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Official Camel Up Rules
Camel Up (also known as Camel Cup) is a betting game where players wager on the outcome of a camel race. The game involves a mix of strategy and luck, and the goal is to earn the most money by correctly betting on which camels will win or lose the race.
Objective
The goal of Camel Up is to earn the most money by correctly betting on which camel will win or lose the race, and by making the best use of the Desert Tiles. Players make predictions, place bets, and use strategic actions to influence the outcome.
Setup
Game Components:
Camel Figures: 5 camels in different colors (blue, yellow, red, green, white).
Camel Dice: Each camel has a die with colors matching the camels.
Desert Tiles: 8 tiles, each with special effects (e.g., moving camels forward or backward).
Betting Cards: Cards used to place bets on the winning and losing camels.
Winning and Losing Tokens: Tokens for predicting which camel will win or lose the race.
Money Tokens: For tracking earnings and spending.
Pyramid: A device used to randomly roll one die at a time.
Initial Setup:
Place the camel figures on the starting space of the Desert Track.
Shuffle and place the Desert Tiles in a row on the Desert Track. This row will be used to determine the positions and effects of the tiles.
Place the pyramid in the center of the table, ensuring that it is ready to release dice.
Distribute Money Tokens to each player according to the rules (usually an equal amount to start with).
Each player receives Betting Cards (one for each camel) and Winning/Losing Tokens.
Gameplay
1. Pyramid Phase
Roll Dice: At the start of each round, one player shakes the pyramid and a die is randomly released. The color of the die indicates which camel moves forward. Move the corresponding camel forward by the number shown on the die (1-3 spaces).
2. Action Phase
On their turn, a player can choose one of the following actions:
Place a Bet:
Bet on Winning: Use a Betting Card to bet on which camel will win the race. Place your Betting Card face down on the appropriate space.
Bet on Losing: Use a Betting Card to bet on which camel will lose the race. Place your Betting Card face down on the appropriate space.
Players can place these bets at any time, but the timing of bets can influence the payout. Betting on a camel early might yield higher rewards if the camel wins, but the odds might change as the race progresses.
Place a Desert Tile:
Select a Tile: Draw a Desert Tile from the stack.
Place the Tile: Choose a space on the Desert Track to place the tile. The tile’s effect will be applied immediately.
Desert Tiles can have various effects:
Move Forward: A camel that lands on this tile moves forward.
Move Backward: A camel that lands on this tile moves backward.
Block Movement: A camel that lands on this tile stops moving until the tile is removed or a specific condition is met.
Take a Money Token:
Draw a Token: Draw a Money Token from the bank. The value of the token will be determined by the bank's draw mechanism.
3. Event Phase
Check for Bonuses: After each die roll, check if any camel has reached a space with a bonus or penalty effect from the Desert Tiles. Apply any effects immediately.
4. End of Round
Prepare for Next Round: Reset the pyramid and prepare for the next round. If a camel has crossed the finish line, the game checks for victory conditions.
Winning the Game
Winning: The game ends when a camel crosses the finish line. Each player’s bets are evaluated:
Winning Bets: Players who correctly predicted the winning camel receive money based on the odds and timing of their bet.
Losing Bets: Players who correctly predicted the losing camel receive money based on the odds and timing of their bet.
Tile Effects: The player who placed the winning Desert Tile may also receive bonuses.
Losing: Players who placed incorrect bets or failed to manage their money effectively will have less money at the end of the game.
Strategy
Strategic Betting: Analyze the current race situation and bet on camels that you believe have a better chance of winning or losing based on their position and the Desert Tiles.
Tile Placement: Use Desert Tiles strategically to hinder other players or aid your own bets. Place tiles that will impact the camels in favor of your predictions.
Money Management: Balance your betting with collecting Money Tokens to maximize your earnings and manage your resources effectively.
While keeping the same excitement as the board game, the card game experience gives players a little bit more insight and control on the race.
