Bank or Bust

Alley Cat Games · Board game · 2026
2–6 15–20 min
rating Ludopedia
rating BGG
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rating Ludopedia
rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love the thrill of risking it all for a good score, Bank or Bust is for you! It's a fast-paced and tense 'push or stop' game.

Highlights
  • Pure risk excitement
  • Quick, tense decisions
  • Easy to learn and play
  • Scoring for runs
Keep in mind
  • Luck can be cruel
  • Risk of losing everything
  • Little strategic depth
FOR GENRE FANS
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About the game
Get ready to test your luck in Bank or Bust, an electrifying card game where the goal is to rack up the most points. Each turn, you decide: bank what you have or risk more? The gameplay is simple: you draw cards with values ranging from 2 to 99. If you decide to 'bank' your cards, they become points. But if you want more, you need to place the card in one of two rows: an ascending one (starting at 1) or a descending one (starting at 100). Watch out! If you can't fit the card into either row, you 'bust' and lose everything for that turn. The game rewards bravery: accumulating runs of 3, 4, or 5 cards in each row yields extra points, and whoever has the longest run in one of the rows at the end of the game gets a bonus. It's pure adrenaline and quick decisions to see who can achieve the highest score without busting the bank!
BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 OK
3 OK
4 OK
5 OK
6 OK
WHERE TO BUY
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Game details

Mechanics

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Admin: Upcoming Releases
Publisher Alley Cat Games
Designer Caezar Al-Jassar, Liam Collins
Artist Rory Muldoon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of the game?
The objective is to accumulate as many points as possible by deciding when to stop drawing cards and when to risk drawing more.
How do I score points?
You score points for the cards you 'bank' (keep). Extra points come from runs of 3, 4, or 5 cards in each row, and whoever has the longest run in a row gets a bonus.
What happens if I 'bust'?
If you cannot place a drawn card into either row (ascending or descending), you 'bust' and lose all points accumulated that turn.
How many players can participate?
Bank or Bust is for 2 to 6 players.
How long does a game take?
Games are quite fast, typically lasting between 15 and 20 minutes.
Is the game very complicated to learn?
No, the rules are quite simple and focus on the 'push your luck' mechanic, making it easy to pick up and play quickly.
Is it a game more focused on luck or strategy?
It's predominantly a 'push your luck' game, so luck plays a significant role, but the decision of when to stop or continue adds a tactical element.