Pick-a-Polar Bear

AURUM, Inc., Devir, Jolly Thinkers · Board game · 2013
6.0 Ludopedia 6.4 BGG 1–5 · best 3 Solo 10–15 min Weight 1.0/5
Buy · from US$ 8.78
6.0 rating Ludopedia
6.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A fast-paced visual reflex game, perfect for warming up a party!

Highlights
  • Frenetic and fun pace
  • Super simple rules
  • Great for groups
  • Ultra quick sessions
Keep in mind
  • Requires constant visual focus
  • Might be too chaotic for some
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get your reflexes ready and prepare the hearts (and stomachs) of these bears! Pick-a-Polar Bear is the kind of frenetic game you can play anywhere. The premise is almost a satirical ecological take: with global warming melting the ice, our polar friends have decided the best way to survive is to hunt canned fish and party hard. The goal is simple, but the execution is pure controlled chaos. To set up, you lay out 30 cards in a grid and each player receives one face-down card. Each card features five attributes that constantly change: the bear's size, whether it has a raised arm, the background color (autumn or winter), if it's wearing goggles, or if it has a canned fish. When someone shouts 'Go!', the race is on! You must grab cards from the table that differ by only one attribute from the last card you picked. If your current card is a large bear with goggles, you can grab a small bear with goggles, or a large bear without goggles. If you make a mistake, you lose all the cards you collected that round! If you stop too early, you might also be penalized. The game includes cool variants, like a 'bonus round' mode where you must be the fastest to count how many specific items are on the table. It's a game of pure speed, where visual recognition must be instantaneous to avoid silly mistakes. It's the perfect game for anyone wanting something quick, light, and always full of laughs as everyone tries not to miss the pattern!

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 OK
2 REC
3 BEST
4 BEST
5 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Animals: Bears Series: Jolly Pets
Publisher AURUM, Inc., Devir, Jolly Thinkers, Zhiyanjia
Designer Torsten Landsvogt
Artist Ari Wong

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,080owners
76wishlist
10want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How long does a game last?
Super quick! Usually between 10 to 15 minutes.
What is the minimum age recommended?
Since it requires quick visual attention, it works well from age 6 or 7.
How many players can play?
1 to 5 players, but it shines brightest in larger groups.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! You'll learn the rules in less than two minutes.
What happens if I pick a wrong card?
You lose all the cards you collected during that specific round.

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