By: Eggertspiele Players: 3-8 Ages: 8+ Time: 30-45 mins
You’re off to the races! But not to see boring old horses or greyhounds. Instead, you get to witness the exciting sport of camel racing!
As members of Egyptian high society, players gather in the desert and use their instincts and intuition to bet on which camel will win them the most money.
The 2018 edition introduces a new game board design and new game modes, including crazy rogue camels that add unpredictability and excitement to the game.
Things can go topsy-turvy at any time though. Literally. Camels can pile up and whole pyramids take a tumble in what could possibly be the craziest race of all time!
About Camel Up Board Game
Camel Up was originally released back in 2014 by Pegasus Spiele and was designed by Dennis Lohausen. The game centers around players making bets on a camel race in a desert, with the player making the most money winning the game. With its mechanics, concept, and entertainment value, the game managed to score the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award the same year it was released. It was so well received a sequel was released in 2015 allowing up to 10 players to take part, with a mobile app version of the game following soon after.
A second edition of the game was released a few years later in 2018, offering revised rules and brand new artwork, along with new features such as engraved dice and a new pyramid design. Off Season in 2021, a standalone auction game in the Camel Up universe.
Set-Up Camel Up Board Game
The game is played on a board decorated with colorful tents and a circular racetrack surrounding a pyramid. Betting tickets and pyramid tickets are placed in their respective areas on the board and players start the game with three Egyptian pounds to bet with, with the rest being put aside in the ‘Bank’. To determine the starting position of each camel, their corresponding-coloured dice are rolled, and the results dictate which numbered space on the board they’re placed. Throughout the game, camels will occasionally land on the same space as each other. If this happens, they’re stacked vertically and when starting out the game this is no different, which means more than one camel may start on the same space. There are five racing camels which will travel around the board in a clockwise direction, and two ‘crazy camels’ that will go counterclockwise. Once all camels are set, players collect their spectator and finish cards, the dice are dropped into the pyramid dice shaker, which is then placed on the board and the game can begin.
Players pause to see the dice come out of the pyramid dice shaker, releasing one die at a time to track the movement of the camels.
How To Play Camel Up Board Game
In Camel Up, players will bet on five racing camels around the track trying to win as much money as possible. Throughout the game, players will place bets and move camels, relying on luck and intuition to maximize their winnings. The game is made up of several ‘Legs’. A Leg ends when five dice have been revealed from the pyramid (more on this later) after which scoring takes place. There will be several Legs in a game, and the game is only truly over once a camel crosses the finish line.
The quick race around a pyramid adds an exciting and unpredictable element to the game, as players try to predict which camels will place first and second.
On a player’s turn, they may do one of four things:
Take a betting ticket
Place a spectator tile
Take a pyramid ticket to move a camel
Place a finish card and bet on the winner or loser
There are five different colored piles of betting tickets that represent each of the five racing camels. A player can take the top card from the pile representing the camel they want to back and hold onto it until the end of the Leg. There is no limit to the number of cards someone can have so players can do this as many times as they wish. These cards will dictate how many coins a player wins or loses at the end of a leg, based on where the camel they’re betting on is positioned.
Each player has access to a double-sided spectator card. This can be placed on an empty space on the racetrack as long as it’s not the very first space on the board or adjacent to another spectator card. These cards will have several effects on the race depending on whether the ‘cheering’ or ‘booing’ side is face up. If a camel lands on a card with the cheering side on display, that camel moves one more space forward and goes to the top of the stack if another camel occupies that space. If a camel lands on a card showing the booing side, it will instead move backwards one space and go to the bottom of the stack if there are any other camels present. The owner of the card will earn one Egyptian pound regardless of which side is showing and it’ll stay where it is until the end of the Leg. Placed tactfully, it’s a great way to earn some extra coins.
If a player decides to take a pyramid ticket, they then give the pyramid a shake and release one of the dice contained within. The dice dictate which camel moves and how many spaces. If it lands on a space with a camel then it jumps to the top of the stack. If there are camels stacked on top of the moving camel, they go along for a ride as well. This applies to the crazy camels too so if one of their dice drops from the pyramid they’ll move the number of spaces indicated, but in the opposite direction to the racers. If they have any camels on top of them, they’ll have to go backwards with it!
At any time, players can bet which camel they think will be the overall winner or loser. They can take the finish card matching the camel they want to bet on and place it on the overall winner or overall loser space on the board. Once this is done, it cannot be swapped and must stay there until the end of the game, even if you realized you did not guess correctly!
After five dice are revealed and a Leg ends, scoring is calculated. Players will gain or lose coins depending on the betting tickets a player possesses and the position the camels are in. Any player with a pyramid ticket will win a coin per ticket they possess. After this, tickets, dice and spectator cards are returned to prepare for the next Leg. When the first camel passes the finishing line, this ends the game which then triggers one final scoring round. Scoring commences like at the end of any Leg, but points are also tallied for the overall winner and loser cards. Whichever player ends the game with the most Egyptian Pounds is declared the winner.
Other Games in the Camel Up Series with new game modes
Camel Up has expanded into a notable series with several engaging editions and spin-offs alongside the original board game.
The 2018 edition introduced new game modes, including crazy rogue camels that start the race running in the opposite direction, adding an unpredictable and unconventional element to the game.
Camel Up: Off Season
Released in 2021, Camel Up: Off Season brings a fresh twist to the Camel Up universe by shifting the focus from racing to trading. In this stand-alone game, players act as merchants acquiring and selling goods between races. The game introduces a new strategic layer where players balance risk and reward while managing limited resources. Goods are stored in caravans, and players need to decide when to cash in their stockpile to maximize profits without overloading their storage. The familiar camel theme and vibrant artwork are retained, providing a visually appealing connection to the original game while delivering a distinct gameplay experience.
Camel Up: The Card Game
Camel Up: The Card Game offers a more compact and portable version of the racing excitement. Released in 2016, this game distills the essence of Camel Up into a card-based format, making it easier to set up and ideal for quick play sessions. The game retains the main mechanics of betting on racing camels but replaces the board and pyramid with a deck of cards and a unique dice-draw mechanism. Players still predict the outcome of the race and place bets accordingly, but the streamlined components make it perfect for travel or casual gaming.
The Camel Up series continues to captivate fans with its inventive expansions and adaptations, ensuring that both seasoned players and newcomers can enjoy the thrills of betting and racing in various exciting formats.
Summary
Entertaining gameplay
Colorful components
Straightforward rules
Heavily luck-based
Plenty of ways to score points
It can be played by up to eight players
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Final Verdict
Camel Up Board Game is a very entertaining game that isn’t overly complicated and plenty of fun for all ages. The components are well-designed and eye-catching, keeping younger players engaged, while the gameplay is easy for most to get to grips with. There’s a large degree of luck involved as you never know what dice will pop out of the pyramid, but that just adds to the fun and chaos of the game. With five racing camels trying to place first and second, there is still a degree of strategy that can be implemented, so players will need to plan their moves to a degree. The game offers plenty of ways to score and moments to calculate players’ progress. It’s a great game I’d always recommend just based on the concept alone, but the fact it plays so well makes it a must have.
We recommend Camel Up in our list of Board Games for 10 year olds. Check out the article for all our picks.
If You Liked This:
If you enjoyed camel racing and want more of the same, below are some similar games you’ll enjoy :
Flamme Rouge: A tactical bicycle racing game with each player controlling two cyclists. Use cunning and skill to cross the finish line first.
 Wits and Wagers: A party game full of guesstimates. Make educated guesses on all kinds of trivia questions to win as many chips as possible.
 Formula D: Take part in the turbulent world of Formula One racing. Players use all kinds of tricks like real drivers in order to be the first car over the finish line. Â
 Manila: Purchase and transport goods across the sea. Wager how likely they are to make it down the river, but fate is ultimately in the hands of the dice!
 Home Stretch: Buy your own stable of horses and race them at different courses. Bet on horses to win, place, or show and win big money!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Camel Up?
Camel Up is a family-friendly board game where players bet on camels racing around a track. The goal is to make the most money by betting accurately on the camels’ positions, both during the race and at its conclusion. The game is known for its simple yet engaging mechanics and high replayability.
How many people can play Camel Up with five racing camels?
Camel Up Board Game can be played by 2 to 8 players, making it a versatile game for both small gatherings and larger groups. The game scales well with different player counts, ensuring an enjoyable experience regardless of the number of participants.
How long does a game of Camel Up take?
A typical game of Camel Up lasts between 30 to 45 minutes. The duration can vary slightly depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the game rules.
Is Camel Up suitable for children?
Yes, Camel Up is suitable for children aged 8 and up. The game’s colorful components and straightforward rules make it accessible to younger players, while still providing enough strategic depth to keep adults entertained.
What expansions are available for Camel Up?
In addition to the original Camel Up game, several expansions and spin-offs are available, including Camel Up: Off Season and Camel Up: The Card Game. These games introduce new mechanics and themes, expanding the Camel Up universe.
Where can I buy Camel Up?
Camel Up is available at most major board game retailers, both online and in physical stores. Popular websites like Amazon, as well as specialized board game shops, often stock the game and its expansions.
Can Camel Up be played solo?
Camel Up is primarily designed for multiplayer gameplay and does not include official solo rules. However, some fans have created unofficial solo variants that can be found on board game community websites.
What awards has Camel Up won?
Camel Up has been widely recognized in the board gaming community and has won several prestigious awards, including the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2014. The game is praised for its innovative mechanics and accessibility.
How do you win in Camel Up using the pyramid dice shaker?
To win in Camel Up, players must accumulate the most Egyptian Pounds by the end of the game. This is achieved through successful betting on the racing camels, both for individual legs and the overall race outcome. Strategic betting and a bit of luck are key to coming out on top.
These questions and answers should help new and prospective players get a better understanding of Camel Up, enhancing their gaming experience and making informed decisions about purchasing and playing the game.