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About Flick 'em Up!
Flick 'em Up!, by Gaëtan Beaujannot and Jean-Yves Monpertuis, is a dexterity game of lawmen against outlaws in a wooden Western town. You move a cowboy by flicking a disc and placing him where it lands, and you shoot by flicking a bullet at whoever is standing opposite. Knocking a figure over costs it a hit point. Ten scenarios in the box change the objectives, from bank robberies to duels.
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Is Flick 'em Up! Right for You?
Best for
Flick 'em Up! is for families and groups who enjoy dexterity games and a bit of slapstick. The wooden town looks terrific on the table, the core rules take minutes, and the scenarios keep repeat plays from feeling identical. We think it is best at two or four, as two evenly matched sides.
Maybe skip it if…
Anyone who dislikes dexterity games, or who struggles with fine motor control, will find it frustrating rather than funny. It also needs a large, flat table and a few minutes of building before every game. Competitive adults who argue over whether a disc touched something should agree a ruling before the first flick.
How to Play Flick 'em Up!
Setup
Choose a scenario and build its town from the wooden buildings, cacti and barrels. Split into lawmen and outlaws and place the cowboys.
On Your Turn
- Activate one of your cowboys; each gets two actions.
- To move, flick the movement disc; if it touches nothing, place the cowboy where it stopped.
- To shoot, place a bullet beside your cowboy and flick it; any cowboy knocked over loses a hit point.
How to Win
Complete the scenario's objective. In the basic shootout, that means eliminating the other side's cowboys.
💡 Strategy Tips
Stand behind buildings. A cowboy with no clear line of fire at him is worth more than one who can shoot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Flicking too hard. A controlled flick is more accurate and far less likely to scatter your own cowboys.
- Standing in the open. Buildings, cacti and barrels exist to hide behind, and a cowboy with no clear line of fire at him cannot be hit.
- Ignoring the scenario objective. Several scenarios are won by doing something other than shooting.
- Wasting the second action. A move that sets up a clear shot is usually better than two moves.
Advanced Strategy
- Think about where your cowboy will be standing after the enemy's turn, not just where they shoot from.
- Practise one flicking technique and stick with it. Consistency matters more than power.
- In team games, spread out. A cluster of cowboys gives the other side an easy shot at several figures.
- Read the scenario's special rules before setting up. They often reward a tactic that pure shooting misses.
Variants & House Rules
Flick 'em Up!: Dead of Winter
A crossover game in the same system that pits the players against zombies, with its own scenarios.
House rule: duel only
Strip the town down to a few buildings and play a straight shootout. A good way to teach children before the scenarios.
Video Guides
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Our Verdict
Flick 'em Up! is a physical, funny game that works across a wide range of ages, and it is one of the few dexterity games with a real sense of place. The wooden town and the ten scenarios give it more structure than most games of its kind. For families and casual groups, it is an easy win, provided you have the table space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play?
Two to ten, always as two teams. It is best with two or four, when nobody waits long for a turn.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, from about seven. Younger players can join in with a little help on the scenario rules.
How long does a game take?
Thirty to forty-five minutes, depending on the scenario.