The first time I played FFoL was at Enfilade with Eric Hotz as referee on a table full of his awesome paper models. I was hooked to say the least. I have a small collection of various Western rules, and I have to say this is my go to set of rules. Fun, fast, and easy sums it up nicely. As far as expense goes, you could probably plunk down about $50.00 and purchase the basic Whitewash City starter set, and some figures and you'd be good to go. A small piece of felt or cloth isn't too expensive either. Heck, you could play this with plastic cowboys and Indians on a tan sheet covered with rocks and sticks, and it would still be fun! I'm going to put a plug in here for Knuckleduster miniatures. If you want to game the Wild West you owe to yourself to check out these figures!