Snake Oil

About this board game

Snake Oil is a fast-paced party game for 3–10 players that takes about 30 minutes. Set in the Old West, it challenges players to invent ridiculous two-word products and convince unusual customers that their creations are worth buying.

Each player begins with six purple word cards. At the start of a round, the customer draws and announces a customer card. The other players then become inventors, quickly combining two word cards from their hands to create a new product. Ideas might include a “Rumor Mirror” or a “Burp Balloon.”

Once ready, each inventor delivers a pitch directly to the customer. The customer may end any pitch that lasts longer than thirty seconds, so players need to make their case quickly and creatively.

1. Draw and announce the round’s customer card.
2. Combine two purple word cards to create a product.
3. Pitch the product directly to the customer.
4. The customer chooses which product to buy.

The inventor with the winning product receives the customer card as the round’s prize. All used word cards are discarded, and each inventor takes two new word cards. The player to the left of the customer becomes the next round’s customer, and play continues until everyone has taken that role once.

With its quick combinations, imaginative sales pitches, and unpredictable customer choices, Snake Oil turns simple word cards into lively moments of persuasion. The player who collects the most customer cards wins the game.