Edel, Stein & Reich

Edel, Stein & Reich

BluffingCard GameNegotiation
Players
3-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
4 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
60 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
9+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
2.1 / 5
Year
2003

About the game

A bluffing and negotiation card game for 3-5 players who play as directors of a gem-trading house competing across three phases to accumulate the most money. Each round, players secretly choose one of several actions, expanding their gemstone supply, playing an Event Card, or claiming currently offered cash, but only those who pick an action nobody else chose succeed without interference. Reading opponents' intentions is key to winning, since duplicated choices are penalized. Part of the acclaimed Alea small-box series, it's a re-implementation of the earlier game Basari.

Hobbli's Notes

Edel, Stein & Reich is a tight, clever simultaneous-selection game where correctly predicting your opponents matters more than raw luck or heavy strategy. As an Alea small-box title, it inherits that series' reputation for smart, compact game design. At 60 minutes for a card game, it has real staying power thanks to the psychological read-your-opponents tension. A great pick for groups who enjoy negotiation and bluffing over pure optimization.

What we like

  • Clever simultaneous-action selection creates constant psychological tension.
  • Part of the well-regarded Alea small-box series.
  • Quick to teach with meaningful decisions each round.
  • Good replayability due to opponent-reading dynamics.

Keep in mind

  • No player elimination safety net if you consistently guess wrong.
  • Requires at least 3 players, so it won't work for two-player groups.
  • Older release (2003) with a dated art style.

Who it's for

Good for 3-5 players aged 10+ who enjoy bluffing, negotiation, and simultaneous-selection card games.

Mechanics

Set CollectionSimultaneous Action Selection

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