Photo Finish Racing - "How to Play"

[@Warriorking.1963]

What happens if you have four horses crossing the finish line on the same roll? A very fun and cool looking game, the photo finish is a brilliant idea!

[@photofinishracing8595]

Interesting and very, very rare.... When we've seen this happen in the past, (and one must assume that in 4-way photo finish there was much traffic and perhaps even bumping down the stretch... ) So we rule that this situation triggers an "inquiry".... We roll ONE BIG sided die to determine which horse is knocked down... and then roll the SIX SIDED to determine the placement of the remaining three. Another way is to simply call it "dead heat" and split WPS $ evenly among four horses.

[@albionhustler9836]

Also you do have a great announcer type voice btw

[@simont5470]

this looks so good but doubt i can get it in uk. i managed to get a copy of grand national but this looks quicker and fun

[@emmanuelvalencia3355]

Just got my copy. Can't wait to play! However, the bars on the photo finish are a little blurry on my copy.

[@photofinishracing8595]

Emmanuel, Please send me an image... We will be happy to replace at our expense should there be any fault...

[@keithpennington8259]

Hey Smoke :) Cool looking game!

[@74hayesta]

I would love to win one of these. We go to Gold Cup in The Plains Va twice a year to watch the races. This would would be lots of fun to bring this along to play with my friends. I bet if you sold these at an event like that you would sell a lot of these.

[@GaryKeep]

Is this available in three uk

[@albionhustler9836]

You've got some ideas there but bottom line this is still pretty standard roll and move here. So many other exciting mechanisms in board gaming now. I'd love to see a horse racing game that offers a field up to 20 horses, with variable abilities per horse (stalker, closer, mudder, etc.) that also offers more tactics or strategy than a standard roll and move game. Have you tried other games in the genre or other racing games in general? Games like Turfmaster, Grand National, Thunder Alley, and Formula De offer quite a bit when it comes to decision making. I wonder if games like these could help a designer like yourself take something that is good and make it great. I don't mean to be so critical, I'm a gamer and I've been looking for the ultimate horse racing game for years. I would love to see someone finally pull it off.

[@photofinishracing8595]

Thank you for your comments. My father actually invented this game in the 50's... We played in the family and among friends for several generations now..... and finally brought it to market just recently... We like to believe that we are NOT a "roll and move", so to speak, in that no matter who rolls... EVERYONE, potentially may move... and the fact that "move order" is critical and unique in Photo Finish Racing... BIG dice move first, followed by SMALL dice .. and ALWAYS the trailer moves first.... This often leads to "traffic issues" in the turns... horses getting "boxed out" and/or forced into wide turns... ..and of course... the photo finish opportunities! Your input and suggestions are indeed appreciated! Our team is always examining additional variants!... Thank you again! "Smoke" Smolka, Owner/President - Photo Finish Racing (the guy in the video) :)

[@rcspaintserviceandgaming]

Where can this be bought? It would be a perfect gift for my son-in-law.

[@photofinishracing8595]

Thank you for asking.... We are available on Amazon again starting tomorrow.... Use code 20offbca to get a 20% discount ($27 OFF!... only through Aug 28..... Please reach me at [e-mail] with any other questions or concerns!! Thank you again for your interest...

[@rcspaintserviceandgaming]

@@photofinishracing8595 thanks. Great offer but shipping and custom taxes kills it for me. Good luck with your game.

[@pankakotakismegalomavropou3355]

You're a boomer, I'm a zoomer, but that is the beauty of board games and subcultures, as they unite us all

[@photofinishracing8595]

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL $30 OFF on Amazon through Monday Nov 29!

[@9WON6SLOTS]

So if you go left or right to switch the lane does that count as one if you’re moves?

[@photofinishracing8595]

On the straights, YES! A move left or right on the straights requires one SPACE... To go forward and sideways (diagonally) on the straights is TWO spaces. ... Not so, however, in the turns!... Post an email and I will send you a more through description. I felt bad that after we shot the video, I realized that somehow we hadn't covered that particular topic well enough. (I tried to post it in this space, but I can't figure out how to post a graphic... I'm a little old school myself, it seems....) BTW Use code "REDDIT20" at photofinishracing.com this month for $20 off!.. This offer is not available on Amazon at this time. Thank you again for the question! I hope this helps!

[@freddy-uw4yz]

Are the horses different color or are they all brown? I’ve seen the images on amazon and they’re all brown but different color here. Im thinking of getting this to play with my dad since we are both huge horse racing fans but he loves his gray horses. Thats the only thing stopping me from purchasing the game.

[@photofinishracing8595]

Alfredo, thank you for your interest and and your comments... Indeed, our first release of this game included plastic horses of different colors... and had an attached steel, weight and a non stick rubber bottom. There were Black, Grey, Tan, Brown, White, etc... (I know this because I painted them all myself... nearly 1500 of them...) We discovered that the later metal horses were less prone to breakage if dropped or mishandled... but... ALL the metal horses are indeed, brown, these days. However, we still have some of the originals and I'm happy to include a set of the new and a set of the old (including grey horses) if that helps... Our $20 OFF coupon is also still valid at this time at photofinishracing.com. Let me know how we may help! Email me directly at [e-mail]! Thank you again for your interest! - "Smoke"

[@karlp712]

When loading the gate after the first roll, what if one of the die colors already are placed?

[@photofinishracing8595]

Ignore colors that are already gated... until the gate is loaded. A variation of this process is to only load the gate for Race #1...and subsequent races are loaded in reverse order of finish. Lots of options!

[@thepardoner2059]

Do players move their own horses? Or is movement controlled by the current roller of the dice?

[@photofinishracing8595]

Excellent question! Vast majority of the time, each "rider" moves his/her own horse (regardless of who actually rolls the dice)... In these COVID times, a race organizer may choose to move EACH horse.... having gained direction/approval from the owner of each horse... Remember... It is important to know who moves BEFORE you and who moves AFTER you! - But in short... In all the years we've played the game... VAST majority move their own regardless of who rolls the dice...

[@thepardoner2059]

​@@photofinishracing8595 Many thanks for the clarification. Most of my fellow gamers will certainly insist on moving their own horses. We've only recently become aware of the game, but it looks like great fun. How long has it been around? I would love to learn more about its history.

[@destresswithyoga]

Do you still sell these? I emailed your website about 2 weeks ago.

[@photofinishracing8595]

I'm terribly sorry... I must confess that I do not see these often... How can I help?

[@destresswithyoga]

Can this game be played with 3 people? My dad comes over for supper every Wednesday and we play dominoes. I need a new game. I don’t mind spending the $ as it’s awesome, but because of the Covid, we are keeping our circle small so we can continue to visit my mom in a nursing home.

[@photofinishracing8595]

@@destresswithyoga I DID reply to you..... I was touched... maybe it didn't make it to you... (I'm an old school guy - new to social media... Maybe your request arrived under a different name? Update: I have located my response to you and have discovered that it may not have made it to you as was my intention.... My document/response is dated Aug 13th... Forgive me for my technical inability to deliver in a timely manner.... I submit for you today in its entirety in the space below....... Can this game be played with 3 people? My dad has supper with my husband and I every Wednesday and we always play dominoes. We need something new. But there are only 3 of us because of the Covid situation. My late grandfather made a wonderful horse racing game and I love how you made this after growing up with it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - First of all, and fully 3 cheers your way: YAAAY! for using the word “supper”… YAAAAY again for dominoes… and HUGE YAAAAY for Dads (and Grand Dads) everywhere! I can’t even begin to describe the relevance/coincidence of your message. I've played dominoes for years and still play regularly at the pub a couple times a month. I love dominoes!.. and backgammon, and cribbage… and chess… among other activities... as did my Dad… the actual inventor of Photo Finish Racing. He taught us each of these games as youngsters… Please see reference to his professional accomplishments in this space… which includes reference to his invention of the game…. electionlawblog.org/?p=56518 My Dad is the actual inventor of Photo Finish Racing... back in the 50’s... I still hold the rejection letter from Milton Bradley dated 1957 when he first submitted his invention and idea.... Who knows what would have happened had they said yes.. , but Dad made sure that he moved life along.... and... in the wake of that venture... I (among six children) were born into a loving couple. We played Photo Finish Racing for decades! I am number two of the six. Many (among our family and friends) have played this game for decades... I turned 60 years old this year.... I recently decided that his idea was brilliant enough... to not let it die on my watch ... (MB suggested otherwise in 1957.) We are new to the market... and maybe we are late to the market.... But my ambition today is to take Dad's game, in idea, in concept, in rules for game play, and in all of its decades old history… to more people… We’ve seen the enjoyment it brings - particularly among family. I’m certain that your grandfather can and would understand and appreciate… I would like to know more about your Grandfather’s vision and his creation… if you choose to share… As to your question and for Photo Finish Racing - and thank you again for your interest - Any number of people can play, to be certain... but with THREE exactly.... there are options: (some of which we cover in our booklet). 1) After you "load the gate", the three players' horses have their lanes - somewhere within 1 thru 8) .... Call it, 3, 4, and 7, for this example... Well, 3, 4, and 7 are free to change lanes throughout the race... but the remainders are required to HOLD their lanes.... but they still move as the rules and the dice dictate... BIG first, THEN little... 2) You could give each player TWO horses..... Roll for ownership. Two will be unclaimed and must hold their lane throughout the race. Still "Load the Gate", as written and described - the remaining TWO horses must hold their lane throughout the race.....You can play, as we have with three players, that in order to win, one of the three players needs BOTH of his/her horses to finish within the TOP THREE... Until this happens... Reload and Repeat! (and re-WAGER!.. if this is among your interests).... 3) You, your Dad, the unending guiding influence of your Grandfather, and present company make it up as you go….. I’m convinced that you and your family are creative enough to provide a solution to any situation during or about game play that that I may have overlooked. Please accept my sincere apology for not producing a more timely response to your initial inquiry… “Smoke” Smolka Owner/President Photo Finish Racing

[@destresswithyoga]

Thank you so much for this response. My grandfather’s horse racing game was made out of wood and was an oval. He drilled holes and used what looked like cribbage pegs for the horses (I’m surprised he didn’t use golf tees because he also made his own putting green in his backyard). We used dice and went around. I love Backgammon and play with my husband often….we always take a travel size backgammon on vacation. My son loves cribbage and chess. As a child, my parents spoiled us with lots of board games for Christmas. My sister and I would make our own board games on cardboard and it was so much more fun to play the “homemade” ones. Thank you so much. I’m very excited to play your game.

[@rcspaintserviceandgaming]

As far as I can see, the photo finish ‘only’ have three horses in play. What happens if four horses crosses the finish line in the same turn? Does it mean that the fourth horse can’t win or can four horses never cross the finish line in the same turn?

[@photofinishracing8595]

A very rare occurrence.... but it does happen! Please see my response to warriorking63 from 7 months ago....

[@deenekabiling]

How do you divide the pot for win/place/show?

[@photofinishracing8595]

Deene, Typically we'll do $2 a horse buy in.... that puts $16 in the pot... We then break it down to $9 to WIN, $5 for PLACE, and $2 for SHOW... To be honest, however, if you are running multiple races... Your guests may want to "up the stakes" in the later races... as long as the percentages stay about the same, you can make any amount work... I made a table I can send you if you like... Hope this helps... - "Smoke" (the guy in the video)

[@deenekabiling]

@@photofinishracing8595 yes, please!

[@Mr._Chievous]

where might you buy one of these games?

[@photofinishracing8595]

Thank you for the comments! We are available on Amazon at this time, or you can go directly to PhotoFinishRacing.com.... (Send inquiry to [e-mail] to receive PROMO CODE for $20 OFF until May 1st!

[@scottyh9513]

hi. can this game be bought in the UK?

[@photofinishracing8595]

It is not sold in the U.K. at this time, however, we have shipped to Ireland, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and other international destinations. Please send inquiry to [e-mail], and indicate your mailing (ship to) address... We will work with you on shipping costs.... Thank you again for your inquiry! - Mike "Smoke" Smolka, Owner/President, Photo Finish Racing

[@frasierthebichon7422]

TriQuest is really good also

[@grog3514]

$140 for a roll and move game! For this price, you can buy THREE copies of deluxe winners circle, a classic horse racing game that has metal coins instead of paper money, an actual board, and 10 painted horse miniatures. I could easily list off 10 significantly better racing games that you could buy for less than $50. For $140, you could have the deluxe version of TURF MASTER shipped from europe!

[@photofinishracing8595]

Grog, I thank you for your comments. I am Smoke Smolka, inventor and owner of Photo Finish Racing... (I am also the guy in the video). You make several observations: #1) We are a high end product. This is true and it is be design. Every element of Photo Finish Racing is of very high quality. I designed our horses, had them cast in metal, and made certain that they were of a respectable size so as to accomodate gameplay, as well as to showcase the intricate paint work on each piece.... Many are either too small or too flimsy to be satisfactory. #2 ) "Roll and Move" game... Recall when one rolls, potentially EVERYONE moves... but the ORDER in which they move matters!... and they have choices to make: Dive to the rail? Block out an opponent?... Hold your lane and hope for the best?... Our customers have earned us a 4.5+ Rating on Amazon (out of 5) over the last year. This sort of rating doesn't happen by accident, and it rarely happens so quickly to newcomers to the market, such as ourselves.. Today is an Amazon Prime Day.. We are available today for $111 with free shipping. or... Visit PhotoFinishRacing.com and you can instantly receive a $20 OFF code... Neither of these promotions will likely last beyond this week, but they are there now. I stand by our product... and I stand by and with our customers. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns ([e-mail]).

[@grog3514]

@@photofinishracing8595 I didn't claim your game to be a high end product, only a poor value one. High end board games don't use paper money. Even cheap plastic poker chips would be an improvement. The metal horses are cool, but they look like they are inflated balloon horses for some reason. Turf Master also comes with 8 realistic painted metal horses ( static.giochinscatola.it/29038-thickbox_default/turfmaster-deluxe-edition.jpg ) in addition to horse jumps and personal decks of cards for each horse but can be purchased for less. I also understand that there are choices that can be made (again all of these mechanisms and more are present in Turf Master), but they are pretty lacking compared to modern board game standards. I'm not saying that to be mean, just pointing out the reality of the current hobby board gaming market. I feel like this game wants to be the short fun party game from the 70's called home stretch combined with Long Shot but it falls short of both of those games in my opinion. As for your amazon reviews, if they are legit thats great, but JML is clearly not a random person. I do however respect the effort put into this project and wish you success as that's what america is all about!

[@photofinishracing8595]

@@grog3514 We are a high end product. You've made the claim that we are a poor value. Our customers overwhelmingly disagree with your opinion. Regardless, let me address some of your concerns and clarify our position: Photo Finish Racing was invented in the 1940s by my father. There will always be a variety of horse race games and to that I say, "Hail!", to be certain! Turf Master, to cite your example, seems to be an entertaining horse racing board game to be sure... I’m certain it can yield hours of fun. I laud those responsible for bringing the concept to others… Being unfamiliar with the game, I searched out a video… .. In the very first round of the game … two horses were accidentally knocked over onto their sides during an attempted move and had to replaced (presumably on their same respective spaces). We at Photo Finish Racing have long understood that if the pieces are too small and not weighted properly, this will be a regular occurrence… and we feel that it has the potential to disrupt game play. Similarly, if the table gets bumped and pieces fall over... We intentionally designed our horses, the scale of the track, the spill-proof ability of our game and all its pieces... such that these things don’t happen. We spill test, drop test, accuracy test, play test, and other wise assume that each game will have many people involved… and we designed a product that takes these things into account. “High end board games don't use paper money.” I would agree with that statement. Most who play our game, I’ve come to understand, choose to use real money. . Also.. I’ve never really really been interested in the hobby board gaming market. My father invented this game before I was born. We in my family grew up with it. There is nothing else quite like it, but as you mention, there are other games - which came along much later - each with its own rules and ideals and to that, again, I say, "Outstanding!". When I finally brought this game to market, I knew which elements mattered most to me, my late father, and our direction and purpose. This is why our horses are of the dimensions they are… this is why our playing surface is the dimension that it is… this is why our pieces never tip over… and these are among the reasons that our reviews remain as high as they are. Having said that.... The "ballooney" look to our horses (I agree with you about that) is a result of casting... to have the horses display "pointy and life-like" ears would have add an unnecessary cost to the process... Also, another reason they look "balooney" is that we deliberately modified the dimensions of the jockey-to-horse ratio so to showcase the colors of the silks on the jockey... Our game and our game play is completely original and our aesthetic dimensions we feel are equally unique and unparalleled... While we fully appreciate your opinions and comments, we also feel that some clarity and explanation is warranted in light of them.... Thank you, again. - "Smoke" Smolka, President - Photo Finish Racing

[@miriamrobarts]

@@photofinishracing8595 I think @grog3514 was just trying to give advice in case you want your game to be competitive & successful in the current board game market (since you mention bringing it to market). If you want to sell as many copies of your game as possible, I'd say his advice is correct. However, from your responses, it sounds like your definition of success is simply to make your game available, and you don't mind that it won't be a competitive seller compared to other games (more of a hobby than a main-stream game company). If so, it's great that you've reached your goal & are sharing your family's game with others.

[@Mr._Chievous]

you sound like a professional announcer of some sort

[@AtomicElectronCo]

Smolka is the man and my former tech instructor. Glad he's not competing with me in the studio! Got mine on Amazon.

[@markfleming4461]

He doesn't show how the horses change lanes.

[@photofinishracing8595]

Mark, Thank you for this observation. I am "Smoke" Smolka - owner/inventor of Photo Finish Racing. We shot for five hours that day (I'm the guy in the video)... our video production team edited it down to 8 minutes... and actually captured the essence of the game, we believe. However, yes, I wish some of the lane changing footage would have been included. We make it clear in the rule book - which has color/visual/graphic explanations. Lane changing is a VERY important element of the game as you appropriately point out. Please download a copy from our site at photofinishracing.com)... And please continue to share further observations. - "Smoke" Also, please contact me directly at [e-mail] or on this page with any other questions.

[@greenshifu]

Well it looks fun, but it's very boring. Each player doesn't have much involvement in the game apart from moving there horse. How confusing with order of play when a player crosses the line with photo finish. Makes no sense what's so ever.

[@photofinishracing8595]

To the contrary, and by design, EVERY horse could move on EVERY roll. Each player is the JOCKEY for their horse. There are decisions to make for almost every player on every roll. With photo finishes accounting for one out of every three races, there is no shortage of excitement... particularly when folks are playing for "stakes", so to speak.

[@photofinishracing8595]

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[@photofinishracing8595]

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[@photofinishracing8595]

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[@photofinishracing8595]

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