Cloud 9

About this board game

Cloud 9 is a 30-minute push-your-luck game for 3–6 players, first released in 1999. Players ride a hot air balloon from cloud to cloud, choosing whether to remain aboard for more points or jump out and protect the points they have already earned.

At the start of a trip, everyone places a passenger token in the basket and receives six balloon cards. Each turn, a different player becomes the pilot. The pilot rolls an increasing number of specialized dice, which show how many balloon cards of each color are needed to keep the balloon aloft.

• Decide whether the pilot is likely to have the required cards.
• Stay aboard to pursue a higher score as the balloon rises.
• Jump out to keep the points earned so far.
• Use optional Wild Cards to make the outcome less predictable.

The higher the balloon climbs, the more points are available, but the danger rises as well. If the pilot cannot meet the dice requirements, the balloon falls and players who stayed aboard receive no points for that risk. The balloon then returns to the lowest cloud, everyone gets back aboard, and each player draws one new card before the next trip begins.

With every player weighing confidence against caution, Cloud 9 creates a simple but tense cycle of prediction, risk, and reward. Hold on for the climb, or make the safe choice before the basket drops. The game ends when a player reaches 50 points.