Sneaky Bastard (2021)

About this game

Congratulations, you’re about to buy your own house! However, buying a house requires money. And lots of it. In order to lay claim on the piece of real estate of your choosing, you’re going to participate in an auction. But the market for real estate is tricky. Before you know it, some sneaky bastard walks away with your money. Or, as you’re strapped for cash, would YOU rather be that sneaky bastard? Sneaky Bastard is an auction game with a twist. Whoever gets hold of the most expensive houses wins the game. You’re not only placing bids on the real estate, but also on the bids themselves with the aid of Sneaky Bastard-cards, in order to gain more financial means. In this way, the game plays like an auction-within-an-auction. Sneaky Bastard is a fast-paced game that revolves around strategy, tactics and interaction. By carefully considering when to play a Sneaky Bastard, you’ll be able to gather the financials means to place bids in the later rounds. You’ll need the best real estate in order to win Sneaky Bastard, but you’ll also use houses as an alternative for money cards during later auctions. —description from the publisher

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 6.
• Rules load. At 1.3/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.