Tulip Bubble
- Players
- 3-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 70 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 15+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.4 / 5
- Year
- 2015
About the game
Set in 1637 Amsterdam during the height of the tulip mania, Tulip Bubble puts 3-5 players in the shoes of speculators buying and selling coveted bulb varieties on a wildly fluctuating market. Across recurring preparation, buying, and selling phases, you'll draft contracts, corner commodities, and try to read the market before the bubble bursts. Quick thinking and nerve are rewarded as prices swing dramatically with each round. The game can end abruptly if someone buys the rare black tulip for 120 guilders before the crash, or when the whole market collapses. It's a tense economic push-your-luck experience wrapped in a fascinating slice of financial history.
Hobbli's Notes
Tulip Bubble nails the theme of speculative bubbles better than most economic games we've tried, the constant tension of not knowing when the market will collapse keeps everyone leaning forward. The auction and bidding elements add a nice layer of reading your opponents. That said, at medium-high complexity with real downtime between turns, it can feel slower than its 70-minute box time suggests with a full table. It rewards players who enjoy market and speculation games rather than direct conflict.
What we like
- Strong, well-realized economic theme around real historical events.
- Auction and commodity speculation mechanics create tense decision-making.
- Set collection and contract elements add strategic depth.
- Rounds can end unpredictably, keeping tension high throughout.
Keep in mind
- Higher downtime grade means waiting between turns can drag with a full table.
- Market swings may feel opaque or lucky to newer players.
- Historical theme won't appeal to players wanting direct conflict.
Who it's for
Best suited to adult and teen fans of economic and auction games who enjoy market speculation; ideal for 3-5 players who don't mind moderate downtime while others take their turns.
