Reviews (50)

My favorite card game--and we play almost everything!
Five Crowns is excellent fun. The cards are beautiful and the changing wild cards from hand-to-hand keep the game interesting and exciting. There are lots of stimulating colors if you play with kids and the game helps them learn to match and make numerical sequences. We have played nearly every day since we bought the cards over two months ago. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to play cards or games.

A Really Great Card game!!!
Five crowns is a great game. It's simple, and teaches counting and math. It's compact, and me and my 9 year old brother like to play it on car and plane trips. The cards are beautiful, the queens and kings especially! I first incounterd Set (made by the same company) in grade 6 in math class. Then we went to a store to get it and found 5 crowns and Quiddler. My personal favorite is 5 crowns, though they are all really fun! This is a good game for 8 years and up! It's really fun!

Quality of cards
We love the game and have purchased it for others. All our friends and family are hooked on it. The only thing we don't like about it ( all of us ) is the quality of the cards. From the very beginning, they were hard to deal out. Very thick and wanted to stick together. Have tried numerous things to make them easier to use, but nothing works. Any suggestions?

Royally appealing!
Several years ago, we gave a Five Crowns set to my parents, who are now in their 80s. Between us, we have worn out six (6) sets! It is the one game we can all play, from my 9-year-old niece to my 87-year-old father. And it plays just as well with 2 as with 6. The only pain for us was scoring, as it gets confusing sometimes, so we went into our Appleworks spreadsheet program and created our own fill-in-the-lines scoresheets that also help us keep track of how many cards to deal. This game is delightful, and it really isn't ever over till the very last hand!

Finally a card game that is satifiying!!!!
We are a card playing family. We constantly change the rules to the games. This game is perfect the way it is!!! It is quick to learn and retains your interest for a long time. Well done Set Enterprises! ... Read more

Editorial Review

It's hard to believe that market trading has survived almostunchanged 100 years after the boisterously fun game of Pit wasintroduced by Parker Brothers. Yet the Classic Pit Tin still capturesthe flavor of making deals faster and faster, louder and louder, untilthe ring of the bell announces the first successful cornering of themarket. The cards are sturdy, the artwork is lovely, the rules aresimple, and the game is wild. Put it in an attractive tin and you'vegot a winner. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Everybody loves it!!!!
After I discovered Pit from a friend, I went online and ordered my own. It has been the best party game ever!!! I bring it over to a friend's house or take it on a trip, and everybody wants to play. All my friends are now addicted to it. It also is a good way to see the futures market at work.

Fast paced, adictive game
The rules are straightforward and easy to learn, the pace can pick up very quickly making this game loads of fun- also the more people the better!

A "retro-version" of this fast-paces, fun card game.
This edition of the classic card game PIT is the same game as in the Deluxe edition. The only difference is in the look of the cards and the metal case containing the game: the game now looks exactly like it did when it was first released, a hundred years ago. The cards are also a bit sturdier. You might prefer the modern look of the Deluxe set, but playing this version will really take you back to the early days of the commodities market!

The game is centered on the trading of commodities. This sounds dry, but actually this is one of the most enjoyable party games ever invented. It's simple to learn, fast moving, and involves lots of screaming and yelling. (Try to imagine "Go Fish" if nobody takes turns and it was played like a furious farmer's auction). But the game also has a fascinating history and teaches something about the nature of the economy.

The commodities market developed in the 19th century as the modern agricultural economy began to grow in the U.S. When many farmers faced bankruptcy during lean times of the winter season, "forward contracts" -- an agreement between a buyer and a seller on a price, quantity, and a future delivery date of a particular commodity like wheat or beans or coffee -- started to appear. Between the time of the contract purchase and the delivery, the price of the commodity could change rapidly and violently in either direction, so to protect themselves, merchants would travel to Chicago to trade their various contracts and agree on a later delivery date. The location where they traded (originally a room above a flour store) became The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) -- also know as "THE PIT." Today we see the The Pit on television every day, where traders dash about desperately yelling and giving signals to buy or trade contracts on wheat, soybeans, Eurodollars, heating oil, gold, etc.

Thus arose this long-lived card game. By 1904, when the game was first published, the commodities market had exploded into a major economic force in the country, and one in which speculators could lose or gains millions in a short period of time. This game imitates the frenzy of traders on the floor of the Pit, selling and buying contracts on various commodities rapidly so they can "corner" a particular market, and where fortunes can be made or lost in seconds.

This may sound complicated, but PIT is an easy game to learn and addictive to play. Seven-year-olds can pick it up quickly and be trading as hard as an adult player after only one round. The play is simple. A deck of eight different "suits" of nine cards each (commodities like wheat, oats, coffee, and sugar), plus a "bear" card and "bull" card, are dealt to the players. The dealer then rings a bell (included in this set) to declare trading open. Immediately, without any semblance of taking turns or order, the players try to discard cards they don't want by trading them with other players so they can get all nine cards of one commodity in their hand and "corner" that market and win the round. You receive a particular number of points depending on what commodity you've nabbed (wheat, for example, is the most valuable at 100 points). All trading is blind: a player holds up cards of all the same suit he wishes to trade, keeping their backs to the other players, and yells out how many he wants to trade ("I'm selling three! Three! Who wants three!). Other player may ask him to trade less if he they have fewer cards available to offer ("Will you drop to two!? I'll trade two!"). Usually, three or four trades among different players are going on at any time, or players are competing to grab an offered trade first, and the game becomes a furious race to nab that nine-of-a-kind and slam your hand on the bell to announce that you've won the round.

Amongst all this looms the Bear and Bull cards. The Bull is a wild card; you can corner a market with only eight cards plus the Bull. But if the Bull is in your hand when someone else slams the bell, you lose twenty points. The Bear is always bad: you lose twenty points if it's in your hand at the end of the round, and as long as it's in your hand, you can't corner a market. You keep playing rounds until someone gets 500 points and wins the game.

New players may be a bit hesitant with the fast and furious play style, but pretty quickly everyone will be feeling like a real tradier and yelling and wheeling and dealing. I've seen ten-year-olds beat out fifty-year-olds with their enthusiasm. And no one will ever get bored playing this. (Neighbors, however, may complain about the noise.)

The only real drawback to PIT is that it isn't as fun with a small group. The more players you have, the more fun it is. A three-player game is possible, but it isn't as intense as a game of five or more. And eight players (the maximum) is an absolutely amazing thing to see or take part in. Buy this game...you'll be the hit of your next party. It has all the wheeling and dealing of Monopoly in one tenth the time!

exciting family game
I played this game with my family as a child. I played this game with my 5 children, and now play this game with grandchildren who love it as much as I always have.

Outrageous Game!
This is one of the most fun games I've ever played! An absolute riot! Addictive! You'll play for hours. One suggestion - don't use the bell. When someone wins, just have them yell, "Pit!" ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Looks like I've started a new fad.
I'm 13, and bought a pack of UNO cards and took them to school the next day. Oops (or maybe I should say YES!) because everyone wanted to play. I must have played ten games every single day so far, and my cards are still in high demand. It is not at all hard to learn, and still a ton of fun. I strongly recommend this game!

Great and totally addictive!!!!
When I played this at my grandmother's house, I was hooked! They're these liitle cards that are in four colors and numbered from 1 through 9 and with Reverse, Draw 2, and Wild Cards. It helped my little cousins' math skills and was extremly fun! This is a must buy!

Learning Tool
I'm 14 and got this game when I was younger. I was struggling a little with math until I got this game. It helped me realize color and number patterns in such a fun way that I didn't even notice it! Since then I've been playing it at least once a week. I tutor young children and for those with math problems, I use the Uno game as a fun and educational tool. Parents have come to me and congratulated me with the successfullness of it. Its the ultimate game in a compact size. The cards last for a pretty long time. I've had one deck for the past 3 years and its still in tip top shape! So for anyone who plans to buy it, it's definately the RIGHT CHOICE!!!!

GREAT GAME LOADS OF FUN
I love this game. It is a great family game though it might cause
a few arguments or break-ups(aaaaah! just kidding). Don't let this happen. It's just a game like any other game. You're just having fun. That's the No. 1 reason for playing any game with children or adults to have fun. Hey, How would like to be given 4 draw 4 cards????? get the picture???? Another good point, NEVER GIVE UP SO EASY,ITS NEVER OVER TILL IT'S OVER,comebacks
can happen. MY father-in-law was shut out, while I just needed 1 point to win(499 points to 0 4 or 5 of us were playing)and he came back and beat us with 500 points. Play this fantastic card game and see what I mean. Buy it and I hope you'll enjoy it too.

Always fresh and fun
This is the most exciting game where me and my seven year old nephiew would play for hours! If you wait somewhere for something or someone you shuld always have "uno" with you. The time goes so fast you can't even imagine...and is really fun! Thanks for having it on the market...keep the great work and I hope I can find even more creative and as fun games:-) ... Read more

Editorial Review

This special-edition game celebrates 65 years of Tripoley, a long-time favorite for parties or at-home fun. Tripoley combines the strategy and skill involved in hearts, poker, and Michigan rummy. One game of each constitutes a "round" of Tripoley. The group decides the number of rounds in each game before play begins. After all the rounds have been played, the player with the most chips is the winner. Designed for two to nine players. This special edition includes a rotating game tray, poker chips, and playing cards. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Game
Tripoley...where to start. You begin by dealing the cards evenly to all players, and there are variations which may include you dealing an extra hand. The first game you play is Hearts. If you have either the 10, Jack, Queen, King, or Ace of Hearts, or a mix, then you take all the chips out of those certain dishes; there is a special dish for players who hold both the King and Queen of Hearts, so you would receive the Queen dish, King dish, and the Both K and Q dish. Obviously this will build up in chip value over time with more players as it is harder to get both of these cards in the same hand. Also, during the game of Hearts, if you have an 8, 9, and a 10 all of the same suit in your hand then you receive the chips in that dish. This, as well, will build up over time.
Then you play Poker. You simply take five cards out of however many you have which make up your best Poker hand. If you aren't familiar with Poker, just look at the instructions for what are Poker hands and what are worth more. Start bidding with the dealer and all bets go in the "Pot". The winner, after betting stops, will get all the chips in the Pot.
The last game played is Michigan Rummy, where the dealer lays down his lowest card out of his entire hand. Then the person with the next highest card in the same suit puts down that card, until the Ace of that suit is played or the Stop Card, which is the last highest card played, is played. Whoever put the Stop Card down will then change suits by placing the lowest card in his hand from another suit down. This keeps going until the first person gets rid of all their cards and they claim all the chips in the "Kitty" section.
This game is very, very fun and they also list some variations to the game which make it even more interesting and fun. I gave the fun five stars because I have yet to have a boring game of Tripoley; the fun is endless. Five stars for educational purpose because you get to learn how to play three types of card games, and you learn to be strategic, whether it's betting or choosing the 'right' lowest card in Michigan Rummy (if you have two 3's, then stragety comes into play because you need to examine your hand carefully and see what suit will do better for you). This game is very durable; I've dropped several heavy things on this by accident and it is still in perfect condition.
Overall, this is a wonderful game for anyone.

A Grandma's view
As a grandma, I love this game. It keeps my mind working & it is a game I can play with my grand children & have fun , no matter what their ages ! We spend lots of quality time together with Tripoly. .

For Card Lovers and Non-Card Lovers Alike
Tripoley goes way back in my family. We even had a hand-made Tripoley board, so surely the Tripoley Special Edition is a step up. Since it's three different games in one, it moves much faster than most card games. Even your non-card-playing teenager won't get bored. It's a good way to introduce lots of card game concepts, too, for younger players. And isn't it always fun to win poker chips!? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Children who love word games, logic puzzles, secret codes, mazes, and math mysteries will stretch their mental muscles with Visual Brain Storms. This set of 100 cards, each of which includes a humorous, full-color drawing, promises "the world's best brainteaser questions." The characters in the questions often have funny names (Professor Pith Bugby pops up often) or faces or dilemmas to solve. The answers and explanations are on the back of each card, along with a related bonus question. Many of the puzzles involve math concepts, spatial reasoning, logic, or sequential thinking, but some can be solved with plain common sense. Here's a sample: "Frank and Helen's annual singles elimination tennis tournament has drawn 18 players this year. How many matches must be played before there is a winner for the year?"Answer: "Every match will produce one loser, and every person other than the winner will lose once and only once. Eighteen players makes 17 losers; therefore it will take 17 matches to have a tournament winner." Visual Brain Storms is a humorous, painless way to improve those higher-order thinking skills. Visual Brain Storms: The Smart Thinking Game is for one or more players. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The thinking man's game!
Binary Arts is a leader in family and thinking games and Visual Brain Storm is the perfect example. Binary Arts gives you a game that can be played with one person or teams and the fun and entertainment is just the beginning.

The easy directions, printed on the box, have you playing in less than five minutes. The storage of the game is a breeze since the only parts are the game cards themselves. The hours of enjoyment and fun for the whole family is what makes this game a sure fire winner.

The game calls for ages 11 and up and some the cards may be a little too hard for the younger crowd. In the solitaire version you play each card and score yourself. In the head to head you dived up into teams and you can put a time limit on each question.

Finally there is a team version which call for you to place the card where everyone can see it, first team that thinks they know answer calls out finished and the other teams have 1 minute left to play. So if you're looking for a great party game Binary Arts may just have the answer.

Absolutely the most fun educational toy I have ever seen!
I bought this toy for my 5 year old 2 years ago, when I started homeschooling and she is now doing the intermediate and advanced levels (which still challenge me). She always wants to play rush hour before starting her math lessons to put herself in a "mathematical mind frame" (her words). Every child who comes to our house & plays this game is hooked and asks to play next time. I am a teacher by profession and this is a very unintimidating logic & reasoning game (for all ages)- I would highly recommend! I have just ordered 5 more to give as x-mas gifts this year. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A member of Mattel's popular family of Uno card games, Skip-Boresembles speed (or spit) in the same way that Uno takes after crazyeights. Out of a 162-card deck, two to six players are each dealt20-card "stockpiles"; the first one to deplete their pile wins. Competingeither alone or in teams, players draw from a central pile and stacktheir cards sequentially onto one of four "build" piles (for example,an eight onto a seven, a three onto a two), using plentiful Skip-Bowild cards to break up static situations. Deceptively simple andingeniously designed, this classic game offers plenty of strategizingopportunities, or it can just make a nice backdrop to socializing andmunching on potato chips. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Skip Bo -- Easy And Fun to play!
My grandmother showed me this game years ago! I have gone through two decks of skip-Bo playing cards. (162 cards each deck.) If we are not playing Scrabble; we are playing Skip-Bo. Fun for the whole family!

If your kids know their colors and how to count to 12 they can play. Or, you can teach them to count to 12 using this game.

Skip-Bo is easy and fun to play. Fun to play at parties. Try it!

An Excellent Alternative To Solitaire
I love this game! I first played it in the late 90s, introduced to me, and I love it. I do love Solitaire, but this is a refreshing alternative. I give this game a perfect 10! I recommend this highly!

Teeni-Anne

Great Game!
Our whole family loves this game. Even my 3 year old can play. It is a fun game to play on family game night or when you are just bored. You only have to have two people to play. This game is worth it's price!

I'll never get tired of this game!!
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved this game. Not only do kids enjoy this game but adults too. My family still plays this game every time we get together and the youngest of us is 21! I love the fact that this game has a strategy component and it's not just based on luck. I'm always on the edge of my seat planning my next move. My family and I have introduced this game to several friends over the years and they've become just as hooked as we are. It's always "just one more game." Try it out and you'll see. I promise you won't be let down.

Great
I played this game a lot lately and it is tons of fun. It is a game of luck, but there is also a lot of thinking and planning involved. It giives you a chance to sit around with friends and family and have a blast. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Game
Some of my fondest memories of my grandfather involve us playing Rook with my uncle and grandmother. It is my favorite card game by far. If you have three people to play with, I suggest this game over any other. It is great for all ages over eight. This game never gets old because as a player's skill improves the game becomes much more complex. It is a very simple game at first allowing for children but even a table of adults can enjoy the game including those with lots of card game experience. There are also many fun variations to the original, some much more challenging than others for players who want to change the technique required. The cards seem to deteriorate quickly but we did play many hours a week and had meals and snacks at the same time we played. We purchased maybe fifty packs in the years we played, new ones for vacations and such. The cards are definitely worth the $9.99 and once you buy the deluxe set once the cards can be replaced for around $6.00 from Wal-mart or Target in non-deluxe form. The deluxe is a great buy though because of the excellent book that comes within the box.

family fun
The classic card game ROOK has been the foundation of our family get togethers for 5 generations. My fondest memories are of my grandparents sitting at the Rook table with my mom and dad. We still have the same laughs with our grandchildren. The ages involved? Well my dad is 96, my sister/husband 71, I am 64. Our children and grandchildren drive in from out of state and simply won't leave until they have had a Rook game with "grandpa" who is still a challenge. I really think his love for this game has helped keep his mind "young" and alert.

ROOK is whatever you want it to be from simple to challenging. It teaches math and patience. It challenges your memory. It starts out with an appearance of a simple game. But let four old folks like us get the cards going and you soon realize it can also be a very deep game.
I highly recommend this wonderful family fun in today's world.

Fun and Strategy
Rook has provided our family (4 generations) with tremendous enjoyment with loads of strategy and planning. We have played two player (challenging, but loads of fun) three, four player and doubles (teaching strategy, memory and planning) mostly in a family environment.

Our children started playing as early as 5 and caught on fairly quickly, growing to love the game. We were able to teach them about disappointment and failure along with the challenge to get right back in and try again. Anger was not allowed over loss or disappointment; teaching many lessons about anger management. With a little care and patient instruction, the early age allows for a great parental teaching tool ... anything from basic numbers to basic math skills ... adding and subtracting along with many life lessons that we found invaluable over the years.

Nearing retirement, my wife and I still play doubles and expand with each visit to include children and grandchildren. What began in my childhood has continued now to the fourth generation and includes the spouse of our children as well.

We recommend it very highly and believe you will learn to love it as much as we!

Jerry Douglass ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Variable Quality a Big Problem
I have purchased four of these sets, in order to have enough chips for a large tournament. I discarded the felt and cheap cards. Three of the sets had nice, clean, sharply printed, and brightly colored chips. The fourth set had chips that were a dull "smeared" appearing surface. Not that big an issue, until I realized that the chips were just enought different in thickness that they did not stack evenly. A stack of 20 of the dull chips is one chip taller then a stack of the "clean" chips!! This is a potential disaster, requiring manual counting of every single chip!! I hope to exchange the bad set. If you're only buying one set, there's no problem with these hefty low cost chips. If you're buying more than one, I would make sure you could exchange them if they don't match.

Nice for what you pay...
Well the piece of felt is just an inch bigger than a joke. We used it so I can't complain too much, but don't buy this kit for the felt. That might bug you.

The chips are great for the price. They are evenly divided among 4 colors it might have been better if there were a few more whites and less greens, but that is picking nits.

Yes they are not as good as clay chips, but these and 80 bucks in your pocket feels pretty darn good.

The rack is nice, but they don't seem to sit on each other securly which makes them less useful for large tournaments (I purchased 2 sets and a turntable.)

Still for value I like the turntable a little more. It's the same price and a bargain without issue.

OK for the price.
This is an okay product for the price. However I expected a little more quality. The chips are a step up from the cheapie plastic ones, but of course they are not as good as clay chips or even the clay/composite chips. The chips on the display case are different than the ones that come inside the package. The display shows a diamond design with white stripes, the ones inside have a suited design with no white stripes. Also the chips appear to have a dirty, stained look to them unlike the slick, clean look on the display case. The felt playing surface included is just plain green. It would have been nice if it had hold'em markings on it. Bottom line...for $19.99 or less this is a good product and I recommend it for fun home tourny games. But Cardinal Industries could have put a little more effort into this package. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Here's a fittingly regal version of the classic card game ofroyal sequencing, accentuated with a durable plastic folding play trayand scoring chips. Players play cards, in descending order andalternating color, on any exposed card in the tray. The object is toget rid of all the cards in your hand. Haven't got a black queen toplay on that red king, or a red seven for that black eight, YourHighness? Well, draw a card from the deck--and toss a chip into theroyal treasury while you're at it! Get rid of all your cards andcollect the pot--including one chip for every card remaining inopponents' hands. First to 100 wins. When it comes to fast-paced funfor your whole royal family, Kings in the Corner by Jax iswild! --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kings In The Corner Is Super Fun
Playing this game has become a twice a week treat for my husband, Dad, Mother-in-Law, and myself. We developed a way to play pairs, (men against women) and have loads of fun. It is something we look forward to each time we get together and I would recommend this game to all ages.

Kings in the Corner
A great game for the whole family. My visiting Swedish friend enjoyed playing so much that she bought one to bring back home with her. If you like Sequence you will have fun with Kings in the Corner. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Peanut's Gang Rule!
This is a extremely fun and nostalgic version of this popular game.
This Peanuts Uno, however, has a fun little twist in the form of the the Good Grief card! If this card is played, the person it is played upon must keep drawing cards from the draw pile until they receive any type of card that has Charlie Brown pictured on it. Believe me, this could result in a player have more cards in his/her hand than he/she can almost handle! I highly recommend this set of Peanuts UNO for those who grew up loving this great comic strip and/or those who still enjoy an uncomplicated piece of history! The only drawback I'll mention is the cards could have been made thicker and thereby more durable as they are somewhat thin. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

don't waste your money
I bought this for my son who has a coordination problem. I hoped this would allow him to play cards without me doing all the shuffling. This machine was a disaster! The cards flew out of the machine. About five cards from the right pile were moved for each card from the left pile. This was not what I needed for a child with poor coordination. I returned this machine and my son has reverted to just jumbling the cards up in a big pile to shuffle them. DO NOT buy this machine for somebody who is unable to shuffle with their hands!

this gadget is awesome
Its good to shuffle one deck at a time... If you don't wanna get your cards all bent up and lazy to shuffle yourself, then you may wanna buy this. Kinda cool to use.

i was able to use this to make a good amount of money online at

PARTYPOKER.COM

use the following sign up codes:

100EXTRANOW for up to 100$ bonus on first deposit (20% bonus)
PP25EXTRA for $25 on First Deposit

(feel free to sign up and play with play money first)

Quick, Reliable - a joy to operate and own.
At first the ten dollar price tag had me skeptical about the quality of this product. However, after giving it a try, I can honestly say that it was the best ten dollars I've ever spent! With this magnificent little machine, you can shuffle twice as fast as the professionals, and up to five times more efficiently. I've tried some of the larger, embellished, knock you off your feet pricey card shufflers, and they hardly stand up. I mean, I want to shuffle cards, not admire the wood and steel ornamentation. Trust me: I've tried the rest, and this is the best. A bold claim, to be sure. Isn't it worth your money just to see what all the fuss is about?

Regards

Does not work as advertised
I was looking for a card shuffler to speed up the game play of poker and unfortunately resorted to buying this "automatic card shuffler." First of all, the construction of this card shuffler is far from durable: the entire shuffler is made of plastic. Even with the flimbsy plastic construction, I would be willing to give this item a positive rating considering the low price; however, one fact which simply cannot be overlooked is that this so-called automatic card shuffler simply does not work. When you press the shuffle button, the cards either get stuck, bounce up and down, fly off the machine, or occassionally get feed to the center tray (where the cards should always end up). In addition, the shuffler is very noisy when operated. You can try buying this item (with the low price, most can certainly afford to) but it's not worth it...

There are better shufflers out there
A card shuffler is a wonderful thing to have, I would never be without one again. We owned a 7 year old card shuffler that we loved and gave many to friends as a gift. This shuffler we bought as a gift, but were very disappointed to see how it worked. First it is extremely noisy, cannot carry on a conversation while shuffling. Secondly, the card tray is difficult to pull out over the shuffle button. If you are willing to spend more on an awesome shuffler, I would recommend Excalibur. They have a deluxe edition that has wooden sides. It is heavy weight, smooth and quiet. It's a pure joy to operate. ... Read more