Cheapass Games Pairs (Deluxe Ed.)

This is a fun game and very easy to learn. It comes with a booklet with many other games to play with this special deck, but we have so much fun with the base game that we haven't even tried them. I like the artwork too.

We really dig this game. Ir's easy to learn and teach, and adapts to many styles of gameplay. There is a good mix of luck and strategy, and a bunch of different rules with the expanded rules. I would have liked packaging that lent itself to more portability, and the price for this deluxe edition is a bit inflated for a ( A+ quality) deck of cards, a short rulebook and a cardboard box. The game itself easily makes up for these quibbles. Very recommended.

Great variety of games. All are fast and simple to learn. Retro look of the cards is cool.

Great games, lots of fun

So first off, Pairs is as much a game, as a game system. Like a poker deck can be used to play many other games besides poker, Pairs is a set of cards you can play other games besides base Pairs. Pairs is a "pyramid deck" where there is only one of the 1 card, two of the 2s, three of the 3s, etc all the way up to ten copies of the 10 card. There is no difference between any of the 3s (so no suits). Next if you do a search for Pairs decks you'll likely find at least a dozen different ones, each with different artwork. There is no difference in how this game plays vs how the pirates deck of Pairs plays. EXCEPT each of the individual decks come with instructions on how to play the base game of Pairs, and instructions for 1 or 2 additional games you could play with this deck of cards. This box comes with all of those rules packaged together in one book. So you the rules to play base Pairs, and at least dozen more games. (akin to if a poker deck came packed with Hoyle's book of card games). PRO complete collection of printed game variation rules. CON that book is very cheaply made (on something similar to basic home printing paper). PRO this is yet another unique version (art wise) of the Pairs decks (if you're a collector). CON this is not a very attractive set of cards compared to some of the other decks available. PRO this box has enough room to store the cards, the book, and some small chips/tokens for betting/scoring type games. (minor) CON this is an odd size box that doesn't quite fit 2 decks of cards inside. If you memorize the rules and throw out the book, the box is too big for a deck of cards, yet it's not big enough for 2 decks.