High-Bid
- Designer Larry Winters , P. Winters
- Publisher 3M , The Avalon Hill Game Co , Casper
- Illustration Aspect Annonsbyrå , Stefan Thulin
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players act as collectors trying to complete valuable sets of art and antiques. You bid on cards in auctions and can sell individual items during the game to gain cash. The selling price is determined by dice rolls, adding a risk element. Only complete sets score points at the end, with larger sets being more valuable and harder to finish.
Who Is This Game For?
High-Bid supports 2 to 4 players aged 12 and up, with a short playtime of about 25 minutes. It is a light to medium-weight game suitable for players familiar with auction and negotiation mechanics, but still accessible to casual gamers.
How It Works
The core mechanics are Auction/Bidding and Set Collection. Players start with cards and money, then bid on revealed property cards to build sets. Players may sell cards for cash, with the sale price decided by rolling two dice, which introduces randomness. Sometimes a dice roll triggers a secondary auction, affecting sale outcomes.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Larry Winters and part of the 3M Bookshelf Series, High-Bid is a classic auction game from 1963 that simulates buying and selling art items. While it did not receive awards, its combination of auction, set collection, and dice-driven sales makes it historically notable.
Pro
- Short playtime around 25 minutes
- Combines Auction/Bidding with Set Collection
- Thematic focus on art and antiques collection
- Easy to learn with tactical depth
Contra
- No solo mode available
- Dice luck can heavily influence outcomes
- Lacks modern mechanics or expansions
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game centers on trading art objects, coins, and antiques. Players take on the role of collectors assembling valuable sets of items.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on completing sets and use selling strategically to stay flexible during the game.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, High-Bid is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 25 minutes, making it suitable for quick sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with auction and negotiation games helps, but it remains accessible to casual players.
How does this compare to similar games?
High-Bid combines auction and set collection with a dice-based selling price mechanic, differentiating it from purely tactical auction games.
Is this suitable for families?
Recommended for players 12 and up; the luck factor and negotiation elements make it more of a hobbyist game.
What mechanic makes it special?
Its blend of Auction/Bidding, Set Collection, and dice-determined sale prices stands out.
Fazit
High-Bid is recommended for players who enjoy short, tactical auction games with an art-collecting theme. The random elements require adaptability and add variation.
