Enjoy the Parade

Look at that grin

The game has a laughably  pasted on Alice in Wonderland theme but the game play more than makes up for it. Cards are numbered 0-10 in 6 different colors (Alice in Wonderland characters).

Game Set Up

Game play is equally simple. On your turn you play a card from your hand to the end of the parade and count cards from the end of the parade towards the front of the parade equal to the number of the card that you played. These cards are considered “safe” and will not be captured this turn. All other cards out of the safe zone are captured if the color matches the card played or if the number is equal to or less than the card played. You place the claimed cards face up in front of you in matching color stacks.

3 Safe Cards, 4 Cards can be claimed

The Green 4 and the Purple 3 are claimed by the Green 3

6 Cards in the Safe Zone. 0 Cards claimed

The first wrinkle is that points are BAD in this game.
The second, and more fascinating wrinkle, is that the cards score differently if you have the color majority or are tied for the  color majority.  Instead of scoring the point values printed on the card, you score only 1 point for each card you have in a color if you have the most cards of that color. 

End of game scoring before majorities

The game end triggers when a player collects all 6 colors or the deck runs out of cards. Each player then plays one more round, ending with 4 cards in hand. Next, all players discard 2 cards and play their final 2 cards to their face up piles at the same time. This small end game trick just adds to the awesomeness of Parade and adds some nice tension.

• 10 – Outstanding. Always want to play, expect this will never change.
• 9 – Excellent. Always want to play.
• 8 – Very good. Like to play, will probably suggest it, will never turn it down.
• 7 – Good. Usually willing to play.
• 6 – Fair. Some fun or challenge at least, will play occasionally if in the right mood.
• 5 – Average. No significant appeal, take it or leave it.
• 4 – Below average. Slightly boring, could be talked into it on occasion.
• 3 – Poor. Likely won’t play this again although could be convinced.
• 2 – Very poor. Annoying, I plan to never play this again.
• 1 – Defies description of a game. You won’t catch me dead playing this. Clearly broken.