Beta Break turns any boulder problem into a competitive game with your climbing friends. Every boulder problem becomes a new challenge with a simple draw from the deck.

Beta Break is a simple card game that tasks climbers with sending boulder problems according to the luck of the draw. At one moment you might be tasked with climbing a route where every handhold must be matched…and you have to throw in a drop knee during the attempt. Then, on the next climb, you’re not allowed to use your thumbs while you look for a heel hook opportunity. Oh, and don’t forget the Eliminate cards…as the game progresses you’ll have fewer and fewer holds to use.

The last climber with health (points) wins.

From the moment I first tried bouldering, I was hooked.

My background as a game developer and games player researcher meant that I was already primed to love it, but the immediate connection I felt was beyond anything I expected. Bouldering didn’t just become a hobby—it became a part of who I am, and I quickly found myself dedicating my YouTube channel, previously focused on gaming, to documenting my favorite sends. Though some long-time subscribers were surprised by the shift, for me, it felt completely natural. The problem-solving in bouldering resonates with the same critical thinking I’ve always applied to game mechanics.