View source for Beer and pretzels game

{{Short description|Board game with few rules and high luck}}
A '''beer and pretzels game''' is any of a class of [[tabletop game]]s that are light on rules and strategy, feature a high amount of randomness and a light theme.<ref name=eurogames>{{cite book |last=Woods |first=Stewart |title=Eurogames: The Design, Culture and Play of Modern European Board Games |publisher=McFarland |date=August 16, 2012 |page=221 |isbn=978-0786467976}}</ref> This is in direct contrast to [[Eurogame|Eurogames]], which involve complex rules and emphasize strategy over randomness. The term was originally coined to describe relatively simple [[Wargaming|wargames]] that did not require extraordinary focus to play. The name was then adopted by [[gamer|gamers]] to mean casual, short and easy to play games in general. Examples of beer and pretzels games include ''[[Bohnanza]]'', ''[[Wizwar]]'' and ''Pit''.<ref name=tabletop>{{cite book |last=Costikyan |first=Greg |editor-last=Davidson |editor-first=Drew |title=Tabletop: Analog Game Design |publisher=lulu.com |date=August 12, 2011 |pages=179–185 |chapter=Boardgame Aesthetics |isbn=978-1257870608}}</ref>
== Characteristics ==
Beer and pretzels games vary greatly in [[wikt:theme|theme]] and [[gameplay]], but have a set of common characteristics. Rules are simple and generally explainable in just a few minutes, turns pass quickly and humor is common. Randomness, either in the form of cards or dice, is essential. Fortunes may revert quickly, and the game often ends suddenly and unexpectedly. Scoring requires very simple calculations.
From a design standpoint, beer and pretzels games are non-trivial to create. They need to have enough depth to encourage repeat play without a stiff learning curve, and need to be enjoyable in quick sessions.<ref name=tabletop />
== References ==
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[[Category:Game terminology]]
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