The best games where players can only raise their bids under certain rules 2023

Looking for a really good game where players can only raise their bids under certain rules? Then we have just the thing for you: The list with the best "conditional bidding" games 2023.

What are conditional bidding games?

Games in this list have a meta-mechanism that can modify other auction techniques. Players are not allowed to bid on any number they want. They may only bid based on increments and/or combinations of certain resources.

Constrained Bidding is sometimes also called "conditional bidding".

Examples of games where players can only raise their bids under certain rules

Examples of this game mechanic are Reiner Knizias Ra, in which players are forced to choose one of three bidding tiles for their bid, and High Society, in which players must raise their bids by adding money cards from their hand and are not allowed to make any changes.

List of best "conditional bidding" games 2023

This list was last updated on November 27, 2023. We compared 34 board games for this list and selected the top 21. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. High Society

    All details for the board game High Society and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Nidavellir

    All details for the board game Nidavellir and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    More details for Nidavellir
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Nidavellir

    • YouTube Review for the game "Nidavellir" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  3. Ra

    All details for the board game Ra and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Ra
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. Stockpile

    All details for the board game Stockpile and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Stockpile
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Five Tribes

    All details for the board game Five Tribes and similar games

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 5.

    More details for Five Tribes
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 80 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Five Tribes

    • YouTube Review for the game "Five Tribes" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Five Tribes" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Five Tribes" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  6. Furnace

    All details for the board game Furnace and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for Furnace
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de
  7. Pan Am

    All details for the board game Pan Am and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de
  8. Condottiere

    All details for the board game Condottiere and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Keyflower

    All details for the board game Keyflower and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.

    More details for Keyflower
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    👍 Good price!36€ atAmazon.de
  10. Byzanz

    All details for the board game Byzanz and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Byzanz
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. Senators

    All details for the board game Senators and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Amun-Re

    All details for the board game Amun-Re and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    More details for Amun-Re
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  13. Serengeti

    All details for the board game Serengeti and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 25 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Homesteaders

    All details for the board game Homesteaders and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Homesteaders
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  15. Alchemists

    All details for the board game Alchemists and similar games

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Alchemists
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Alchemists

    • YouTube Review for the game "Alchemists" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  16. Cellar des Triplettes

    All details for the board game Cellar des Triplettes and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Cellar des Triplettes
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Key to the City: London

    All details for the board game Key to the City: London and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    🔥 Great price!13€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Key to the City: London

    • YouTube Review for the game "Key to the City: London" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  18. Amun-Re: The Card Game

    All details for the board game Amun-Re: The Card Game and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Caral

    All details for the board game Caral and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    🔥 Great price!48€ atAmazon.de
  20. Yunnan

    All details for the board game Yunnan and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  21. Bremerhaven

    All details for the board game Bremerhaven and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: