L.A.M.A Game Review- Add the L.A.M.A. Game To Your Collection

Lama (nominiert Spiel Des Jahres 2019)

Although it just barely missed out on winning Spiel des Jahres for 2019, the L.A.M.A game was a HUGE winner in my house this summer. This simple card game is easy to play, simple to teach, is good for all ages, is sort of familiar with a few fun twists…. and best of all, it fits into a pocket, so you can take it anywhere. What more can you ask of a game? Granted, it’s not a deeply complex game, but if I can get my kids together around a table laughing and playing… then it’s a win. Let me tell you more about the L.A.M.A card game!

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WHY is it called the L.A.M.A Game?

We were a little confused… why is it called the L.A.M.A Game... and not the Llama game? After all, there are Llamas all over the game. Turns out L.A.M.A is an acronym for the German words for – “Lege Alle Minuspunkte Ab” which translates to Dump all Negative Points. D.A.N.P is a goofy name for a game, so they stuck with the German homonym. Either way… the Llamas are cute.

How to Play the L.A.M.A Game

Shuffle the cards… then deal each player 6 of them. Place the remaining stack in the center of the table, and flip one over. It will be a number 1-6 or a Llama card.

In turn, discard one of the cards in your hand onto the face up card. How do you choose? The card you discard MUST be the same number, or one HIGHER. So if a 2 is face up, you can place a 2 or a 3 on it.

Now, if the card is a 6, you place a 6, or a Llama card on it! And once someone has placed a Llama, you can cover it with another Llama, or the number 1 card. Simple.

If you don’t have the right card to discard, you may choose a card from the draw stack… you MAY NOT play it (even if it fits). You only take one.

If you choose, you may also withdraw from the round. Just fold up your cards, and place them face down in front of you. The points on the cards will be counted against you, in a method I will explain below. The other players may continue play until everyone has folded, or someone puts down their last card.

Play can continue even if only ONE person is playing! That person can continue to discard cards… they just may not draw one.

Ok… everyone done??

Scoring-
Calculate the points from the cards left in your hand by simply adding the face value… with one special trick. If you have multiple cards of the same value, you only have to count one of them.
So…
If you are left with a one and 2 fives… you only count SIX points. (Basically, bundle all same numbered cards as if there were just one of them)

Bummer if you are left with a Llama card in your hand. It’s worth 10 points, and not 7.

Collect chips in the amount of your score. Black chips are worth 10, white are worth 1.

First person to 40 points signals the end of the game (and loses… winner has the fewest chips).

One more Thing!!
When someone is lucky enough to discard all of their cards in a round, the round immediately ends. All other players must count their hand and take chips… The person who discarded all the cards may discard one chip from their pile… of ANY color.

(And yes, you can turn in 10 white chips to make 1 black chip)

L.A.M.A Game Review

I admit, I was skeptical when I saw the L.A.M.A Game on the Spiel des Jahres nomination list. It looked too… simple? But I see now what makes this a good game. The Spiel des Jahres committee prides itself on choosing games that the whole family can play together and enjoy.

Granted, it’s not complex. But the re-playability of the L.A.M.A Game makes up for that.

The L.A.M.A card game is a nice filler. Simple, fun, easy-going.

The game reminded us a LOT of Uno, but is much less cut-throat! No TAKE THAT! (And if you have kids at the table, that’s a big help… I do get tired of the “mom! She keeps putting down the reverse so I can’t play”)

And best of all, the game fits in my pocket… so we can pack it along anywhere… restaurants, waiting rooms, and even hotel rooms. Perfect!

L.A.M.A Components

There really isn’t much to the game. Rules, a stack of cards, and a small bag of chips. The chips remind me of the old Tiddlywinks chips we played with as kids. The cards are standard size… could be sturdier, but they are just cards. Everything comes in a small sturdy cardboard box.

Who can Play the L.A.M.A Card Game?

Although the box says 8 and up, I would argue that younger kids could play too. The game might work well as a new game for an elderly player…. simple rules, large print on the cards, and familiarity.

This is one of those games that would be great for a multi-generation game night. And since 2-6 people can play, at our house we don’t even need to team up!

The whole game (played up to 40 points) takes around 20 minutes.

If you are looking for a fun and simple game for experienced players, or to lure in new players… the L.A.M.A Game belongs on your selves.