First player to 10, wins!

Settlers of Catan came into my life two Christmases ago. I am now fairly certain that my husband and I are solely responsible for marketing this game to the entire state of California. It's amazing what word of mouth can do.

In Settlers of Catan each player establishes their territory on a different-every-time, hexagonal-pieced board. Each roll of the dice brings fortune or famine in the form of resources you use to expand your empire. Your efforts to build roads, create an army, or rely on the luck of Development Cards may or may not help you outpace your opponents and claim the victorious title "Lord of Catan".

One great aspect of this game is that it truly is different every time. Sure, you can become the master at selecting the perfect mix of resources and numbers for your initial properties, but so much of a winner's success relies on the roll of the dice. And so many decisions to make! Do you build on a port for easier trading of resources, or choose to own property on as many different numbers as you can? Do you keep building roads, save up for a city, build up your army, or try your luck with Development Cards?

Catan has some similarities to Risk and Monopoly, and equally amusing is the expansion pack for the original game, which can accommodate up to 6 players. The strategy changes dramatically as you try to hold your ground against more people on a slightly larger board.

Player be warned: all variations of the game involving the sea, space, or knights should be avoided at all costs.

Learn more about this author, Jill Langill.
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