# Messy Table Games > Messy Table Games is all about bringing joy, friendly competition, and memorable moments through games. Based in Boise, Idaho, the company was founded by Eric Olsen and Jeff Argast, and donates a portion of every game sold to the Center for the Rights of Abused Children. ## About the Company Messy Table Games was founded to create fun, fast, and engaging tabletop games for everyone. The catalog is designed to be easy to learn, quick to play (15-30 minutes), and enjoyable for a wide range of ages and group sizes. **Founders:** - Eric Olsen - game designer and co-founder. Previously designed Flip 7 (Published by The Op Games) and Glyphics (Published by The Op Games). - Jeff Argast - co-founder and longtime friend and collaborator. **Charity commitment:** With every game sold, Messy Table Games donates to the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, a nonprofit that supports at-risk children and families. **Contact:** **About page:** ## Games Catalog ### Tally Up - **Type:** Push-your-luck dice game - **Players:** 2-10 - **Ages:** 8 and up - **Play time:** 15-30 minutes - **Language:** English - **Page:** - **Buy:** [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/ip/17118705268) **How to play:** Each turn, the active player chooses three of six differently colored dice - Low Risk, Medium Risk, or High Risk. Low-risk dice offer smaller point values but rarely bust; high-risk dice carry bigger numbers but a greater bust chance. After rolling, each player chooses to go OUT (bank their points) or stay IN and roll again. If two star faces are rolled, all players who stayed IN score zero for the round. The first player to reach 2,500 points or more at the end of a full round wins. Roll cards and color-coded dice make risk levels visible at a glance. **What makes it unique:** The simultaneous risk-decision mechanic - every player decides to go out or stay in at the same time, creating shared tension and reactive decision-making. **Key Rules / FAQ:** - **3-Star Bonus ("Tally Up!"):** When three stars are rolled in the main roll, the first player to shout “Tally Up!” gets 200 points (even if they are OUT), and everyone else still IN gets 100 points. - **Dice Selection:** The active player cannot change their dice mid-round; they must stick with the three they picked. - **Rolling Out:** Even if the active player goes OUT, they continue rolling for the rest of the players still IN until a bust or everyone goes OUT. **Resources:** - **Rules:** - **How to Play Video:** --- ### Star Catcher - **Type:** Set-collection card game - **Players:** 2-4 - **Ages:** 8 and up - **Play time:** 15-30 minutes - **Language:** English - **Page:** - **Buy:** [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H27NVJRD), [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Star-Catcher/18355961445) **How to play:** Players play one card from their hand at a time, trying to catch cards on the table by matching a number or playing a card whose number equals the sum of two or more table cards. A Magnet Card catches every Diamond Card on the table, while Circle Cards can only be caught with a match or sum. A player who clears the table earns a Bonus Card. Play continues in hands of four cards until the deck is empty. **Scoring:** Each star in a player's score pile, including stars on Bonus Cards, is worth 1 point. The player or players who collect the most non-star cards in a round, including Magnet Cards, earn 3 points for that round. After as many rounds as there are players, the highest total score wins. **Key Rules / FAQ:** - **One Card per Turn:** Players may play only one card from their hand; they cannot combine two cards to catch a table card. - **Required Catches:** If a played card matches or sums table cards, the player must make a catch, but may choose among multiple available catches. - **Magnet Cards:** A Magnet Card catches all Diamond Cards on the table, but cannot catch Circle Cards. - **Table Cards:** Cards left on the table remain there between hands, and cards left at the end of a round are not scored. **Resources:** - **Rules:** --- ### Booty Dice - **Type:** Dice game (pirate theme) - **Players:** 2-6 - **Ages:** 8 and up - **Play time:** 15 minutes - **Language:** English - **Page:** - **Buy:** [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBTF896), [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/ip/10291121588), and select local game stores - **Reviews:** **How to play:** Players roll dice to attack enemies, steal gold doubloons, loot buried treasure, and defend themselves. Two win conditions: collect 25 gold doubloons OR be the last pirate standing. Special combo rolls that affect all other players are Shipreck, Mutiny, and Blackbeard's Curse. A Dice Roll Card helps players understand and resolve outcomes. **Key Rules / FAQ:** - **Rolling:** You can roll up to 3 times per turn, but can stop and resolve actions early if satisfied. - **Shields:** Protect only against Cutlass attacks—not Mutiny, Walk the Plank, or Blackbeard's Curse. - **Captain's Plunder:** Eliminating a pirate on your turn lets you take ALL of their Doubloons. - **Jolly Roger:** Steal 2 Doubloons; you can take both from one pirate or split between two. **Resources:** - **Rules:** - **Dice Roll Card:** - **How to Play Video:** --- ### A Lotta Axolotls - **Type:** Matching card game - **Players:** 2 or more - **Ages:** 6 and up - **Play time:** 15 minutes - **Language:** English and Spanish - **Page:** - **Buy:** [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK7Z3N3G), [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/ip/18061857364), Barnes & Noble, and select local game stores **How to play:** Players match axolotl cards in their hand to collection cards laid out in the center of the table. When a player places the last matching axolotl on a collection card, they claim that card. Collection cards are worth points equal to the number of axolotls in the set. The player who collects the most axolotls wins. **Two play modes:** - **Wild Way** - Everyone plays simultaneously. Chaotic and fast. - **Chill Way** - Turn-based play. Relaxed and kid-friendly. **Notable:** Rules included in English and Spanish. Suitable for younger children (6+). 279 Amazon reviews with a 4.7-star average rating. **Resources:** - **Rules:** --- ### French Goats in Trench Coats - **Type:** Bluffing and bidding card game - **Players:** 2-6 - **Ages:** 8 and up - **Play time:** 15 minutes - **Language:** English - **Page:** - **Buy:** [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLTG19LW) **How to play:** Each round, players simultaneously select a bidding card from their hand. Each bidding card can only be used once per round. The highest bid wins the Le Food card for that round. Tiebreaker rule: in a tie, the next highest bid wins instead. Le Bonus cards are special cards that can reverse or redirect outcomes. The player with the most Le Food points at the end wins. **Strategy note:** Because each bidding card can only be used once, players must manage their hand strategically across the round - outbluffing opponents without exhausting high-value cards too early. **Resources:** - **Rules:** --- ## Key Pages - [Homepage](https://messytablegames.com) - All games overview: [games listed on homepage](https://messytablegames.com) - [Tally Up](https://messytablegames.com/games/tally-up) - [Booty Dice](https://messytablegames.com/games/booty-dice) - [Star Catcher](https://messytablegames.com/games/star-catcher) - [A Lotta Axolotls](https://messytablegames.com/games/a-lotta-axolotls) - [French Goats in Trench Coats](https://messytablegames.com/games/french-goats-in-trench-coats) - [About](https://messytablegames.com/about) - [Contact](https://messytablegames.com/contact) - [Scoring App (Tally Up)](https://tupsp.messytable.games) ## Social and External Presence - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/messytablegames/) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@ericolsengames) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/messy-table-games) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563091542378) - [BoardGameGeek (Publisher)](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/55562/messy-table-games) - [Charity partner](https://www.thecenterforchildren.org/)