Thrift Treasure: Pit
I don’t usually buy doubles of a game, but this week I couldn’t pass up on a deal and something unique that I usually don’t get to show – old and new versions of the same game! This week’s Thrift Treasure was originally issued in 1904 – yes, that’s well over a hundred years ago! Pit was originally developed for Parker Brothers and issued by them all the way up until the mid 80’s. We found one of their issues from 1973 as well as a brand new version by Winning Moves in a beautiful tin box.
Not much has changed about the game over the past few decades. The bell was introduced to Pit in this 1973 version, and the deck still consists of eight different commodities (wheat, barley, rye, oats, etc.). The only change has been the addition of a Bull and Bear card that are completely optional to use. Otherwise, even the rules are still the same.
Depending on the number of participants, you will only use as many commodities equivalent to the number of players. If a full game of seven players is desired, use the whole deck. Each player is dealt nine cards and holds them in their hand.
One the bell is rung to “open the market”, players pull out pairs, threes or fours of a single commodity in an attempt to trade them for an equal number of cards from another player. You are trying to become the first player to get all nine cards of one suit (commodity) and ring the bell to close the market. If you are able to do so, you receive the points shown on the card for that particular item.
Of course you don’t know what cards you are receiving from the other person, so you might end up working on the same sets! Pit is played in rounds, with new hands dealt each time. Only the person to “corner the market” in one commodity scores, with the first person to achieve 500 points over multiple rounds winning.
The mere fact that after over a century this game is still popular should be testament enough to its fun. The days of traders in actual pits at the Mercantile Exchange may be long gone, but the fun continues in this classic. This is one you’ll definitely find at your local big box retailer, and heavily discounted on Amazon for under $15!
Classical game. With the right group it’s still fun.
Cool! Always on the lookout for new games to get my hands on. The family’s current favourite is “Bang”… everyone that we’ve played it with LOVES it… did quick look on your site and didn’t see it. You should absolutely review that one!
If you’re talking about Bang: The Dice Game, you’re right. That one is a LOT of fun. In fact, we’ll be showing the second version (think zombies) very soon!
Classic games are always the best!
Theses games looks real fun
I remember this game when my Daughter was young. She and her friends used to play it.
Isn’t it amazing how the old games are still the best and still around in one form or another!
It totally makes me all sentimental to see this game. I remember learning it in grade school, and it was fast-paced fun!
I love the unique game pieces for this game. It is a great way to get the players excited about the whole experience.
That’s neat that you have the original game and the new-fangled one.
I agree, if it’s been popular this long, there’s got to be something to it!! I’d play this one with the kids!
It’s been out for a long time which usually only happens when people really enjoy something. It sounds like it would be a fun game for a family game night.
That is really neat to see the evolution of the game from then till now. I really wish our thrift store still carried games.
Pit card game looks like a lot of fun. It’s great to see how games changed with years. Can’t wait for my daughter to be a little older and play all these interesting games with her.
I have never heard of this game, but it does look interesting. All the thrift stores close to us do not sell old games like this. If I ever do stumble upon the game, I’ll totally get it. I think it’s a fun family game.
Love playing games as a kid and even as an adult! I haven’t heard of this game before, sounds like a lot of fun!
Very interesting and I wish I could have played it. I always check our local thrift store for games but never find anything classic like that!
Wow I never heard of this game before. But it sounds like fun, and certainly has stood the test of time.
Its good to try new and different games. Ringing the bell is a fun feature to open and close.
Another Thrift Store find!
Every time I hear about this game, I want it! Maybe it will be group gift this Christmas.
Do you want to adopt another family member? Seriously, I love board games and thrift shopping, so I would be a perfect fit. 🙂 One of my favorite thrift game finds was Deluxe Scrabble. I love the spinning board. I don’t think I have ever played PIT, I may have to put it on my Christmas list.
We loved playing pit and the more player the more the fun. The only problem was we played so much we wore out the deck of cards but never the bell. We ended up with 3 spare bells that no one knew what to do with, but then on the fourth deck we decided to use the bells so each one of us (when 4 players) had our own bell in front of us to ring. We had a big table so this made it easier to ring the bell.
very fun game!
An oldie and goodie
I played this when i was young many years ago.
I never played or heard of this game before. However, it looks like a lot of fun and would love to give it a try.