn, there are four possible actions. The player must choose one action per turn. The choices made can significantly impact the outcome of the game.

Action 1: Roll a dice and move a camel

A player can choose to roll one of the pyramid’s dice. The dice will determine which camel moves and how many spaces it moves. The dice are colour-coded to match the camels.
After rolling the dice, the player places it on the side and takes a pyramid token, which will provide them with one coin at the end of the leg.
This action can influence the game by potentially changing the positions of the camels in the race, making it a strategic choice if a player wants to shake up the current standings.

Action 2: Take a betting slip

A player may decide to take a betting slip, predicting which camel they think will be in the lead at the end of the current leg. The earlier a correct bet is made, the more coins a player will receive.
If a player’s bet is incorrect, they will lose one coin. Therefore, this action requires strategic foresight and risk assessment.

Action 3: Place a desert tile

Each player has a desert tile that they can place on an empty space on the track. One side of the tile has an oasis that allows a camel to move forward one extra space, while the other side has a mirage that makes a camel move back one space.
When a camel lands on a desert tile, the owner of the tile receives a coin. This action is strategic as it can influence the movement of the camels and potentially benefit the tile’s owner.

Action 4: Bet on the overall winner or loser

A player can choose to bet on which camel they believe will win or lose the entire race. The earlier a correct bet is made, the more coins a player will receive. However, incorrect bets will cost a player one coin.
This action involves long-term strategic planning and understanding of the game’s dynamics.

In conclusion, ‘Camel Up’ is a game of strategy, risk, and reward. Each action a player chooses to take during their turn can have a significant impact on the race’s outcome and the final tally of coins, determining the game’s ultimate winner.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

‘Camel Up’ is a fun and exciting board game where players bet on a camel race. The end of the game and the victory conditions are simple yet strategic. Let’s break down the end game and the scoring system.

The game ends when the first camel crosses the finish line, thereby completing the race. Once this happens, players must immediately stop the game and proceed to final scoring. However, before final scoring can occur, players must perform a few necessary actions.

Actions Before Final Scoring:

Count the Coins: Each player counts the coins they’ve accumulated over the course of the game. These coins come from successful bets on the winning camel in each leg of the race.
Tally the Betting Slips: Players also calculate the value of their betting slips. A betting slip for the overall winner gives a certain amount of coins if the chosen camel wins the race, and a betting slip for the overall loser gives a certain amount of coins if the chosen camel loses the race.

Victory Conditions:

The player with the most coins at the end of the game wins. The final scores are calculated as follows:

Coins from successful leg bets are added to the player’s total.
The value of the betting slips for the overall winner or loser is added or subtracted from the player’s total. If a player’s betting slip correctly predicted the overall winner of the race, the value of the slip is added to their total. If the betting slip incorrectly predicted the winner, the player must subtract the value of the slip from their total. The same rules apply for betting slips predicting the overall loser.

In the event of a tie, the victory is shared between the players with the highest scores. And that’s how a game of ‘Camel Up’ ends and how the winner is determined.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘Camel Up’ is a fun and exciting board game where players bet on racing camels. The game is divided into several legs, and players attempt to guess which camel will win each leg. Points are awarded based on these guesses. Here’s a detailed explanation of the scoring system:

1. Leg Scoring:

Leg Winner Bets: At the end of each leg, points are given out for correct bets on the camel that won the leg. The first correct bet gets 5 points, the second gets 3 points, the third gets 2 points, and all others get 1 point. Incorrect bets lose 1 point.
Oasis/Desert Tiles: If a camel lands on your Oasis or Desert tile, you earn 1 point.
Race Winner and Loser Bets: These bets are not scored until the end of the game, but they can be placed during any leg.

2. Final Scoring:

Race Winner Bets: At the end of the game, points are awarded for correct bets on the overall race winner. The first correct bet gets 8 points, the second gets 5 points, the third gets 3 points, and all others get 2 points. Incorrect bets lose 1 point.
Race Loser Bets: Points are also given for correct bets on the camel that finished last in the race. The first correct bet gets 8 points, the second gets 5 points, the third gets 3 points, and all others get 2 points. Incorrect bets lose 1 point.

3. Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie at the end of the game, the following rules are applied:

The player with the most Race Winner bets wins the tie. If there is still a tie, move on to the next step.
The player with the most Race Loser bets wins the tie. If there is still a tie, move on to the next step.
The player who placed their bets earliest in the game wins the tie.

Remember, the aim is not just to guess the winners, but also to strategically place your bets at the right time to maximize your points.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for Camel Up

1. Stack Manipulation: The real power in Camel Up comes from manipulating the stack of camels. Always try to bet on a stack with multiple camels, as it has the potential to move more than one spot.

2. Early Betting: Early bets yield higher rewards. If you have a good idea of who might win a leg, place your bet early to get the maximum coins.

Beginner Tips for Camel Up

Understanding the Stack: A key concept in Camel Up is the camel stack. Remember, the camel on top of a stack will move with the stack if the bottom camel is moved. This can dramatically change a camel’s position on the track.
Use of Desert Tiles: Don’t underestimate the power of desert tiles. Placing them in the right spots can help your camel win or slow down others.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Camel Up

Forgetting Stack Orders: Many beginners forget the order of the camels in a stack, leading to inaccurate predictions. Always keep track of the stack order.
Rushing to Bet on Overall Winner: Betting on the overall winner too early can be a risky move. It’s better to wait and see how the race progresses before making this bet.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in Camel Up

1. Balanced Betting: A good strategy to optimize gameplay in Camel Up is to balance your bets. Don’t just focus on the race leader, but also consider who might come second or third.

2. Strategic Use of Oasis and Mirage: Use the Oasis and Mirage tiles strategically. An Oasis tile can give your camel an extra push, while a Mirage tile can slow down your opponents.