Minimum Age: 12 years Rating: Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
		<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Really-Nasty-Horse-Racing-Game/dp/B00006G8E7%3FSubscriptionId%3D1BQY5B8C46HW7T34E882%26tag%3Dtoysshopper-21%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00006G8E7"><img border="0" src="http://www.toys-shopper.com/images/view_details.gif" alt="View Really Nasty Horse Racing Game details at Amazon"></a>

The game comes complete with all pieces needed to play--horses and jockeys, lane cards, Really Nasty cards, a riderless horse to create more havoc and the usual dice, pencil and money. The object of the game is to win the most money at the race meeting and this can be done in one of two ways. Firstly, by getting your horse placed first, second or third in the race and secondly, by placing bets on winning horses.

So, how does the game go? Each player gets a number of Really Nasty cards, £20,000 cash and of course, the betting slip. The game lasts for a race meeting of six races. Each player gets six horses, one for each race. The horses are graded 1 to 6--1 being the best horse and 6 being the worst horse. Before racing starts each owner has to decide which race each horse will run. There are other matters too, such as working out the betting odds, and lots of shady dealings will likely ensue.

The elected bookmaker controls the game--lane placings are drawn before each race, and the horse that draws the inside lane starts. Movement is decided by a throw of the dice--one length forward for one, two lengths for two and so on. There are rules that control the manner of racing as well, such as changing lanes, cornering and blocking, plus the special Early Pace, Quicken Up and Finish Well sections that give extra momentum for your horse. There is also a set of mischief cards to help you create havoc with the other horses and riders in the race.

This game really is brilliant--it lets you bow to your worst instincts without any apologies. Great fun for get togethers. --Ben King



Customer Reviews

Destined to be a classic Posted 22 July 2008
Destined to be a classic? For many it already is. I've been playing this for nearly twenty years now and it never disappoints. It's certainly not a quick game but accompanied with wine and a decent 'lunch' it will easily keep 6 adults entertained for the best part of an evening.

Newcomers to the game probably find it a little slow at first; the rules can appear complex (although they're soon grasped) but it takes a while to build up a sense of the strategy required to win big, not least because regular players know to hang back with their 'nasty' cards until the later stages when the stakes are considerably higher.

This is the most sociable board game I know, a true original; considerably more sophisticated than Monopoly and similar 'standards' and always a real pleasure to have out. I can only echo the comments of an earlier reviewer though who said that this current product doesn't do the game justice; the original may have been expensive but the substantial contents of the box were reason enough. if I were giving stars for the quality of this set it'd probably get two, but for the game itself five is not nearly enough.



Played once and now definitely in my top 5 games. Posted 01 March 2008
This is a simple game to learn but has real depth. The balance of random chance and skill is exactly right, and tactics, psychology and bluff all play a part. A major aspect is that the prize money can take second place to what you stand to win by betting on someone else. Watch your opponents' faces as you make your own horse fall at the last fence after seeming an easy winner. Most of all, it's FUN FUN FUN!
Six pencils and solid pieces would have been better, but this is a game we will be playing a lot.

My kids love this game. Posted 14 January 2008
I bought this game at Christmas and we have played it as a family three times now. The first time involved a lot of looking at the rules but we completed it after 2 hours. Subsequent games have taken just over an hour.
I recommend the game because everyone is involved from the start to the end. No-one has to drop out at any point in the game. True it can cause your nearest and dearest to 'nobble you' and my youngest can get quite upset when he falls at the last. I prefer this game to Monopoly which goes on too long and can end up being played between only 2 players.

an excellent game Posted 04 January 2008
We got this game for christmas and it's fabulous, most definately now our favourite. First time you play there seem like a lot of rules but they are easy to pick up and very easy to follow on all subsequent plays.

Great fun family game Posted 28 December 2007
I first played this game at a friend's house 1999 - she had been raving abut it for a while, and she was right to!

I bought it about 4 years ago, and tend to play it at Christmas time when all the family are together. Some people have commented that it may take a while to learn the rules, but wouldn't really agree with this. The rules are simple, but it may take a few goes to work out which strategies work best for you, and you may need to refer to the rules when playing certain cards, like the "Photo Finish" card.

It's a great game for a wide range of ages, but probably better for a mixed age range rather than a group of kids - at least until they have played a few times.

I like the way the game is played in rounds, so it doesn't take ages to play, and doesn't require too much concentration - it's easy to stop and start.

Personally I think this game will become a classic - we've been playing it for a few years and still love it. The only think I think could be improved is the playing pieces - they are a bit plastic and flimsy, I'd prefer something a bit more solid.



It really does bring out the devious side in otherwise mild mannered friends!