Boomtown Game Rules

Introduction

Hey there! Today, I want to tell you all about a fantastic game called Boomtown. It’s super fun and packed with excitement. If you’ve been searching for a game that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then look no further!

The Basics

In Boomtown, you take on the role of a daring entrepreneur looking to strike it rich in the Old West. The goal is to become the wealthiest tycoon in town by acquiring valuable buildings and mining for gold. But be careful, because your opponents will stop at nothing to get in your way!

Getting Started

To start playing Boomtown, you’ll need a game board, a deck of cards, a set of dice, and some playing pieces. Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, it’s time to dive right in and embrace the Wild West!

Your Turn

During your turn, you’ll have a few different actions you can take. You can buy buildings, mine for gold, or even sabotage your opponents’ plans. The choice is yours, and each decision you make will have a big impact on the outcome of the game.

Building Boomtown

When you buy a building, you’ll need to place it strategically on the game board. Different buildings have different abilities and earning potentials, so choose wisely. Will you go for a gold mine or maybe a saloon? The possibilities are endless!

Prospecting for Gold

Boomtown wouldn’t be complete without gold mining. Roll the dice and see if you strike it lucky. You never know what treasures lie beneath the surface. Just be prepared for the unexpected, as other players can steal your hard-earned gold!

Sabotage and Strategy

Sometimes, you’ll need to resort to devious tactics to get ahead. Use your actions to sabotage your opponents, making their lives harder and their pockets emptier. But remember, revenge is always lurking just around the corner, and your rivals won’t take kindly to your tricks!

Winning the Game

To win the game, you’ll need to accumulate the most wealth. The player with the highest net worth at the end of the game will be crowned the ultimate tycoon of Boomtown. So, make smart decisions, think strategically, and watch your fortune grow with each turn!

Conclusion

Now that you know the ins and outs of Boomtown, it’s time to gather your friends, set up the game board, and dive into the exciting world of the Old West. Get ready for a wild ride filled with fortune, strategy, and a whole lot of fun. Are you brave enough to conquer Boomtown and become the wealthiest tycoon of them all? The adventure awaits!

Hey there, partner! Have you heard the call of gold? It’s like a wild fire that spreads through the hills, igniting the hearts of prospectors. Boomtowns sprout up, and the great gold rush begins!

In this thrilling adventure known as Boomtown, I’m right there with you, racing against fellow prospectors in a wild pursuit of gold. It’s like a mad scramble, where every move counts. But hold your horses, because it’s not all smooth riding. We’ve got highwaymen lurking in the shadows, card sharks ready to test our luck, and even crooked politicians aiming to get their dirty hands on our hard-earned riches.

Now, let me tell you, partner – there’s more than one way to make a buck in Boomtown. It’s a place where cunning and strategy pay off, and where a quick draw can make all the difference. So grab your pickaxe and saddle up, because the adventure of a lifetime awaits!

Get Ready for Action

• Hey there! The game comes with 60 cards, two dice, 5 mayor pawns, 10 Boomtown tokens, poker chips representing gold, and of course, instructions to guide you through the fun. How exciting!

So, What’s the Goal?

Well, I’m a prospector and my goal is to strike gold and become filthy rich! Each turn, we’ll auction off mining concessions. Then, depending on how the dice rolls go, gold will be discovered in some areas. It’s like a treasure hunt!

Now, here’s the twist: we can also take on other roles like highwaymen, tavern owners, and politicians. There are many paths to fortune waiting for us! When the game reaches its end, the player with the most impact, the best mines, and the biggest pile of gold will be declared the winner. Let the competition begin!

Let’s Get Started!

Okay, first things first. Each one of us starts with 10 gold, which we’ll have in the form of poker chips. If we need to make any change, the bank will be there to help us out. Let’s dive in and start our exciting gold rush adventure!

Alright, let’s get started! First, we need to set up the game. I shuffle all the cards together and put them facedown in a pile on the table. This pile is called the drawing deck. Now, if there are only three players, we can make the game a bit shorter by removing 15 random cards from the drawing deck without looking at them. This way, we won’t have to go through all the cards.

Next, we place the two dice, the poker chips, the town tokens, and the mayor pawns near the drawing deck. These are important elements of the game that we’ll be using later.

Okay, now we’re ready to start our first turn!

Let the Game Begin!

Before we start playing, we need to decide who goes first. We can do this by randomly choosing one player to take the first turn. In the following turns, the first player will be the winner of the previous turn’s auction. This adds an exciting element of strategy and competition to the game.

Drawing Cards

Now it’s time to draw some cards. We’ll start by drawing as many cards as there are players from the drawing deck. Once we have the cards, we’ll place them all face up in a row on the table. This way, everyone can see what cards are available.

Note: So here’s the deal, when we’re playing this game, we gotta make sure that all the cards we reveal are mining concessions. If, by any chance, you draw some other cards, just put them back in the deck, find the first mining concession you draw, and reshuffle the deck. Easy peasy, right?

Let’s Take a Look at a Mining Concession

Bidding

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – bidding! We start with the first player and go clockwise from there. The first player has a choice. You can either pass and sit it out, or you can flex your wealth and bid one or more gold. Then, it’s the next player’s turn, and they can also pass or outbid the highest bidder.

If you pass, it means you’re out of the auction for good. No second chances. We keep going with the bidding until everyone, except for one player, has passed. Oh, and just a reminder, you can’t bid more gold than you actually have. That would just be silly!

Note: If all players pass, the first player who passed is considered the highest bidder.

Paying Bids

For four or five players

If you are the highest bidder, you have to pay the full price to the player sitting on your right. That player keeps half of the money you paid (and if it’s an odd number, it’s rounded up), and then passes the rest to the player on their right.

The player on the right keeps half of the money they received (again, rounding up if necessary) and gives the rest to their right neighbor, and so on. This continues until there is no more money to give to the player on the right.

Note: Sometimes, the highest bidder may not get any money back. For example, if their left neighbor receives two or more gold, they keep everything they have been given.

For three players

When it’s time to buy a card, the person who offers the highest amount pays the full price to the player sitting on their right. The player who receives the payment keeps half of it (rounded up) and gives the rest to the player on their right. The second player also keeps half of the money they receive (rounded up) and gives the remaining amount to the bank.

Choosing a Card

The person who bid the highest amount gets to choose one of the cards available for sale. If they select a mine card, they place it facing up in front of them. But if it’s an event card, special rules come into play (more on that later).

Once the highest bidder has made their choice, the person sitting on their left gets to choose from the remaining cards. The process continues in a clockwise direction until all players have chosen one card each.

If a player selects a mining concession in a town where another player is the mayor, they need to pay the mayor a specific amount of gold, equivalent to the number of mines the mayor owns in that town (more on mayors later).

Production

When all the cards are taken, I roll the two dice to start my turn.

If the sum of the two dice matches the production value on one of my mining concession cards, I get some gold. The amount of gold I receive is equal to the number of gold pieces shown on the card.

After that, my turn ends and the next player can start.

Dangerous Mine Cards

Keep in mind that some mines are marked as dangerous. These mines have different card art and if I roll a 2 or 12 for my production roll, those mines collapse and are taken out of the game.

Mayors

Hey there! Let’s talk about being a mayor in this game. It’s important to remember that all players need to keep their mines face up so that everyone can see them. We group the mines by town, and each town has a different color – green for Cactus Junction, purple for Cold Mountain, red for Coyote City, yellow for Dry Gulch, and blue for San Narciso.

So, how do you become a mayor? Well, it’s simple! The first player who owns two mines in the same town becomes the mayor of that town. And to show everybody that you’re the mayor, you get a special Mayor pawn of the same color as the town you’re in charge of.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Whenever a player takes a mine in a town that already has a mayor, they have to pay a fee to the mayor. This fee is equal to the number of mines that the mayor owns in that town. So, if the mayor has three mines in the town, you’ll have to pay them three units of something valuable.

But wait! There’s more. If, at any point, a player ends up having more mines in a town than the current mayor, things change. They become the new mayor and take the Mayor pawn from the old mayor. That’s one way to shake things up!

If you become the new mayor by taking a mine, you still need to pay the previous mayor.

Events

Most events have an immediate effect and are then discarded. However, some events (Saloon, Saloon Girls, Governor, New Vein) are placed with the mines and have a lasting impact. Others (The Telegraph and Mustang) are kept by the player and can be used later in the game.

There might be times when you have to choose a card that you can’t use – for example, the Governor if you don’t have a Mayor, or the Girls if you don’t have a Saloon.

In these situations, you keep the card in front of you – it doesn’t have any effect until you become Mayor of a town or acquire a Saloon card.

Get Ready to Hustle!

Let’s dive right in. When you play the Card Shark, all the other players have to cough up 4 gold coins. This sneaky move happens right away, no time to waste. Once you play this card, it’s out of the game.

Boom!

Imagine this: you’re facing an enemy who’s got it out for you. They’ve set up a trap, a mine or a saloon just waiting to go off and cause you trouble. But I’ve got something that’ll turn the tables on them. It’s called dynamite. And let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.

When you play this card, you get to choose which of their pesky traps goes up in smoke. Boom! It’s gone, removed from the game. They won’t know what hit them.

But here’s the catch – you’ve got to play it right away. This isn’t a card you can save for later. Once it’s played, it’s done. But trust me, it’ll be worth it.

I’m telling you, dynamite is the real deal. It’s like having a secret weapon up your sleeve. So next time you’re facing a tricky opponent, remember this card. It could be the key to victory.

Steal Mines

Guess what? I’ve got a sneaky move for you – it’s called expropriation! When you want to get your hands on someone else’s mine, this is the card for you. But, hold on a second, there’s a catch. You can only pull off this cunning trick in a town where you already have a concession. So, no stealing mines from just anywhere!

Now, let’s talk about the mayor. You know, the big cheese in town? Well, even if there’s a mayor, you still have to pay. Expropriation doesn’t come without a cost, my friend. Keep that in mind. Oh, and one more thing – once you play this card, it’s out of your hand. Say goodbye and let it retire in the discard pile.

The Governor

Imagine this: you have a pawn, and you place it on a card. Suddenly, your pawn transforms into a mayor. But wait, there’s more – this mayor is special. They become the Governor. As the Governor, something amazing happens: whenever another player takes a mine in this town, they have to pay you double the price. It’s like getting a bonus every time someone tries to take what’s yours!

But here’s the catch – if another player somehow manages to take control of your Mayor pawn, the Governor is instantly discarded. The power is lost, and you have to start over. So, protect your Governor with all your might and keep those extra coins rolling in!

Listen up!

Here’s what you gotta do. Pick a player and pick a number between 2 and 12. That’s the total amount of gold you’re trying to snatch. Roll the dice. If you get that number or higher, you successfully steal that amount of gold from the player.

If you roll lower than the chosen number, tough luck buddy! Your holdup fails and this card ain’t gonna do a thing. Remember, you gotta play this card right away and then it’s gone forever.

Mustang

Imagine having a special card that allows you to jump ahead in a game and shake things up. Well, that’s exactly what the Mustang card does. It’s like having a secret weapon in your pocket, ready to be unleashed at just the right moment. And the best part? You get to use it whenever you want.

Picture this: you’re sitting around the game table, waiting for your turn to come up. The tension is mounting as everyone strategizes and plots their next move. But then, you pull out your trusty Mustang card and play it. Time freezes for a moment as everyone’s eyes dart towards you, wondering what you’re up to.

With the Mustang card, you have the power to break the rules and change the game. You get to choose when to use it, and it can be a game-changer. It’s like taking a leapfrog in the game, bypassing the usual order of play. And don’t worry, once you’ve played it, the card is discarded, so no one else can use it against you.

But be careful with this card. It’s a double-edged sword. While it can give you an advantage, it can also make you a target. Other players might see you as a threat and try to take you down. So, use it wisely and strategically. Timing is everything.

So, the next time you’re in a game and looking for a way to spice things up, reach for your Mustang card. It’s your ticket to shaking things up and keeping everyone on their toes. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

A Fresh Discovery

Hey there! I’ve got something exciting to share with you. Listen up!

Picture this: underneath one of your mines, there’s a hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed. That’s right! I call it the “New Vein.”

Now, here’s the deal. Once you place this special card under your mine, something amazing happens. The production value of that mine shoots up by a whopping 3 gold. Imagine the profits rolling in!

But wait, there’s more. If, unfortunately, the mine gets dynamited or taken away, the new vein goes down with it. It’s like a package deal, you know?

And here’s another thing to note. If you happen to place the new vein on a dangerous mine that later collapses, don’t fret. This card simply gets discarded. Safety first!

So, what do you say? Ready to boost your mining operation like never before? I thought so. Give the “New Vein” a shot today and watch your gold pile up!

Saloon

When you choose to open a saloon, you can place this special card in front of you along with your mines. To mark its presence, you need to place a wooden town token on it.

Once the saloon is established, any time a mine in the town where the saloon is located produces gold, the mine owner must pay you 2 gold, which you can use for your saloon. This ongoing payment represents the spending of gold in your saloon.

Saloon Girls

Hey there! I’ve got a little something to tell you about saloon girls. It’s pretty interesting stuff! So, here’s the deal – when you have one of your saloons, you can place this card with it. And guess what? Something pretty cool happens next!

Whenever a mine in the town where your saloon is located produces some gold, the owner of that mine has to pay you 4 gold. Yep, that’s right, 4 gold instead of just 2. Talk about a sweet deal, right?

Now, here’s the thing. If someone decides to dynamite your saloon, then this card gets discarded. So, keep an eye out for any troublemakers!

Pretty neat, huh? Saloon girls sure know how to make some extra gold!

A Wild West Heist

Yeehaw! The bank is payin’ up, partner! They’re handin’ me a shiny new stack of 10 gold coins. I reckon it’s time for a little celebration, but not just yet. Here’s the deal – this card is as fast as a wild mustang. As soon as I get it, it’s got to be played right away, and then it’s gone from my hand like a tumbleweed blowin’ in the wind.

Telegraph

Hey there, hold onto this card, it’s a handy one! Whenever you roll the production dice, you can use this card to change the result of one of the two dice. Once you’ve used it, you’ll have to discard the card.

Bankruptcy

If, for any reason (like paying a mayor or an event card), you have to pay more gold than you actually have, don’t worry. You just pay as much as you can. The player who receives the money doesn’t get anything extra. If you don’t have any money left, you’re bankrupt and can’t bid on new mines until you have enough gold.

End of the Game

The game comes to an end when the drawing deck is empty, and there are no more cards to draw.

After the final production roll, it’s time to tally up your score. Your score is calculated in the following way:

• Add up all the gold you have (counted using poker chips).
• Add the production value of all your mines.
• Add 5 points for each mayor pawn you have.