Camel Up
- Players
- 2-8
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.5 / 5
- Year
- 2014
About the game
Camel Up is a lighthearted betting game where up to eight players wager on which of five racing camels will finish first and second in a chaotic dash around a pyramid track. Camels can stack on top of each other and get carried along for the ride, and the unpredictable pyramid dice shaker reveals movement one die at a time, keeping everyone guessing until the last moment. Players place betting cards each leg and can use oasis tiles to influence camel movement for extra coin. A Spiel des Jahres winner, it's a fast, social game of prediction and luck that thrives with a full table.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team loves Camel Up for how much joyful chaos its simple betting-and-dice mechanics generate: the camel stacking mechanic in particular leads to constant table-wide gasps and laughter. Its scalability up to eight players makes it a fantastic choice for larger groups and parties. There's little strategic depth beyond reading the odds, but that's exactly its charm as a social, luck-driven game. Its Spiel des Jahres win cemented it as a modern party classic.
What we like
- Supports up to eight players, making it great for large groups.
- Camel-stacking mechanic creates constant surprises and laughter.
- Simple betting rules are easy to teach to any age group.
- Spiel des Jahres-winning design with broad social appeal.
Keep in mind
- Heavy luck factor limits strategic control over outcomes.
- Limited depth for players seeking more calculated decision-making.
- Pyramid dice shaker component can be an added cost or point of failure.
Who it's for
Perfect for parties and family gatherings, ages 8+, supporting up to 8 players who enjoy light betting and unpredictable, social gameplay.
