Las Vegas (board game)

Las Vegas is played over four rounds, each representing a day at the casinos. The board features six casinos, each with a payout of money cards ranging from $10,000 to $90,000. Players start with eight dice of their color and take turns rolling and placing dice onto casinos. Once all dice are placed, each casino is resolved: the player with the most dice takes the highest-value card, the second-most takes the next, and so on. Ties are broken by comparing the numbers on the tied dice, with the higher number winning. The player with the most money at the end of the fourth day wins.

Rüdiger Dorn designed Las Vegas as a family-friendly game that balances luck and strategy. The game was nominated for the 2012 Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award, a prestigious honor in the board game industry. Critics praised its accessibility and the tension created by dice placement, though some noted that luck plays a significant role. The game has been compared to classic push-your-luck games but stands out for its simple yet engaging decision-making.

Several expansions have been released, including Las Vegas: The Dice Game (2014) and Las Vegas: Boulevard (2018), which add new mechanics such as special dice and additional casinos. The game also has a two-player variant that uses a neutral player to simulate competition. These expansions have been well-received, adding depth without complicating the core gameplay.

Despite its Las Vegas theme, the game does not involve gambling or betting; it is purely a dice-placement game. The original German edition was published by Ravensburger, and the game has been translated into multiple languages. A lesser-known fact is that the game's artwork, by Klemens Franz, is a departure from his usual style, featuring a more vibrant and cartoonish aesthetic. Additionally, the game has a strong following in the board game community, often recommended as a gateway game for new players.

Dice placement

A mechanic where players allocate dice to different areas to compete for rewards.

Spiel des Jahres

The German Game of the Year award, one of the most prestigious in board gaming.