Culls - Teach & Playthrough (Filler Friday)

Hi everyone, my name is Monique and >> I'm Naveen from Before You Play >> and today we're gonna be doing a playthrough of a game called Calls. >> Yes, this game is designed by Rob Nelson as well as Brian Bailey and published by the OP who are helping sponsor this playthrough. The premise of this game is quite simple.

We have chips. We're going to be placing them out on the board and try to be the first person to put five in a row. >> That's right. This is an abstract strategy game for typically two players or four in a team game in which players are going to be taking turns putting chips out onto a shared board in order to do that five in a row in any direction.

However, if you are ever able to sandwich exactly two chips from your opponent, then you force that opponent to relocate one of those chips. So, that is sort of the kicker in the game. And so, the rules of the game are actually quite simple. So, we're going to be teaching the game as we play it. And today, the true winner is going to be the first player to win three games.

>> Yes. So, best of five. Uh, so before we begin, if you like these kind of videos and you want to see more in the future, please consider subscribing. >> And with that, we are ready to begin. So, if you please direct your attention to the side of the table. We're all set up here for a two-player game of calls.

Now, as you can see, each player is represented by a different color of chips. So, today I'm going to be the blue player >> and I will be red. >> And this is the shared board. Now, before we start with the first game, the rules of the game are very simple. So, we're just going to teach it to you very quickly.

Yeah. >> Before each game starts, we are going to first take turns placing out two chips each. We're just going to put them out sort of randomly. Let's just do that. Then starting with the first player, we are going to be taking turns just putting out one chip each. And if ever, let's just say for example, I have a chip like this, which would be very foolish, and it were to go back to Naveen's turn.

If ever one of us is able to sandwich exactly two chips from the opponent, then Naveen, in this example, would flip over which chip he would want me to relocate. So just say he wants me to relocate this one. And then on my turn, instead of putting out a new chip, I would be forced to move this to any open space on the board, and that would be my entire turn.

And that's it. As soon as the player is able to put out five chips in a row in any straight line, basically, then they win the game. And so, as you can see, everything is going to truly rely on that calling mechanism. We're going to try to avoid being sandwiched while also trying to force your opponent into moves that would allow you to sandwich them, if that makes sense.

All right. Okay. So then now that you know how to play, let's see who gets to go first. So we're going to take one chip from each player and I'm going to place it into the bag. So this is the bag that the game comes in. The entire game fits in here. And then Naveen, would you like to >> draw? What an honor.

>> This is going to be the person who's going first. And then we're going to alternate from game to game. It's you. >> Oh yeah, there's a C on the outside of your Naveen is our first player. Resident first player, >> which means you must place out your two chips first. >> Okay. So, I place out two chips.

>> Yes. Two chips anywhere. >> One. >> Okay. >> Two. >> Oh, interesting. >> So, this is just a setup. We're We're both going to put out two each. >> And then I will put out my two. Let's just experiment a little bit here. I don't know if this is smart or foolish. >> So, I'm just going to do that. All right.

So, Naveen, take it away with your first turn. So, now now that this is done, we're only going to be putting out one chip each from here on out. >> That's right. All right. So, let's just do something like this. >> Okay. Interesting. So, then it goes back to me. It's going to go here. >> Okay. >> Back to you.

>> I'll go here. I don't like what you're doing. >> Okay. Then I'll go here. Back to you. >> Go there. >> Interesting. All right. I'm gonna go here. >> Very good. I'll go here. >> What is going on? All right. I'm going to go here back to you. >> Okay. If you're going to do that, then I'll have to do this cuz if I don't do this, then you can send them to me.

>> Yeah. >> Um Yeah, I'll go there. >> You thought about it. >> Yeah. Well, cuz sometimes it's like, yeah, it's fine. Do I really care about that? You know, that's that's run right there. But I'll I'll do that. >> Okay. All right. I will do this. So, now it's back to you. >> Okay. Uh let's go here. >> Ah, so interesting.

Okay. I'm going to go I'll go here. >> Okay. >> I try to worry that I'm not seeing something. You know what I mean? >> Mhm. Okay. I'll go here. >> Oh, okay. I'll go there. >> Okay. Then I will go here. Sandwiching you. And you must move this one. >> Okay. Since Naveen is forcing me to call this, he sandwiched exactly two of my pieces and he got to choose which of the two I am forced to move.

On my turn, all I'm doing is I am relocating this token and I'm going to go here. >> So now it goes to Naveen. >> Uh oh. Oh no. Dang it. >> End would you like? >> Dang it. I thought I I had a Ah, Dang. I thought I had a clever play. Shoot. We're going to play several rounds. All right. Well, I'm going to do >> I'll do this and then Monnique is going to be able to get it.

Dang it. >> Boom. One, two, three, four, five. >> Ah, nice. Okay, one down, one for the blue. Yes. >> So, we just reset. >> All right, see you in a second. See you >> in a second. Okay, game one to Mon'nique, the blue player. Uh, >> it'll be okay. >> I I felt good about that one. I felt like I was doing okay and then I messed up.

>> It's first to three. >> I messed up. >> Plenty of time. This is best. >> Who went first there? >> Uh, I did. >> Okay, which means I'm going to go first this time because you just keep alternating. So, uh, same thing goes for this game. Uh, we're going to put out two each first. So, I'm just gonna do I'm gonna do a different strategy this time.

I'm gonna go I'm gonna do this. Let's see what happens. >> Something like that. >> I'll go uh here. >> Okay. >> And let's go aggressive. >> Here. >> All right. >> I don't know. >> Very good. So, I'm first up. I'm going to go ahead and put out Let's go here. >> Okay. >> What are you going to do >> here?

>> Oh, wow. What are you doing? >> I don't know. There's nothing. I'm putting I'm just putting them out. Now, if Mon'nique was to play in here, this is a situation where I would not be the one that surrounded her. She would fit it in within like that sandwich. So, that would not force a call. >> That's true.

All right. I'm going to go here. Back to you. >> Okay. I will go here. >> Okay. You're kind of everywhere. I'm going to go here. Back to you. >> What is that? All right. Okay. Let's do this. Interesting. All right, I'm going to go here. Back to you. >> Okay, you're trying to surround me. I see. Uh, okay.

I'll go here. >> Okay. Well, I think I have to do this now. So, I'm going to do that. >> And then I'm going to choose between these two. Let's go with this one. >> Okay. >> So, now you have to move that. >> Okay. >> Which one? >> Um, let's have you move. You know what? I'm actually not going to put that there.

>> Oh, interesting. >> Yeah. Let's do something else. So, I can't bring it back here. This is where That's the one place I can't put it back. >> Correct. >> I'll put it here. >> Okay, >> there we go. >> Then I'll go here. >> Okay. >> Which one? This one. >> So, move that one. >> Okay. So, now I'll move it here.

>> What are you doing? All right. So, I'm going to go here. Back to you. >> I'll go here. >> All right. I'll go here. Back to you. We're way more bunched this game. I'll go here. Uh >> oh. Hey. Oh no. How'd that happen? >> Yeah. >> No, no, no. That's okay. I'll do that. Uh, it has to be this, right?

>> I got to move that. >> Nice, nice, nice, nice. Thought I had it. >> I know you did. >> I know you did, too. >> Was like, >> I didn't see that. Shoot. I lost. Dang it. Cuz I'm going to have to move this since you got four here. >> Yeah. >> I'll make it look nice, though. There you go. >> All right.

I think this counts, right? Cuz it's technically five. >> Ah, this sandwich right here. Okay. Told me. All right. >> That was two for the blue. >> That little area right there for the red. >> That was tricky. This is like It's pointing like an arrow that way. >> Dang it. Okay. So, if Mon'nique wins the next one, it's game over.

>> Yes. >> It'll be a clean sweep. A skunk. >> A skunking. >> Skunk. >> Yeah. I don't want that. >> All right. Well, then it's up to you to not let it happen. So, we'll see you in a second. >> All right. Here we go. the final three in a row. That's not good. >> I'm just kidding. It's not not necessarily going to be the final tracks.

>> But you are now a first player. >> So, please put out two chips anywhere winning. >> This is where it starts literally. >> Two. Just like that. Let's just do that. >> Wow. >> I don't know. >> Okay, I'll go one. >> And then, oh, oops. >> Oh, cheater. >> Where do I go for the second one? I kind of like what I did earlier, so I'll do that.

>> Okay. >> All right, Naveen. where too. Oh, okay. This is a really weird start. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um, let's go with it. >> Let's do that. >> Back to you. >> I'll go here. >> Okay. I'll go here. Back to you. >> It's real tight here. Okay. >> It's real bunched. >> Bunched up. All right. Real bunch.

>> Let's put this one here. >> Really? >> Yes. >> What are you doing? What are you trying to make me do? >> Do you have plans? >> I want I want to win one of these games. Um, let's go. Let's go here. >> Okay. Feel like I'm being coralled. >> Trying to like surround your blue. >> Yeah, that is that's literally what you're doing.

I I have I guess I'll do that. Is that all part of your plan? >> Mhm. >> I'm totally being crowled. >> Okay, let's just put this in here. Okay. Then we'll do this and I'll have you move this. >> Okay. So then I'll move it here. >> There. >> No. >> No. I'll move it here. >> I think >> I think >> there.

>> Yeah. What am I doing? So it came from here. >> No, it came from here. >> It came from here. >> Yeah. Do you want to leave it there? >> Hard time. Yeah, it was there. Okay. >> So, think about it. >> Okay. I I I got to do this actually. Let's put that there. >> Okay, I'm going to go here. >> I'll go Okay, I'll go here.

>> What are you doing? Do I get you to Do I call one of these two? I mean, I have to, right? If I go here. >> Okay, >> which one has to be? This one, probably. >> Okay. >> Oh my gosh. What am I there? >> Am I following into some trap? >> No, I don't think so. I'll go >> here. >> There. >> Yeah. >> Well, I feel like you're going to just make me move something if I don't do this.

>> Mhm. >> So, move the same one again. >> Move it. >> Yeah. Relocate the same one back there. >> Mhm. >> Okay. I think I have to do this. or else I would be in trouble. >> Okay, I'll put this one here. >> All right, I'm going to go here. >> I have to stop this because you have four. >> Mhm. Then I'll go here and make you move this one.

>> Okay. So then I'll put it here. >> Okay. I will go here. >> Okay. And we got to move that. >> I lost. Dang it. >> Wait, let's make it. It's It's a C. >> C. Yes, I see that. Ah, dang it. >> Where? Two. >> Well, there was multiple ways that you could have won this one. You could have just put one here and then you would had four and four.

>> No, but then you would have sandwiched me there. I thought about that. >> Yeah, I think you I think you would have been fine though, right? If you put four here and I sandwiched you here. >> Oh, yeah. >> You would have had me move. This is like a pivotal piece for that move. >> So then I'm blocked out of this.

I'm losing this game. >> You got to move it. >> Clean sweep. Okay, >> fine. >> There. >> There you go. Yeah. Well, is there is there a sandwich that I can do here? Yeah, there is a sandwich I can do here. Wait a second. There. >> Oh, you thought you were you thought it was over. I did think it was. >> You got to flip it over.

>> Oh, sorry. >> So, I got to move that. >> You got to move that. >> You panic. >> I should probably look I should probably look and do something about it. >> This is a tough spot now. M >> um cuz we're very congested. >> Yeah, >> maybe I want to go there. >> Okay, maybe we'll go there. Huh? Well, I have to Now I have to do this.

>> You have to move this. >> Okay. Um I'll put this here. And you must move. >> Yeah. One of those. >> This one. >> Okay. That one. >> Yeah. Where too? >> This one will move too. here. I think >> there >> I think. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I'll do that. >> Okay. >> I don't know. What do you got? You see something >> there?

>> What is it? What is it? Oh, dang it. Okay. Shoot. I should have been there, huh? Should I went? Shoot. I lost. Dang it. Wait. Wait. Hold on. Let's see. Can I sandwich? Can Wait. Wait. Is there a sandwich? Dang it. It's that same four and four that we talked about earlier. >> I know. >> Shoot. >> That's so funny.

>> Sandwich >> the panic. That's I mean it lasted a little bit longer >> than you had anticipated earlier. >> Not bad at this game. >> So, okay. >> See something? I don't know. >> There's nothing. >> There's nothing. >> I don't think nothing that like disrupts what you got going on over here. Cuz the problem with this spot is it's too close here or here.

>> I have to like break >> you have to break this. Yeah, that token. And we kind of >> I've already broken it once. You can't do it twice. >> When I saw this opening here, I thought, okay, let's glue this here so that we can't re remove that piece. It all really hinged on you said on me on you calling me here.

>> Yeah. You know, dang it. >> If you hadn't taken that, >> then it would have been >> over three. Dang it. >> There we go. One, two, three, four, five. >> That's the end. >> Flip it. Dang, guys. >> I think my best my best possible game was the first game. >> This one was like a phone booth. Just like And the second one I just blew it.

>> The second one. Oh, >> second one I just blew it. That was >> The second one we got real bunched early. >> The second one was just bad. This This is This one was I don't I feel like I was always on the defensive on this one. The first one I felt like I I there was a moment where I made a probably a terrible mistake.

>> You think so? >> Yeah, I think so. this one you at least saw that there was something there. You extended the game a little bit longer. >> Yeah. But you you know when you're always playing the like the defense like I got to stop that. I got to stop that. Like you got to find a way to get like your call to be like aha.

>> Yes. So that's the thing like the game is so simple that it kind of makes it so it's like well I'm going to try to force my opponent into a call at every opportunity that I can get. But it's not >> not always you don't you don't want to do that. Anyh who >> there you go. >> That is calls at two players.

Now, um, we didn't go this explicitly during the rules, but just so you're aware, you can never call yourself. Yeah, >> obviously. >> And if ever there's a situation where, let's just say it looked like this, >> and I were to place this chip here, doing like a double call because there's two of Naveen's pieces here and two here.

You wouldn't be able to to call both sides. You still have to choose one, you know, to do it. >> Other than that, this game also has a four-player variant where you play in two teams of two and you sit uh opposite your partner. Mhm. >> And basically during setup, each team only starts with one chip on the board.

But starting with the first player, you just take turns going clockwise. And anytime your team has to move one of your chips because you got sandwich, then you decide as a team where to move it. >> So the rules are exactly the same. You just are playing in a team game. >> Well, there you have it. That is Cole's uh you know, play more like Mon'nique, play less like me.

She got a clean sweep today. That's uh that's okay. Maybe next celebrate today. >> She'll celebrate. Yes. If you have any questions about the game itself, feel free to leave in the comments down below. We'll try to get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you all so much for watching the video. We hope you enjoyed it.

If you'd like to see more videos like this in the future, please consider subscribing. >> Thank you. Bye.