In A Bind / Yogi

Designed by: Behrooz Shahriari

In A Bind (now republished as Yogi) is a rather silly – in a good way – card game that allows you to play something akin to Twister without falling over and dislocating something.

Play couldn’t be simpler. On each players’ turn, they pick up a card and do as instructed on the card, which will ask you to strike a physical position involving your upper body – point your left elbow down, touch your nose, keep your bottom teeth hidden and so on, and you must keep doing this for the duration of the game. Of course, as you receive more instructions, it becomes harder and harder to perform them all, and any player not able to keep to their instructions is knocked out. You may find you are unable to turn a card over on your turn, which also means you are knocked out.

As the rulebook points out, players have to play honestly, as cheating kind of makes In A Bind cease to function as a game and turn into purgatory. The last player standing (or sitting) wins!

Sam says

It's not a game many people would get addicted to, but it is a game with unique qualities that can apply to many ages: kids will enjoy its silliness and adults will enjoy its... er, silliness also.

The guru's verdict

  • Take That!

    Take That!

    None - unless you play a variant (included in the rules) where on your turn you choose which player to target with a card. Could get messy...

  • Fidget Factor!

    Fidget Factor!

    You won't be able to fidget while balancing cards on various parts of your anatomy. And with the right players at the right time, you won't be bored either.

  • Brain Burn!

    Brain Burn!

    None

  • Again Again!

    Again Again!

    It's a game for any age - really young kids or really childish (in a good way) adults. It's probably not going to get played over and over as everyone would get exhausted, but it's a lovely one to have on hand - doesn't take up much room!