How To Play: Bears!

Overview

Have you ever watched a bunch of campers run for their lives from a pack of angry bears? Well, now you can play it at your kitchen table! In this guide, I’ll explain the rules to Bears! as well as share my top tips for grabbing more points than your friends. Whether you’re a newbie or a grizzly veteran, these strategies will help you win more games (and brag at game night).

What’s in the box

• 20 White Camp Dice
• 20 Black Bear Dice
• 4 Scoring Reminder Tiles
• 1 Score Pad
• 4 Pencils
• Rulebook

How To Play Bears!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. First, give each player a set of 5 player dice. Place the black bear dice in the center.

2. Next, decide who will roll the bear dice each round. Usually, it’s the loudest player, but your group may have other traditions.

3. Then, make sure everyone understands the dice faces and what each one does. This is key—trust me, I’ve panicked over a tent when I needed a gun more times than I can count.

Gameplay

1. Each round starts with one player rolling all the bear dice into the center.

2. At the same time, every player rolls their own dice. It’s chaos. It’s beautiful. Don’t throw the dice off the table. My cat still hasn’t forgiven me.

3. Now, everyone grabs (drafts) dice as fast as possible, matching their player dice to bears, tents, or running people according to what’ll score best.

4. If you finish early, shout “BEARS!” to end the round. This usually scares at least one person into grabbing the wrong thing. Bonus points for style.

Winning

1. After each round, add up your points for saved campers, shot bears, and safe tents. Runner faces with no tent are risky, so plan well.

2. Play until all dice sets run out or you all fall over from laughter.

3. Whoever has the most points at the end wins the game and, obviously, eternal bragging rights at the next get-together.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If there are more bears than tents at the end of a round, campers in tents become snacks for the bears. Sadly, yes, I learned this the hard way. Mark those tents as lost!

2. Some dice faces only work with specific center dice (like guns with bears or runners with tents), so keep your cool and watch the combos.

3. Ties are broken with a roll-off or, in my group, a dance-off. Officially, rolling works better.

Now you know How To Play bears! Trust me, it gets wild, and you’ll have a blast—just watch out for those angry bears.

Best Bears! Strategies

Mastering Dice Drafting Tactics in Bears!

Plan Your Moves, Not Just Your Points

First, scan the available dice. You want to pick ones that help you score but also block your rivals. Every draft matters! If you see a die that stops someone else’s combo, grab it. This way, you snatch points and slow them down.

1. Block other players by taking their ideal dice.
2. Pick dice that fit your camp’s strategy.
3. Grab riskier dice if you’re behind. Sometimes fortune favors the brave.

Think Ahead With Each Roll

After each roll, check what’s still up for grabs. Keep in mind what your opponents like to collect. This can keep you a step ahead in How To Play bears!.

Mastering Risk and Reward: When to Act and When to Chill in Bears!

Strike While the Bears Sleep

First, keep an eye on how many bear dice are left. If the bears start to pile up, you need to act fast. This keeps you from getting caught with your campers out for a stroll during a bear parade.

1. Check the bear pile every turn.
2. Grab points before the round ends suddenly.

Don’t Be Greedy… But Also, Maybe Be a Little Greedy

Sometimes, holding out for better dice works. Yet, waiting can also leave you with nothing but a face full of angry bear. Find the sweet spot!

1. Take moderate risks early on.
2. Play it safe when lots of bears show up.

How To Play bears! With Timing In Mind

Ultimately, you want to balance the quick grab with the risky hang-on. Watch your friends’ faces for clues—they will definitely try to bluff.

How To Play bears! – Mastering Bear and Camper Priorities for the Win

Choose Your Campers Wisely

First, decide if you want to save or sleep your campers. The difference can mean big points or big trouble! Always eye the bear dice and your opponents’ moves.

1. Save campers only if safety looks certain.
2. Put campers to sleep early for predictable points.
3. Stay flexible: change plans if bears start piling up.

Watch the Bears!

Second, never ignore the bears. Hungry bears love unattended campers. Keep this top of mind, even while chasing juicy dice rewards.

1. Count bears, both yours and theirs.
2. Bears can swing final scores fast. Don’t get caught snoozing!

Adjust as the Game Shifts

Lastly, adapt! If you see someone going heavy on sleeping campers, switch gears. Stealing victory means staying alert. Hope this helps you figure out how to play bears! without waking up in last place!

Bears!: Ready to Roar to Victory

So that’s Bears! in all its wild glory. After countless rounds of snatching dice and making my friends groan at my camper jokes, I can say using these tips gives you a real shot at winning. Don’t forget, knowing How To Play bears! helps, but staying alert and grabbing the best dice at the right moment is what gets you the win. Now, go gather your campers and let the bears loose! Just don’t blame me if your friends start growling after you steal their favorite die.

Want to know what we think of Bears!? Read our detailed review of Bears! here