"Relive the Past with this Vintage Ravensburger Board Game: Cartino (1976)"

"Relive the Past with this Vintage Ravensburger Board Game: Cartino (1976)"

• Manufacturer: Ravensburger
• Manufacturing Date: 1976

Product Description:
Step back in time with the Cartino vintage board game from Ravensburger, created in 1976 by D.F. Oudolf. This classic board game is designed for 2 to 4 players and promises hours of fun with its unique game concept and rich gameplay possibilities.

The game comes with an impressive set of game materials, including a game board, 2 sets of 32 tiles each, 2 jokers, 6 reserve tiles, 4 discard trays, 4 score markers, 25 tokens, and a bag. The tiles feature the familiar card symbols of clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds, and must be strategically placed on the game board to score points. The value of the connecting tiles determines the number of points scored, making it a game of concentration, skill, and a touch of luck.

The user manual for Cartino is available in five languages: German, French, Italian, English, and Dutch, making it accessible to a wide audience. Both the game and the box are in good vintage condition, making it particularly appealing to retro board game enthusiasts.

Game Concept and Strategy:
Cartino stands out with its unique game concept, requiring players to place their tiles in a way that connects to previously laid tiles with high values. It's not just about the tile laid down but mainly about the strategic choices regarding the connecting tiles. The goal of the game is to achieve the highest number of points, and the tension rises as the game board fills up with ingenious combinations.

Box Dimensions:

• Height: 3.7 cm
• Length: 33.5 cm
• Width: 23 cm

Ravensburger, the manufacturer behind this nostalgic board game, has a rich history. Founded in 1883 by Otto Robert Maier in Ravensburg, Germany, the company initially started with instruction books for craftsmen and architects. Success evolved with the release of the first handcrafted board game, "Journey around the world," in 1884. Since then, Ravensburger has left its mark on the world of board games and puzzles, with the legendary Memory game being one of their greatest successes.

Cartino, also known as Cardino, is a captivating board game for two to four players that dates back to 1969 when Ravensburger first released it. The brain behind this game is none other than Alex Randolph, who used the pseudonym D.F. Oudolf. The game is designed to challenge players to strategically place pieces with card symbols to earn more points than their fellow players.

In its original form in 1969, Cartino was based on a deck of 52 rummy cards. However, simplified versions were published between 1974 and 1977, based on a deck of 32 cards. Notably, the game appeared in different editions: in 1969 and 1974 with playing pieces, in 1976 with cardboard cards, and in 1977, it was even combined with the game Lingua in one package.

A fascinating aspect of Cartino is the controversial information about its origin. According to German Wikipedia, the game was designed in 1969 and later simplified, but this information is seriously doubted by Fred Horn, a renowned expert in the games industry. Horn, with his impressive track record, raises doubts about the accuracy of the Wikipedia source.

The versatility of Cartino is further emphasized by its presence in the Ravensburger casino series in 1974, complete with a decorative cover. Additionally, Milton Bradley released a version under the name Cardino, featuring a deck of 32 cards.

The rich history and intriguing details of Cartino make it not only a captivating board game but also a mysterious piece of gaming history. Immerse yourself in the world of Cartino and discover the charm of this timeless board game that has its own unique story to tell.

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