Bamboleo
Bamboleo Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 wooden game board
- About 25 wooden pieces
- 1 pedestal
- 1 cork ball
- These rules
Setup
The pedestal is placed in the middle of the table. Together, the players arrange the pieces on the board. If desired, pieces may also be stacked two at a time. The center of the board should be left clear, because the pieces in the middle are too easy to take. The cork ball is set in the hollow of the pedestal. The board must then be balanced on the ball, preferably by one of the players. With a bit of dexterity, and after 2 to 3 tries, this will pose no further problem. It is in fact much easier than it looks.
Note: it is even easier to arrange the pieces if you settle the final balance by slightly shifting the pieces before "letting go" of the board.
As soon as the board is balanced on the ball, play can begin.
Gameplay
Players take turns in clockwise order. The player with the shakiest hands begins, taking any piece of their choice without touching the board. The bolder players may take (after announcing it) a double piece (two pieces stacked one on top of the other).
To avoid excessive tilting, pieces must be removed very, very carefully.
Each player gets only one attempt on their turn.
Failed Attempt
If the board threatens to tip over during an attempt, the player may put the piece back. The player must then give up one piece already collected, but only if they have collected one. The forfeited piece is simply set down next to the pedestal. The next player then takes their turn.
If pieces fall off the board, or the whole board tips over, the game ends.
Passing
When a player does not dare take a piece, they may "pass." However, they must then give one of their own pieces to the next player who succeeds in collecting one. If several players pass in a row, each of them owes a piece to the first player who then succeeds in taking one.
If all players pass their turn one after another in sequence, the game stops.
End of the Game
A game ends when:
- The board falls, or pieces have fallen off it.
- All players have passed their turn one after another.
- The board is empty.
Scoring
The players lay the pieces they have collected in front of themselves. Each piece collected scores one point. The player who caused the board to fall must set aside 4 pieces before scoring. If that player collected fewer than 4 pieces during the round just played, the difference is deducted from their score as negative points.
Results are recorded after each round.
Winner and Overall Standings
After the first round is scored, a new round can begin. The player seated to the left of the first player of the previous round begins. Play continues until a player passes 20 points. That player is the winner. If several players have more than 20 points, the one with the most points wins.
Variants
Gravity and Lightness
If one of the players happens to own a letter scale or a kitchen scale, the pieces can be weighed after the game. The winner is the player who has collected the greatest weight in pieces. Here too, several games should be played (for example, up to 200 grams). If a player causes the board to fall, 40 grams are deducted from their total.
Bamboleo Double
Play in pairs. The two partners simultaneously each take a different piece. The first team to reach 20 points (or 200 grams) wins.
©1996, Edition Zoch GmbH. Author: Jacques Zeimet. Graphic design: Oliver Richtberg. French edition: Birgit Janka.