When looking at board games on our own games shelves or even in the shops, there are plenty that we recognise from our own childhoods, some games just stand the test of time. One of the these games is Rummikub (pronounced rummi-cube), the number sequencing game. It is a game that has been entertaining families for 70 years and if it were a Hollywood movie it would have starred actors such as Audrey Hepburn and James Stewart; timeless, elegant, and with just enough sophistication to make your average game night feel like a soirée at The Savoy! And now it has donned a slick black tuxedo for a quality stylish premium upgrade with premium black tiles with the numbers in primary colours, black racks, black playing mat and black fabric tile bag, all housed in a stylish black tin. Welcome to Rummikub Black – a stylish edition of the classic game that’s more than just a pretty face.
Rummikub Black is a tile-based strategy game combining elements of the card game Rummy and the tile game Mah-jong, with a similar look to Scrabble without the board and using numbers instead of letters. It is a game for 2-4 players, aged 7+ with a playing time of about 60 minutes. It is a game that is suitable for children, families and adults.
The idea of the game is to get rid of all your tiles on your rack by building number groups (a group of 3 or 4 tiles with the same numbers but in different colours) or runs (a set of consecutive numbers in the same colour).
Rummikub Black is a very simple game to learn and play, but it takes a bit of strategic thinking to win.
In the tin:
- 106 Rummikub Tiles (numbered 1 to 13 in 4 different colours plus 2 jokers)
- 4 Rummikub Curved Tile Racks
- Tile Mat (4 pieces that slot together)
- Cloth Bag
- Black Tin
- Rules
This premium edition is much more than just a pretty face. It may have updated its ensemble for the modern age. It still has the same strategic depth of gameplay that’s captivated players for decades, requiring a blend of cunning and luck that would make even Machiavelli take notes. The game’s simple premise – create runs and groups of numbers – hides a battlefield where only the shrewdest generals can claim victory.
Rummikub is a game of strategy, combined with a bit of luck and cunning. It is a constantly changing game, just like the British weather, as the tiles in play are constantly adjusted, making new runs and groups, which gives every player a chance to outmanoeuvre their opponent’s and win.
Rummikub Black is a strategic numbers game for 2 to 4 players. Setting up to play is extremely easy. All players receive 14 tiles, which they place on their tile rack. The remaining tiles are left face down on the table, within easy reach of all players. Once each player has sorted their tiles on their rack, each player selects a new tile from the centre of the table and the player with the highest number gets to start first.
For the opening gambit, the first round, players take it in turns to lay down a group or run on the table that is worth 30 points or more (adding up all the numbers placed will give you your points total). If a player is unsuccessful in trying to lay down their initial 30 point run or group that player must select a new tile and add it to their rack, and that players turn ends.
- RUN: a set of 3 or 4 consecutive number tiles in the same colour, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 in red.
- GROUP: a set of 3 or 4 tiles of the same number but in different colours, you can’t have 2 of the same colours, e.g., 1 (red), 1 (white, 1 (yellow) and 1 (blue).
After the opening round, going forward each player must lay at least 1 tile from their rack when it is their turn. This can be either adding a new group or run or manipulating one that has already laid (e.g., adding a 4 to a sequence of 1, 2, 3 already on the table). If a player can’t play a tile, they must take one from the pile and add it to their rack and then play goes to the next player.
The game continues until one player has laid all their tiles on the table and called out, “Rummikub”. If you are playing more than one game, the losing players add up the values of their remaining tiles and the total of all losing players tiles is given to the winner as a positive score, while each losing player receives a minus score to the value of their own remaining tiles. After a few games, the player with the overall highest number of points is the declared the victor.
Overall, Rummikub Black is a very simple game to learn, easy to play and is an extremely addictive game. One game is never enough. It is an excellent game of strategy and thinking through various permutations, combined with a small helping of lady luck.
Starting off it can be a bit slow while building up of sets and groups. But whilst waiting for your turn you can be arranging your own tiles on your rack into possible playing groups and trying to work out any other permutations in your head for your next move. You can speed up game play with the use of a timer, although depending on who is playing, we feel that if playing the game with children it would ruin the game by adding in too much pressure for them to try and work out their number combinations (although it does work well with older teenagers and adults).
I loved the addition of the playing mat; I think it is excellent as it means that the tiles don’t slide around on the table.
Rummikub Black is a premium quality set that makes a great addition to any board game shelf. It is supplied in a simple but quality looking black tin. The tin and most of the components are good quality, the only part that I think let down the quality of this set was the tile racks; they just feel a little bit flimsy and not as premium quality as the rest of the set.
This black version of the game is excellent. It still has the same addictive fun for the whole family to play, just with better quality pieces and a mat to play on. It really is a fun game for everyone. The quality, feel and look of this set is excellent.
Rating: 4.5/5
RRP: £39.99
For more information, visit www.johnadams.co.uk. Available to buy from Amazon here.
