Board Games and Card Games

Stratego is board game that requires proficiency, preparation, strategy and action. Stratego, the game that is played today, was first introduced around 1960’s. It was first introduced in Netherlands. It was highly appreciated in European markets. Immediately, this game got distributed all over the U.S. also.

This game was not so different but it was introduced with slight differences in different parts of the world. This game is so popular all over Europe that people visit Europe for regular tournaments. Netherlands along with Belgium and Germany are famous for organizing championships for this game. U.S. too is no less in fondness for this game.

Not many people really know that stratego is a very old game. The game has seen many changes; in fact the game we play in today’s time is quite different from the original version. Chinese claim the origin of this game. It was believed that this game was first introduced with the name “jungle”. With time, the animal pieces got replaced with military pieces and the name changed to stratego. But the layout of the game is quite similar.

The positions of these pieces haven changed since then. Stratego has been known for many names like animal chess because of animal figures, Dou shi Qi and the game of animals. Stratego is definitely different from jungle. The pieces are not hidden as in jungle. Also, the layout remains fixed.

Very long ago, the game pieces were formed with the help of card board or thick paper. Later when the game had started to gain a lot of popularity, the pieces were carved out of wood. This added class and poise to the game. The game was no more, just enjoyed by the common people.

Wealthy people started playing it as it became a status symbol for many. Although no official gambling has ever been reported but people loved playing it for standing. This practice was then put to an end and standard plastic version of this game was introduced. Everybody could afford this game. This game is now available in attractive versions.

This board game is played on a square board. It is a two player game. The game is restricted by time limits. You can play this game one by one. There is no random chance for any player. Each player is provided with forty pieces on each side respectively. As already explained these pieces are meant for representing military or soldiers in the army just the way the pieces represented animals in the ancient game of jungle.

Winning the game is simple. You can win over your opponent in two ways. Either you take hold of your opponent’s flag or you take as many pieces of your opponent in the restricted time. The most interesting part about this game is that there is a lot of guess work required. Therefore a lot of practice, expertise and skill are required. You will not come to know about the rank of your opponent’s pieces. For that reason, you will have to keep on discovering!