Camel Up: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering the Game
1. Introduction
Camel Up is an exciting, fast-paced board game that brings the thrill of a camel race to your living room. The game is designed for 2 to 8 players and is suitable for ages 8 and up. The objective of the game is to earn the most money by accurately predicting the outcome of a camel race. The game equipment includes a game board, dice, camel figures, desert tiles, and betting slips.
Camel Up (2014)
2–8 Players (Best with 4-5 Players)
20–30 Min Playing Time
Age: 8+
Created by Steffen Bogen, Camel Up encapsulates the suspense and excitement of a real-world camel race. Designed for a broad range of players, it’s an ideal choice for both small family gatherings and larger parties.
The primary objective of Camel Up is to accumulate the most money by accurately predicting the outcome of a camel race. This requires players to strategically place their bets based on their predictions of how the camels will perform. It’s a game of luck, strategy, and anticipation, providing countless opportunities for twists and turns as the camels move around the track.
The game comes equipped with several components for added immersion. The game board, complete with a detailed track for the camels to race on, forms the foundation of the game. Dice are used to determine the movement of the camels, adding an element of unpredictability and suspense. The camel figures, which come in different colors, represent the camels that players are betting on.
Additionally, the game also includes desert tiles, which can be placed on the game board to influence the camels’ movement, adding an additional layer of strategy to the game. Betting slips are used by players to place their bets on the camels, further enhancing the racing atmosphere.
Overall, Camel Up is a high-energy, immersive board game that brings all the excitement of a camel race into your home. With its blend of strategy, luck, and unpredictability, it’s likely to provide a unique and engaging gaming experience for players of all ages.
One Easy Protip to Win at Camel Up
The easy protip to win this game is to hold onto your betting slips until later in each leg of the race. This is because the camels’ positions can change drastically throughout each leg, and holding onto your betting slips allows you to make more accurate bets.
2. Rules for playing Camel Up
- The game begins with each player choosing a color and taking the corresponding betting slips, desert tiles, and coins.
- Five colored dice, each corresponding to a camel of the same color, are placed in the dice pyramid.
- On their turn, a player can take one of four actions: take a betting slip, place or move their desert tile, roll the dice, or place a bet on the overall winner or loser of the race.
- The round ends when all five dice have been rolled. The players then receive or lose money based on their bets and the positions of the camels.
- The game ends when a camel crosses the finish line. The players then receive or lose money based on their bets on the overall winner and loser. The player with the most money wins the game.
While these are the official rules of Camel Up, players can introduce ‘house rules’ to add variety to the game. For example, a common house rule is to allow players to place bets on multiple camels during the same turn.
3. How to Win at Camel Up
Winning at Camel Up requires a combination of strategic betting, clever use of desert tiles, and a bit of luck. Here are some strategies for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players.
- Beginner Strategy: As a beginner, focus on understanding the game mechanics and making safe bets. Bet on camels that are in the lead and avoid betting on the overall winner or loser until you have a clear idea of the likely outcome.
- Intermediate Strategy: As an intermediate player, start using your desert tile more strategically. Placing your tile in front of a leading camel can slow it down, while placing it behind a trailing camel can help it catch up. Also, consider making early bets on the overall winner or loser to maximize your potential earnings.
- Advanced Strategy: Advanced players should focus on manipulating the race to their advantage. This can involve making risky bets, strategically placing desert tiles to influence the movement of multiple camels, and keeping a close eye on the bets of other players.
4. Best Strategies for playing Camel Up game
The best strategy for playing Camel Up involves a combination of careful betting, strategic use of desert tiles, and keen observation of other players.
1. Understand the Rules: Before playing any game, it is important to understand the rules. Camel Up is no exception. The game involves betting on a camel race, and players must choose when to place their bets and which camel to bet on.
2. Use the Dice Pyramid Wisely: The dice pyramid is a key aspect of Camel Up. It randomly determines which camel moves and how many spaces. Use it wisely to manipulate the positioning of the camels and potentially benefit your bets.
3. Timing is Everything: Timing when to place your bets is crucial in Camel Up. If you bet early, you may get more coins, but the risk is greater. If you wait until later in the round, you have a clearer picture of which camel might win, but the potential payout is less.
4. Be Observant: Pay attention to the current state of the game, including the position of the camels and the bets other players have made. This can help inform your own betting decisions.
5. Use Desert Tiles Strategically: Desert tiles can be placed on the board to either help or hinder a camel’s progress. They can be a game-changer if used strategically.
6. Diversify Your Bets: Don’t just focus on the winning camel. Betting on the losing camel or the order of finishers can also earn you points.
7. Be Flexible: The game’s circumstances can change quickly, so be prepared to adapt your strategy on the fly.
8. Risk Management: Like any betting game, Camel Up involves a degree of risk. The key is to manage this risk by balancing potentially high-reward bets with safer options.
9. Keep an Eye on Your Opponents: Watch what your opponents are doing and try to anticipate their moves. This can give you an edge in the game.
10. Have Fun: Although it’s great to win, remember that Camel Up is a game and it’s meant to be fun. Enjoy the unpredictability and excitement of the game, regardless of the outcome.
11. Make early bets on the overall winner or loser. The earlier you place these bets, the more money you can potentially earn.
12. Use your desert tile to influence the movement of the camels. Placing your tile in front of a leading camel can slow it down, while placing it behind a trailing camel can help it catch up.
13. Keep an eye on the bets of other players. If a player is consistently betting on a certain camel, they might know something you don’t.
14. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes, a risky bet can pay off big time.
5. Scenarios for Camel Up
In Camel Up, players can find themselves in a variety of scenarios, both good and bad. Here are some common scenarios and how to turn them to your advantage:
- Scenario: You’re in the lead with a lot of money, but the other players are catching up. Strategy: Play it safe. Make safe bets and avoid risky moves.
- Scenario: You’re trailing behind with little money. Strategy: Take risks. Make bold bets and use your desert tile aggressively to change the course of the race.
- Scenario: The race is close, with no clear leader. Strategy: Observe the other players. If they’re betting on a certain camel, it might be worth following their lead.
- Scenario: A camel you’ve bet on is falling behind. Strategy: Use your desert tile to help it catch up, or cut your losses and focus on other camels.
6. Frequently Asked Questions about playing Camel Up game
Q: Can I bet on multiple camels during the same turn? A: According to the official rules, you can only bet on one camel per turn. However, some players introduce a house rule that allows multiple bets.
Q: What happens if two camels land on the same space? A: If two camels land on the same space, they form a stack. The camel on top is considered to be ahead in the race.
Q: Can I move my desert tile after I’ve placed it? A: Yes, you can move your desert tile during your turn. However, you can’t move it to a space that already contains a camel or another desert tile.
Q: What happens if a camel crosses the finish line but I still have betting slips? A: Any betting slips you have at the end of the game are worthless. It’s important to place your bets before the race ends.
Q: Can I bet on the overall loser? A: Yes, you can bet on the overall loser. This can be a risky move, but it can also pay off big time if you’re correct.
External Links
For more information about Camel Up, visit the official game website (archived) at Spiel des Jahres
Camel Up Board Game Review [Video]
Eve Brownlee was a gamer before gaming communities on the internet were a thing. Eve grew up playing traditional, standard deck card games like Rummy and Bezique, taking an interest in the classics Backgammon and Chess. Parlor card games like Bridge continue to keep Eve active in the community. After a long career, primarily in horticulture for USDA in Maryland, Eve now travels and writes on The Pineapple (pineapples.info) and contributes to Quora/Pinterest topics. Contact Eve via email.
