It’s my birthday and as a present to myself I’m beginning this blog about games. I want to start out with a really great game that I recently learned: So Long Sucker! (SLS)

SLS is for those who love Diplomacy but are never going to get 7 players together. Who love Risk or TEG but feel like it takes too long. It’s a pure negotiation game that strips everything down to the bare basics. Essentially players take turns deciding who will win the game. Each player has 7 poker chips. No luck, pure politics. If it sounds boring it’s not.

The first time I played this was on a double date (something I won’t make the mistake of repeating) and things very nearly went badly. As it was I died easily and early. This wasn’t just because I executed my girlfriend’s pieces in vengeance for an unfavorable move she had just made, I am simply not very good at negotiation games. I seem to become a lightning rod of controversy, something that will almost never help you in politics.

This game is perfect for a group of guys who want to play an hour long game at a bar. The game requires concentration. While it’s labeled as a strict 4 player game I’ve also played with 5 and it worked out just fine. Also if there’s more people partnering up just adds more personalities to the mix without unbalancing the game. While it does involve short term tactics the game is incredibly easy to learn and play. The only issue is that you may learn how nasty your friends can actually be…

So Long Sucker BGG Entry
Download So Long Sucker Rules from BGG