Puerto Banana

Blue Orange (EU), asmodee, Pegasus Spiele · Board game · 2024
— Ludopedia 6.8 BGG 2–6 · best 4, 6 15 min Weight 1.2/5
Buy · from US$ 7.93
— rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Puerto Banana is that fun and quick pick for anyone who enjoys a good auction with a dash of bluffing and lots of interaction. If you love the tension of a sealed bid and the thrill of watching your opponents sweat to pay what they promised, this game is for you! The payment mechanic is brilliant and creates hilarious and strategic moments.

Highlights
  • Tense sealed bidding
  • Direct, fun interaction
  • Simple rules, deep strategy
  • Quick, dynamic games
  • Innovative payment mechanic
Keep in mind
  • Can be a bit chaotic
  • Depends on group interaction
  • Light theme
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Puerto Banana, the race to become the banana magnate is on! Get ready for a sealed bid auction game where bluffing and strategy are as crucial as the value of your bid. The goal is to be the first to accumulate 200 bananas on your cargo ship, but the path there is full of twists and risky decisions. Each player starts with a small stock of 10 bananas, and the first lot up for auction is already worth another 10. The coolest part? You can secretly bid any amount, even well above the initial 10 bananas, showing you're willing to do anything to secure your cargo. When everyone reveals their bids, the tension mounts! The highest bidder takes the lot, but the payment mechanic is what truly shines: the winner pays the difference between their bid and the second-highest bid to the player who made the second-highest bid. But be careful! If the winner doesn't have enough bananas to pay this difference, they lose their entire stash, ending up empty-handed. Bid comparison continues, and if no one can afford to pay, the lowest bidder might even get the lot for free. In case of a tie, the bananas are split. The next lot to be auctioned will always be for the amount of bananas the richest player possesses, which can scale the game quickly. Keep auctioning until someone reaches the 200-banana mark and becomes the king of Puerto Banana!

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 OK
3 OK
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Food & Drink: Bananas Misc: LongPack Games
Publisher Blue Orange (EU), asmodee, Pegasus Spiele, Zvezda
Designer Mads Emil Christensen
Artist Simon Douchy

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

690owners
191wishlist
53want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the main objective in Puerto Banana?
The objective is to be the first player to accumulate 200 bananas on your cargo ship. It sounds simple, but the way you acquire those bananas is what makes the game interesting!
How many players can participate and what is the average game duration?
Puerto Banana can be played by 2 to 6 players, and games are quite fast, usually lasting between 15 and 15 minutes. Perfect for filling a short slot or kicking off game night.
Is the game very complex? Is it good for beginners?
No, the complexity is quite low (BGG weight of 1.2/5). The rules are easy to learn, but the strategy in bidding and payments offers enough depth to keep everyone engaged. Great for beginners!
What happens if I make the highest bid but can't afford to pay the difference?
If you make the highest bid but don't have enough bananas to pay the difference to the second-highest bidder, you lose your entire banana stash. It's a severe penalty that adds interesting risk to your bids!
Is the banana theme important to the gameplay?
The theme is light and fun, but it doesn't directly impact the mechanics. Bananas are the 'currency' and 'victory points' of the game. It's more of a charm than a central strategic element.
Who would you recommend Puerto Banana to?
I'd recommend Puerto Banana to groups of friends and families looking for a quick auction game with lots of interaction, bluffing, and laughs. If you enjoy games that create funny moments and tense decisions, you'll have a blast!

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