I've played this with all sorts of groups, and it's always well enjoyed. When my children were just starting to learn math, it was an excellent and fun way to practice. The main game is basic plus and minus math, but there are tough decisions to make to maximize your chances of reaching the top first. There is also a multiplication/division variant.
As an educator, I keep my copy at school now to pull out when needed to kill some time or have a break from the more serious lessons.
I recently bought two packs each of Swan 64x89 and 65x90mm sleeves. I used to swear by Mayday Premiums (90 microns), but starting 3-4 years ago, they started to have problems with scoring (having small lines) on their surface and inconsistent heights. To make things worse, they trimmed about 1mm from the width of their standards sleeves, meaning that they bulged when the cards were inserted, causing any pile over 40-50 cards to fall over. Ultra Pro sleeves had the problem of the holograms, but were generally consistent and flat, though they too decreased the width of their sleeves (at least in the last batch I bought), so fell off my list. Fantasy Flights were excellent, though they stopped making sleeves.
So other than Gamegenics, which I’ve never bought, the only medium-priced sleeves left that are easily found in Canada are Swan Panasias and Sleeve Kings. I bought a bunch of both in November 2022. The Sleeve Kings (Euros and USA sizes) were fine - a bit warped, but clear (fine for 60 microns). But the Swans (90 microns, similar to Maydays) were warped and bulgy, had a noticeably foamy smear on many of them, and had mild scoring across them. These were noticeable after sleeving. Also, the 65x90 are a too big for standard cards (I tried Ashes cards), while the 64x89 are tight fit with little overhang (usable, but not as good as 5-year-old Maydays or Ultra Pros). So I’m disappointed, especially since stores rarely have the poker-sized Sleeve Kings in stock.
I recently bought two packs each of Swan 64x89 and 65x90mm sleeves. I used to swear by Mayday Premiums (90 microns), but starting 3-4 years ago, they started to have problems with scoring (having small lines) on their surface and inconsistent heights. To make things worse, they trimmed about 1mm from the width of their standards sleeves, meaning that they bulged when the cards were inserted, causing any pile over 40-50 cards to fall over. Ultra Pro sleeves had the problem of the holograms, but were generally consistent and flat, though they too decreased the width of their sleeves (at least in the last batch I bought), so fell off my list. Fantasy Flights were excellent, though they stopped making sleeves.
So other than Gamegenics, which I’ve never bought, the only medium-priced sleeves left that are easily found in Canada are Swan Panasias and Sleeve Kings. I bought a bunch of both in November 2022. The Sleeve Kings (Euros and USA sizes) were fine - a bit warped, but clear (fine for 60 microns). But the Swans (90 microns, similar to Maydays) were warped and bulgy, had a noticeably foamy smear on many of them, and had mild scoring across them. These were noticeable after sleeving. Also, the 65x90 are a too big for standard cards (I tried Ashes cards), while the 64x89 are tight fit with little overhang (usable, but not as good as 5-year-old Maydays or Ultra Pros). So I’m disappointed, especially since stores rarely have the poker-sized Sleeve Kings in stock.
After playing enough Star Trek Catan, which comes with these included, I never want to play Catan without these again. Essential. Improves the base game a great deal.