Snake Oil

Out of the Box Publishing, Snake Oil, LLC, AMIGO · Board game · 2010
8.3 Ludopedia 6.7 BGG 3–10 · best 5 20–30 min Weight 1.1/5
Buy · from US$ 20.46
8.3 rating Ludopedia
6.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy having a good laugh and creating crazy sales pitches, Snake Oil is the right choice! It's a super accessible party game that breaks the ice and entertains any group.

Highlights
  • Creativity and improvisation
  • Guaranteed laughs
  • Super simple rules
  • Great icebreaker
Keep in mind
  • Relies on acting
  • Can become repetitive
  • Low strategy
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to unleash your inner salesperson with Snake Oil! Inspired by the hucksters of the Old West, this game puts you in the shoes of a traveling salesman who needs to convince eccentric customers to buy... let's say, creative products. Each round, one player takes on the role of the customer of the turn, who draws a card with a peculiar profile. The other players, the inventors, receive cards with single words and have the mission to combine two of them to create a brand new, and preferably hilarious, two-word product. Think combinations like "Rumor Mirror" or "Burp Balloon"! Then, it's time to pitch your invention with a killer sales speech – but beware, the customer can cut you off if you go over 30 seconds! The customer chooses the most convincing pitch and rewards the seller with the customer card. The game continues until everyone has been the customer, and whoever has the most customer cards at the end wins the glory (and maybe some gold!). It's pure fun, creativity, and guaranteed laughs, perfect for livening up any gathering with friends and family, even with those who don't play much.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

6 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–10 players
3 OK
4 REC
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 REC
8 REC
9 OK
10 OK

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Game: Snake Oil Misc: Mensa Select
Publisher Out of the Box Publishing, Snake Oil, LLC, AMIGO, Hasbro
Designer Jeff Ochs
Artist John Kovalic, Patricia Hayes Kaufman

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

7,025owners
957wishlist
93want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the main objective of Snake Oil?
The objective is to be the most persuasive salesperson! You create crazy two-word products and try to sell them to a specific customer each round. Whoever collects the most customer cards at the end wins.
How many players can participate?
Snake Oil is very flexible, playable by 3 to 10 people. The more players, the more chaotic and fun it gets!
How long does a game take?
Games are quick, usually lasting between 20 to 30 minutes. Perfect for playing at parties or as a warm-up for longer games.
Does the game require a lot of strategy, or is it more focused on fun?
It's focused on fun and creativity! Strategy is minimal; the emphasis is on being funny and creative in your sales pitches.
Do I need to know how to play other board games to understand Snake Oil?
Not at all! The rules are super simple and explained in just a few minutes. It's ideal for beginners or for playing with people who aren't experienced gamers.
What comes in the box?
The game includes word cards (purple) that sellers use to create their products, and customer cards (red) that define who will buy in that round. Additionally, there are prize cards (the collected customer cards).
Is it a good game for families?
Absolutely! It's a very light, funny game that promotes interaction in a relaxed way. Kids love creating crazy products, and adults enjoy the creativity.

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