Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: Is there a special rules FAQ page?
Q: What's this game about?
Q: Can I just play for fun without this "economics" stuff?
Q: What are the big things in this game?
Q: Is anything familiar about it?
Q: Why play BUX?
Q: How does BUX compare with Monopoly?
Q: Besides fun, what's BUX good at?
Q: What does "Your money game" mean?
Q: How is it fun?
Q: I thought it was about economics. Why does it look like gambling?
Q: As a parent, why would I get BUX?
Q: I see "the matchin' cash-in card game" on the box and "Your money game!" in other
places.
Q: Why the X's, hearts, squares and clubs?
Q: What's different about this game?
Q: Who plays this game?
Q: How much luck and how much skill?
Q: Can players make side deals in the game?
Q: I play video games. Table games're lame. Why would I play this game?
Q:
If I like chess, why would I play BUX?
Q: If I like poker, why would I play BUX?
Q: If I like puzzles, why would I play BUX?
Q: If I like backgammon, why would I play BUX?
Q: If I like rummy, why would I play BUX?
Q: What if I'm not into games, why would I play BUX?
Q: Is BUX hard to learn?
Q: How come I haven't seen it in stores?
Q: I would like more information.
Q: What if I don't like the game after I've bought it?
Q: Why do I have to "play to win?" Isn't that obvious?
Q: I have an idea for a board - / card / video game. Can you help me?
Q: Can this game be used in schools?
Q: Is there anything else about this game?
Q: Who is that little Beaver-looking character up there at the top?
Q: What else about this personal economics stuff?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a special rules FAQ page?
A: Yes. Click here to view.Top
Q: What's this game about?
A: BUX is about doing the best you can with what you have. It's about handling
resources, money and time against others and the odds of nature.
It's about- "putting things together, increasing value, selling, and getting paid."Top
Q: Can I just play for fun without this "economics" stuff?
A: Sure! Just play. BUX plays like poker-rummy-chess-backgammon, a puzzle and
an auction all in one. What economics? Who needs that?Top
Q: What are the big things in this game?
A: Success related to pattern recognition, playing with your ideas, discovering what
it takes and how it feels to be successful.Top
Q: Is anything familiar about it?
A: Yes, it's the same game you've been playing all your life: using what you have
to get more. It's you, your resources and money. It's "your money game."Top
Q: Why play BUX?
A: For the excitement of playing in the world of money and feelings and survival and
risks and nature.
Usually when money, scarce resources and people mix, with time
driving the action, look out.Top
Q: How does BUX compare with Monopoly?
A: Monopoly (a licensed property of Hasbro Inc.) is a board game with which you are
familiar. The money that players receive usually comes directly from other players,
and the game ends when a player has bankrupted all other players. BUX plays much
faster, using only cards and poker chips, looks abstract, and is based purely on
free-market economic principles– and a little luck. Looking and playing like a gambling
game, it is actually a simulation of economic interactivity.
All players stay in the game
together, making money, the most successful player having the most chips when th
e game ends itself after about an hour. A more realistically intense experience in less
time.Top
Q: Besides fun, what's BUX good at?
A: BUX efficiently performs at least three functions as effectively as any other product.
• It engages players of all ages and lifestyles in honest, intense economic competition,
• it requires interpersonal skills and value-based, productive thinking, and
• it gives the full range of experiences handling time, money and resources.Top
Q: What does "Your money game" mean?
A: ...the way you handle money, time, and resources to get what you need.Top
Q: How is it fun?
A: You're with your family or friends, risking what you have, pushing at your limits,
using your wit and your cards, to get more chips. Laughter from horrendous spending
mistakes, seeing your plans work out, bidding higher and higher to get cards you
need, bluffing others into overpaying while hoping not to have it backfire against
you, suspense and surprises from uncertain events and unexpected moves, getting
revenge from moves made against you, fear when going beyond your safety limits,
pleasure from engineering huge payoffs, and drama from coming from behind to win.
"You're at your limits
the entire game, trying to catch up with your emotions. "It's like
poker on steroids," said a professor of game theory at a leading university.Top
Q: I thought it was about economics. Why does it look like gambling?
A: What would a popular "economics" game look like? Equations, curves, formulas,
theories and numbers? Cards with a lot of print, a board and dice? It looks, and plays
like gambling because it involves risk and money. But it's not gambling because to win
consistently requires sound economic decision making– however basic. Players earn
their chips mostly by strategizing, being savvy, and creating their own value through
their own actions– instead of relying mostly, if not all on luck. But you're right, it does
look like it could be gambling. (Some say whenever money, people and risk come
together, it's gambling– no matter what it's called.)Top
Q: As a parent, why would I play BUX?
A: For the honest, realistic engagement of your family in an exciting and thought
stimulating, interactive experience, capable of delivering useable econonmic "lessons,"
and producing economics-based discussion. And in addition, your observations of play
of those you love
could give you insight into money and resourse handling capabilities
of all involved: including yourself.
How could you not want your family to benefit from these experiences?Top
Q: Why do I see "the matchin' cash-in card game" on the box and
"Your money game!" in other places?
A: Our mistake. A throwback from the old game-design days when we supplied
games to major manufacturers. Shortly after its release, we were told, "The tag line
does not do justice to the game." You will not see that tag line in future editions. If
you see this old tag line on your game, you have an early edition. Hang on to it.
Who knows.Top
Q: Why the X's, hearts, squares and clubs?
A: Not too exciting, we know, but the cards have to be easily seen from distances of
up to 6 feet by all sets of eyes. So, we chose familiar, universal symbols to represent
real concepts, and real ideas.Top
Q: What's different about this game?
A: BUX looks different and plays different. Its play parallels how we think about and
use money, time and real resources.
Also-
1. you must do something to get cards; none of this draw-and-keep stuff,
2. it's like
jazz- rather than scripted, classical music: its changes require
improvisation,
3. it's like basketball- no set plays; it's like making moves to score in economic chaos,
4. it looks and plays different- cards with symbol sets, poker chips and "original" play,
5. it stirs up a broad range feelings- by creating unlimited money-related issues,
6. it feels different- it pushes back against your moves as if it's an another player,
7. it appeals to diverse players- proven appeal from ages 8 to 92, playing together,
8. it challenges like few other games- like golf and fishing: perfection is unlikely,
9. it leaves you feeling like you learned something about yourself- better next time,
10. To win consistently, you must be value conscious and economically efficient.Top
Q: Who plays this game?
A: Anyone who enjoys pushing the limits of their economic resourcefulness.Top
Q: How much luck and how much skill is required?
A: About 25% luck, 75% skill. Playing well requires focus and thinking.Top
Q: Can players make side deals in the game?
A: Originally we said no side deals, to prevent players from ganging up on one player.
But there is a growing interest in cooperation. Nobel Prize winning economist,
Gary Becker supports cooperation in general. And recently we have been made aware
of "team playing."
But, we still say "no" to side deals in this game because it could
open up "insider trading" where friends could make sweet deals with each other.
Of course you can play by any "house rules" you wish. Dad, watch your assets.Top
Q: I play video games. Why would I play this game?
A: Video games are cool and exciting. But, BUX gives what video games can't–
like the true feel and real action of face-to-face competition between a wide range of
real players of any age, with any amount of experience, wherever you happen to be.
BUX gives you needed time to think, to look deeply into other players' eyes to see
them struggling, and figure out what they're up to. BUX gives you the time to
make logical connections necessary to figure out all that's happening on the table.
If you're not into deep, kick-butt, face-to-face,
seat-squirming, competitive fun, then
keep your thumbs pumping. We just thought that a change of pace and a little face-
time could be cool too.
Every now and then, technology gets in the way. This just
happens to be one of those times.Top
Q: If I like chess, why would I play BUX?
A: You've made a huge investment, thinking, reading about, and playing chess.
We don't expect you to change. Although BUX isn't chess, it offers some of the
planning and attack-defense strategies of chess, not on the battlefield, but in a time-
risk-odds-supply-demand-economic domain. Game-generated, random events, not
found
in chess, and logical, time-sensitive market opportunities, common in our
economic lives drives the action and interaction in BUX. Being more life-like means
that experienced BUX players sometimes lose to less experienced players. This rarely
happens in chess. But then again, chess has already proven itself.Top
Q: If I like poker, why would I play BUX?
A: Maybe you wouldn't. So far, there's no real money in playing BUX. But both games
have similar excitement and social interaction while risking money to make money,
reading others thinking, suspense, a quick win-lose cycle, all-play on most turns,
bidding and bluffing. Called, "poker on steroids," BUX requires more
textured,
life-relevant and complex economic decision making, free-market interaction,
long- and short-range strategies, more complex timing considerations, and offers
more player control of the action. Poker requires hunches, odds-assessing and luck
to win. BUX requires some odds-hunch awareness, but it's mostly good ol' economics
thinking that makes money for you. These games share similar excitement.Top
Q: If I like puzzles, why would I play BUX?
A: There are all kinds of puzzles. You could think of BUX as a special kind of puzzle that
requires you to mix and match money, resources and time, while in competition with
others. And instead of putting together pictures, shapes, words, or numbers, you are
putting together ideas– symbols in different combinations, while risking money against
time, others and odds. And, your score based on how well you do. But BUX is anything
but a peaceful Sunday afternoon on the dining room table by yourself.Top
Q: If I like backgammon, why would I play BUX?
A: Let's get one thing straight. There aren't many experiences that can top an exciting
back-and-forth backgammon game. That said, BUX isn't as quick, but it brings up more
emotions, and also has drama, suspense, attack-protect strategies, and come-from-
behind excitement. Both are race games; one using mostly statistical thinking to bear
off first, and the other using mostly economics/value thinking
to build the most wealth
before time runs out.
But BUX, played by many together, has no rhythm, and takes
about an hour rather than 20 minutes to play. Less luck and more dimensions in BUX.
More intimacy and bursts of excitement in backgammon. A point to BUX if play
relevance is important.Top
Q: If I like rummy, why would I play BUX?
A: Both games involve making sets of cards for value, and displaying them on the
table in front of their owners. (All BUX cards in play are face up on the table at all
times.) But BUX requires you to pay for the cards you get, and you get paid
throughout the game
when you cash in matching sets. Like rummy, you can use
a scoresheet to play series of BUX games. Rummy is less intense and is more
conversation-friendly than BUX. And that's a real plus for rummy.Top
Q: If I'm not into games at all, why would I play BUX?
A: Maybe you wouldn't. But we're all playing games of one type or another. Games
help us to understand what's going on around us. Those make-believe games we
played as children had a purpose. They helped us construct our lives, and we still play
today. Businesspeople play the game of maximizing profits. Mechanics, doctors and
electricians play the game of finding problems and fixing them. Teachers play the game
of imparting knowledge to students– against stiff opposition. Teens play the game of
having fun, and charting their lives. If you have objectives, use ideas and strategies,
make decisions against odds, interact with others, and take actions, you're playing
games. (It could be that you only play serious games.) Whatever you're doing, you'll
see those same concepts being played out in BUX, but with a few laughs and with less
pressure. You can even experiment a little without losing the farm. If you're not into
games at all, you are probably involved in someone else's game.Top
Q: Is BUX hard to learn?
A: No, but it plays different. If you think about playing like you handle money rather
than playing "a traditional card-, or board game" you'll be fine.
On your turn, you have a choice of doing any one of three moves–
1. Trade one of your unwanted cards for another players' unprotected card, or
2. Sell any number of matching 3-card sets back to the game for chips, or
3. Draw 3 cards and put them up for bid as a set. (Drawn cards must be auctioned off.)
Whichever one you chose to do, do it and your turn is over as soon as you've done it.
The "Rules" at this web site present the game in many ways. Go slow for the first few
turns. Just do any one of the three moves and end your turn. The choice is yours.Top
Q: How come I haven't seen this game in stores?
A: BUX is different, it's abstract looking, not related to any other product or celebrity, it
appeals to a broad age age-range, it has no gimmicks or TV backing or any promotional
support. And "worst" of all, it happens to be the dreaded "E" word– educational. Yuk!
Any one of these seven features
can be grounds for instant rejection by the major game
manufacturers. (We've been there.) Many retailers reflect these views. But, times are
changing and games are evolving too. Maybe in time, but not yet. BUX may be available
from this web site. And then again, you just may have to write to us to get an early one.
Top
Q: I would like more information.
A:Contact us.Top
Q: What if I don't like the game after I've purchased it?
A: You get your money back. Naturally we hope you play a few full games with
different people. The reason for this is that the game experience depends on who is
playing and
how hard its being played. If you don't push the play, because you have
no experience with it, or are "too nice," the game may not be as exciting as if you had
put more into it. Some who have been playing for a couple years discover that the
game is
continuing to surprise them.Top
Q: Why do I have to "play to win?" Isn't that obvious?
A: In most games, you can do nothing until it's your turn. And even then, you have
to follow tight, scripted rules, for example, "roll the dice and follow the rules."
But not
here. You're in the action non-stop, on constant alert– looking for opportunities and
watching what others are doing even when it's not your turn. The biggest reason to
play to win is to have the most fun from the game. Think of playing BUX like driving
a powerful, expensive sports supercar- like a Bugatti Veyron with 1001 hp. Driving at
20 mph in traffic on a straight city road is wasting the experience.
You must push it
to appreciate what it can do. The more you put into it, the more fun you get out of it.
(You can't push many games because there is little to push.) That extra pushing in
this game
is
what we call, "playing to win." So, go ahead and push hard: for the ride
of your personal economic life.Top
Q: I have an idea for a board - / card / video game. Can you help me?
A: We wish we could. But we're a small company and already at our limits. "The Toy
and Game InventorsHandbook", by Levy and Weingartner, and "The Complete Idiot's
Guide to Cashing in on Your Inventions" by Levy - both
published by Alpha Press,
could be helpful. Top
Q: Can this game be used in schools?
A: Yes. Many of us- especially young people, are curious about money. For some, it is
their reason for being in school; to make money to have a better life. Since young
people are interested in their economic futures, it seems possible that economic
awareness could be a trigger for stimulating productive, personal economic behavior.
(There is a process currently being tested at middle school and college level, to enable
players to focus on focused, productive behavior.) Playing BUX in concept, supports
and demonstrates, directly or indirectly, over 90% of the twenty National (K-12)
Standards for Economics published by the National Council on Economic Education.
(Preliminary evidence suggests that this product is useful in the development of
personal economic awareness, self-reliance, and resource handling, particularly in
players under the age of twenty-two. BUX is the basis of a college course on
"Personal Economics" which was taught in Fall, '09, and expanded to two classes
in Spring, '10. (More on this as it develops.)
We welcome rigorous research and efficacy testing on any and all of claims put
forward on this Web site. We are interested in
findings, observations, results,
conclusions whether pro or con. Please let us know. We'll post them.Top
Q: Is there anything else about this game?
A: Indications show that skilled observation of play could reveal patterns in
behavior that could indicate player attributes and issues. This game is being used
as an augmenting tool in at least one middle school, by its councilor for rapid student
assessment.
We are always curious to see if
this game provides others with new ways of
analysis and understanding (economic) behavior and personal performance. Top
Q: Who is that little Beaver-looking character up there at the top?
A: He's BUXie, The BUXter, who has played BUX everyday since he was 6. He rarely
looses and thinks that he could be one of the best BUX players in the world. So far, he
hasn't been able to prove it. But, you may be playing against him at sometime. In the
meantime, he is here at this web site,
commenting on BUX ("BUXie on bucks...")
and waiting for a chance to play you– whenever that is. Top
(We welcome your ideas, comments, suggestions, research findings, criticisms...)Top
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