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Description
Developer Stefan Brück at alea describes Las Vegas as "an easy, dice-rolling, fun-and-luck game with a lot of interaction and 'schadenfreude'". Who doesn't love schadenfreude? (Well, other than those being schadened, I suppose...)
In more detail, Las Vegas includes six cardboard casino mats, one for each side of a normal six-sided die. For each mat, players draw money cards until at least $50k is showing, but the amount may end up being a lot more, making that casino more desirable.
Each player has eight dice of a different color, which they take turns rolling. When you roll your dice, you can choose to place them on the relevant casino cards; for example, a die showing a 1 will be placed on the casino mat marked "1". You must place all dice of one number on one casino in your turn. All players take turns doing this until all the dice have been used. Finally, the player with the most dice on each casino card takes the money associated with it. In case of a tie, the next non-tied player takes the highest-valued money card at that casino.
Las Vegas rates a 1 out of 10 on alea's difficulty scale.
Year Published
2012
Featured Videos
Rules Teach
Top 10 Mechanisms: Dice Games
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 12
This page: 12
Sentiment:
pos 12 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–12 of 12
Video uIKtgiHs4DU
Dice Tower top_10_list at 7:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 36220 · mention_pk 108453
Click to watch at 7:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clean, quick, teachable
- fun buffer against heavier games
Cons
- some balance considerations with expansions
- sharper rules in Royale edition
Thematic elements
- Economy, risk, and bidding
- Gambling and casino locations
- Light, approachable
Comparison games
- Lords of Waterdeep
- Seven Wonders Duel
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bidding / dice pool allocation — Players bid dice to place bets on locations; more dice means bigger potential payoff.
- push-your-luck / alley-style push — Careful allocation of dice pools to maximize payout while avoiding overextension.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's such a clean idea. It's so incredibly simple. But I love that you can teach this game in a minute.
- This is the game that kind of put Awaken Realms on a map.
- One surface in which you roll or flip and write. In every one of these games, everybody has their own sheet.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 92v2JlgJTx4
Protospiel Podcast interview at 1:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32055 · mention_pk 94624
Click to watch at 1:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Efficient, accessible design
- Strong real-time decision pressure with dice drafting
Cons
- Luck-based elements can dominate
- Depth may be limited for some players
Thematic elements
- gambling and dice-driven competition
- Casino-themed dice game with real-time auction/placement feel
- analytical reference point
Comparison games
- Rocket Roll
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice placement — Players roll dice and place them to win money on various casinos; majority influence on each casino yields rewards.
- dice placement / auction — Players roll dice and place them to win money on various casinos; majority influence on each casino yields rewards.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The best game in the world, the most perfect game in the world is the one that's still in your head because it's never been tested by anybody else.
- An obstacle is not an obstacle unless it's in the path of the direction you're trying to go.
- The closer I get to what I think the game is being done, the more my ego is kind of fragile on the line.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video znDrntkVSaU
Unknown Channel top_12_list at 4:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13111 · mention_pk 38330
Click to watch at 4:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fast, tense two-player rounds
- great social interaction
Cons
- older design can feel dated
Thematic elements
- fast-paced betting and risk management
- Casinos and dice-driven bluffing
- light, party-oriented
Comparison games
- Rhino Hero
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Betting and bluffing — players contest for cash by effectively betting with dice
- betting round — players contest for cash by effectively betting with dice
- dice placement — roll and assign dice outcomes to casinos to maximize payout
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my pick is colorado
- it's the perfect board game for people right after let's play
- unlock is the best escape room game that i have ever played
- it's like Waldo, the board game
- Spirit Island ... highly highly suggested as a heavy game for a couple
- my wife’s all-time favorite game
- it's a really decent economic game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4jQzgGcfxz4
Actual Lowell general_discussion at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11955 · mention_pk 35060
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High player involvement
- Fast-paced social interaction
- Accessible for newcomers
Cons
- Luck-driven outcomes may frustrate some players
Thematic elements
- gambling and negotiation for fun social outcomes
- Lively casino/entertainment ambiance with fast auctions
- abstract/economic bluff with pop-calette luck
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- simultaneous bidding / auction — Players bid to win rounds that determine payout actions; highest bidder wins the dice/slots outcomes with social negotiation around payments.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Las Vegas is probably my top one, and it's just everyone's involved.
- New York Slice is one that I really like—the I split you choose thing; it's just simple rules but I really dig that.
- Skull and Cockroach Poker are two really great bluffing games.
- This is like my sweet spot—these are the games that I love to introduce to new people.
- I love board games because they allow me to have incredible social experiences with friends.
- The biggest barrier to board games being huge is just that so many people won't play them.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video l-37KuSr8VQ
Adam Porter general_discussion at 4:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8478 · mention_pk 24951
Click to watch at 4:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- balanced across categories
- satisfying dice-rolling moments
Cons
- theme and artwork are not standout
- not high interaction
Thematic elements
- risk vs reward with luck mitigation
- Las Vegas casino environment with a light-hearted theme
- mechanics-driven, cash-based competition
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice rolling — rolling dice to determine payouts and positions
- luck mitigation — rules to reduce pure luck impact and allow some strategy
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a dice game with plenty of luck mitigation
- the actions i do in the game whispering and solving conundrums make me feel just like the spy that i'm supposed to be emulating
- the game is known for its tension the struggle to feed your family at each harvest
- cracks of quedlinberg doesn't have much of a coherent narrative and it's very low on interaction
- it's very puzzly i was sold on artwork and i liked the challenge of balancing multiple plans simultaneously to maximize your scoring
- despite no standout features las vegas almost makes it to the top of the ladder
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video wlIeooaozuE
Rodney Smith (Watch It Played) rules_teach at 22:42 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4927 · mention_pk 14649
Click to watch at 22:42 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- quick turns
- makes sense
- strategic choices
- lots of player interaction
- messing over opponents
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- casino
- Las Vegas
- gambling
Comparison games
- Las Vegas Boulevard
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Formula D is really the epitome of roll and move games in the modern era
- Settlers of Catan which was perhaps the most significant euro game that really sparked this whole new wave of modern board games
- Yahtzee has become a mechanic in its own right
- epitomises dice games really and how far they've come
- this is a bit of a tricky one to learn, it's well worth the effort
- ridiculously more fun than it should be
- playing with children it's fantastical
- absolutely brilliant
- this is my top 10 different ways to use dice in wooden board games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tVXx2iUac18
Adam Wales top_10_list at 11:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4863 · mention_pk 14475
Click to watch at 11:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
very_positive
Pros
- strong, approachable design with expansions
- great balance of luck and strategy
Cons
- dice luck can dominate some sessions
Thematic elements
- dice drafting and economic risk/reward
- Las Vegas casino betting and dice-driven auction
- lighter, accessible Euro-style
Comparison games
- Arcadia
- Power Grid
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- auction / set collection — acquire casinos and gain victory points through dice-driven bids
- dice drafting — players draft dice to place bets and acquire properties
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The Spiellers Yares Award is the most prestigious award in board gaming in the world.
- Bucket King 3D uses plastic cups that stack on top of each other to give it a real three-dimensional view.
- It's a lot of fun.
- This is not a great game, but it is a funny one.
- Splendor is everywhere. The artwork is so boring. It’s a lovely game, don’t get me wrong.
- Rise of Augustus demonstrates that bingo is the one thing that makes it so accessible.
- This is an accessible, simple game. It's got a beautiful look to it.
- Concept would have been a worthy winner.
- Arcadia looks amazing when you play it and lay it out on the table.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5XIN2VERfGM
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast game_recommendations at 9:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4351 · mention_pk 12715
Click to watch at 9:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
very positive
Pros
- Fantastic game design
- Psychological gameplay
- Probability management
- Player interaction
Cons
- Newer version (Casino Royale) considered inferior
Thematic elements
- Dice rolling area majority
- Casino
Comparison games
- Casino Royale
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area majority — Most dice on a casino wins highest value card
- Dice rolling — Roll and place dice on casino cards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I could tell you that I could do these lists until the day I die because we're always playing new games
- I hope this list help you find some games that you could play with your family as well
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Fs5vhTYPM7M
Adam Porter Board Gaming top_10_list at 1:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 755 · mention_pk 2206
Click to watch at 1:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great dice game that avoids Yahtzee mechanics
- Unique tie-breaking mechanism creates strategic depth
- Good for introducing people to hobby gaming
- Works well for families and adults
- Plays quickly
Cons
- Multiple versions exist with varying content
Thematic elements
- Gambling/Casino
- Las Vegas
- Abstract
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area majority — Compete for casino spaces with different prize values
- Dice rolling — Roll dice and place groups of matching values on casinos
- Tie Breaking — Tied players lose their stake, creating interesting strategic opportunities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- these are the games that connect with me that I have a real emotional reaction to
- I've had really great experiences with although I could highly recommend any of the games on this top 10 for anybody to pick up and purchase
- dominion was one that was really pivotal in me getting into the hobby
- I'm just amazed at how well Alan Moon has managed to create such a simple rule set and yet such a substantial experience
- it's a bunch of mechanisms that mesh together just work for me so well
- I think I'll be playing it for a long time to come
- if you're looking for something that's a little bit more substantial got a bit more going on you can get your teeth stuck into then agricola is a great next step
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video J4mAPX-43UA
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 1:56 sentiment: positive
video_pk 569 · mention_pk 1693
Click to watch at 1:56 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cinematic theme
- fast-paced
- family-friendly
Cons
- luck-dependent
- short play time may feel light
Thematic elements
- gambling and betting
- Las Vegas casinos
- lighthearted casino atmosphere
Comparison games
- Craps
- King of Tokyo
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Betting — players roll dice and place bets to win cash on numbers.
- risk management — choices influence payouts and fortunes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- In this video I'm talking about my top 10 games to play Christmas.
- What you need are board games.
- Whose go is it? Yours!
- Pictionary is so last millennium.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video niZP8Bxb68M
Ball Games 4K top_100_list at 5:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 126 · mention_pk 348
Click to watch at 5:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Lightweight and accessible
- Fun social play
Cons
- Luck can influence outcomes heavily
Thematic elements
- majority control and economic gain
- Casino dice gambling
Comparison games
- Abyss
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area majority — Winning cash by majority at casinos with ties broken by next-highest die
- dice placement / action selection — Roll dice and assign them to casinos to activate actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a wonderful wonderful game
- it's one of our favorite worker placement games of all time
- Carnival Zombie is a fantastic tower defense game
- the turn order bidding system really does elevate the game
- it's the quintessential cooperative zombie experience
- everybody loves this
- if you like these sort of what people like to call point salads then you all love Trajan
- it's a cycling racing game
- we really really like glam Bruges
- it's our Legends of a Drift System
- it's actually a really really good game
- one of his best games of all time
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dHpVtR26JqY
Actual Oh top_10_list at 14:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 93 · mention_pk 235
Click to watch at 14:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fun, big moments, great for introducing new players
Cons
- dice luck can be high; some may want more depth
Thematic elements
- dice drafting, risk-reward
- Las Vegas casino gambling
- light, fast-paced filler
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice rolling — roll dice and place on casinos with matching numbers
- risk management — decide when to gamble final dice for big payout
- set collection — ties cancel; hedge bets across casinos
- set collection/payoff — ties cancel; hedge bets across casinos
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- there's no game out there that I would be happy to play it as much as this one
- it's all about money changing hands it's all about making deals and backstabbing
- this is the quintessential party game for me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–12 of 12