Alternatives to a "plain" game of Jenga
Written: Mar 01 '01
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Pros: alternatives add more fun to the game
Cons: It's Jenga, there are probably better things to do.
The Bottom Line: If you want a different way to play an old classic, then have fun and don't go to jail.
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| chicknyell's Full Review: Jenga |
Warning: There are enough Jenga reviews that I do not need to go into great detail. What I want to add is variations of the game that college students may find fun. In the first section I give a brief, objective review of Jenga. So if you are unaware of the game, read that. Then, if you are offended by references to nudity, llamas, sex and alcohol, you probably should just quit reading. Otherwise, read on for some great variations that are great for small college get-togethers.
Jenga, Jenga, Jenga
Jenga consists of dozens of flat, relatively thin pieces of wood that are stacked on top of each other in some pattern that can be found in the instructions book to form a "tower" of wooden blocks. The "tower" is about a foot or so high and sits comfortably on a table. The game is played by players taking blocks out of the tower where they deem it "safest." The person that knocks down the tower (which comes down in a load crash) during their turn is the loser, then pieces are stacked up and pieces are pulled again.
The rules may go a little deeper than this, but since I never really played by the "official" rules I cannot tell you for sure. What I can say is that the way I just described it is basically the way it is played. There may be a "pull more than one piece" or something involving dice, etc. This can all be found in the rules.
The game played by itself is great for some laughs and good family fun. This is a game for eight year olds to eighty year olds. The best setting for the game is probably the family, but friends often play. A couple of adults gathering together could get a few laughs out of Jenga, while children could get hours of laughs. So, overall, this is a cool game deserving three or four stars.
Objective review ends here!
College Party Variations
First, remember that these variations are probably for a small get-together of twenty or so instead of a group of a hundred or so. Of course, everyone will not be able to play at the same time, but the small crowd will cause less other problems. I also want to say that playing these variations have slight risks. So play with people you trust, and with all parties, there is no need to over-drink. Dying from alcohol poisoning is pure stupidity, as no person should ever drink that much. That said, be safe and these variations can be fun.
Study Break Jenga
This isn't much of a variation, but I will mention it. I play some Jenga-type game to do this, but Jenga would work well, too. Anyway, when studying, frequent breaks are important. The brain acts like a sponge, and once saturated with new information (that material that you took notes on but never looked at yet), it needs to be "rung out" with a study break. Jenga is a great way to take your mind off of school, as long as you have a friend to play with. Even playing with yourself (ummmm, nevermind) would pass some time. Jenga is great for the breaks because it requires some concentration (which distracts from work) and takes about five to ten minutes (the perfect break time in between twenty to thirty minute study sessions). Now on to the fun stuff.
Drunken Jenga
Once again, when playing this, do not drink to kill yourself. But, if you are anti-drinking, then don't kid yourself. Most people play drinking games some time in their life. I found here that most people "grow out" of these games by their first year of college, but people from other areas besides Acadiana (where kids start drinking at 12...yeah, we are losers) seem to enjoy the drinking games through college. So I don't need a comment about "you are promoting drinking." Yes, I think drinking is something that happens during college and I have had many fun times with alcohol, but I also think that there are drinking games that require much more drinking than this one would.
Anyway, here is how to play. Throw away any rule books and simply make the tower. Then, people gather around the table. Players each take turns. For each piece that is pulled out, the player pulling safely makes someone else take three seconds (or a big sip or whatever) worth of their drink (usually beer, but other stuff can be used. Also, coke is fine for the nondrinker).
Next rule is that whoever knocks the entire tower down has to drink for ten seconds or whatever deemed appropriate by the group. Other rules can be implemented, as well, such as if someone knocks the tower down by bumping the table, they have to drink twenty seconds or double whatever the penalty for "fair" knock-downs is. Also, partiers may want to make a rule that the person to left or right of the "knock-down drinker" get to make a new rule (such as no cussing or no first names), where breakers have to drink for three seconds or whatever.
You may want to edit the drinking times. To me, this would not be a very quick-paced, lots of alcohol drinking game (try the quarter spinning game for that). Thus, one may want to edit drinking times to get a little more (though more than ten seconds of drinking is pretty hard). Others may want to tame it down to one sip per piece and three big sips for spills, especially if alcohol is involved. So edit times at your discretion.
Strip Jenga
This game is not for the modest, and it should be done with people who are trusted and not with strangers or whatever. This is simply a variation of everyone's favorite: strip poker. To play, set up the tower as above. Then each person takes turns. The person who knocks the tower over must take off an article of clothing. Then the entire tower is set up again and it starts over, and it may take a while before some skin is exposed. I guess it could be played until all but the winner are naked. Also, when a person knocks down the tower by hitting the table, they have to take off two articles or some other penalty. Anyway, this is a good way to add a little "spice" to Jenga. I would say a group of ten or so male/female friends is best. I never played, but my roommate has. Strip poker and strip Donkey Kong (don't ask) are the only strip variations of games I have played, and contrary to belief of some, this does not lead to sex. It is clean, healthy fun that leads to nudity, and gives males and females a good excuse to look at their opposite sex (or same sexed if that is your cup of tea) friends in a "new light." I am sure I will get some "this is immoral" comments, so I will simply say: if you don't like it, don't play.
Even Better Strip Jenga
A variation on the original strip Jinga is best when people have lots and lots of clothes or people who do not mind some quick nudity. In this variation, for each piece a person pulls out, that person gets to tell someone to take off a piece of clothing. This will lead to much quicker nudity. Both strip versions of Jenga probably involve alcohol, but they do not have to.
In Conclusion
Jenga is a great game by itself, but the variations just add some spice to it. I guess these variations (strip or drinking) can be added to any game (like I said, Strip Donkey Kong is fun). So why are variations better with Jenga? Jenga is a game that requires some skill and concentration (that is why it is good for study breaks, remember). Thus, it is not like a random dice game or card flipping game. Instead, some people may do better than others. It also leads to the playing ability being a coefficient of play time (more alcohol, worst a person becomes). It is because of this "skill" along with the quick set-up, loud crashes and excitement of Jenga that makes it a great candidate for college student variations!
Since I assume I will get a rash of NR's, if you know of anyone who may enjoy these games, you might as well link them. This is not because I want extra pennies, as I usually lose my Epinions money at the casino. Instead it is because if you don't link them, they will never find my review as the NR's that I expect to get from the "Alcohol and Nudity are WRONG" group will send my review way to the bottom. Have fun playing.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 12
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Other
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chicknyell
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