
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,232
- BGG rating
- 6.8
ICECOOL
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2016

Rules assistance for Alpen Roulette
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Alpen Roulette is a board game released in 1965 for 1–10 players, 5 minutes per game, and ages 5 and up. Its main mechanics are Area Movement.
From the box: "Place 6 balls (the 4 white, 1 red and 1 green) into the centre of the platter and set the top to them. When the spinning top hits the balls it will drive them outwards into the small numbered pits. To count the score add up the numbers pertaining to the pits into which balls have dropped; double the amount indicated by the red ball, but subtract that scored by the green ball. Balls which have fallen out of the platter should not be put back. A player scoring with all six balls can have another go. The winner is he who first reaches the total agreed before the game, which is generally put at 1000. The players can also stipulate that the score reached by the white and green balls is valid only if the red ball has also scored." It comes with a nice wooden spin area that is somewhat bowl shaped, a nice wooden top with a square just above the tip to hit the balls, and 6 little wooden balls.
Alpen Roulette supports 1–10 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Alpen Roulette is 5 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Alpen Roulette for ages 5 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Alpen Roulette has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Alpen Roulette belongs to these categories: Action / Dexterity. Its main mechanics are Area Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Alpen Roulette as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.