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'The Completist'
United States
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1) What kind of games do I own and like?
I mostly like the gateway games because of the ease of learning and teaching. My collection (and reviews) include games like PitchCar, Dominion, Carcassonne, Pandemic, Cosmic Encounter, Lost Cities, Dixit, Ticket to Ride, Survive: Escape from Atlantis, No Thanks, For Sale, and Apples to Apples.
2) Why was I interested in Wits & Wagers?
Trivia and gambling. Time to put your money where your mouth is! Perfect.
3) Are the rules simple?
Answer a trivia question. Lay out everyone's guesses. Place bets on correct answer. Bob Barker rules apply (closest without going over, wins). Everyone is a pro after one round. It would be helpful to have a cheat card explaining the chip denominations for newbies and non-gamblers.
4) How do I teach Wits & Wagers to newbies?
There is only one way to teach Wits & Wagers. Teach by playing through the trivia phase and then, with a lot of fanfare, unfurl the betting board and pump up the crowd for the gambling phase. This isn’t your father’s trivia game! Newbies love seeing “PAYS 4 to 1” on a party game, it seems to bring something out of them that is unique to gambling. A type of ornery “better than thou” persona.
5) So how was the theme?
This game has a surprising amount of theme. It begins like a dull Trivial Pursuit evening and is quickly turned into an raucous Casino Night. Hamming it up during the betting phase helps bring out the whole casino flavor.
6) How is the component quality?
The poker chips and tray are cheap. I would have liked them to be at least the next level up in quality. The cards are very thin but see little to no repetitive action so this poses no problem. The dry erase boards get the most use and are made of a thick sturdy stock.
7) What age is it appropriate for?
The box say “10+” which I think is because of the gambling mechanic involved. I would have no problem with 7+. A younger child may have problems with the answers but can make up for it in the betting phase by watching others’ bets. For better or worse kids love gambling and will take to the game quickly.
8) How many players is it best with?
Seven or more. The game says 4-20 but you need seven or more. I have played with five and six and the game feels like it is missing something when the board doesn’t have the maximum amount of guesses available. I have played with 13 players also and it has worked very well. One person ran the game (Banker/Question Reader) while most of the players were teamed up with someone. The team ups worked much better than expected but it did slow the game down a bit. We have never had to use the sand timer before with one person on a team but once you have two we had the Banker/Question Reader implement a countdown (10, 9, 8…) to keep things running.
9) Should a player sit out and be the designated Banker/Question Reader?
Yes. There are problems with the trivia cards (see Question 16) that are solved with a designated Question Reader. It also helps to have one designated person to act as Banker to keep all the grabby hands away from the action. If ever a game need a pit boss this would be it. It may be hard to find someone to sit out but the game will run much smoother with someone directing the action.
10) What are the trivia questions like?
They are mostly obscure stuff that nobody should know but everyone at the table suddenly seems to be an expert in. “How many pounds does the Oscar statuette weigh?” or “What is the population Bedrock on The Flintsones”. Every so often there is a question like “When was Alaska granted statehood?” that really stalls the game. There will be at least 4 of the same (correct) guess on the board and everyone bets on it. The more obscure the questions the better this game clicks.
11) Is the trivia too hard?
This game isn’t black and white, never hinging on right or wrong. It is all about who is closest to the right answer. You can stink at ‘fill in the blank’ answers because the game hinges on ‘multiple choice’. Make your best guess in the Wits phase and your best hunch in the Wagers phase.
12) Do I need Expansion Pack 1?
The core game comes with 700 questions which really is a lot of questions. We use 14-21 questions (2-3 cards per sitting). This game falls off the rails if you have to start repeating older questions. The whole idea is for the players to not know the answer. If questions are repeated it throws off both phases of the game. The expansion comes with an additional 700 questions. I can’t vouch for the questions in the expansion yet but I recommend the purchase. New questions are like toilet paper...you’re going to miss ’em when you don’t have ‘em right when you need ‘em.
13) Is Wits and Wagers Family compatible?
Yes. W&W Family is its own core game with the gambling aspect removed. It is a great (but slightly expensive) way to add an additional 300 questions to your game.
14) Any problems with the chip quantities?
There really isn’t enough chips in the bank. Later in the rounds we tend to run out and we are always trying to make change with everyone. It would be really nice if there were about twice as many chips so this was a non-issue. We found it necessary to have 100 point chips introduced also.
15) Any problems with the trivia questions?
We have had an answer “disproven” with research on the internet which has casted some doubt on the whole game. This really doesn’t affect play but it is always brought up at the most opportune times.
UPDATE: If you read the comments below you'll see that I was interpreting the rules incorrectly on how to use the trivia cards. There is still a problem with the mechanic as far as I am concerned but it will only affect the very minority out there.
16) So what is the problem with the trivia cards already?
The trivia questions are all listed on one side of the card. It is almost impossible to not see the next question and answer. This can be solved with a designated Question Reader who can also perform the role of Banker. This person will have plenty to keep him busy if sitting out of the game is acceptable.
17) What could have improved the game for me?
A more durable chip tray. Include more chips. Include 100 point chips. Denominations on the chips would make it easier for the non-gambling crowd (or at least a guide written on the board). Something needs to be done with the question cards to make it harder to see the next question and answer. Maybe a sleeve like the old Password game would work.
18) Do I recommend Wits & Wagers?
Absolutely! This really brings fun back to the tired trivia genre. The Wits & Wagers’ betting theme brings a louder atmosphere than its Trivial Pursuit counterpart. The difference is like being in a casino vs. a library. No comparison. I love the idea of finally owning a game where the whole “put your money where your mouth is” flavor is explored.
19) Who won’t like Wits & Wagers?
If you don’t like trivia you probably won’t like this game. If you don’t like meaningless trivia you most definitely won’t like this game. Before you discount this game because of its trivial nature  understand that the meat of the game is the Wagers and not the Wits.
20) Will you like this game?
I bet you will. I’ll even give you 2:1 odds.
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Curt Carpenter
United States
Washington
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
A decent set of poker chips should be a standard accessory for every gamer. Thus I am glad the chips in the game are cheap. I don't use them, and wouldn't want to pay for anything better that I also don't use.
Re: #16
I think you're making a mistake. You're only supposed to use one question from each card. The problem you describe doesn't happen when you play as directed.
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
curtc wrote: A decent set of poker chips should be a standard accessory for every gamer. Thus I am glad the chips in the game are cheap. I don't use them, and wouldn't want to pay for anything better that I also don't use.
Re: #16
I think you're making a mistake. You're only supposed to use one question from each card. The problem you describe doesn't happen when you play as directed.
What Curt said - it also addresses your point 9 about the dedicated Question reader. Tis funny, I'd always wondered why the didn't just use one card until you said this, then I went ahhh, nicely considered Mr Crapuchettes! 
We do have a dedicated banker (usually me), just cause we're usually teaching new people how to play and they've got enough to think about
As far as the age thing goes... on our first game, all of the adults were beaen by a 5 year old... shows how much we know our trivia, sometimes you can over think these questions
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'The Completist'
United States
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
curtc wrote: A decent set of poker chips should be a standard accessory for every gamer. Thus I am glad the chips in the game are cheap. I don't use them, and wouldn't want to pay for anything better that I also don't use.
Re: #16
I think you're making a mistake. You're only supposed to use one question from each card. The problem you describe doesn't happen when you play as directed.
I own some professional chips but they obviously come in their own large case so they don't travel well. I'll definately have to purchase a midreange set of chips dedicated just for this game.
I would love to hear how you get buy without seeing the answer to the next question because it just doesn't work well for us.
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hocky Mask - you draw a new card for each question, so question 1 on card one, draw a new card for question 2, new card for question 3 etc....
So noone can see the next answer....although people do often get excited about other questions on the card
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'The Completist'
United States
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
I thought of that but youe either waste questions or you'll start having a mix of repeat question faster. I would rather exhaust a card of its questions and discard it than play a constant game of "I think we've had this question before and I think John played that time so I bet he knows what the answer is" stuff.
Those same people that you say have often got excited by another question on the card hvae most likely looked at the answer for said question anyway. As far as I am concerned that is basically the same problem I am having but a bit more secretive.
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hockey Mask wrote: I thought of that but youe either waste questions or you'll start having a mix of repeat question faster. I would rather exhaust a card of its questions and discard it than play a constant game of "I think we've had this question before and I think John played that time so I bet he knows what the answer is" stuff.
Those same people that you say have often got excited by another question on the card hvae most likely looked at the answer for said question anyway. As far as I am concerned that is basically the same problem I am having but a bit more secretive.
Guess I'm fortunate enough to not play with many people who can accurately remember the answer to a question they read in passing 6-8 months ago...And I spose we seldom have the same group of people at the table, which I'd never thought of as an advantage before
I mean we play a few games of Wits and Wagers whenever we pull it out, but that's only every month or two. So that's at best 28 cards covered - often with different people, usually reading different questions. So at that rate, even if everyone memorised every question on the card, we're looking at 4 years before we start repeating... and I don't mean to suggest my friends aren't clever people - one is actually a rocket scientist - but few of them will know the answers to the first questions the next time they come around.
Hell, I like to think I'm pretty sharp, but I can remember one of the questions, all the discussion, arguing and rationalisation that went with it.... but I'll be dammed if I can remember the answer!
I think that metagame is some of the best part of it - oh he's played before and wrote his answer confidently, so I'll be on his answer... oh he's wrong!!!
Sorry if I'm coming on a little strong, its your game, your house so your rules. But you aren't playing the game as the designer recommended, and then you're criticising it for requiring your house rule... just seems unfair...
ummm also want to say that I actually like your review - and do appreciate that you like the game
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'The Completist'
United States
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
I appreciate your comments and really want the game to work more smoothly for me. The OCD in me won't let me pull off one question and discard the card. You're right, it isn't fair to criticize a house rule (I thought we were following the rules correctly) but I still don't like the written rule as a fix to my problem because I think it brings with it another set of problems. I can't say that we'll rememeber answers months or years down the road as we haven't had a chance for it to come up yet but it is obviously a concern for me. We really are talking about years down the road at the rate we play.
Thanks for your time.
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Randy Cox
United States
Clemson
South Carolina
1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!
The Back Alley gets no respect.
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hockey Mask wrote: I appreciate your comments and really want the game to work more smoothly for me. The OCD in me won't let me pull off one question and discard the card. You're right, it isn't fair to criticize a house rule (I thought we were following the rules correctly) but I still don't like the written rule as a fix to my problem because I think it brings with it another set of problems. I can't say that we'll rememeber answers months or years down the road as we haven't had a chance for it to come up yet but it is obviously a concern for me. We really are talking about years down the road at the rate we play.
Thanks for your time. Actually, you're going to explode from the OCD when you realize that they created the right number of cards so that even when you properly use one card per question, you won't have any reused questions until you exactly use up the entire deck.
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Curt Carpenter
United States
Washington
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
What Randy said. Note also that for this to work, it's important that you put the cards in the back of the edck in order. Also, if you are afraid of people looking at questions and answers not in play for the current game, make one person who is capable of not doing this the dedicated question/answer reader.
Hockey Mask wrote: I own some professional chips but they obviously come in their own large case so they don't travel well. I'll definately have to purchase a midreange set of chips dedicated just for this game. Only "just for this game" if this is the only game you have that uses money.
If portability is an issue for you, then you need this or this. You're welcome. 
Edit: Looking at your collection, I'm surprised to see that apparently this really is the only game you have that uses money.  So many of my games use money (and others' games that I play) that I just take my set of chips to every game night by default. It's rare that it doesn't get used. I used to always take a heavy "nice" set before discovering smaller/lighter chips. But the latter is soooo much better, not just because it saves my back when carrying my game box, but rather the smaller ones are just easier to manipulate, and take up less space when making piles in front of players, or even sometimes on game components like the board or cards.
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AJ Newhausen
United States
South Beloit
Illinois
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hockey Mask wrote: 14) Any problems with the chip quantities?
There really isn’t enough chips in the bank. Later in the rounds we tend to run out and we are always trying to make change with everyone. It would be really nice if there were about twice as many chips so this was a non-issue. We found it necessary to have 100 point chips introduced also.
This hasn't been a problem with my games of W&W. Not only are my usual opponents not gamblers (at least not in this game), but it's rare that anyone gets that many correct guesses in a row to increase their score geometrically. If I'm having a bad game, it's not rare to see a score in the teens be in the lead after question 6.
In a dozen games, I think we've run out of chips exactly once.
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John W
United States
Sacramento
California
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hockey Mask wrote: I appreciate your comments and really want the game to work more smoothly for me. The OCD in me won't let me pull off one question and discard the card. Another example of where OCD gets in the way of gameplay.
It would be interesting to see a geeklist created by a sufferer that details how many times and ways it comes up when playing boardgames.
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Daniel W.
United States
Portland
OR
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hockey Mask wrote: I thought of that but youe either waste questions or you'll start having a mix of repeat question faster. I would rather exhaust a card of its questions and discard it than play a constant game of "I think we've had this question before and I think John played that time so I bet he knows what the answer is" stuff.
Those same people that you say have often got excited by another question on the card hvae most likely looked at the answer for said question anyway. As far as I am concerned that is basically the same problem I am having but a bit more secretive. Aside from looking at the questions, you won't have the repeat question issue come up for a long time. If you do the math, with seven games in each question, after game number 14, you will have used 98 cards, which means that in your 15th game is when you start having the same card used twice. The good news about this is that with 7 questions on each card, what was card number 1 before is now card 3, so as long as people did not look at questions never asked, then you are fine and you will actually have many plays before all 700 questions are used up.
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'The Completist'
United States
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
I have never played and not had chip issues of some sort. Granted some are worse than others.
I may jump back on the horn and try the cards as described. It beats having someone sit out.
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Luke Warren
United States
Dist of Columbia
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
Hockey Mask wrote: I have never played and not had chip issues of some sort. Granted some are worse than others.
For the record, the new print runs of Wits & Wagers have green chips added that are worth 25pts. This helps a bunch with the chip shortage problem.
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'The Completist'
United States
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Re: 20 Questions About Wits & Wagers!
I have the edition with the green chips. I couldn't imagine playing without them.
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Posted Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:00 am
