Camel Up
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The FroGames Card
Bet on the first one. Your camel is overtaken. You change your mind, bet on the second. The die rolls, three camels stack up, someone screams. In the end, the one no one bet on will win.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
A camel race in the Egyptian desert where anything can happen
Designed by Steffen Bogen and first published in 2014, Camel Up won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres the same year. This second edition from 2018 features new artwork by Chris Quilliams, a redesigned pyramid-die, engraved dice, and the novelty of crazy camels running backward. The setting is the Arabian desert, but the theme is an excuse: here, you laugh, bet, and scream.
At the table, you are a gambler betting on five camels racing around a pyramid. Each turn, someone shakes the pyramid-die: a colored die rolls out, and that camel moves forward. If it lands on another camel, it stacks on top and carries it. You win by betting early (when the odds are high) on the right camels, placing desert tiles to hinder or accelerate, and guessing the final winner. The rules are explained in ten minutes, chaos begins immediately.
What they say abroad
"Camel Up is the best beer-and-pretzels betting game out there."
Camel Up is the best light betting game on the market.
— The Dice Tower
First game: everything seemed random. Third game: I realized that those who bet first win more often. Fifth game: I stopped thinking and just laughed.
— FroGames
Camel Up (Second Edition)
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and game sessionsThe pieces of chaos
What you find in the box
Five camels (plus two crazy ones)
The five classic camels race towards the finish line. The two crazy camels (new to the second edition) start from the other side and run backward, creating further havoc when they cross paths.
The pyramid-die
The heart of the game. You shake it, a colored die comes out from the bottom. That camel moves. The pyramid keeps everyone in suspense because no one knows which die will come out. Iconic design, works perfectly.
Pyramid betting cards
Each turn you can take a betting card on the camel you think will come first in that round. Whoever bets first earns more if they guess correctly, but risks more if they are wrong.
Desert tiles (oasis and mirage)
You place them on the track to advance or retreat camels. You earn coins if a camel lands on them. They are the only way to actively influence the race besides betting.
Recommended sleeves 48 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting the cards with transparent sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 44 × 68 mm | 48 |
| Total cards | 48 |
🎲How to PlayThe rules in four steps▼
How to Play
The flow of each round
Each player, on their turn, chooses ONE of these four actions. Then the turn passes. When all five dice have exited the pyramid, the round ends.
Take a betting card from a camel's deck. If you correctly guess the first camel in the round, you earn coins (you earn more if you're the first to bet on that color). If you're wrong, you lose coins.
Shake the pyramid: a die comes out, and the camel of that color advances. If it lands on another camel, it stacks on top. You, who moved, earn one coin. A simple but crucial action: each die changes the race.
Place an oasis (+1 space) or a mirage (–1 space) on a free space on the track. When a camel lands on it, you earn a coin. It's the only move to directly influence the race.
Place a face-down card on your bet for the winner (or loser) of the entire race. This is only resolved at the end of the game: if you guess correctly, you get a lot of coins. If you're wrong, you pay. High risk, high reward.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Setup and first bet
The camels are all stopped at the starting line. No one knows which die will come out first. Someone immediately bets on blue, someone else waits. The pyramid is shaken: red comes out. The table reacts. Those who bet on red smile, the others reconsider.
Camels stack up
One camel lands on another and climbs on top. Now they move together. The player who bet on the camel underneath shouts: their pawn is riding for free towards the finish line. Those who bet on other camels suddenly remember that those can also stack. Frantic mental calculations begin.
Someone places a desert tile
A player places an oasis or a mirage on the track. It's the only control move: if a camel lands on it, it moves forward or backward one space. The player who placed it earns a coin. The others look at the board, recalculate everything, and change their bets at the last minute.
The last die of the round
Only one die is left in the pyramid. Everyone knows which camel will move. The tension is total: if a 3 comes out, green wins the round. If a 1 comes out, yellow underneath wins. Someone shakes the pyramid. A 2 comes out. Shouts, laughter, someone bangs their fist on the table. The round ends, coins are counted.
Race end and final bet
After three or four rounds, a camel crosses the finish line. Those who bet on the final winner cash in big. Those who bet on the loser pay a penalty. The crazy camels (if used) have ruined at least two plans. Someone immediately proposes a rematch.
🐸Good to know firstThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know first
Three honest things
Dominant luck
The dice decide everything. You can calculate probabilities, read the board, bet intelligently, but if the wrong die comes out at the wrong time, you lose. If this frustrates you, Camel Up isn't for you. If you enjoy it, it's perfect.
Scales better with more players
It works well with 3-4, but the game explodes with 6-8. With many players, bets are snatched up quickly, the chaos increases, and so do the laughs. With three, it can feel a bit mechanical. It was born to be a party game, not a duel.
Limited strategy
After ten games, you'll have understood 90% of the strategy: betting early on stacked camels, placing tiles at critical points. There's no infinite tactical depth. It's a game enjoyed for its atmosphere, not its learning curve.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and how to lose
The player with the most coins at the end of the race wins. Coins come from successful bets, well-placed desert tiles, and pyramid moves. Those who guess the final bets incorrectly pay dearly.
Victory
- Betting early on the right camels during the rounds (the first cards are worth more)
- Guessing the final winner of the race (or the last place, which is equally valuable)
- Placing desert tiles where camels often land (you earn a coin each time)
Defeat
- Always betting late: the last betting cards of the round are worth almost nothing
- Guessing incorrectly on the final winner or loser (you lose coins instead of gaining them)
- Never using desert tiles: you give up easy coins that others collect
Camel Up is one of the most awarded party games of all time because it works for everyone, creates absurd moments, and keeps the table lively for 45 minutes without a dull second. If you're looking for laughs and controlled chaos, this is it.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Camel Up (Second Edition)
What's the difference between the first and second edition?
The second edition (2018) has new graphics, a redesigned, more stable dice pyramid, engraved dice (instead of stickers), and the addition of crazy camels that run backwards. The basic rules remain identical. If you have the first edition, no need to repurchase; if you're starting from scratch, get this one.
Does it work well with 3 players or does it need more people?
It works better with 5 or more players. With 3-4, bets are exhausted less quickly, there's less chaos, and it can feel a bit mechanical. It's not broken, but it loses some of its magic. With 6 to 8, it's explosive: everyone shouts, cards are snatched up, the pyramid becomes the center of the table.
Do the crazy camels overcomplicate the game?
No. They are an optional variant (you can play without them) and add chaos, not complexity. They run backward and can send other camels back when they cross paths. The rules remain very simple, but games become even less predictable. Recommended after 2-3 basic games.
What mechanics does Camel Up use?
Betting, dice rolling, track movement, and light bluffing (you bet without knowing what others will do). The engine is the dice pyramid that releases one die at a time: it's a physical timer that marks the round and keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
Is it available in Italian?
Yes, this is the Italian edition published by Ghenos Games. Cards, rules, and components are all in Italian. You don't need to know other languages to play.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Camel Up (Second Edition) is a betting and dice-rolling party game for 3-8 players, lasting 30-45 minutes, ages 8+. Designed by Steffen Bogen and winner of the Spiel des Jahres 2014, the game uses an iconic dice pyramid that releases one die per turn: camels move, stack, and create controlled chaos. The second edition introduces crazy camels that run backward, refreshed graphics, and engraved dice. Mechanics: pyramid betting, track movement, risk management. Italian edition published by Ghenos Games. Available on FroGames.it.
Camel Up
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
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