- BGG rank
- BGG #1,754
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Wildcatters
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,798
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Big Shot
2001
Rules assistance for Big Shot
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Big Shot
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Big Shot is a board game released in 2001 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Alex Randolph and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Loans, and Dice Rolling.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #139
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Age of Steam
- 1–6 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2002
- BGG rank
- BGG #769
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Struggle of Empires
- 2–7 players
- 180–240 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,805
- BGG rating
- 8.6
1817
- 3–7 players
- 360–540 min
- Complexity 4.8/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,151
- BGG rating
- 7.8
1848: Australia
- 3–6 players
- 200–240 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,292
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Mahé
- 2–7 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 1974
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,595
- BGG rating
- 7.2
TOKYO METRO
- 1–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,684
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Evo
- 3–5 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2001
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,672
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Court of the Dead: Mourners Call
- 2–5 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #225
- BGG rating
- 7.7
The Red Cathedral
- 1–4 players
- 80 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #282
- BGG rating
- 7.6
La Granja
- 1–4 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #644
- BGG rating
- 8.2
La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
- 1–4 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2023
About the game
Big Shot is an auction game in which a set of colored cubes is put up for auction each round based on a random die roll. Whoever wins the bid, places those cubes in areas on the game board. Once an area has seven cubes in it, that area is locked and no more cubes can be added. Whoever has the majority of cubes in that area owns it — except that ties for majority are disregarded, so in a spread of 3/3/1 cubes, the player with only one cube owns that area! Players have a limited amount of money with which to bid. They can take one loan each turn, but the first loan gives them only $9 more, while the second loan gives them $8 and the third $7. At the end of the game, the player must repay $10 for each loan taken, with that money coming from the value of the property they now own. At the end of the game, players tally the value of what they own (with some properties being doubled in value if the player owns that region's doubler as well as areas within that region), then repay all loans. Whoever has the most money wins!
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Popcorn Games
- Grow Jogos e Brinquedos
- Ravensburger AG
- OPEN'N PLAY
- Hobby Game Mall
- Oliphante
- Playte
- Engames
Questions and answers
Big Shot supports 2–4 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 Big Shot is 30 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 Big Shot for ages 10 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.
Big Shot has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Big Shot belongs to these categories: Economic. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Loans, and Dice Rolling. 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 credited designers of Big Shot are: Alex Randolph. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Big Shot 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.