The Sandpaper
Joe Granese
November 2005
USA

Have you ever accused your summer housemates of behaving like a bunch of wild animals? Now they've got a chance to benefit from that experience as you take to the field of family combat for a rousing game of Snorta. This is the kind of game that's worth buying just to be able to announce the name.

Everything is funny in this ridiculously entertaining game of barnyard impersonation. Better make sure Rover is out of the room when you set up for a round of Snorta. As many as eight players can enjoy an evening of acting like a pig, cow, horse, or other animal.

Players are asked to choose an animal from a bag at random. They must then imitate that animal for all to hear. Then the competitors are dealt an equal number of Snorta cards and the fast-paced fun begins. Each player turns a card right side up and the holders of matching cards must make the other's players animal sound.

It usually takes two turns before the laughter factor takes over and all the animals sound the same. In my experience, this just makes the game more fun. The game goes 'round and 'round the barnyard until a player runs out of cards. Then a new round begins and it starts all over.

Snorta will turn your playroom into a real zoo, and in this case, that's a good thing. Young kids are always welcome at the gaming table, and usually do far better than their elders. This is truly contagious fun, even for city kids.

Having made my share of oinks, faked thousand-year-old aphorisms, and whacked myriad moles, I'm still ready for another round. There's nothing like a good battle around a board game on a cool autumn night. If you've got a family favorite gaming tradition, do let me know. Oink!

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