Anyway, on with the game review.
Der Ausreisser (The Outrider) is a card game for up to six players. Most of the cards consist of a humorous drawing of a cyclist and a number from 39 to 50. That is the cyclists speed. Also in the deck are cards with a red outline. These are special cards. More about these below.

Each player is dealt 6 cards. If any of the special cards have been dealt, these are replaced from the deck. The wooden counter representing the yellow jersey is placed in the middle of the table along with the red and blue chips. Red chips are 5 minute penalties and blue chips one minute penalties.

The first player draws a card from the deck, plays a card and takes the yellow jersey. The next player, if he doesn't want to get time penalties has to play a card within 2 of the card held by the yellow jersey player. If he plays a higher card then he takes the yellow jersey and becomes race leader. The next player then does the same, playing a card within two of the yellow jersey player or higher to take the race himself. Thus the game continues, not so much in turns as in a continuous round until the deck is exhausted.

If you cannot play a card within 2 of the yellow jersey player, then you take time penalties. For example, the yellow jersey is doing 48kph and you play 45kph. You must therefore take 3 blue chips for a 3 minute time penalty. If the cards were reversed, you would hand in 3 blue chips but you would not take the yellow jersey because at the start of your turn you held time penalties. If you already have penalties, you must equal the speed of the yellow jersey or take more time penalties. You no longer have the luxury of slipstreaming the leader and playing within 2 of the leaders card.

It is this rule that makes the play so interesting. Once you begin to fall behind, it is not easy to lose those time points and catch up again. Obviously, at some point, the yellow jersey must play a low card, giving you the chance to cash in some chips, but even then you can't take the jersey until you begin a turn with no time penalties.

Earlier, I mentioned special cards. There are three of these.
Steigung (Steep hill) - This card can only be played on, or by, the yellow jersey rider. This is the only time when you may play a card out of turn. It means that no other rider can take the yellow jersey, even if they play a higher card. Also, you must equal the yellow jersey riders speed or take time penalties. Therefore, playing it on the yellow jersey rider when he is going slow is a good way to regain time.
Gegenwind (Head wind) - this must be played when drawn , in addition to your normal card and deducts 2 from that card played. You immediately draw a replacement, but if thats also a Gegenwind card, you must play that immediately as well, losing you 4 from the card played. Ouch!
Spurt (Tail wind) - You can play this when you wish. It adds 2 to the card you play, but you can only play 1 Spurt card at a time.

These three cards make, what would be a simple luck of the draw into something more exciting. Yes, there is a luck element in the cards you've been dealt, but tactical play of the cards can make even bad hands into winners. I've played this against a player who had played hundreds of games. He was pretty unbeatable, no matter what kind of hand he had, simply because he knew the cards and knew how and when to play them.

Once the deck is exhausted, that stage is over. Points are scored, usually negative due to the time points, but the yellow jersey scores 2. Scoring the game over six races takes about an hour. The player with the least penalty points wins.

SUMMARY:
This has always been a favourite, even amongst my non-gaming friends. Even though they usually end up with lots of time penalties, it has that 'one more game' appeal that you'll do better next game.

Review by Brian