Paydirt
(Self-Published), The Avalon Hill Game Co, Sports Illustrated · Board game · 1970
1–2 · best 2
Solo
60–90 min
Weight 2.3/5
Buy
—
rating
Ludopedia
7.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
If you're an American football fan who enjoys detailed simulations with a retro flair, Paydirt is a must-have! It's a game that makes you think about stats and strategy, perfect for those who love reliving the NFL of yesteryear.
Highlights
- Deep sports simulation
- Accurate team charts
- Solo and two-player experience
- Active fan community
Keep in mind
- Minimal language dependency
- Moderate complexity
- Original edition limited
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready to feel the adrenaline of American football with Paydirt, a 1970 classic that puts you in command of NFL teams! Originally released as Sports Illustrated Pro Football, this game was created by mathematician Dr. Thomas R. Nicely, who used statistics to develop team charts that faithfully reflected each team's strengths and weaknesses. The idea is for you to simulate games with impressive accuracy, using dice rolls to determine the game's progression.
The original game came with teams from that era, but the beauty of Paydirt lies in its expandability. Over the years, fans and creators have released team charts from various eras, keeping the spirit of sports simulation alive. Despite changes in publishers, from Time, Inc. to Avalon Hill and then its absorption by Hasbro, the passion for the game persisted. After Avalon Hill ceased operations, Dr. Nicely regained the rights and allowed fans like Matt Floray to continue producing updated and past-era charts before his own passing in 2011. Today, the fan community keeps this tradition going.
Paydirt is a game that appeals to those who enjoy detailed sports simulations and aren't intimidated by a bit of complexity. The language dependency is minimal, making it accessible to players from different backgrounds. If you like diving into statistics and reliving historic American football moments, this game is for you. It offers a rich experience for both solo play and intense duels between two enthusiasts.
The original game came with teams from that era, but the beauty of Paydirt lies in its expandability. Over the years, fans and creators have released team charts from various eras, keeping the spirit of sports simulation alive. Despite changes in publishers, from Time, Inc. to Avalon Hill and then its absorption by Hasbro, the passion for the game persisted. After Avalon Hill ceased operations, Dr. Nicely regained the rights and allowed fans like Matt Floray to continue producing updated and past-era charts before his own passing in 2011. Today, the fan community keeps this tradition going.
Paydirt is a game that appeals to those who enjoy detailed sports simulations and aren't intimidated by a bit of complexity. The language dependency is minimal, making it accessible to players from different backgrounds. If you like diving into statistics and reliving historic American football moments, this game is for you. It offers a rich experience for both solo play and intense duels between two enthusiasts.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Self-Published), The Avalon Hill Game Co, Sports Illustrated
Designer
David S. Neft, Dr. Thomas Nicely
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1,003owners
62wishlist
26want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play Paydirt?
Paydirt is a versatile game that can be played by 1 or 2 players. It offers a great experience for those who want to simulate games solo as well as for duels between friends.
How long does a game of Paydirt take?
A game of Paydirt typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the players' familiarity with the rules and how quickly plays are resolved.
What is the complexity of Paydirt?
Paydirt has a medium weight, with a BGG rating of around 2.25 out of 5. It offers a detailed simulation, but the rules are accessible, especially with the help of fans who have created additional materials.
Does Paydirt require a lot of English knowledge?
The language dependency in Paydirt is considered low. The main text is on the team charts, which are statistical, and the rules are relatively simple to memorize after a few games.
What is Paydirt exactly about?
Paydirt is an American football simulation. You use dice and NFL team charts to simulate games, focusing on the statistics and strategies that make the sport so popular.
Are there expansions or additional teams for Paydirt?
Yes! Although the base game comes with teams from its release era, the fan community has created and made available team charts from various NFL eras, allowing for significant expansion of the experience.
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