Quick Look: Power1
Designer: Not listed
Publisher: Cohela
Year Published:2018
No. of Players: 2–4
Ages: 7
Playing Time: Not Listed
Review
In
rummy style games, you’re building runs and sets to lay down. Some variations
have you laying down sets and runs other players can play on. In Power1, you lay
down a “set” that you and other players play on to run them up to the top
number to remove the set from play.
rummy style games, you’re building runs and sets to lay down. Some variations
have you laying down sets and runs other players can play on. In Power1, you lay
down a “set” that you and other players play on to run them up to the top
number to remove the set from play.
An
added element of strategy is when you are able to remove another player’s last
set, you take them out of the game.
added element of strategy is when you are able to remove another player’s last
set, you take them out of the game.
Whoever
plays all the cards in their hand, or is the last player left, wins.
plays all the cards in their hand, or is the last player left, wins.
 |
| Starting Deal |
We
played some 4-handed games
played some 4-handed games
Setup
Decide
who’s going first, then shuffle up and deal 10 cards to each player.
who’s going first, then shuffle up and deal 10 cards to each player.
Gameplay
The
game consists of 104 cards of four colors. The standard cards are 1–4 and there
are 6 of each one. Each color also has 2 wild cards.
game consists of 104 cards of four colors. The standard cards are 1–4 and there
are 6 of each one. Each color also has 2 wild cards.
On
your turn you have several option. Meld a new set of 3 cards, play up to 3 cards on a
single player, or draw a card.
your turn you have several option. Meld a new set of 3 cards, play up to 3 cards on a
single player, or draw a card.
Melding
a set
 |
| Cards and Colors |
There
are two types of sets a player can meld. The first is the Power1 set, which is
all 1s of any color. When this is done the other players either have to
meld a Power1 set or draw 2 cards. The other meld is a set of the same color
and all 3 cards are within 1 digit of each other. This means your set can’t
have a 1 and a 3 or 4 (i.e., 2, 2, 4 or 1, 3, 3). But a set of 2, 3, 3 or 1, 1,
2 are both acceptable.
are two types of sets a player can meld. The first is the Power1 set, which is
all 1s of any color. When this is done the other players either have to
meld a Power1 set or draw 2 cards. The other meld is a set of the same color
and all 3 cards are within 1 digit of each other. This means your set can’t
have a 1 and a 3 or 4 (i.e., 2, 2, 4 or 1, 3, 3). But a set of 2, 3, 3 or 1, 1,
2 are both acceptable.
When
melding a Power1 set, you cannot use wild cards.
melding a Power1 set, you cannot use wild cards.
Playing
down cards
down cards
When
you have a set in play, in front of you, you have the option of playing up to 3
cards on your own hand or another player with cards down. To play on a pile you
play a superior card of the same color, a blue 3 on a blue 2, for
example. The numbering only goes up to 4 so when all 3 piles of the set reach 4
the set is removed from play.
you have a set in play, in front of you, you have the option of playing up to 3
cards on your own hand or another player with cards down. To play on a pile you
play a superior card of the same color, a blue 3 on a blue 2, for
example. The numbering only goes up to 4 so when all 3 piles of the set reach 4
the set is removed from play.
You
can also play a wild card on any card of the same color. When this is done that
pile is complete even if it is only a 1 and a wild card. Just think of it as
there is no number after a wild card.
can also play a wild card on any card of the same color. When this is done that
pile is complete even if it is only a 1 and a wild card. Just think of it as
there is no number after a wild card.
When
you remove a set from another player and it was their last set, they are out of
the game.
you remove a set from another player and it was their last set, they are out of
the game.
 |
| An Acceptable Meld |
You
don’t have to meld a set or play down cards. Melding a set like 3, 4, 4 could
take you out of the game quickly. Or, you might want to hold on to a Power1 set
for a bit so you don’t have to draw. If you choose not to play, or can’t play,
you can draw a card. There is no exposed discard pile to draw from, only the
hidden pile.
don’t have to meld a set or play down cards. Melding a set like 3, 4, 4 could
take you out of the game quickly. Or, you might want to hold on to a Power1 set
for a bit so you don’t have to draw. If you choose not to play, or can’t play,
you can draw a card. There is no exposed discard pile to draw from, only the
hidden pile.
If
the draw pile gets too low, collect up all the cards that have been taken out
of play, and shuffle them up for use.
the draw pile gets too low, collect up all the cards that have been taken out
of play, and shuffle them up for use.
Theme
and Mechanics
and Mechanics
Power1
is based on building running sets. Players familiar with other games bases on
Rummy will have an easy time picking up how to play Power1.
is based on building running sets. Players familiar with other games bases on
Rummy will have an easy time picking up how to play Power1.
 |
| Power1 Meld |
Artwork
and Components
and Components
This
isn’t a game based on a story so there isn’t artwork beyond the graphic layout
of the cards.
isn’t a game based on a story so there isn’t artwork beyond the graphic layout
of the cards.
The
Good
Good
- Easy
to learn - Cabin
game - Filler
game - Games
are quick
 |
| Playing on the Power1 |
Final
Thoughts
Thoughts
When
I played Power1, there were 4 of us sitting and enjoying a good discussion while
we played. There is some strategy of melding a set (one player learned the hard
way of placing his first set as a 3, 3, 4 and was out on the second round) and
playing down cards. You need to be able to have a couple of sets in play or
having them low enough that you aren’t in danger of being taken out.
I played Power1, there were 4 of us sitting and enjoying a good discussion while
we played. There is some strategy of melding a set (one player learned the hard
way of placing his first set as a 3, 3, 4 and was out on the second round) and
playing down cards. You need to be able to have a couple of sets in play or
having them low enough that you aren’t in danger of being taken out.
Everyone
enjoyed playing Power1 for the ease of learning and being able to talk while
playing.
enjoyed playing Power1 for the ease of learning and being able to talk while
playing.
 |
| Completing the Power1 |
Players
Who Like
Who Like
- Rummy-style card games
- Games
you can talk along with
Check out Power1 on:
Daniel Yocom – Reviewer
Daniel Yocom does geeky things by night because his day job won’t let him. This dates back to the 1960s through games, books, movies, and stranger things better shared in small groups. He’s written hundreds of articles about these topics for his own blog, other websites, and magazines along with stories, after extensive research. His research includes attending conventions, sharing on panels and presentations, and road-tripping with his wife. Join in the geeky fun at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com.
See Daniel’s reviews HERE.
I received this game as a gift and I gave it a shot and I was shockingly surprised at how much I missed playing good and competitive card games. The game really brings out the competitive nature of players and even has a strategic edge to it. I highly recommend it for dinner parties and hang-out sessions for literally all ages; had a real blast playing!! 🙂