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Best games like Camel Up (2026): Camel Up turns a chaotic camel race into one of the best family betting games around. Camels stack on top of each other, the pyramid spits out dice and everyone bets on who will lead. If your group loves cheering for a race they cannot control, these games keep the thrills, from horse-race betting to cycling and motor racing.
Our pick if you love Camel Up: Ready Set Bet
A real-time horse race where everyone places bets at once while the race is happening. It is loud, fast and plays up to nine. It costs about $45.
Price band: $30+ (about $45) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Games like Camel Up at a glance
Every pick is a race.
- Best overall: Ready Set Bet — real-time betting, 2 to 9 (about $45)
- Best pirate race: Jamaica — race pirate ships around the island (about $37)
- Best racing strategy: Flamme Rouge — cycling race with hand management (about $61)
- Best motor racing: Heat: Pedal to the Metal — car racing with clever cards (about $67)
- The original: Camel Up — second edition, 3 to 8 (about $42)
Why Camel Up is so much fun
In Camel Up no camel belongs to you. Instead, you take a turn by rolling a die from the pyramid, betting on the leg winner or the overall winner and loser, or placing a desert tile to speed or slow camels. Camels landing on the same space stack, and the one on top rides along when lower camels move. The race is pure chaos, but timing your bets is a real skill.
1. Ready Set Bet — big groups who want noise
Players: 2 to 9 · Price band: $30+ (about $45) · Pick for: Big groups who want noise · See Ready Set Bet on Amazon
A host rolls dice to move horses along the track, and everyone places betting tokens on the board in real time. The earlier you bet, the better the payout, but the more risk you take. After the race, prop bets and exotic bets add surprises. Three races make a game.
Compare the two in our Camel Up vs Ready Set Bet guide.
Skip it if: your group prefers turn-based play. Everything happens at once.
2. Jamaica — families who want a race with more choices
Players: 2 to 6 · Price band: $30+ (about $37) · Pick for: Families who want a race with more choices · See Jamaica on Amazon
Pirate ships race around the island of Jamaica. Each round the captain rolls two dice and decides which one counts for the day and which for the night. Everyone then secretly picks an action card that uses those numbers to sail forward or backward, load gold, food or gunpowder, or pay to dock in ports.
Battles break out when ships share a space, and the race ends when a ship reaches Port Royal. The richest pirate wins, not always the fastest, which gives it the same cheering-and-groaning energy as Camel Up.
Skip it if: you want betting. In Jamaica you race your own ship.
3. Flamme Rouge — strategy fans who like racing
Players: 2 to 4 · Price band: $30+ (about $61) · Pick for: Strategy fans who like racing · See Flamme Rouge on Amazon
Each player controls a sprinter and a rouleur on a modular cycling track. You draw energy cards for each rider and choose one to move. Riders who lead pick up exhaustion cards, so drafting behind others is key.
It has the same tense finishes as Camel Up but with more control.
Skip it if: you want to bet on others. In Flamme Rouge you race your own riders.
4. Heat: Pedal to the Metal — groups who want a modern racing hit
Players: 1 to 6 · Price band: $30+ (about $67) · Pick for: Groups who want a modern racing hit · See Heat: Pedal to the Metal on Amazon
Drive a 1960s race car around tracks from around the world. Play speed cards to move, shift gears and manage heat cards that pile up as you push your engine. Corners have speed limits, and going too fast costs heat or spins you out.
It is one of the most popular racing games of recent years. Browse more in the best racing board games.
Skip it if: you want a quick filler. Heat takes about an hour.
5. Camel Up — anyone without a copy
Players: 3 to 8 · Price band: $30+ (about $42) · Pick for: Anyone without a copy · See Camel Up on Amazon
The second edition adds crazy camels that run backwards and a pyramid that releases dice one at a time. It plays up to eight and is a favorite for family gatherings.
Skip it if: you already own it.
How these games compare with Camel Up
| Game | Players | Betting? | Length | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camel Up | 3 to 8 | Yes | About 45 min | Low |
| Ready Set Bet | 2 to 9 | Yes, real time | About 45 to 60 min | Low |
| Jamaica | 2 to 6 | No, but treasure and gold | About 45 to 60 min | Medium |
| Flamme Rouge | 2 to 4 | No | About 45 min | Medium |
| Heat | 1 to 6 | No | About 60 min | Medium to high |
Which racing game fits your group?
- Love betting on chaos? Ready Set Bet.
- Want a pirate race for the whole family? Jamaica.
- Want to race your own riders? Flamme Rouge or Heat.
For more betting fun, see the best betting board games and our best racing board games, or browse the best large group party games.
Games like Camel Up FAQ
What game is most like Camel Up?
Ready Set Bet. Both are about betting on a race you do not control.
Is there a racing game for more players?
Ready Set Bet plays up to nine, and Camel Up up to eight.
What is a good racing game for strategy fans?
Heat: Pedal to the Metal and Flamme Rouge give you more control than Camel Up.
