The Big Idea

About this board game

The Big Idea is a quick card game for 3–6 players that takes about 45 minutes, casting everyone as venture capitalists competing to create companies and guide them toward an IPO.

To form a company, combine a noun card with an adjective card. The result might be an amusing product such as “Erotic Pants” or “Mentholated Chicken.” Every company you create automatically gives you a share, but the real challenge comes from deciding which ventures deserve further support.

• Create companies by pairing noun and adjective cards.
• Secretly invest in a company when the opportunity arises.
• Publicly buy a share in a company.
• Roll to determine which companies go public in each round.

A company goes public when the die roll is equal to or less than the number of shares issued in that company. When a company pays out, its return is based on the number of shares issued, the number of cards used to form it, and the die roll.

That creates a playful mix of creativity, investment, and calculated generosity. You may find yourself helping another player’s company because owning part of their creation could produce the biggest gain. The game’s rules are fairly simple, but its card combinations make each round an opportunity to invent a memorable business name.

Released in 2000, The Big Idea is a light, social game built around quick decisions and humorous company concepts. The Semi-Deluxe edition is compatible with the expansion The Big Idea: More Cards!