Wits and Wagers
| Publisher(s) | North Star Games |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Trivia, Party, Wagering |
| Language(s) | English |
| Players | 3-7 players or teams |
| Age range | 10 and up |
| Setup time | 2 minutes |
| Playing time | 20-30 minutes |
| Random chance | Little, Question selection |
| Skill(s) required | Trivia, Gambling, Estimation |
| Website | Official Site |
Wits & Wagers is a board game designed by Dominic Crapuchettes and Nate Heasley. It is published by North Star Games. The first edition of the game was introduced in 2005, but the more refined second edition was released in 2007 and continues to be available today.
The game is played in seven rounds. One trivia question is asked each round, and each player gives a numerical answer to every trivia question. Players simultaneously place their written answer to the trivia question on the betting mat, and then bet on the answer they believe is closest to the right answer but not over it. The House pays players who choose the correct answer based on the odds marked on the board. The player with the most chips after the seventh question is the winner.
The game is designed for 4 to 20 players, with a maximum of seven individuals or teams. It is possible to play with fewer people, but it limits the range of odds for the payout.
Wits & Wagers has won over 20 awards including the Mensa Select award, the Board Game Geek 2007 Party Game of the Year, and GAMES Magazine 2007 Party Game of the Year. German, French, Swedish, and Norwegian editions of Wits & Wagers were released in the fall of 2008. Spanish and UK editions are expected to be released in the spring of 2009.
The current reigning world champion is Brandyn Van Zante, who won the Wits & Wagers championship held each year in Pella, Iowa. He has won five consecutive championships, besting the former record held by Rosh Patel of Butwal, Nepal.
Video game
A video game adaption of Wits and Wagers was released on May 7, 2008 on Xbox Live Arcade. The title was developed by Hidden Path Entertainment.