Tri-Ba-Lance (1995)

About this game

More of an exercise in physics than a dexterity game - Tri-ba-Lance pits players against each other on a tottering triangular playfield. Poised on a point, the board begins level, but soon shifts as players place a variety of differently sized pieces on the board. There are circular pits in the board, ready to accept the player's pieces - each with dots whose numbers increase as the pits radiate further from the center. The dots act as a multiplier against the size of a column - place a three tiered column in a pit with four dots, and you score 12 points. And so play continues until every pit has been filled.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 3.
• Rules load. At 1.5/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.