Ice Fishing
| Ice Fishing | ||
|---|---|---|
| Designed by William M. Reed | ||
| Players: | 2 - 4 | |
| Length: | Medium | |
| Complexity: | Low | |
| Trios per color: | 5 | |
| Number of colors: | 4 | |
| - - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - - | ||
| Opaque container and screens | ||
| Setup time: | 2 minutes | |
| Playing time: | 15 - 20 minutes | |
| Strategy depth: | Low | |
| Random chance: | Medium | |
| Theme: | Fishing | |
| Status: Complete (v1.0), Year released: 2001 | ||
designed by William M. Reed
What you Need[edit | edit source]
an opaque container (such as the black hemp Icehouse bag) for the Fishing Pool
an opaque screen (such as a file folder, or this file) for each player to conceal their Stash
4 Icehouse stashes
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing time: 15-20 minutes
Overview[edit | edit source]
Ice Fishing is a game designed for younger players, and is similar to the card game, Go Fish. Players try to build sets of five identical pyramids by fishing for matches from their opponents and the Fishing Pool. The goal is to have the greatest number of complete sets at the end of the game.
The Rules[edit | edit source]
All Icehouse pieces are placed into the opaque container. This is the Fishing Pool. The opaque screens are placed between the players in such a way that they conceal their pieces from the opponents (in a two-player game, one screen can stand between the players).
Beginning with the youngest player, each player randomly draws ten pyramids from the Fishing Pool and conceals them from the other players behind his or her screen. Any sets of five identical pyramids can be placed aside as complete.
Moving clockwise, and beginning with the youngest, players take turns asking a specific player for a pyramid of specific size and color that would match one she already owns. For example, if she has a small red pyramid, she may ask any of the other players "Do you have any small red pyramids?" If someone asks you for a pyramid that you have, the pyramids are taken from your Stash. If you do not have any of that kind of pyramid, say, "Go Ice Fishing". Your opponent must take a pyramid from the Fishing Pool.
When it's your turn, select a player that you think may have a needed pyramid. Request the specific size and color that you desire. If the player has one or more of the desired pyramid, he or she must pass them over to you. If not, you must "Go ice Fishing." If you get the requested pyramid (whether from the player or the Pool), you get to go again. Any set of five identical pyramids can be placed aside as complete.
If you run out of pyramids, and the Fishing Pool is not empty, you get a free pyramid.
Ending the Game[edit | edit source]
Play continues until all stashes and the Fishing Pool are empty. Each player counts their number of sets, and the player with the greatest number of sets wins.
Strategies[edit | edit source]
When drawing a piece from the Fishing Pool, you may not look at what you're drawing, but you may try to identify which pieces are small, medium, or large by how they feel.
Remember what your opponents ask for, and when you possess one of those pyramids ask them for it.
In the first half of the game, you are often better off hiding your Stash by choosing one or two pyramids and asking for them every turn. Then, when the Fishing Pool is nearly empty, most of the pyramids you need will be in other players' Stashes. Start asking for pyramids and keep asking. Often the last three or four sets will be taken by one person, bringing the game to a sudden close.