The Big Cheese

Cheapass Games, New Games Order, LLC, Red Glove · Board game · 1998
— Ludopedia 5.9 BGG 3–6 · best 4 30 min Weight 1.4/5
Buy · from US$ 2.45
— rating Ludopedia
5.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy quick auctions and a bit of luck with rats, The Big Cheese is a fun pick!

Highlights
  • Agile and direct auction
  • Fun rat theme
  • Dice rolling with surprise
  • Fast and easy to learn
Keep in mind
  • Depends on dice luck
  • Little strategic depth
  • Theme may not appeal to all
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for a fierce competition in the corporate world of rodents with The Big Cheese! In this fast-paced and fun game, you and your friends take on the roles of ambitious rats aiming to dominate the market. The core mechanic revolves around auctions: use your worker rats to bid on corporate projects and gain control of them. Each round, one worker is removed from each project, and when all workers are gone, the project is completed. The twist? The value of each completed project is determined on the spot through a dice roll! But beware, it's not all about numbered projects. There are two special cards, Veto and The Big Cheese, which add an extra layer of strategy and unexpected twists to the game, allowing unique actions that can change the course of the match. The game offers two scoring methods, depending on whether you use a simple six-sided die or a more elaborate set of polyhedral dice. This versatility ensures that each game can have a different flavor. The Big Cheese is part of the Hip Pocket Games series, which hints at its agile and portable nature. It's a light game, perfect for those seeking a straightforward auction and dice-rolling experience, ideal for playing with a group and having a good laugh. If you enjoy games with an animal theme and a touch of luck, this might become your next favorite!

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–6 players
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Animals: Rats Components: Polyhedral (not D6) dice Containers: Triangular Boxes Food & Drink: Cheese Series: Hip Pocket Games
Publisher Cheapass Games, New Games Order, LLC, Red Glove
Designer James Ernest, Jon Wilkie
Artist Carol Monahan, James Ernest, Rossana Berretta

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,042owners
46wishlist
4want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the average playtime for The Big Cheese?
A game of The Big Cheese lasts about 30 minutes, making it quite quick!
How many players can participate?
The game is for 3 to 6 players, ideal for gatherings with friends.
Is it a difficult game to learn?
No, The Big Cheese is quite simple. The rules are easy to grasp, perfect for beginners or those looking for something light.
What are the main components?
You'll use cards for projects and worker rats, as well as dice to determine scoring.
Who would you recommend The Big Cheese for?
We recommend it for those who enjoy auction games with a touch of luck, a light and fun theme, and don't want to spend hours learning complex rules.
Is there a lot of player interaction in the game?
Yes, the main interaction comes through the auctions, where players directly compete for projects.
Are there any expansions for The Big Cheese?
As far as we know, The Big Cheese is part of the Hip Pocket Games series and does not have official expansions.

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