6.4
rating
Ludopedia
6.1
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Looking for a quick game to get everyone thinking and acting simultaneously? Pick-a-Dog is the right choice! It's pure adrenaline and pattern recognition that gets your head spinning.
Highlights
- Speed and quick thinking
- Easy to learn and play
- Great for lively groups
- Combines with Pick-a-Pig
Keep in mind
- Can be chaotic at first
- Mistakes are costly
- Visuals might be simple
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for a crazy dog race (or pig race, if you have the other game!) in Pick-a-Dog! The idea here is simple: a bunch of cards with five different attributes (size, color, arms, sunglasses, popcorn) are spread out in a grid. Each player gets a secret card, and when the "GO!" is called, the madness begins. You have to grab cards from the table and stack them in your hand, but with one crucial rule: the card you grab must be identical to the last one you placed in your stack, or differ from it in ONLY ONE attribute. Sounds easy? Think again! As you add cards, the top card's attributes change, forcing you to look for new patterns and act fast. It's a high-speed pattern recognition game where mental agility and quick hands are key. When you think you can't grab any more cards, you yell "STOP!". Then comes the moment of truth: if you grabbed any card incorrectly, you lose everything you collected that round. If you stopped correctly, you get a bonus. But beware: if you stopped too early and could still have grabbed more cards, guess what? You lose everything too! The goal is to accumulate the most cards. With quick 15-minute rounds and the possibility to play solo or with up to 5 players (or 8 if combined with Pick-a-Pig), it's perfect for livening up any gathering or for a quick brain workout.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
OK
2
REC
3
BEST
4
BEST
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
999 Games, AURUM, Inc., Eagle-Gryphon Games, Granna, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, HomoLudicus, IELLO, Jolly Thinkers, Kikigagne?, Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd, Mercurio, Rexhry, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd., Zhiyanjia
Designer
Torsten Landsvogt
Artist
Ari Wong
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for Pick-a-Dog?
A game of Pick-a-Dog lasts about 15 minutes, making it super fast and dynamic!
How many people can play Pick-a-Dog?
The base game is for 2 to 5 players. If you combine it with Pick-a-Pig, up to 8 people can play!
Is Pick-a-Dog a game for children?
Yes! It's classified as a children's and party game, with simple rules that kids can grasp quickly, but the real-time challenge appeals to everyone.
Do I need to know English to play?
No! The game has very little text on the cards, making it fully accessible even if you don't speak English.
What happens if I pick the wrong card?
If you pick a card that doesn't follow the rule (identical or differing in only one attribute), and you're caught making a mistake, you lose all the cards you collected that round.
Is it worth buying both Pick-a-Dog and Pick-a-Pig?
If you enjoy this type of fast-paced pattern recognition game, buying both can be fun to increase the player count and variety.
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