Comments on: The Five Greatest Financial Board Games #1: Puerto Rico

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:47:50 +0000

Here is one that you may not have thought of: Axis & Allies. Yes it is a “war” game, but you do have to decided how to spend the “war chest” on men, tanks, bombers, or R&D (a little risky). Each “country” has is own advantages and dis-advantages. It makes more sense for the USSR to buy men (cheap) than the US (transport issue for US). It makes more sense for US to by bombers and invest in some R&D for jet power and heavy bombers. And sometimes it makes sense to hold back some money until the next turn. And of course the amount of money you get each turn depends on the amount of “territories” you control on the board. Of course it is a strategy game that usually last for many hours too…It will easily beat monopoly if you are looking for something to occupy a large block of time. Definitely somewhat slow (though you can plan your next move while other players are taking their turn). Also there is the art of negotiation with your allies. Do you make a sacrificial attack for their sake, or betray them (going back on a promise of support) to better your own position.

By: rodgerlvu

rodgerlvu — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:51:09 +0000

I’ve played this game! I really like it! I totally agree that it forces you to look at the whole economy and gaming the market prices.

By: Jeremy W.

Jeremy W. — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:05:43 +0000

Hey Trent, I haven’t been back in a while, but I just want to say thanks for introducing me to Euro games. It was about a year ago when I recall you first posting about ticket to ride, I now have that, Carcassonne and a new one, Stone Age. I throughly enjoy the social and mind stimulating fun that I get from playing these games both with other friends and just 1 on 1 with my wife. much better than watching TV.

I’m wanting to add Puerto Rico to my collection, but wasn’t sure how similar it was to Stone Age.

By: xashruak

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By: Fritz

Fritz — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:32:02 +0000

If they reinstate the draft, the administration will be forced to relearn the painful lessons they learned in the 70’s:

1) Their war is not as popular as they thought.
2) The influx of reluctant draftees will sap morale and produce unrest at home
3) Dispirited short-timers make lousy soldiers in an era of warfare that demands technical competence and a high degree of training to use its modern weapons effectively

By: jeff eccleston

jeff eccleston — Fri, 25 May 2007 13:03:46 +0000

Hey Nemo:
I like that idea. That’s nice and cheap way to fund the war. I would also recommend getting the people to realize that these people want nothing more than wiping us out and then start a draft and send about a 2 million man army over there and take out the whole area starting with the Saudis, but alas we lack the will and American pride to do this. I guess this would make a good board game sorry about being off topic.

By: nemoforone

nemoforone — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:33:24 +0000

What about the possibility of pulling out of Iraq, letting Iran invade and lose resources fighting their own kind,
and then come in and mop up the dregs?

By: J.D. @ Get Rich Slowly

J.D. @ Get Rich Slowly — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 01:25:54 +0000

Man, I must have got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I re-read my comment and it sounds WAY more harsh than I had intended. I am baffled by the choice, though. But not in an aggressive way! :)

By: Trent

Trent — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 23:27:39 +0000

Puerto Rico was a pretty clear #1 to me. It’s a pretty accurate depiction of the ebb and flow of a local economy in several different ways.

By: J.D. @ Get Rich Slowly

J.D. @ Get Rich Slowly — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:06:06 +0000

Puerto Rico? Give me a break. This isn’t a financial game in any sense of the word. It has financial trappings, it’s true, but those are incidental. This game doesn’t reward sound finacial strategies. It rewards those that learn to game the system. I’m not saying it’s a bad game (most people love it, though I don’t). I’m just saying it’s a baffling choice for top financial game. It’s more like #76. Any of the many stocks and bonds type games would have been better choices.

By: coldfoot

coldfoot — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 05:44:26 +0000

A refreshing choice. I figured Acquire would be #1 and Settlers of Catan #2, but I won’t quibble with your top 3 choices. I’ve never thought of Puerto Rico as a financial game, but I guess it does loosely meet that criteria.

After seeing Life on the list, I must admit that I was monitoring your picks as if I was seeing a train wreck first hand. I’m glad to see a knowledgeable gamer was writing the list.

Have a Merry Christmas.

By: Yehuda Berlinger

Yehuda Berlinger — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 15:41:53 +0000

*shakes his head*

I so agree with your top 3, that I’m still dazed as to numbers 4 and 5.

Power Grid, Age of Steam, or 1830 would be such better choices for those.

Yehuda

By: Becca

Becca — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 03:41:43 +0000

I had no idea you were into board games! I’d recommend Vegas Showdown (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/15364) as another great financial board game.

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 20:11:37 +0000

I’ve played this game! I really like it! I totally agree that it forces you to look at the whole economy and gaming the market prices.

By: Chris Farrell

Chris Farrell — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 18:06:01 +0000

I have to say, I think you’ve picked some great financial games, and some great games (Modern Art particularly was a terrific pick). But you lost me on this one, I’m afraid. Puerto Rico is a great game, one of the best in recent times, but I’m not convinced of its financial credentials. Cash management is an important element of Puerto Rico, as you note, but cash management is a key element of so many modern games, Puerto Rico isn’t particularly notable in that respect.

I think Puerto Rico’s problem for me is that too few of the game mechanics actually model anything. You say its good to game the market, but Puerto Rico’s market doesn’t give you any insight into why that’s good or how you would go about doing it.

Never mind that gaming the market and bribing the right person is in most cases illegal.

But, even though I’m not sold on Puerto Rico, I think you made some excellent choices (my fellow-gamers will deride the Monopoly and Game of Life picks I’m sure, but the way you presented them made sense to me).

Here are some other great business games:
Schoko & Co (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/57): this is a great game that models running a small business. You get to hire and fire people, bid on contracts, acquire raw materials, and manage accounts, in an accessible and fun package. One of the best business games ever made, but sadly out of print.

Power Grid (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2651): Build a network to supply power, manage your power plants, buy the fuel on the market, and balance your finances between raw materials acquisition, building new plants and expanding transmission lines.

1825 (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/937): Invest in the railroads in the early days of British development. Manage your portfolio, watch for opportunities, and learn about limited liability. 1825 is part of a large series of similar games, but I feel 1825 is the best one for the casual gamer as well as the one that’s on by far the best fundamental financial footing.

Pit: If you want to be a successful commodities trader, you have to be loud, aggressive, and fast!

Buy Low, Sell High (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/146): Most financial management is based on managing risks. This short, simple, clever, and quick game can teach you to build a sensible portfolio.