Der Wanderzirkus^*

Der Wanderzirkus ("The Travelling Circus") is a card game by Max Ostrander from Kosmos that combines deck-building with the domino principle: you run a touring circus across European cities and play your performers in colour-matched card chains. For 1 to 6 players aged 10 and up, about 30 minutes, with solo and advanced variants – a brisk deck-builder with an unusual card-chaining hook.

What's it about?

Your circus tours European cities. You hire performers and tailor each show to the specific tastes and requirements of the city you're visiting. Whoever pleases the cities best scores the most points.

How it plays

Over a series of rounds you:

1. Choose a city – pick the next destination and its requirements.
2. Hire an artist – a new card joins your growing deck.
3. Announce the show – tell the audience what to expect.
4. Perform – play cards domino-style to form chains.

You score for meeting the city's goals, for long same-colour links and for making good use of individual artists' abilities. The highest total wins.

What makes it special?

The domino rule makes card order and timing matter: which card lands when decides how long your chains get. And because your deck grows every round, your options keep shifting.

Who is it for?

Families and casual gamers aged 10 and up who like deck-building but don't want a long game. With a 1–6 player range it works solo as well as in a bigger group.