Buried Treasure
Theme:Pluderin' & Piratin' on the Card Table
Company: F/X Schmid 
Type: Card 
# of Players: 2 - 4
Rating: 

Ken says: This game took about 10 seconds to learn and I'm talking about the advance version. Player interaction isn't as active as it is in Bohnanza, but it's not bad.

In the basic version, you play three rounds. Each round begins with 18 cards placed in four rows of three, four, five, & six cards each. The illustrated cards are divided into four colors: red, blue, green, & yellow. Before the round begins, a scoring card is turned over. This indicates the value of having the most of one color. For example, the player with the most green cards earns ten points. The player with the second most earns five. Any ties cancel each other out and the next highest player earns the score. The first player selects a card from any row. Some cards have additional value, such as Extra (the player may take an additional card of the same color) or Pirate Flag(s) (the player may steal from another player one to four cards of the same color, depending on how many Pirate Flags). At the end of each round, the totals are tallied up, but the cards remain in front of the players. After three rounds the scores are added together and the player with the most points is the victor. 
The advanced version adds cards to the player's hand, including two wild cards that can be used as any color. Instead of pulling a card from the table, you may play one from your hand. Also, you can play any card on another player's stack. When all the cards are gone from the table, you may still play from your hand. Only when all the player's "pass" is the round over.

Pros: Overall, this is a good filler game and a great intro to new gamers. The cards are nicely done and the player interaction is pretty good. Like Bohnanza, everyone is involved on every turn.

Cons: Although the theme is supposedly pirates & plunder, the system is pretty generic and almost any theme could apply. Thus, my initial blush for this game has worn off and it doesn't get played much anymore.  However, It's still gives me a smile when I bellow a hearty "AAAARRRR! Me Buckoes! after stealing four cards off some poor player. 

Addendum: Along similar lines, Pirateer has the same theme, but in a board game format.