Stock market games are almost a classic topic in the board games, probably because of the unpredictability of the stock market with the possible simultaneous influence on ownership, value and change accounts for a certain stimulus, which can be transferred very well into a game.

Game inventor Friedemann Friese goes one step further and makes "Black Friday" a particular stock - event, namely the sudden and unexpected price drop on a stock exchange, the game topic. The focus is on actually reaching a point in time, is initiated by the stock market crash of some kind. and previously well-placed market values ​​may turn into something negative.

When one thinks of a stock market game and then look at the game material from Black Friday, there's a lot different than expected. There are no equity securities, instead of taking small wooden briefcase (with imaginary shares therein) in various colors, the role of trade goods. When the game starts to land some of these cases referred to in a face-up stock, market, others eke out their existence again in a black cloth bag.

Even the players do not get seed money, although there is actually enough money in the bank. Instead, players have to borrow the money from the first train from the bank in the form of government bonds. They even pay for it in each scoring round interest.

The good news: The money from the government bond is sufficient to meet the investment of the first round and to optimize the yield so that later fall outside the interest on the promissory notes significant.

Furthermore, the game is different goal. Not know who deserves the most money wins, but the player with the most gold bullion. This one can not buy directly, but must first be purchased silver, which is then exchanged for golf bars.

The silver can be the player of their earned wealth to acquire through stock trading. However, increases in almost every purchase silver and its market value. The game ends when the market value is a silver bullion at 100. Unlike the stock market value of the values ​​for silver but never falls. Who then owns the most gold bullion is the winner.

The gameplay sounds finally a right stock market game: buy sell stocks or invest in silver. Adapt or be influenced by the silver value. The players alternate and do invest their money in government bonds and the proceeds from the sale into new bags.

This then fulfill a dual function: 1st The player buys shares, he receives as many suitcases as he shares - acquired shares and puts them behind his screen. 2nd At the same time he shows his activity with a separate case, he shall, on the buy bar. Conversely, this works when selling a stock just as good. The player puts as many shares as he sold in the market and marked his campaign by taking a suitcase on the sale block. Does the player or he buys of silver, he puts a suitcase on the appropriate purchase for silver bar.

So moving is always colored suitcases on the purchase or sale of the silver bar and bar at the general store until it comes to one of the strips to the fact that just five suitcases on it. This will immediately trigger a price change of all stocks. Now again comes the black bag into the game. For him to be in accordance with the current stage, a certain number of cases and traced them evaluated the price change. Here is a little luck of the draw is needed to move into the suitcase to color, from which one also has enough. Because solid trunk of the same color can increase the market value.

All five cases standing on the ledge then walk including the bar located next to the already black suitcases in the bag. With advanced gameplay it increases the likelihood that a price change to be considered when black suitcase. These provide for the downward movement of a stock price, unless the number of black suitcases greater than or equal to the case of a certain color. Since each color is individually evaluated and count the black box for each color, this may be causing the effect of stock market crashes and crash all the shares in the standings.

So probably the one who shares his time already sold before the crash and invested early in silver, because the black box have an effect on the silver price and inflationary push this up. The right time to get started comes in silver sometimes intuitively, sometimes it forces itself but also on.

The game offers a number of other details that should not continue to run. Instead, a word to the rule of the game may not remain unmentioned here. The information contained in the first edition game rules can be created only on a "black Friday". It is not wrong in terms of content, overwhelmed the inexperienced players and even some advanced substantially. Meanwhile, the publisher responds and promises a new version of the rule to download.

The game has definitely deserves a better game rule, because it's fun, has a high replay charm and offers the right mix of strategy and unpredictability. The theme is very well done and requires proper timing. Who is on the wrong horse suffers quickly shipwreck, from which he can recover only with difficulty. "Black Friday" is definitely a strong recommendation and is among the new releases of the year.

Year: 2010
Author: Friedemann Friese
Publisher: Cosmos
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing time: about 60 minutes
Indication of age: 12 years

Tags: cosmos