- BGG rank
- BGG #25,998
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Distraction
- 2–6 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,677
- BGG rating
- 5.4
Calaboose
2005
Rules assistance for Calaboose
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- 12+
- Complexity 1.1/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Calaboose
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Calaboose is a board game released in 2005 for 2–5 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Patrick Matthews and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Simulation.
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About the game
Calaboose is an exciting card game for 2-5 players (ages 12+) from Live Oak Games. Players play the part of sheriffs in the Old West, each trying to capture the highest value collection of outlaws in their jails. Your jail (aka Calaboose) is a collection of cards kept face up on the table in front of you. Jails can only hold 5 outlaws at any one time, and each outlaw has a "strength" rating. On your turn, you can either place an outlaw from your hand into an empty slot in your jail or into someone else's jail. The outlaws each have "power" ratings. An outlaw can be sent to replace a weaker outlaw in someone else's jail. You can defend your jail. If someone sends an outlaw to your jail, you can eliminate him with one of your outlaws - but you have to send your defender to someone else's jail. That person can defend against you, of course, so each turn has the possibility of generating a chain reaction that involves multiple players around the table. It's a lighthearted social game with a solid core of strategy. Higher value cards tend to be weaker, and sets (or "gangs") are worth much more than singletons. Everyone at the table can see what's in your jail, so as you gain the advantage you also acquire a bullseye. Attacking another player's jail may backfire on you, so you have to be careful and constantly adjust your strategy to the cards on the table.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Live Oak Games
Questions and answers
Calaboose supports 2–5 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 Calaboose 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 Calaboose for ages 12 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.
Calaboose has a complexity rating of 1.1 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.
Calaboose belongs to these categories: Card Game, Party Game, and American West. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Simulation. 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 Calaboose are: Patrick Matthews. 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 Calaboose 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.