Its getting a bit dicey, set phase-rs to kill!

Day 21 - Phase 10 Dice
Designed by Garrett J. Donner and Michael S. Steer

Two days of Phase 10 back to back. I am borrowing the Phase 10 games, and would like to return them this weekend, and I thought it would be nice to review these games close together for comparison purposes. I love dice. I have a little collection of them, and I love dice games. There is something about rolling these little cubes that brings joy to the soul. Phase 10 Dice is not a bad dice game, but I personally like the card game better. I feel that the dice game has a bit of a flaw with regards to its scoring system, but I am getting ahead of myself.

Phase 10 Dice comes with 10 dice (surprise surprise), a scoring pad, and instructions. Basically Phase 10 Dice is similar to a sequential Yahtzee in a lot of ways. You can roll the dice three times, choosing to keep certain dice out of the roll (bringing them back in if you desire the next roll) trying to complete the phase you are currently one. There are 6 dice with numbers 5,6,7,8,9,and 10 on them, and the other 4 dice have 1,2,3,4, and W (wild). I feel that this is where the dice game has one of its flaws as well. It just doesn't carry over as well from the card game because you are limited on the numbers available to you. This does give the game a different perspective in its own right, because you have to plan ahead with what dice you are given. Each player scores points with the dice that make up the required phase (example; playing 2 sets of 3, you would only score 6 die). Points are equal to the number with wilds being zero points. So, wilds can help you progress to the next phase, but will lower your score. Again, I don't particularly like the scoring with the limited dice, but the game is a fun quick dice game.

The Wife successfully won tonight's Phase 10 game as well. Looks like I have some catching up to do on the scoreboard. And as a friend so nicely pointed out, it looks like Sauron is the only one with a winning record. Hopefully we can change that soon enough and that is How Lou Sees It.

Set Phase-rs to Stun

Day 20 - Phase 10
Designed by Kenneth Johnson

Whether it's collecting 2 sets of 3 or a run of 4 this game usually gets some high 5s. The object of the game is to work through the 10 phases and to be first to complete the 10th phase. Each round, each player is trying to achieve the phase that they are currently on. When a player is able to lay down his/her phase, he is able to lay down those cards and lay down on other cards on the table (choosing to continue someone's run or set). The player who can lay all of their cards first, ends the round. Everyone scores points for the cards remaining in their hand (if there is a tie at the end of the game, the person with the lowest score wins), and the cards are reshuffled and dealt again. If you did not complete your phase that round, you are still on that phase the next round. This is one of the most frustrating games because of that concept, but the fact is...the game is a classic. Five Crowns is a similar game in regards that you try to collect sets and runs, but in that game you are not stuck on one phase etc. Phase 10 is a fun card game, and great as a party game as well. The Wife stunned me on the phase 3 for a while and I wasn't able to catch up to her after that. She was also able to score a lot less points than myself (245 to 90) as well. This game will live long and prosper and that is How Lou Sees It.