| Years active | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Players | 2-6 |
| Setup time | 15 minutes |
Hornochsen! is a card game designed by Wolfgang Kramer and published by Amigo Spiele in 1998. It serves as a sequel to Kramer's earlier game, 6 nimmt!, incorporating additional rules and strategic elements. The game accommodates 2 to 6 players, is suitable for ages 10 and up, and typically plays in about 15 minutes. [1]
Players aim to accumulate the fewest negative points ("red oxen") and, if possible, gather positive points ("green oxen"). The game involves placing cards in ascending order onto central rows, with strategic planning to avoid collecting rows that contain negative points. [2]
Each player is dealt a hand of cards, and a set number of cards are placed face-up in the center to initiate rows. Players take turns placing one to three cards onto these rows, adhering to specific placement rules based on the card numbers. If a player places the fifth card in a row, they must collect that row, potentially accumulating negative points. Special cards, such as multipliers, add complexity to the strategy.
In 1999, Hornochsen! was ranked 9th for the à la carte Card Game Award by the German magazine Fairplay.
Hornochsen! is part of a series of games by Wolfgang Kramer that includes 6 nimmt!, 11 nimmt!, and X nimmt!. Each game introduces unique mechanics while retaining core gameplay elements centered around strategic card placement and point accumulation.
While Hornochsen! was originally published in German, it is available through various retailers. Some editions may include English rules, making the game accessible to a broader audience. [3]