Soda Smugglers

Bitewing Games, Gmeiner-Verlag · Board game · 2022
7.5 Ludopedia 6.7 BGG 3–8 · best 5, 6 20 min Weight 1.3/5
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7.5 rating Ludopedia
6.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you're into a quick bluffing and deduction game that brings out good laughs and plenty of tension at the table, Soda Smugglers is a sure bet! It's the kind of game you pull out of the box and are playing in minutes, perfect for warming up the night or ending it with a bang. The experience is light, but full of clever decisions and that adrenaline rush of trying to trick (or be tricked by) your friends. A true wild card for your party game collection!

Highlights
  • Addictive bluffing and deduction
  • Quick to learn and play
  • High player interaction
  • Fun and lighthearted theme
  • Great for larger groups
Keep in mind
  • Might not appeal to non-bluffers
  • Limited strategic depth
  • Relies on group interaction
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In a not-so-distant future, the law has cracked down on soda, turning the beverage into a luxury item and, naturally, a lucrative target for smuggling. The rule is clear: only one bottle per person! But where there's a law, there's a way, and that's where bribes, suitcase inspections, and arrests come into play. In Soda Smugglers, your goal is to be the Soda Kingpin, accumulating as many bottle caps as possible. Each round is a tense standoff: one player takes on the role of a border guard, while the others are cunning travelers attempting to sneak their fizzy contraband across. The guard will do everything to confiscate the sodas, but only the cleverest travelers will manage to deceive them and get their bottles home. The game continues until everyone has had a chance to be the border guard (twice in 3-4 player games, and once in 5-8 player games). Whoever has the most bottle caps at the end is crowned the Soda Kingpin!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

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

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Food & Drink: Soda Pop / Soft Drinks Series: Criminal Capers Collection (Reiner Knizia) Theme: Smuggling
Publisher Bitewing Games, Gmeiner-Verlag
Designer Reiner Knizia
Artist Paul Halkyon

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

867owners
192wishlist
29want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can participate in Soda Smugglers?
The game is super flexible and works well with groups of 3 to 8 players, making it ideal for various occasions, from a more intimate evening to a party with friends.
What is the average game duration?
Games are quite fast, usually lasting between 20 and 20 minutes. Perfect for fitting between other games or when you have little time but want to have fun!
Is it a complex game to learn?
Not at all! With a complexity weight of 1.3/5 on BGG, Soda Smugglers is super easy to pick up. The rules are simple and intuitive, allowing everyone to jump into the fun quickly.
What are the main components of the game?
The game primarily consists of soda cards, guard/traveler role cards, and the coveted bottle caps, which serve as victory points. Everything is quite compact and easy to carry!
Who is Soda Smugglers recommended for?
It's highly recommended for anyone who loves bluffing, deduction, and social interaction games. If you enjoy tricking your friends or trying to figure out who's bluffing, this game is for you. Great for families and groups of friends!
Does the game have expansions or future editions?
As of now, Soda Smugglers is a standalone game and has no announced expansions. But the fun it offers is complete on its own!
Is there any language dependency in the game?
Ludopedia indicates that the game has no language dependency, which is great! The cards and components are very visual, and any essential text can be easily explained once.

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