# Pairs

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2014
- **BGG Rating**: 6.3
- **BGG Rank**: #3820
- **Players**: 2-8 (Best with: 5)
- **Duration**: 15 min
- **Weight**: 1.13 / 5
- **Designers**: Heinrich Glumpler, James Ernest, Paul Peterson
- **Artists**: Andrew Kolb, Anna Steinbauer, Annika Maar, BJ Becker, Brett Bean, Brian Snoddy, Cheyenne Wright, Djamila Knopf, Echo Chernik, Ferran Criado, James Ernest, John Kovalic, Kaja Foglio, Luisa Preißler, Macoto Tanaka, Markus Wagner, Matthias Rothenaicher, Mutsumi Hagiiwa, Nadine Schäkel, Nate Taylor (II), Pete Venters, Phil Foglio, Reuno, Shane Tyree, TANSAN Inc., Tia Rambaran, Val Mayerik
- **Publishers**: Cheapass Games, AMIGO, Breaking Games, Digital Eel, Hobby World, Origames, Primigenio, Superlude Éditions, テンデイズゲームズ (TendaysGames), Truant Spiele
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Push Your Luck, Score-and-Reset Game, Single Loser Game

## Verdict
If you enjoy quick games where luck and nerve go hand-in-hand, Pairs is for you! It's that game to break the ice or liven up a round without any fuss.Quick and tense decisionsEasy to learn and teachGreat for large groupsSuper fast roundsHigh luck factorLittle strategic depthLosing can be frustratingRECOMMENDED

## Description
Forget the complicated stuff, this game is straightforward: in Pairs, the goal is the opposite of what the name suggests – you want to avoid making pairs!

The game comes with a special 55-card deck, where each number from 1 to 10 appears a number of times equal to its value (one 1, two 2s, three 3s, and so on, up to ten 10s). To start, shuffle everything, secretly remove five cards, and deal one card face-up to each player. Whoever receives the lowest card goes first.

This player has a tense choice: push their luck and ask for another card (take a 'hit') or pass their turn and get rid of an immediate problem. If they ask for another card and this new card doesn't match any they already have on the table, the turn passes to the next player. But, if luck is on their side and the card matches one they already have, the round ends right there! They take one of these matching cards as penalty points, everyone discards their cards, and a new round begins. If they decide not to risk it and pass their turn, the round also ends, but they accumulate the lowest-valued visible card on the table as a penalty.

These penalty points pile up, even if the deck is reshuffled. The game ends when someone exceeds a set point limit, and guess what? That person is the big loser of the game. It's a quick game, full of 'is it worth it?' decisions that can be played with many people, perfect for breaking the ice or for those who want something light and fun.

## FAQ
### How many players can play Pairs?
Pairs is super flexible, playable by 2 to 8 people. The more players, the more chaotic and fun it gets!

### How long does a game of Pairs take?
A game of Pairs is very quick, usually not exceeding 15 minutes. Perfect for those short on time or who want to play multiple rounds in a row.

### What is the complexity of Pairs?
The complexity is quite low. The rules are simple and easy to grasp, making it a great game to introduce new players to the world of board games.

### What comes in the box?
The main component is a 55-card deck with unique artwork and theme. There are no other complex components.

### Who is Pairs recommended for?
Recommended for families, groups of friends looking for a light and fast game, and for those who enjoy 'push your luck' mechanics.

### Is there a specific recommended version?
The core mechanic is the same across all Cheapass Games versions. The choice between them usually comes down to preference for the art and theme.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 5.53 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=639521&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 8.38 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1434834&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 11.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6915943&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/13233/pairs?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com