The Game
Il Gioco del Palio di Asti allows you to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the historic race, faithfully recreated on a board depicting Piazza Alfieri set up for the race. Each player can choose to represent one of the 21 Rioni, Borghi or Comuni that officially participate in the Palio.
A game lasts about an hour on average, but the time can vary greatly depending on the number of participants. With 2-3 players, the race flows quickly, while with 9 jockeys on the track, the action becomes more intense… and a little longer!
The recommended age is 8 years and up: some mechanics require a bit of strategy that may be too complex for younger children.
The game is designed for 2 to 9 players per race, and it is possible to organise a complete Palio with 21 participants, competing in three heats of 9 horses each, just like in the Asti tradition. If you want, you can also play alone and try to beat your own record… but trust us: Il Gioco del Palio di Asti is best played with friends!
Dice, horse status and cards
The race unfolds along the track thanks to the roll of the Race Die, but that’s not all: the game is enriched by special statuses that modify the movement of the horses! Some are penalising, such as Gadan and Plandron, while others are advantageous, such as Biros. And then there’s Scosso: a permanent status… and totally unpredictable!
But the real tactical heart of the game are the Race Cards: a deck of 36 cards that add twists, strategy and lots of fun. You can advance quickly with cards like Cavallino Alato, throw a spanner in the works for your opponents with Carota Marcia, or activate obstacles like the infamous Buche.
And watch out for the legendary Cacca Portafortuna… yes, it really exists (but we won’t spoil anything for you)!
During the race, you can also challenge another horse in the same sector to a Duel in an attempt to slow it down or overtake it… but be careful: you can never be sure of winning, even if you initiated the challenge!
Batteries, final and glory
The game can follow the official structure of the Palio, with three qualifying rounds from which only the top three finishers advance to the final, or you can play a single race if there are nine or fewer participants. In either case, the goal is always the same: cross the finish line first and win the Palio!
A perfect mix of strategy, luck, card management and twists and turns, to experience (and relive) the excitement of Asti’s most beloved race… without having to wait until September!
We don’t know what the future holds for Il Gioco del Palio di Asti,
but in the meantime, we have just one piece of advice: don’t miss it!
Two versions?
To allow everyone to access Il Gioco del Palio di Asti, we have created two versions, both complete but with different features and materials:
Economy version
A more basic version, offering greater accessibility without compromising on fun.
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Includes all the necessary elements to play;
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The horse pieces are made of shaped cardboard;
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The wooden dice can be customised with the included stickers;
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The regulations are available via QR code on the flyer.
Premium version
The ultimate experience of Il Gioco del Palio di Asti, exactly as we imagined it.
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Includes 9 colourful 3D horses, on which you can place the 21 jockeys representing Rioni, Borghi and Comuni;
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Maxi-sized dice, ready to use;
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Everything is contained in an elegant matching jute bag, which is also perfect for drawing starting positions.
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The rulebook is printed and ready to browse through.
Both versions allow you to fully experience Il Gioco del Palio di Asti.
Which race will you choose to run?