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I’ll be honest: I was on the fence about Stamp Swap. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Paul Salomon (hello, Honey Buzz 🐝), and Stonemaier Games delivers favorites to our table, but… stamps? Really? How exciting could a game about postage be?
Then life intervened. One of my resolutions this year was to stop being that person who just ships Amazon gifts with a half-hearted “hope you like it” and start sending real, heartfelt mail. So, there I was at the post office, dropping off some snail mail, when I spotted it: a glorious poster of all the cool stamps for sale.
I stared at it for far too long. Do I buy stamps? Start a collection? I don’t even know what I’d do with them. But then it hit me—Stamp Swap might just be the perfect solution for someone like me: someone who loves the idea of stamps without the commitment. Bonus? The stamps in this game are adorable. Looking at them made me wonder if I should’ve been saving all those cool stamps we’ve received over the years… though that might be a dangerous (and potentially hoarder-level) rabbit hole to fall into.
Stamp Swap: A Strategic, Adorable Challenge
Stamp Swap is a strategic game for one to five players about competitive stamp collecting. Designed by Paul Salomon with gorgeous artwork by Conner Gillette, you and your fellow players are competing for the title of Best Collector at a grand stamp convention. It’s a game of collecting, swapping, and showing off your collection in style.
The Gameplay
Each round has three phases:
Collect Phase: Gather stamps and attendee cards from a shared pool.
Swap Phase: Here’s where things get interesting. The game has player interaction! You split your collected items into piles and strategically swap them with other players. It’s all about negotiation—sometimes, a well-timed bluff can really pay off or make your current round fall apart. (So be careful not to be too greedy or optimistic.)
Show Phase: Arrange your stamps in your album and score points based on how well you’ve curated your collection.
After three rounds, the Final Show provides bonus scoring opportunities to determine who takes the crown as the ultimate stamp collector
Scoring: The Real Stamps of the Show
When setting up the game, you’ll place five contest cards. You’ll choose one each round to score points. Scoring occurs at the end of each show phase. Score points for:
Exhibitor cards
2 points if you’re holding the first player token
Choose one of the contest cards and place your show ticket to score. You can only score a contest card once, so choose wisely!
After the third round (Final Show), you’ll also score for:
Forever stamps
Stamp values: Add or subtract the number of each of your stamps (some stamps don’t have values)
Specialist cards: 2 points for each
Finale contest card: Don’t worry, everyone scores this!
What’s in the Box?
High-quality and beautifully designed components
A rulebook with detailed examples in an easy-to-read format
A box insert to expedite setup and put-away times
165 beautiful stamp tiles in various shapes and sizes (five themes and five colors; colorblind-friendly). Includes rare, canceled, faded, and forever stamps.
19 attendee cards (14 specialists and 5 exhibitors)
30 contest cards for varied scoring conditions
Custom player mats, event cards, and show tickets that really set the scene
Unique Features
Dynamic Strategy: Stamp Swap makes you think. Do you focus on optimizing your collection, or do you disrupt your opponents by trading strategically?
“I Split, You Choose” Mechanic: Players divide their collected stamps into two piles and let their opponents choose one. This mechanic adds depth—sometimes, a well-timed bluff can pay off or unravel your round. (Be careful not to be too greedy!)
Spatial Puzzle: Arranging stamps in your collection book is more than just a visual exercise. It’s a spatial puzzle that requires careful planning. Players must consider color, theme, and stamp size to maximize their score
Social Interaction: The swap phase isn’t just about stamps; it’s about reading your opponents, negotiating, and sometimes bluffing to get the best deal
A Visual Feast: The game’s beautiful artwork and high-quality components elevate the experience. The colourful stamps are a delight to behold, and the tactile feel of the cards and board adds to the overall enjoyment
Final Thoughts
Stamp Swap is a delightful surprise. It combines strategy, luck, and social interaction in a fun and engaging way. The game plays over three rounds and offers multiple factors that keep you engaged while you strategize what to do next. If you’re into games that mix light strategy with a little bit of bluffing and charm, Stamp Swap might be just what you’re looking for.
