Scotland Yard Game Rules

Welcome to the world of Scotland Yard, an exhilarating detective game where you and your friends work together to solve the mystery. In this game, I will guide you through the rules and strategies to help you become a skilled detective.

The objective of Scotland Yard is to track down the sneaky criminal, Mr. X. The game is set in London, and Mr. X is trying to stay hidden while the detectives, that’s you, search for him. The catch is that Mr. X only reveals his location once in a while, so you must use your deductive skills to figure out where he might be.

To begin the game, each player receives a role. Some players become detectives, while one player becomes Mr. X. The number of detectives depends on the number of players. If you have a small group, you may have more than one detective. Mr. X, on the other hand, works alone.

Once the roles are assigned, the detectives start their pursuit. The game board shows a map of London, divided into sections with different transportation options like taxis, buses, and the underground. As a detective, you use these modes of transport to navigate through the city and search for clues about Mr. X’s whereabouts.

Mr. X, on the other hand, has a secret advantage. He can use any mode of transport, including the S-bahn, which is only available to him. This allows Mr. X to move quickly and throw off the detectives’ trail. It’s up to you to outsmart him!

During each round, detectives take turns moving across the board, while Mr. X stays hidden. The detectives must work together, discussing their strategies and thinking critically. Communication is key! As a detective, it’s important to share information with your fellow detectives to uncover Mr. X’s location.

If a detective lands on the same section as Mr. X, they’ve captured him and the game is over. However, if Mr. X manages to stay hidden until the end of the game, he wins. So, it’s a constant race against time and wits!

Now that you understand the basics, it’s time to delve into the strategies of this thrilling game. As a detective, you must analyze the clues and try to predict Mr. X’s movements. Pay attention to the modes of transport Mr. X uses and consider possible escape routes.

Remember, detectives, teamwork is essential in Scotland Yard. Coordinate your movements and share your discoveries to bring Mr. X to justice. The fate of London rests in your hands! Good luck!

Oh boy, let me tell you about this game I played the other day. It’s called “Catch Mister X” and it’s a real thrill! You see, Mister X is this super sneaky guy in London who’s trying to escape from the detectives who are hot on his heels. The detectives have to be really smart and sharp to catch him.

Mister X is always trying to stay one step ahead of the detectives and keep them guessing where he is until the very end of the game. It’s like a real-life game of hide and seek! The detectives have to follow any clue they can find to track him down.

What You Need

• 1 game board
• 6 playing pieces
• 29 start cards
• 57 x taxi tickets
• 45 x bus tickets
• 23 x underground tickets
• 5 x black tickets
• 3 double-move tickets
• 5 ticket boards for the detectives
• 1 travel log with paper insert for Mister X
• 1 visor for Mister X
• 2 rings for the Bobbies

Getting Ready

First, let’s set up the game. We need to assign someone to be Mister X. This person needs to be experienced and have nerves of steel!

The rest of us will be detectives. Let’s put the tickets next to the game board.

Mister X Gets:

• 1 transparent playing piece

When playing the game of Mister X, each player takes on a specific role. I become Mr. X, and my objective is to move around secretly without revealing my whereabouts. To aid me in my mission, I have a special visor that conceals my identity and prevents me from accidentally spilling any secrets.

As Mr. X, I also receive a travel log with a paper insert. This log helps me keep track of my moves throughout the game. I am given one pencil to write down my actions. Additionally, I have a set of tickets at my disposal. These include five black tickets and two double-move tickets, which allow me to travel further in a single turn.

It’s important to note that as Mr. X, I can pick up normal tickets from the general draw pile during the game. These tickets serve as additional means of transportation and help me stay one step ahead of the detectives.

On the other hand, each detective in the game receives their own set of items. They choose a colored playing piece and receive a corresponding ticket board. The detectives are equipped with different types of tickets: four underground tickets, eight bus tickets, and eleven taxi tickets. These tickets are laid on their ticket board and are used to navigate the city and try to catch me, Mr. X.

If there are fewer than four detectives playing, additional playing pieces called Bobbies come into play. These Bobbies act as helpers to the detectives, assisting them in their pursuit of Mr. X.

So, remember, as Mr. X, I must use my wit, strategy, and a bit of luck to evade the detectives and complete my secret mission. Meanwhile, the detectives must work together to decipher my moves and corner me before I can escape. It’s a thrilling game of cat and mouse, where every move and decision can make a difference.

• If there are 2 detectives: We have 2 Bobbies
• If there are 3 detectives: We have 1 Bobby

If we’re playing a game with 2 or 3 detectives, both detectives and Bobbies are in play!

Each Bobby is represented by one of the remaining playing pieces. All we need to do is place a cardboard ring around each playing piece that represents a Bobby. That way, we’ll always know which pieces are Bobbies throughout the game.

The ring acts as a free pass for the Bobbies. They don’t need any tickets to move around! It’s the detectives who decide where the Bobbies should go, working together as a team.

The Starting Position

Let’s start by figuring out where we should begin. First, we need to shuffle the start cards. Look at the back of the cards (marked as D and X) and mix them up. Once shuffled, place the D and X cards face down on the table.

Now, each detective should draw a start card with the D on the back. This card will determine their starting station. Place your playing piece on the station indicated on your card.

If there are Bobbies playing, draw a start card with a D on the back for each Bobby. Place their playing pieces on the corresponding stations as well. Then, it’s time for Mister X to make his move. He should draw a start card with an X on the back. Mister X looks at the card, but keeps it hidden from the detectives. However, he doesn’t place his playing piece on the game board just yet.

Tip: The stations on the game board are numbered from left to right, which makes it easier for you to find your starting positions.

Let’s Play the Game!

Welcome to the thrilling world of detective work, where I get to be the super sneaky Mister X! In this game, we’ll go on a wild chase through the city. Don’t worry, you’ll get to play as the detectives and Bobbies, trying your best to catch me.

Now, hold on to your hats because this game is going to be intense! We’ll play up to 22 rounds, with each round keeping you on the edge of your seat. Here’s how it works: I’ll make my move first, and then it’s your turn. But remember, everyone has to change their location in each round.

As a detective or a Bobby, you’ll need tickets to travel around the city. Each ticket you use will go back into the general draw pile. But here’s the thing, I’m special! I always take my tickets from the general draw pile too! Sneaky, right?

Oh, and one more thing to remember: Bobbies don’t need tickets. So, they can chase after me all they want, ticket-free!

Let’s Talk Tickets

(For Detectives, Bobbies, and Mister X)

Alright, let’s take a look at the map. Each place on the map is a station, and guess what? Each station has 1 to 3 different means of transportation available, like taxis, buses, or the underground. The colors of the stations will tell you which mode of transportation you can use there.

If you want to use a specific mode of transportation, you need to be on a station that corresponds to that mode of transportation. You can identify the correct station by looking at the color within the circle.

Hey there! Let me break down how this transportation system works for you.

See, we’ve got this nifty little map here that shows all the stations you can reach using a taxi. The taxis are marked in yellow.

Now, here’s the thing. You can take a taxi to any station on the map, but there’s a catch – you can only go to the next station along the yellow line. So, it’s like a hop-on, hop-off kinda deal.

It’s a pretty simple system, but it does have its limits. You won’t be able to go too far with just the taxis. But hey, at least you’ve got an option to get around!

The cool-looking bus, with its turquoise color, takes you to stations that have a turquoise semi-circle. If you hop on the bus, you’ll go a bit farther than if you take a taxi, following the bus line.

Then there’s the underground, marked in red. It zips along the red line, covering long distances in no time. But there aren’t many underground stations on the map, only the ones with a red inner rectangle.

To play the game, you need a ticket that matches the color of the mode of transport you want to use. Move your playing piece to the next station using that ticket. And guess what? You can even go back the same way on your next turn.

But here’s the catch: you can only move to stations that are empty. If there’s no empty station left for Mister X to go to, he loses the game. Mister X also loses if a detective or a Bobby ends up on the same station as him.

That’s how Mister X moves around in the game.

So there’s this guy, Mister X, right? Pretty secretive dude. He’s always on the move, but he’s smart about it. He picks a new station, right? And it has to be connected to where he is already. He writes down the number of the new station in his little travel log.

But here’s the thing – he’s sneaky. He hides his entry by putting a used ticket over it. Tricky, huh? The detectives, they can see how he got around, like which mode of transport he used. But where he’s headed? Total mystery to them.

Now it’s my turn to make a move. I’ll leave the last station I was at and head to the next station of my choice.

Moving the Detectives and Bobbies

After I’ve made my move, it’s time for the detectives and Bobbies to take their turns. They can go in any order they want.

Since all the detectives have the same goal, they should work together and coordinate their moves with the Bobbies. The detectives will get rid of their used tickets by putting them back in the draw pile. Then, they’ll move their game pieces to the station they have chosen, using whatever transportation method they want.

Remember: The Bobbies don’t have to give up any tickets.

Some General Rules to Remember:

As a detective, I have a limited number of tickets for different means of transportation. It’s like having a set number of passes that I can use to move around the city and catch the bad guys. But here’s the catch – once I run out of tickets for a specific means of transportation, I can no longer use it. It’s like hitting a roadblock and having to find another way to get around.

If I run out of tickets altogether or if I can’t move from my current location with the tickets I have left, I have to sit out. It’s like a timeout in the game, where I have to take a break and strategize my next move.

Now, here’s an important rule – I can’t trade tickets with other detectives. I have to rely on my own resources and make the best use of the tickets I have. It’s like a challenge, where I have to think on my feet and come up with creative solutions.

Another thing to note is that my tickets are always placed face up, so that Mister X, the mysterious bad guy I’m trying to catch, can see which means of transportation I have at my disposal. It’s like a game of cat and mouse, where he knows my capabilities and tries to outsmart me.

Now, let’s talk about Mister X’s special moves. He has some secret tricks up his sleeve that make the game even more interesting. But I won’t spoil the surprise – you’ll have to play to find out!

So, as a detective, it’s important to think strategically and make the best use of my tickets. I have to plan my moves carefully and outsmart Mister X. It’s a thrilling game of deduction and strategy, where every move counts. Are you ready to join the chase?

Mister X Emerges

Hey there! I’m Mister X, and I have to reveal myself every now and then during the game. I’ll pop up after my 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, and 24th moves. You can spot these moments on the travel log – they’ll have circled numbers and a bigger space.

So, like always, I’ll start by marking my entry on the travel log and covering it with my ticket. Then, I’ll place my playing piece on my current spot.

Tip: I better be careful that nobody can catch me on their very next turn after I emerge.

Those detective folks are itching to catch me or trap me in a corner, but they’re running out of time! On my next turn, I’ll remove my playing piece from the board and vanish again!

Here’s a tip: If you want to catch Mister X, head over to the big junctions before he appears. This will increase your chances of being close to him when he finally shows up.

The Power of Two Moves

If I were playing as Mister X and I had a double-move ticket, I would have the amazing ability to travel to two different stations in just one turn. And what’s even better is that I can choose any combination of transportation modes to make my journey. This means I can take a bus and then hop on a taxi, or maybe start with a boat and then switch to the subway. The possibilities are endless!

When I use my double-move ticket, I make sure to record both stations I visit in my travel log. This way, everyone knows where I’ve been. And to show that I’ve used my ticket, I place it over the fields in my log. But here’s the catch: once I’ve used my double-move ticket, it’s out of the game forever. So I have to use it wisely.

If the first station I visit is a surface station, I have to briefly reveal myself to everyone there before disappearing again with my second move. It adds a little thrill to the game!

Now, it’s important to remember that a double move is just like two normal moves played back-to-back. This means I can’t go to a station that’s already occupied by a detective on either my first or second move. I have to play fair, after all.

Oh, and one more thing. I can only use my double-move ticket once per round. So I have to choose the perfect moment to make the most of it.

Now that you know all about the incredible double-move ticket, let’s talk about black tickets!

Hey there! Have you heard about the mysterious Mister X? Well, he’s got a special trick up his sleeve – the black ticket. This little gem allows him to choose any mode of transportation he wants while getting around town. Pretty cool, huh?

But there’s more! When Mister X uses his black ticket, he can even hop on a ferry and go where he pleases. For example, he can go from spot 157 to spot 115. It’s like having a secret passageway that only he knows about!

Here’s the best part – when Mister X uses his black ticket, those pesky detectives can’t figure out which transportation method he’s using. It’s a real mystery to them! Oh, and guess what? Mister X can also use his black ticket in combination with a double-move ticket. Talk about a winning combo, right?

So, what happens when Mister X uses his black ticket? Well, it’s all documented in his travel log. That’s where he keeps track of all his journeys, just like any good explorer would.

So there you have it, the incredible black ticket. It’s like a key to a hidden world, only accessible to Mister X. It’s his secret weapon, and it keeps those detectives on their toes!

The End of the Game

Hey there! So, here’s the deal: the goal of the game is for the detectives to win. They can do that if a detective or a Bobby ends up on the same station as Mister X. When that happens, Mister X has to spill the beans and reveal where he’s hiding.

But wait, it’s not all one-sided! Mister X can win too, but he has to meet certain conditions:

• If he manages to travel around London for 22 rounds without getting caught by the detectives. And hey, remember, each round only ends when the detectives have finished their moves too.
• Or, if none of the detectives can make a move with their playing pieces. Talk about a sneaky victory!

A Game for Two Players

(With just 1 Detective)

Okay, so if it’s just you playing as the detective against Mister X, things are a little different. You’ll have 4 playing pieces in total. Two of them are detectives, and you’ll get the usual amount of tickets to move around with (20 taxi tickets, 16 bus tickets, and 8 underground tickets in total).