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Shove Ha'penny box art
1840 Ranked #18,958

Shove Ha'penny

Use physical skill and timing to pull off the key moves.

Action / Dexterity

Players

2

Play time

1-30 min

Age

?+

Complexity

1.25/5

Rating

6.13

Harder to teach Low interaction Deep strategy

Group fit

At a glance

ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.

Teachability 2.3/5

Harder to teach

Replay value 3.8/5

High replayability

Interaction 3.2/5

Low interaction

Player scaling 3.5/5

Scales well

Strategic depth 4.5/5

Deep strategy

Player control 3.0/5

Luck-sensitive

Table feel

Moderate level of interaction with a mix of direct and strategic confrontation.

Replay value

Shove Ha'penny has a high variability gameboard, offering different experiences each time it is played. The presence of expansions adds new content and gameplay elements, enhancing replay value. The game provides deep strategic possibilities and allows players to improve their strategy over time. The player interaction score is moderate, and the game scales well with different numbers of players. While it may not be the easiest game to learn, it offers a good balance between easiness and depth. Overall, Shove Ha'penny has a solid replayability score of 7.59.

Luck profile

Shove Ha'penny has a moderate influence of luck. Random elements, such as the positioning of the coins and the force applied while shoving, can have a notable impact on the game outcome. However, players have a significant ability to mitigate randomness through strategic decisions and planning. The game strikes a balanced mix of luck and strategy, making it an engaging experience for players.

Overview

Shove ha'penny is a traditional British pub (tavern) game of dexterity and skill dating from the the mid 19th Century, with earlier variants in existence as early as the 15th Century. It is still widely played today. Players push ('shove') polished coins (half pennies, traditiona...

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Shove ha'penny is a traditional British pub (tavern) game of dexterity and skill dating from the the mid 19th Century, with earlier variants in existence as early as the 15th Century. It is still widely played today. Players push ('shove') polished coins (half pennies, traditionally) along a board which has been marked out in horizontal bands, called 'beds'. The most common method is to place the coin on the bottom edge of the board, slightly overhanging, and tap it with the heel of the hand. The aim of the game is to position coins within the beds, with no part touching the bands. This requires considerable skill. Players must get a coin in each bed three times. Each success is scored, often with a cribbage style peg and hole system up the side of the board or with chalk tallies. Boards are made of wood or slate.

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Credits

Designers

1
(Uncredited)

Publishers

4
(Public Domain) ABRA John Jaques of London K & C Ltd

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