There is a small series of games touted as "Pub Battles" from Command Post Games which as the name implies are designed to be easier to transport and set up during a night out at the pub.

The most current offering is Pub Battles: Little Bighorn - Custer's Last Stand. In this game, the opponents face off as either the ill-fated 7th Cavalry or the Native American nations that have come together to stand their ground against the invading white men.

In this game, you must decide what your forces are going to be made up with and how many, this is done in secret so the element of surprise is achieved just like back in 1876. Will you follow Custer's example and divide your forces? Will you bring the Gatling guns instead of leaving them behind because they would slow you down?

If you are playing the Sioux or Cheyenne, will you have as many warriors as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse? Will you wait for the cavalry to come to you or will you go out and hunt them? All very interesting questions and can lead to a wonderful night of game play and what ifs.

The game is very simple as far as components are concerned, the units are made of small wooden blocks and have their units painted or printed on a side that can be hidden so the enemy does not know unit until it has been discovered and in combat.

The game mat itself is made from canvas to get it a wonderfully authentic feel and will lay flat as it is resistant to fold lines and is not folded into a box but rolled into a tube.

There are a few modest stretch goals for this campaign and they all add some nice atmosphere to the game but are not essential for gameplay.

Custer has always been an area of interest for me, when my Dad was in the Army we were stationed at Ft. Riley Kansas and this was the permanent post for Gen. Custer and the 7th Cavalry before leaving on the campaign to find the Native Americans and return them to their reservations.

As we all know they did not return. I am a big fan of historical games that are simple to pick up and play as this opens it to more players, but there is the strategy to provide a challenge.

Will you lead the 7th Cavalry or defend your homeland from the man with the golden hair?