The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Mayfair's Power Lunch comes in a small box with: 72 cards, game board and rules. 2 to 6 can play and the average game lasts about 45 minutes. 60 of the cards contain the name and characture of famous modern personalities: actors, politicians, athletes, entertainers, leaders, etc. The goal is to use up all of the cards in your hand, which is done by grouping personalities at lunch tables in a restaurant.

The mechanics took me 2 readings to catch it all, but the rules are brief enough so that rereading them is not a chore. Like gin or pinochle, players group their celebrities by sequence (all are numbered from 1-10) or color (the cards are grouped into 6 six colors, 10 of each color) at tables ranging in size from 3-8 seats. Succeeding players can add to unfilled tables. There are scandal and action cards that are meant to change the regular flow of events, much like in Uno.

The real fun is when a player cannot make a match via sequence or color. The player can suggest a reason for such a meeting and if the other players vote it acceptable a match is made. In the rules an example groups Barbara Walters, Cher and Madonna rationalizing that Barbara could be interviewing the other 2 about having only 1 name.

This seems like a good game to play when the level of participation of the players minds is in question. It can be played straight or with lots of made up matches. Not a bad game for adults to pass time with and make conversation. With a $15 cover price I can't see it getting much interest. If you have a chance to play or the money to burn you will find it at least mildly enjoyable.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 3 (Average)

POWER LUNCH
Author: ? Category: card game Company/Publisher: MGI Line: na Cost: $15 Capsule Review by Papyrus on 08/12/99. Genre tags: Comedy	Mayfair's Power Lunch comes in a small box with: 72 cards, game board and rules. 2 to 6 can play and the average game lasts about 45 minutes. 60 of the cards contain the name and characture of famous modern personalities: actors, politicians, athletes, entertainers, leaders, etc. The goal is to use up all of the cards in your hand, which is done by grouping personalities at lunch tables in a restaurant. The mechanics took me 2 readings to catch it all, but the rules are brief enough so that rereading them is not a chore. Like gin or pinochle, players group their celebrities by sequence (all are numbered from 1-10) or color (the cards are grouped into 6 six colors, 10 of each color) at tables ranging in size from 3-8 seats. Succeeding players can add to unfilled tables. There are scandal and action cards that are meant to change the regular flow of events, much like in Uno. The real fun is when a player cannot make a match via sequence or color. The player can suggest a reason for such a meeting and if the other players vote it acceptable a match is made. In the rules an example groups Barbara Walters, Cher and Madonna rationalizing that Barbara could be interviewing the other 2 about having only 1 name. This seems like a good game to play when the level of participation of the players minds is in question. It can be played straight or with lots of made up matches. Not a bad game for adults to pass time with and make conversation. With a $15 cover price I can't see it getting much interest. If you have a chance to play or the money to burn you will find it at least mildly enjoyable. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 3 (Average)

POWER LUNCH