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Finance and capital markets
Bear Raid
Speculation and stock market manipulation: buy, sell and go short
3–6Players
60-90 minDuration
~10 minSetup
MediumComplexity
CompetitiveDynamic
An economic game about the stock market in which players buy, sell and short (short selling) shares in several companies. The core is market manipulation: placing, removing or hiding dice (“rumours”) to move prices in your favour.
The title refers to the bear raid: a coordinated manoeuvre to sink a share price, even pushing companies into bankruptcy to close short positions. Short rules with highly interactive decisions and hidden information.
Classroom value
- An ideal tool for introducing short selling: makes tangible profiting when a price falls and the asymmetric risk profile (limited gain, unlimited loss).
- Shows how news and expectations move prices → a basis for discussing market efficiency and bubbles.
- The rumour mechanic opens a debate on regulation, market abuse and systemic risk.
- Short and light: better suited to the classroom than heavy economic games; fits in an undergraduate session.
In the classroom
No. of players3–6
TeamsYes · 3 per team
People per gamemax. 18
Game MasterNo
Sessions1 session (~1 h)
SpaceOne table per group
MaterialPhysical game
Technical details
DesignRyan Courtney
PublisherAllplay
LanguagesEnglish
Find out more
Official websiteallplay.com
How to playVideo (Heavy Cardboard)
BGG entryboardgamegeek.com