Stats:
No. of players: 2-4
Amount of time to play: 60-90 min
Age requirements: 14+
Set-up time: minimal

In 1st & Goal you play cards to call plays and roll dice for the results. You must outwit your opponent and get a bit lucky to win this football board game.

1st & Goal Rules Description:

1st & Goal plays much like a regular football game. There are kickoff returns, punts and even field goals and extra points. You start with a deck of eight offense or defense cards with plays on them.

The board is magnetic and so are the football and the first down marker. It also has four columns. You move the football based on the rolled outcome and move it one column to the right. Each column represents a down and you reset the ball into the left-most column when you get a first down.

You and your opponent play a card from your hand face down. The offense cards have runs and passes on them and the defense cards have appropriate defenses. Once both players have picked their cards you flip them over and resolve them.

The cards tell you what dice you need to roll to determine the outcome of the play. The more your card exploits your opponent’s card the more dice you roll. Besides the numbered dice you also roll a play die. This die can result in a breakaway, a penalty or a turnover.

Before the next play you redraw a card from your deck. The first time the offense deck runs out of cards it is halftime. The second time the game is over. To simulate a running clock you must discard a card from the offense deck when you choose a run play.

When you switch sides you shuffle the eight cards you had back into the deck and your opponent deals themselves eight new cards. You do not get the cards that are in the discard pile. You do have three time outs in each half. They let you take and play a card from the discard pile.

After the two halves are over so is the game and the player with the higher score wins.

Quick Review of 1st & Goal:

1st & Goal is a fun, light football simulation game. It does not get too granular and does not require a ton of management. There is some strategy in what play you select but it is mostly to outthink what your opponent will play.

The components for this game are very nice. They are high quality and look good. The rules are easy to read and follow. They even describe the offensive and defensive plays for those not familiar with football. The ball, down marker and field of play are magnetic. This is great for keeping everything in place. I kind of wish the scoreboard and timeout areas were magnetic but it is not as vital.

I like the cat and mouse game of selecting plays. If you can read the other player, you can do well. This allows you to make unlikely play calls for big gains or keep the chains moving.

Between the dice and cards 1st & Goal has a lot of luck in it. But if you like rolling a lot of dice (and who doesn’t) it is fun to see if you are going to have a huge breakaway or turn the ball over. But be warned the dice can make or break your game.

The age says 14+ but my six year old can play this. Granted he might do better if he is older but he can still play and have fun. Also it says 2-4 players but I think this game is most enjoyable with two.

1st & Goal is a fun light football simulation board game. If you like trying to outwit others and rolling a lot of dice you’ll enjoy this game. If you like football you should enjoy it too, but know it is more Tecmobowl than recent generation Madden.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 3 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction 4 out of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 3 out of 6
Fun 4 out of 6
Overall 4 out of 6