Smart Zone Games Hive Pocket

We have played the original version, which lacked the ladybug and mosquito expansion pieces. Pocket Hive gave us those, and was even more portable. Portable games are our favorite. Sitting in a diner or a brewery, the pieces are more resistant to spills than our card based games are. The fact that this one is specifically a two player is a bonus. Play is enough like chess in that each insect has specific moves, and the goal is to surround your opponents queen (bee). Learning the game together gave an advantage over chess in that neither of us had a head start. And the best moves weve picked up are from playing against each other. One of the main criticisms is that the first player always has the advantage. And because we play this so much, my husband and I play the same color consistently. We just take turns being the player who gets the opening move. Another thing that can easily happen, is getting into a rut. Developing an opener that is your go-to, can get a little stale. Heres The Sambient Randomizing Variation: Randomize the opening moves. As in regular play, your queen has to be placed within the first four tiles set down. Start with the pieces face down and scrambled. For the first three turns, pick blindly, reveal and place your piece. If your queen has not been drawn in the first three turns, your unplayed pieces are to be placed face up. Placing the queen has to be your next move. If you did pick the queen in one of your first three turns, keep your pieces face down until after youve picked your fourth piece blindly. You can, however, as with the traditional rules, move any of your pieces on your turn once the queen has been placed. After those first four tiles, normal rules. This randomization adds a touch of challenge in addition to keeping the game fresh. In time, we did add the Pillbug expansion. I recommend it, but go ahead and master Pocket Hive as it is first. I hope you too enjoy going head-to-head with your favorite person.

Love this game and the travel size is great.

Great game. Lovely components.

Everything came as it was supposed to

Its small, portable, needs nothing more to play than the literally pocket-sized bag everything fits in and a flat surface, can be played in 10-30 minutes, and it genuinely makes you think. Its a great strategy game that actually does what it says on the tin. It comes with the Ladybug and Mosquito expansion pieces already, so the only thing left to pick up is the Pillbug to have absolutely everything, though it plays great with just the basics. Highly recommend, this game has been around for almost two decades and I cant see it leaving anytime soon.

Fun game with simple rules, easy to bring anywhere, almost like a quicker version of chess (but with bugs)

Great game, quick delivery but should have checked that the instructions werent in English

very fun and challenging for 2 players. easy to learn, teach, play, set up, and put away. pocket size tiles are fine. not too small. havent tried out the ladybug and mosquito expansions yet

Very fun game.

Was really psyched about this present for my ten year old straight A grandson, till we read the instructions. Luckily we found a video tutorial or this gift would be sitting in a drawer.