Ready Set Bet

2022

Join your friends in Ready Set Bet, a captivating 4-round board game where you bet on horses and strategize to win the most money!

60
minutes

2 - 9
player(s)

14+

Medium Light

About the game

Ready Set Bet is an exhilarating board game that captures the essence of the thrill and unpredictability of horse racing. The game is set in the exciting world of horse racing, where players are immersed in the fast-paced environment of the racecourse, intricately designed on the game board.

The game’s core mechanics are betting, racing, and strategy. Players place bets on horses, roll dice to move the horses along the track, and use their strategy to maximize their winnings. The game is unique because it combines elements of risk, strategy, and luck, making it an unpredictable and exciting game every time you play.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

‘Ready Set Bet’ is a fun-filled game of chance and strategy, with players wagering on the outcome of horse races. The game includes a variety of components, each designed to facilitate different aspects of gameplay. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Game Board

The game board is a beautifully illustrated horse racing track. It’s where all the racing action unfolds. Players move their horse tokens along the track based on the roll of the dice.

2. Horse Tokens

There are six horse tokens, each representing a different horse in the race. Players choose a horse at the start of each round and move it along the game board based on the roll of the dice.

3. Dice

The game comes with two six-sided dice. The dice are rolled to determine how far each horse moves on the board. The combination of the two dice results determines the movement of the horses.

4. Betting Slips

Betting slips are how players place their bets on the horses. At the start of each race, players secretly write down their bets on these slips. The bets are revealed after all horses have moved.

5. Money Tokens

These tokens represent the currency of the game. Players use them to place bets on the horses. Players start with a certain amount of money and can win or lose money based on the outcome of the races.

6. Odds Cards

Odds cards are used to determine the odds for each horse in a race. At the start of each race, players draw an odds card for their horse. The odds on the card determine the payout if that horse wins.

7. Starting Gate

The starting gate is where the horses begin each race. At the start of a race, all horse tokens are placed in the starting gate.

How the Components Interact:

In a game of ‘Ready Set Bet’, players first choose a horse and draw an odds card for it. They then place their bets using the betting slips and money tokens. Once all bets are placed, the race begins. Players roll the dice to move their horses along the track. The first horse to reach the finish line wins, and players receive payouts based on the odds on their horse’s odds card and the amount they bet.

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

‘Ready Set Bet’ is a thrilling board game that combines the strategy of card games with the excitement of horse racing. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help set up the game and get you started.

Player Roles:

Each player takes on the role of a racehorse owner and bettor. Players aim to earn the most money by betting on horses, buying and selling horses, and winning races.

Board Placement:

Place the game board in the center of the table where all players can reach it.
Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player board, horses, and betting tokens.
Place your horses on the starting line on the game board.

Initial Resources:

Each player starts the game with a set amount of money. The game suggests $12,000, but this can be altered to lengthen or shorten the game.
Each player also receives three horse cards. These represent the horses that each player owns at the start of the game.
The remaining horse cards are placed in a draw pile, face down next to the board.
The betting tokens for each player are placed on their player board. These will be used to place bets on the horses as they race.

Random Elements:

The game includes a deck of racing cards. These are shuffled and placed face down next to the board. These cards determine the speed and movement of the horses during the race.
At the start of every race, players draw a racing card and this determines the initial positions of the horses in the race.
During the race, players draw additional racing cards which dictate the actions that can be taken, such as moving a horse, blocking a horse, or making a horse sprint.

Once the setup is complete, you’re ready to start the game. Remember, the goal of the game is not only to win races but also to make profitable bets and trades. Good luck, and may the best horse win!

Game flow Round and round we go

Ready Set Bet is a thrilling board game where players bet on horse races and the highest total amount of money at the end of the game wins. The game is designed for 2 to 6 players and lasts about 45 minutes. Here’s a detailed overview of how the game is played:

Game Setup:

Shuffle the Horse cards and randomly draw four. Place these four Horse cards in the middle of the table.
Each player receives a set of colored chips, a Betting slip for each horse in play, and starting cash of $12,000.
The top card of the Event deck is flipped over to determine the First Event of the game.

Game Rounds:

The game proceeds in rounds, with each round consisting of three phases: Betting Phase, Racing Phase, and Payout Phase.

1. Betting Phase:

Each player decides privately which horse(s) they think will finish the race in the top two positions.
Players place their Betting slip(s) face down in front of them along with the amount of money they want to bet.
When all players have placed their bets, everyone reveals their Betting slips and the money bet is placed on the corresponding horse’s card.

2. Racing Phase:

Players take turns rolling the dice and moving the horses according to the dice roll.
The first horse to cross the finish line triggers the end of the race. The second horse to cross the finish line determines the second place.
After the two places are determined, the remaining horses are not moved further.

3. Payout Phase:

Players receive payouts based on the odds of the horse they bet on. The odds are determined by the position of the horse in the race.
Bets on the 1st place horse pay out at a rate of 2:1, and bets on the 2nd place horse pay out at a rate of 1:1.
Money not won is returned to the bank.

The game continues with the next round starting again with the Betting Phase. After a predetermined number of rounds, the game ends. The player with the highest total amount of money is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

The game ‘Ready Set Bet’ is a thrilling betting game that requires each player to make strategic decisions during their turn. Here are the steps and actions that take place during a player’s turn:

1. Roll the Dice:

At the start of the turn, the player will roll the dice. The outcome of the dice roll will guide the player’s options for the rest of the turn.

2. Make a Bet:

After rolling the dice, the player must choose to make a bet. The player can choose to bet on any horse, not just their own. The amount of the bet is up to the player and can be a strategic choice. For example, a larger bet may potentially earn more rewards, but it also carries a higher risk.

3. Move a Horse:

Once the bet is placed, the player can move one horse forward on the track. The player can choose to move any horse, not just the one they have bet on. This can be a strategic decision, as moving a horse that another player has bet on may help to prevent that player from winning.

4. Draw a Card:

Finally, the player ends their turn by drawing a card from the deck. These cards can have a variety of effects on the game, including changing the outcome of future dice rolls, adjusting the positions of the horses, or altering the value of bets. The player may choose to play the card immediately or save it for a later turn.

Throughout the game, players will need to balance risk and reward, make strategic decisions about when to bet and how much to bet, and use their cards wisely to influence the outcome of the race. The player who manages their resources most effectively and makes the most successful bets will be the winner of ‘Ready Set Bet’.

5. End of Turn:

Once the player has drawn a card, their turn is over. Play then passes to the next player in clockwise order.

6. Winning the Game:

The game ends when one horse crosses the finish line. At this point, all bets are resolved. The player with the most money (from successful bets and any remaining in hand) is the winner.

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

The game of ‘Ready Set Bet’ ends when all the races (a total of 7) have been completed. At this point, players move on to the final scoring phase of the game.

Victory Conditions:

The player with the highest total amount of money at the end of the seventh race is declared the winner. In the case of a tie, the player with the most winning bet slips is the winner. If there is still a tie, the player with the most second-place bet slips wins.

Final Scoring Phase:

Before the final scoring phase begins, there are several actions that players must take:

Counting Money: Each player counts their total money. This includes money in hand and money won from successful bets.
Checking Bet Slips: Players check their bet slips. Winning bet slips are those where a player correctly predicted the winner of a race. These are added to the total money count.
Second-place Bet Slips: Second-place bet slips, where the player correctly predicted the second-place horse, are also added to the total money count but they are worth less than winning bet slips.
Lost Bets: Any money that was bet on losing horses is subtracted from the player’s total.

After all of these steps have been completed, the player with the highest total is declared the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Ready Set Bet’, players accumulate points by making the most accurate bets on horse races. This involves guessing the outcome of each race and placing your betting chips accordingly.

Scoring:

At the end of each race, points are awarded based on the accuracy of the players’ bets. The game uses a structured scoring system, as described below:

Firstly, if a player’s horse wins the race, they receive points equal to twice the odds of the winning horse.
If a player’s horse finishes second, they receive points equal to the odds of the horse.
If a player’s horse finishes third, they receive half of the odds of the horse, rounded down.
If a player’s horse does not finish in the top three, they do not receive any points for that round.

Bonus Points:

Additionally, bonus points are awarded under certain circumstances:

If a player correctly guesses the exact placement of their horse (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), they receive an additional 5 bonus points.
If a player correctly guesses their horse will finish in the top three, but does not correctly guess the exact placement, they receive 3 bonus points.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In ‘Ready Set Bet’, ties are possible and are broken using the following system:

If two or more players have the same total points at the end of the game, the player who has won the most races is declared the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who has placed second the most times wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who has placed third the most times wins.
If there is still a tie after considering first, second, and third-place finishes, the player who has accumulated the most bonus points wins.
If there is still a tie after all these factors, the game is declared a draw between the tied players.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Ready Set Bet’ is a thrilling board game that combines luck, strategy, and betting. Here are some rare and special rules, exceptions, and rule clarifications that might be important for players:

Rule Clarifications:

Minimum Bet: The minimum bet is 1 chip. Players cannot bet less than this amount.
Bankruptcy: If a player loses all their chips, they are not necessarily out of the game. They can still participate in the race and betting, but they may not contribute to the pot.
Withdrawn Horses: If a horse is withdrawn before the start of the race, all bets on that horse are returned to the players.

Special Rules:

Tie Breaker: In the event of a tie, the player who placed their bet first will be the winner.
Double Bet: Players may place a ‘double bet’ once per game. This allows them to double the amount of their current bet. This decision must be made before the race starts and cannot be changed once the race has begun.

Exceptions:

False Start: In the event of a false start, the race is restarted and all bets remain in place. If a horse is withdrawn due to a false start, bets on that horse are returned to the players.
No Winner: If no horse finishes the race, all bets are returned to the players.

Understanding these specific rules and exceptions can greatly enhance your strategy and enjoyment of ‘Ready Set Bet’. Happy gaming!

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Ready Set Bet is a thrilling game that combines strategic thinking, risk management, and a dash of luck. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, and common mistakes to avoid that can help you optimize your gameplay.

Advanced strategies:

Study your opponents: Keep a close eye on your opponents’ behavior. Understanding their betting habits can help you predict their moves and plan your strategy accordingly.
Manage your resources wisely: Don’t bet all your chips in one round. Spread out your bets over multiple rounds to increase your chances of winning.
Use bluffing techniques: Bluffing can be an effective strategy in Ready Set Bet. Make your opponents think you have a better (or worse) hand than you actually do to manipulate their betting choices.

Beginner tips:

Start with small bets: Initially, start with small bets to understand the flow of the game. As you get more comfortable, gradually increase your bets.
Learn the rules: It might seem obvious, but understanding the rules of the game thoroughly is crucial. Make sure you know the scoring system, how to place bets, and the value of different hands.
Observe before you play: Before participating in your first game, try to observe a few rounds. Watching others play can give you a better understanding of the strategies and tactics used in the game.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Betting too much too soon: This is a common mistake made by beginners. Instead of betting all your chips in the initial rounds, save some for the later rounds when you have a better understanding of your opponents’ strategies.
Ignoring your opponents’ bets: The bets placed by your opponents can give you valuable information about their hand. Ignoring this information can cost you the game. Always pay attention to your opponents’ moves.
Not changing your strategy: If you’re consistently losing, it might be time to change your strategy. Don’t stick to a failing strategy out of stubbornness.

Ways to optimize gameplay:

Take your time: Ready Set Bet is a game of strategy. Take your time to think about your moves before you make them.
Practice: Like any other game, practice makes perfect. The more you play, the better you’ll get at understanding the game and developing effective strategies.
Stay focused: Distractions can cause you to make poor decisions. Stay focused on the game and your strategy to increase your chances of winning.