Tally Ho

The Basics
Description: What happens if the hunter becomes the hunted?

One player takes the role of the hunters and the lumberjacks; the other takes the role of the foxes and bears. Both players hunt each other!

At first the forest lies peacefully under the face down tiles. As the players turn the tiles over and move them on the board, the forest awakens and the hunt destroys the serenity of the forest. The lumberjacks cut swaths through the forest to provide hunting fields for the hunters. The bears then use these same aisles to track the hunters and lumberjacks.

The two sides are balanced with luck dominating the early game, but skill taking over at the end. Good hunting!

How to Play

• Yucata (Web Guide)
• Your Turn My Turn (Web Guide)
  
• Rio Grande Games (Official Rulebook)
  

Where to Play Online (I play on Yucata, but you can play right away on YourTurnMyTurn)

• Yucata (Free - Registration Required)
• Your Turn My Turn (Free - Registration for PvP Play)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Teaching Aid (Downloads a Pdf)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Coming Soon (a link to the Geek)
• My Tips: Coming Soon

Views

• Opinion: I didn't enjoy this game until I played it online. Now I like it online or in person.
  
• Online: Works great online, highly recommended.
• Work: We could play 2-3 games at lunch time.
• Home: Easy to teach and learn for any age group.

Other Info

• Plays best with: 2 player game.
• Gateway Suitability: The game is pretty could, and could be used to gateway others into gaming (better options are available).
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy hasn't played it.
• Re-playability: Very high for me.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, of placing tiles face down on the board.
• Real Life Time/Length: 15-20 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/908

San Juan

The Basics
Description: A card game based on Puerto Rico. The pack of 110 cards consists of production buildings (indigo, sugar, tobacco, coffee, and silver) and "violet" buildings that grant special powers or extra victory points. Cards from the hand can be either built or used as money to build something else. Cards from the deck are used to represent goods produced by the production buildings, in which case they are left face-down. A seven-card hand limit is enforced once per round.

In each round or governorship, each player in turn selects from one of the available roles, triggering an event that usually affects all players, such as producing goods or building. The person who picks the role gets a privilege, such as producing more goods or building more cheaply.

Though similar in concept to Puerto Rico, the game has many different mechanics. In particular, there are no colonists and no shipping of goods; goods production and trading are normally limited to one card per phase; and trades cannot be blocked.

Victory points are gained exclusively by building, and the game ends as soon as one player has put up 12 buildings.

How to Play

• Spielezeit Official Video) (Web Guide) (Power Point)
• Audio Rules (MP3)
  
• Rio Grande Games (Official Rulebook)

Where to Play Online

• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required) (real-time)
• Compound Eye (Free) (Strong Computer AI)
• PC Version 1 (Free) (Zipped Version on the Geek)
• PC Version 2 (Free) (Zipped Version on the Geek)
  
• Underdogs (Free) (Zipped)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Quick Reference (Downloads a Word doc)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
• My Tips: Coming Soon

Views

• Opinion: I love this game. A great way to spend some time. A must if you love Puerto Rico.
  
• Online: Works fine online or as a PC game.
• Work: Should be fine for lunch time play.
• Home: Solid card game for families. Card management and role selection aren't hard to pick up.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-4 players, best with 3 (but fine with 2 or 4).
• Gateway Suitability: Fairly easy to learn, might take two games to grasp what to buy and what to discard.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy hasn't played this yet.
• Re-playability: Very high for gamers.
  
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes of pulling the Indigo card for each player, then shuffle cards and sort out other pieces.
• Real Life Time/Length: 30-45 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8217

RA

The Basics
Description: Ra is an auction game with an Ancient Egyptian theme. Each turn players are able to purchase three lots of tiles with their bidding tiles. Once a player has purchased his three lots for the round, the other players continue until they do likewise, which may set up a situation with a single uncontested player bidding on tiles before the end of the round occurs. Tension builds because the round may end before all players have had a chance to win their three lots for the epoch. The tiles give either immediate points, prevent negative points for not having certain types at the end of the round (epoch), or give points after the final round. The game lasts for three epochs. The game offers a short learning curve, and experienced players find it both fast-moving and a quick play.

How to Play

• You Tube (Video)
• Quick Reference (Downloads a Pdf)
• Rio Grande Games (Official Rulebook - reprint and link coming soon)

Where to Play Online (I love the real thing more, but the free PC version is fine)

• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)
• PC Version (Free Zipped Files)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Player Mat (Downloads a Pdf)
• Player Mat (Downloads a Pdf)
• Quick Reference (Downloads a Pdf)
• Small Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• How to Make a Bag (Thread on the Geek)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
• My Tips: Coming Soon

Views

• Opinion: I love this game. Chanting "RA RA RA" is fun stuff.
• Online: Works fine on BSW, or on the PC
• Work: Could be to long the first time, but after that should be fine for lunch time play.
• Home: Great game, great pieces, push your luck always good for families.

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 3-5 players, best with 3 or 4.
• Gateway Suitability: Fairly easy to learn, I would say a small step above gateway, but still easy to push on folks.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy liked the pieces and playing on the PC.
• Re-playability: A classic in modern board games. Replay value should be high.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, place all tiles in the bag, and hand out cash tokens.
• Real Life Time/Length: 45-60 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12

Carcassonne: Hunters & Gathers

The Basics
Description: Carcassonne: Hunters and Gatherers is a game in the Carcassonne series set in the stone age. Players build a prehistoric landscape with tiles depicting forests, rivers, lakes and grasslands. They then send out members of their tribe to hunt, gather, fish and establish fishing camps. It includes many of the familiar mechanics from Carcassonne with a few new options.

How to Play (if you can play Carcassonne, you can play this version as well)

NO VIDEO OR POWER POINT (But you can use the Carcassonne Power Point to play)

• Yucata (Online Rules)
  
• Rio Grande Games (Official Rulebook)

Where to Play Online (I play on Yucata, but the PC version is fine.)

• Yucata (turn-based) (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)
  
• Vassal Engine (Free Client Download - Never played with it)
• Carcassonne Online (Not Free - PC Version)
  
  

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Player Aid (Downloads a Word doc)
• Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Smaller Player Aid (Downloads a Power Point)
• Tile Distribution (Web Page)
  
  

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
• My Tips: Coming Soon
  
  

Views

• Opinion: I really enjoy this game, more than regular Carcassonne. I can teach it and go over it at lunch time, at the house or online.
• Online: Works fine online, prefer it online.
• Work: Table size will be the only thing stopping us from playing anywhere we want at lunch time.
• Home: Great game for any family, just watch the small pieces.
  
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-5 players, best with 2.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn, might take two games to grasp the scoring.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy likes the tile placement aspect.
• Re-playability: This game will see table and online action.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, just placing tiles in the bag, and handing out pieces.
• Real Life Time/Length: 45 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4390

Ingenious

The Basics
Description: Anyone who knows a little about Reiner Knizia’s games will know that the good Doctor loves games that deal with trying to get points in various different categories and then only score that category in which the player has the fewest.

The game is played on a hex board. 120 equally sized pieces, each consisting of two joined hexes, come with the game. There are symbols on each hex that make up the piece – some pieces have two identical symbols, some have two different symbols (not unlike dominoes). The pieces go into a cloth bag so that they get drawn randomly. Each player receives six pieces to start the game, which are placed onto a rack and visible to them alone.

The goal of the game is, through clever placement, to obtain points in the different symbol colors. Points are claimed by placing a piece such that the symbols on it lie next to already-placed pieces with the same symbol. Pieces are placed onto any open spaces. So, for example, if a player places a piece with a purple circle on it such that it sits next to an unbroken line of four other purple circles already on the board, then the player scores four purple points. A newly placed symbol can lie next to at most five individual rows of symbols.

Each player uses a scoring track to keep track of his points – one track for each colour going from 1 to 18. If a player reaches the 18th space with any colour, then he gets to call out “Ingenious!” (or just think it if he’s not an extrovert) and take another turn. At the end of their turn, players draw as many tiles out of the bag as required to bring their rack back up to six.

The game ends when no more tiles can be placed onto the board or when a player reaches the 18th space in every color. Now each player looks to see how many points they scored in the colour they scored the fewest in. Whoever has the most points in their least-scored colour is the winner. Simple.

The author of the game has also come up with solitaire and team play, in which two teams of two play with each player not being able to see his partner’s tiles.

How to Play

• Spielezeit (Power Point)
• Mevio (Video)
• Fantasy Flight Games (Official Rulebook)
• Marquand (Online Rules)
  

Where to Play Online (I play the PC version)

• Marquand (Free)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)
  

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Teaching Aid (Downloads a Word Doc)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
  
• My Tips: Coming Soon

Views

• Opinion: I really enjoy this game.
  
• Online: Works fine online. If you search hard enough you can find free download of the PC game.
  
• Work: Should be fine for lunch time play.
• Home: Great game.

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 1-4 players, best with 2.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn, might take a few turns to get it.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy like the tile placement aspect.
• Re-playability: Very high.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, just placing tiles in the bag, and grabbing pieces.
• Real Life Time/Length: 45 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9674

Citadels

The Basics
Description: Players seek to build a collection of buildings worth from one to eight points. Once someones built eight buildings, then the game is over and the player with the highest total value wins. However to facilitate the process (and make the game interesting), players sequentially choose a character from a rapidly dwindling pool of eight each turn. The characters give players special abilities for the turn.

This is a rock solid cut throat game. Better in person than online IMHO.

How to Play

• Spielezeit (Power Point)
• Book Shelf Games (Video)
  
• Thread at the Geek (Web Guide)
  
• Fantasy Flight Games (Official Rulebook)

Where to Play Online (I like it live, but Amarriner and Java are a ok)

• Amarriner: Turn Based (Free - Registration Required)
  
• Citadelles Java Game: Solo or Real Time (Free - Registration Required)
• Frenopatico: Turn Based (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt: (Free - Registration Required)
• Free PC Version at FIADE (Freeware Download)
  

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Player Mat (Downloads a ZIP)
• Fancy Player Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Two Player Variant (Downloads a Word Doc)
• Cheat Sheet (Downloads a Word Doc)
  
• All Characters Cards (Downloads a Pdf)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread at the Geek
• My Tips: I like playing this game, but I stink don't take my advice.
  

Views

• Opinion: I enjoy this game. I like the base version more. But it is fun to play, even though I always lose.
• Online: Works fine online, via AI on the PC.
• Work: Could be to long and to many folks for lunch time play. Two Player variant or after some online play, lunch time play might work.
  
• Home: Solid game to play at home, but with folks who don't mind back stabbing.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works best with 5 players, can play 2-7.
• Gateway Suitability: Middle of the road for gateway. With player aids and a once over on the rules, folks should grasp the game.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy hasn't played it yet.
• Re-playability:Very high if folks know how to play it.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes for sorting cards.
• Real Life Time/Length: Without the expansion 50-60 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/478

Saint Petersburg

The Basics
Description: Saint Petersburg is a card game in which you acquire workers for income, build buildings for fame, and attract aristocrats to your city in order to gain the most fame at the end of the game.

Santiago deals with 'gracious living along the river Neva': the baroque palaces, wide boulevards, and imposing bridges of St. Petersburg. On May 16th, 1703, Czar Peter laid the cornerstone for the first building. Quickly, glorious buildings were added, always being expanded, so that Nobility (as well as victory-bringing Fame Points) may want to move in. But to accomplish this, one needs merchants who can bankroll the necessary Rubles, or the glory is over. The competition isn't sleeping either, and can sometimes steal a desired card right out from under your nose.

How to Play

• Spielezeit (Power Point)
• Yucata (Online Rules)
• Rio Grande Games (Official Rulebook)

Where to Play Online (I play it on Yucata, download is a good tool for solo play.)

• Yucata (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)
• West Park Gamers (Free - A download for PC Freeware)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Player Aid (Downloads a Word doc)
• View of all Cards (Downloads a jpg)
  

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread at the Geek
• Advance Strategy: Thread at the Geek
  
• My Tips: Remember that different Aristocrats score at the end. I always forgot that when I started playing.

Views

• Opinion: I enjoy this game. I just don't like play with any St. Pete sharks.
• Online: Works fine online, and the PC version is very good.
• Work: Could be to long the first time, but should be fine after that for lunch time play.
• Home: Great game to play, if no one takes it to seriously.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-4 players, best with 2 or 4.
• Gateway Suitability: Easy to learn, might take two games to grasp when to buy and taking cards to hand instead of playing them.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy hasn't played it yet.
• Re-playability: If your into it, very high. Otherwise a monthly regular. But worth a try to see where it falls.
  
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, just sorting cards and giving folks pieces.
• Real Life Time/Length: 45 minutes (with or without expansion)
  
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9217 .
  

Hey! That's My Fish!

The Basics

A short game in which players control a number of penguins. The penguins move over hex-shaped ice tiles with 1, 2 or 3 fish on them. The player takes the hex from where the penguin started his movement from the table, thereby creating a gap which other players can't cross. If a penguin can't move, he's taken from play. The player with the most fish in the end wins.

How to Play (I recommend Spielezeit or Mr. Bass)

• Spielezeit (Power Point)
• Mr. Bass (Web Overview - Very Good)
• GamesOverBoard (You Tube Video)
• Yucata (Web Rules)
• Your Turn My Turn (Web Rules)
• Game Pixies (PDF - Official Rulebook)
  

Where to Play Online (I recommend Yucata)

• Your Turn My Turn Turn Based (Free - Registration Required)
• Yucata Turn Based (Free - Registration Required)
• Game Pixies Turn Based (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt Real Time (Free - Registration Required)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Real Life Board Aide (Downloads a pdf)
• Cheapo Free Play (Downloads a pdf)
  

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
• My Tips: Coming Soon, not good enough for any tips. Maybe, don't forget you can jump multiple tiles.
  

Views

• Opinion: I really enjoy this game. This is an easy game to learn. I can teach it and go over it at lunch time, at the house or online.
• Online: Works fine online
• Work: Could be to long the first time, but should be fine after that for lunch time play.
• Home: Great game.

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-5 players, best with 2.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy like it.
• Re-playability: This does see table and online action.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes of tile placement and handing out pieces.
• Real Life Time/Length: Without the expansions 30-45 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8203
  

TransAmerica & TransEuropa

The Basics
A very simple railway game. Each player has a set of 5 cities strung across the US that need to be connected by rail. Players place either 1 or 2 rails each turn. The player who can make the best use of the other players' networks is generally victorious.

Both games play the same, only difference is the maps, rules are the same for both.

How to Play

• Spielezeit: (Power Point) for TransAmerica
• Board Games with Scott: (Video) for TransEuropa
• Board Game Geek: (Zipped Power Point, Classroom Style) for TransAmerica
• Cycloops: (Online Rules)
  
• Rio Grande Games: Official TransAmerica Rulebook (pdf)
  
• Rio Grande Games: Official TransEuropa Rulebook (pdf)
  

Where to Play Online (I recommend Cycloops, it has both)

• Cycloops (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiele Welt (Free - Registration Required)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• No Cheat Sheet is needed, the game is pretty straight forward and easy.
  
• Travel Version : - Cheapo Travel Version on the Geek.
  

Game Hints

• Strategy: A Thread on the Geek
• My Tips: Online, do the math before placing the piece, you cant pick up pieces afterwards.
  

Views

• Opinion: I really enjoy this game. One of the first Euro's Chuck and Lani showed me. A very gateway game to learn.
  
• Online: Works real well. I play multiple games a day.
• Work: We could probably play 2-3 games at lunch time.
• Home: Works well with kids, spouses non gamer family members.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-6 players, best with 2-3.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn, might take two games to grasp the screw factor. Real Life expansion, makes it more cutthroat, and still keeps it fun.
  
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy likes it.
• Re-playability: Very high, unless you don't like any luck in your games.
  
• Real Life Setup: 5 minutes, shuffle cards, deal cards, select placement of first piece.
• Real Life Time/Length: Without the expansion 30-45 minutes.
• Link at the Geek: http://boardgamegeek.com/game/2842 (America)
  
• Link at the Geek: http://boardgamegeek.com/game/16267 (Europa)
  

Lost Cities

The Basics
Lost Cities is a two-player card game by Kosmos. The object is to mount profitable expeditions to one or more of the five different lost cities. Card play is quite straightforward, with a few agonizing moments sprinkled through what is mostly a fast-moving game. If you start a given expedition, you'd better make some progress in it, or it'll score you negative points. If you can make a lot of progress, you'll score quite well. After three rounds, the highest total score takes the day.

How to Play (with Scott or Mr. Bass)

• Board Games with Scott (Video)
• You Tube (Video)
  
• Mr. Bass (Web Guide)
• Flex Games (Online Rules)
  
• Your Turn My Turn (Online Rules)
  
• Rio Grande Games (Official Rulebook)

Where to Play Online (Flex Games at Work, YTMT at Home it has solo play)

• Flex Games (Real Time) (Free - Registration Required)
• Your Turn My Turn (Turn Based, or Solo) (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Real Time) (Free - Registration Required)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Teaching Aid (Downloads a Pdf)
• Score Pad (Downloads a Word doc)
• Score Pad (Downloads a Pdf)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
• More Strategy: A Deeper Thread on the Geek
  
• My Tips: Focus on two to three colors. Typically focus on two, play one, while you build your hand on the other color.
  

Views

• Opinion: I enjoy this game. Plays quickly, lots of decisions. Do you focus on two or three colors, do you grab cards first, do you play cards. Not that deep, but just enough choices.
• Online: Works fine online and quick
  
• Work: Very easily could be played in 20-30 minutes at lunch time.
• Home: Great game for family, kids, or gamer. Most folks point to this as the gateway for a spouse game.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: It is a two player game.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn, might take two games to grasp farmer scoring.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy like this a lot, she beat me in it.
• Re-playability: This has a high replay value. Two player game, that is easy to grasp and play.
  
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, just shuffle the cards place the board and start.
• Real Life Time/Length: Depends on how many rounds, but easily under 30.
• Link at the Geek: http://boardgamegeek.com/game/50
  

Cartagena

The Basics
Cartagena takes as its theme the famous 1672 pirate-led jailbreak from the fortress of Cartagena. Each player has a group of six pirates and the objective is to have all six escape through the tortuous underground passage that connects the fortress to the port, where a sloop is waiting for them.

Each card bears one of six symbols (dagger, pirate hat, etc.), and you move a pirate forward by playing a card and moving ahead to the matching symbol in the tunnel, leapfrogging over those where another pirate already stands, but the only way to get more cards is to move backwards. This turns into a simple but smart game of patience and opportunity, well received by casual gamers.

How to Play

• Spielezeit (Power Point)
• You Play It (Online Rules)
  
• Rio Grand Games (Official Rulebook)

Where to Play Online (I recommend You Play It)

• You Play It (Free - Registration Required)
• Cartagena Online (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek)

• Teaching Aid (Downloads a Pdf)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
  
• My Tips: Nothing wrong with sliding a piece back to collect more cards.

Views

• Opinion: I do enjoy this game. Light and very quick with 2-3 players.
• Online: Works fine online, if everyone is online goes by real quick.
• Work: Could play 2-3 games worth at lunch.
• Home: Could easily hit the table, a quick filler. Kids like the theme, others like the simplicity.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-5 players, best with 2-3.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn, might take two games to grasp moving back.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy like the tile placement and spreading the board.
• Re-playability:This can see lots of action when you get into it.
• Real Life Setup: 2-5 minutes, placing tiles and sorting cards..
• Real Life Time/Length: 20 minutes.
• Link at the Geek: http://boardgamegeek.com/game/826

Settlers of Catan, The

The Basics
Description: You are a pioneer on the island of Catan, your goal is to grow your settlement by producing and trading resources like grain, ore, and wood. Expand your settlements with roads and cities and be the first player to earn 10 victory points and win the game. Random maps are created each time you play so each game provides a new and exciting challenge.

The goal is to be the first player to reach 10 points. Points are gained done by building towns, cities, roads, creating the longest road, or largest army.

How to Play

• Professor Easy (Interactive Video)
  
• Mr. Bass (Web Page)
  
• You Tube (Video)
  
• Online Rules: Still looking for online rulebook
  

Where to Play Online: (I recommend AsoBrain)

• AsoBrain (Free - Registration Required)
• Play Catan (Free - Registration Required)
• Brett Spiel Welt (Free - Registration Required)
• Other: You can also download it at Yahoo Games, MSN Games or XBox Live.

Cheat Sheets (From the Geek):

• Rules (Word Document)
• One Pager (Pdf)
• Good Stuff (pdf)
• War Version (Word Document)
  

My Tips: (Coming Soon)

Views

• Opinion: I really enjoy Catan (it hits the light to medium game). It is what gamers call an elegant game system. (more to come).
• Online: Very smooth play online.
  
• Work: Not much space is needed, can be played during lunch time.
  
• Home: I got so many copies, home, work, online.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: 3-4 players, 5-6 player expansion slows down the game way to much for me.
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn and play. This is what got me hooked into boardgames.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy liked it, compared it to Monopoly.
• Re-playability: With a modular board, and easy play, the game has high replay value.
• Real Life Setup: 5 to 10 minutes
• Real Life Time/Length: 30-45 Minutes
• Geek Link: http://boardgamegeek.com/game/13
  

Carcassonne

The Basic
Description: In this tile-laying game, players pull a tile from the pool and place it against one of the previously played tiles. If you start a new object (city, road, farm, or monastery), you can place one of your control markers on the tile to denote your control. Markers cannot directly compete when placed, so to achieve some gains, you must place your marker and use later tiles to connect up to it. As subsequent tiles are arrayed on the board, objects get bigger or even merge. When roads or cities are completed, or a monastery is surrounded, the control marker is returned to you and you score the points. However, farmers are not returned and will score points at the game end (there are several rules variations for the farmer scoring). Therefore, it's possible to have all of your control markers locked on the board on incomplete objects, and not be able to convert them into farmers later in the game. You must balance the need to score points during the game with the need to score farmer points at game end. The goal is to have the most points at the end. This can be tricky to control considering your choice for each turn isn't the tile itself, but rather the placement of the tile that you drew.

How to Play

• Spielezeit (Power Point Video)
• Tutorial (www.Geekdo.com)
• Boardgamegeek (Rio Grande Games)
  

Where to Play Online:

• Aso Brain (Free - Registration Required)
  

Cheat Sheets (from the Geek):

• Overview and Summary (from the Geek)

Game Hints

• Basic Strategy: Thread on the Geek
• My Tips: The link above is pretty good. The first few games, focus on castles and roads. Once you got that down, then start playing with sneaking into farms.

Views

• Opinion: I really enjoy this game. I enjoy Hunters more, but this is an easy game to learn. I can teach it and go over it at lunch time, at the house or online.
• Online: A lot quicker and easy to manage online
• Work: We would need a big table, the tiles can take up space. Would play easily at lunch time.
  
• Home: Only issue could be space.
  

Other Info

• Plays best with: Works fine with 2-5 players, best with 2.
  
• Gateway Suitability: Very easy to learn, might take two games to grasp farmer scoring. A great gateway game.
• Spouse Suitability: Chrissy like the tile placement aspect.
• Re-playability: This and Carcassonne: Hunters & Gatherers see table and online action.
• Real Life Setup: A few minutes, just placing tiles in the bag, and handing out pieces.
• Real Life Time/Length: Without the expansions 30-45 minutes.
• Geek Link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/822