# Shark

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1987
- **BGG Rating**: 6.6
- **BGG Rank**: #3765
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 90 min
- **Weight**: 2.20 / 5
- **Designers**: H. Jean Vanaise
- **Artists**: A. Lefort, J. C. Sohier, Walter Wagner
- **Publishers**: BGA Plus, Falomir Juegos, Flying Turtle Games, Korea Boardgames, Otto Maier Verlag, Ravensburger AG, Rio Grande Games
- **Categories**: Economic
- **Mechanics**: Commodity Speculation, Dice Rolling, Stock Holding

## Verdict
If you love stock‑market games with a splash of chaos, Shark will hook you – the fun lies in inflating or sinking shares.Buy‑sell strategyConstant interactionFast‑pacedEasy to learnHigh luck factorTurn‑buy limitSudden end conditionRECOMMENDED

## Description
Shark is a stock‑trading game that puts you in the shoes of a frantic market investor. Each round starts with the opportunity to buy up to five shares and sell as many as you like, even before you roll the dice. The die decides which of the four companies can be moved and in which square of the 12×12 grid you place its marker. A solitary marker is worthless; only groups of two or more raise a company’s share price. When you create or expand a group, you collect cash equal to the new share price, and every player receives (or loses) the price difference multiplied by the number of shares they hold. This creates a dilemma: you can inflate a company’s price and enrich everyone, or you can try to “sink” a rival’s stock by placing a marker that eliminates a smaller group and drops the share value. Groups of equal size may never touch, and you cannot force a larger group to contact a smaller one. At turn’s end you get another chance to buy and sell, still limited to five purchases. Removed markers are permanently discarded. The game ends when all markers of a company are used, when a share price reaches $15,000, or when all shares have been sold. Then everyone cashes out and the player with the most money wins. The blend of commodity speculation, dice rolling and stock holding delivers a fast‑paced, risk‑filled experience that appeals to economics fans without demanding spreadsheets. While dice add randomness, the timing of buys, sells and marker placement makes every play feel fresh.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 6 players.

### How long does a game take?
About 90 minutes.

### What is the game's complexity?
Light to moderate; rules are simple but strategic decisions matter.

### What components are included?
12×12 grid board, markers for 4 companies, dice, money tokens, and share cards.

### Who is the game best suited for?
Fans of economics, speculation and fast‑paced interaction.

### Do I need advanced math skills?
No, only basic addition of share values is required.

### What ends the game?
When all markers of a company are used, a share price hits $15,000, or all shares are sold.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 5.62 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1665304&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.95 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=151735&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
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