Mint Julep

About this board game

Mint Julep is a horse-racing betting game for 2–4 players, playable in about 30 minutes. In this annual race, players draft cards, place bets, and manipulate the horses’ positions to pursue the highest score.

Each game unfolds over three rounds, with every round following the same sequence. First, players draft cards for their hands. Next, they bet on which horse they think will win. Finally, they play movement cards to adjust the order of the horses in the race.

1. Draft: Choose cards for your hand.
2. Bet: Commit to the horse you believe will finish best.
3. Move: Play movement cards to influence the race order.

Timing and prediction are both important. A bet may look promising when it is placed, but the race can change as movement cards are played. Choose your target carefully, because the odds might be against you—and a poorly timed bet may leave you shut out.

Final scoring considers several parts of the race. Horses that start in lower positions are worth more points, while horses that finish in higher places earn more points. The timing of a bet matters too, with later bets worth less than earlier ones.

In Mint Julep, every round gives you a chance to improve your position, influence the field, and turn a risky prediction into a winning result. Score the most points from your bets by the end of the race to win.