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How interesting! Players of The Three Bears game by Milton Bradley do not play to win, but rather, just not to lose. This 19 card game features the popular fairy tale, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” It is a classic story with British origins dating back to the early 1800’s. Oral accounts have been found to date back to 1813, but the first written account seems to be 1837.
The cover of the game box is charming! It shows Papa Bear, with pipe and cane in hand; Mama Bear, with picnic basket on her arm; and Baby Bear in back holding onto his Mama’s skirt tail. They are returning home from a day out in the forest. Of course we know what happens. When they go into their house, they realize ‘someone’s been eating their porridge, been sitting in their chair, and sleeping in their beds!
There are different versions to this classic story. It has changed over the years. Originally, it was three bachelor bears and an old woman. This gradually changed into being the commonly told story of today, and what is depicted in the game. A family of bears and a young girl, Goldilocks, who upon waking and seeing the bears, escapes through the window.
To play the game, all cards are dealt to players face down. Once dealt, the player to the right of the dealer chooses to pick one card from any other player’s hand. If the card matches one of his own, he can lay down the matched pair, and go again. If no match is made, the turn goes to the next player.
Once all cards are matched, whoever is left with the single Goldilocks card in his hand, loses.
The card pairs consist of Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear. There is the family of Bear’s House, Porridge, Chairs, and Bed Cards. Then there are cards of Goldilocks picking flowers and her jumping through the window.
The single Goldilock’s card illustrates her standing, in what appears lost in thought. Maybe thinking if she should go into the Bear’s house?
Small and compact. Simple and quick. But yet, highly collectible and truly a charming game! It’s somewhat unique that instead of players asking the question, ‘Who will win the game?’, in The Three Bears game it is asked, ‘Who will lose the game?’
Wonderful!
Play a game, any game, today!
