Ballast (1998)

About this game

A variation of the game "Pick Up Sticks". Wooden cylinders are loaded into a circular Plexiglas frame and then removed one at a time by the players. If no cylinders move other than the one the player is trying to remove, the player keeps the piece (which is worth points). If another piece moves, however, the player must return the piece to the top of the pile and play proceeds to the next person. First player to reach a predetermined score wins.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 1.0/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 6 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.