How to Play the Stockpile Game

Playing the Stockpile game can be a thrilling experience. It combines strategy, luck, and intuition, making each game exciting and unpredictable. In this guide, I will walk you through the rules of the Stockpile game, ensuring you have all the information you need to get started.

Components

Before we dive into the rules, let’s take a moment to go over the components of the Stockpile game. To play, you will need the following:

• A game board
• Player mats
• Stock cards
• Insider information cards
• Investment cards
• Money cards
• Stock tokens

Objective

The objective of the Stockpile game is to earn the most money by successfully buying, selling, and manipulating stocks. You will aim to predict market movements and make smart investments to come out on top.

Setup

To set up the game, follow these steps:

1. Place the game board in the center of the playing area.
2. Give each player a player mat.
3. Shuffle the stock cards and deal two face-down cards to each player.
4. Shuffle the insider information cards and deal one face-down card to each player.
5. Shuffle the investment cards and create a face-down draw pile.
6. Place the money cards and stock tokens within reach of all players.

Gameplay

The Stockpile game is played over a series of rounds. Each round consists of the following phases:

1. Market Phase: Cards are revealed from the stock card deck. These cards represent the market movement for the round.
2. Insider Information Phase: Players reveal their insider information cards simultaneously. This information can help you make more informed decisions during the round.
3. Preparation Phase: Players take turns placing their investment cards face-down on the stock cards, predicting the value of the stocks for the round.
4. Trading Phase: Players take turns buying and selling the stocks using their money cards.
5. End of Round Phase: Players reveal their investment cards and calculate their gains or losses based on the market movement and their predictions.

Winning the Game

The game ends after a certain number of rounds, depending on the number of players. The player with the most money at the end of the last round is declared the winner.

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand the rules of the Stockpile game, it’s time to gather your friends or family and start playing! Remember, the key to success is a combination of strategy and intuition. Good luck, and may your investments pay off!

Stockpile is a fast-paced economic game where I get to play as a private investor. My main objective is to build up my net worth by making smart investments, using insider trading, and manipulating the market. It’s an exciting game that combines strategy and finance.

What’s inside

• 1 Turn marker
• 6 Stock tickers
• 6 Company cards
• 6 Forecast cards
• 100 Currency cards
• 5 Player boards
• 7 Bidding meeples
• 1 First player token
• 60 Stock cards
• 12 Trading fee cards
• 8 Action cards

Welcome to the Game

Hey there! Let me tell you about this exciting game we’re about to play. It’s called “Stock Market Frenzy” and it’s all about buying and selling stocks to make as much money as you can. Are you ready to dive into the world of finance and compete against your friends?

What’s the Goal?

The goal of the game is to have the most money at the end. So, you want to make smart decisions, buy stocks when they’re cheap, and sell them when they’re expensive to maximize your profits. Can you outsmart your opponents and become the richest player?

Setting Up

Alright, let’s get everything ready to start the game:

1. Each player will get a Bidding Meeple, a Player Board, and $20,000 in Currency Cards. You’ll have three $5,000 bills and five $1,000 bills to start with. The remaining currency cards go next to the board – you might need them later.

2. Put the Turn Marker on the calendar space that corresponds to the number of players. This will keep track of the rounds in the game.

3. Take the Stock Tickers and place them on the starting values of each stock. You can find these starting values indicated by darkened circles. These tickers will show the changing prices of the stocks throughout the game.

Great job! Now we’re all set up and ready to begin our exciting adventure into the world of the stock market. Get ready to make some big decisions, take risks, and hopefully, come out on top as the wealthiest player. Good luck!

In step 4, you’ll need to shuffle the Company Cards and Forecast Cards. Once shuffled, place them next to the board in separate piles.

For step 5, each player should take one stock card from the Market Deck. There are six different types of stock cards, so make sure each player gets a different one. Each player should place their stock face down in the Stock Portfolio spot on their player board. This stock will work just like any other stock you acquire during the game.

If there are any leftover cards, put them back in the Market Deck. Shuffle the deck and place it next to the board, face down.

Step 6 is where the game gets rolling. The player who paid the most for their previous meal will start the game. They get the honor of having the First Player Token.

Playing the Game

Welcome to the world of Stockpile, a game that is all about buying and selling stocks! In this game, I’m going to explain how to play, step by step.

First things first, let’s talk about the number of players. Depending on how many players there are, the game is played over a certain number of rounds. Figure 2 will give you a visual idea of how it works. Oh, and did I mention that the player with the First Player Token gets to go first? Yep, that’s right!

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of each round. You see, every round is made up of six phases. It may sound like a lot, but once we break it down, it’ll be a piece of cake!

1. The Phase of Gathering Information
2. The Phase of Providing Resources
3. The Phase of Seeking for Needs
4. The Phase of Taking Action
5. The Phase of Making Sales
6. The Phase of Mobilization

When I think about the process of buying and selling goods and services, it can seem pretty complex. But don’t worry – I’m going to break it down for you in a way that makes it easy to understand.

First, let’s talk about the Phase of Gathering Information. This is where you gather all the necessary information about the product or service you’re interested in. You want to make sure you have all the facts and details so you can make an informed decision.

Next up is the Phase of Providing Resources. This is when the seller provides you with all the information and materials you need to make a purchase. They may give you brochures, samples, or even a demo of the product. The goal is to give you everything you need to make a decision.

After that comes the Phase of Seeking for Needs. This is when you actively seek out the things you need or want. You might do some research, ask friends for recommendations, or visit different stores to compare prices and options. It’s all about finding the best fit for you.

Once you’ve done all that, it’s time for the Phase of Taking Action. This is when you finally make a decision and take the necessary steps to purchase the product or service. It could be as simple as clicking a button to order online or going to a physical store to make a purchase.

But the process doesn’t end there. We still have two more phases to go. Next is the Phase of Making Sales. This is when the seller takes your order and processes it. They might package the product, prepare it for shipping, or schedule a delivery. The goal is to make sure you get what you ordered in a timely manner.

Finally, we have the Phase of Mobilization. This is when the product or service is moved from the seller to you. It could be delivered to your doorstep, sent via mail, or even picked up from a physical location. The goal is to get the product into your hands so you can start enjoying it.

So, as you can see, the process of buying and selling goods and services goes through several phases. Each phase has its own purpose and role to play. By understanding these phases, you can navigate the process with confidence and make informed decisions.

The number of rounds we play depends on how many players there are. The Turn Marker keeps track of how many rounds are left in the game.

Now let’s talk about the Information Phase. This is when each player gets a Company Card and a Forecast Card.

The Company Card and Forecast Card work together to show how a stock’s value will move. We find out the stock’s value during the Movement Phase, which happens at the end of each round.

For example, let’s look at Figure 4. The American Automotive Company Card is paired with the +2 Forecast Card. This means that the value of American Automotive stock will go up by two during the Movement Phase.

Here are the steps for the Information Phase.

1. First, we deal each player a Company Card and a Forecast Card. You should keep your cards hidden because they contain valuable information. You’ll need this information to make smart decisions during the Demand and Selling Phases, before the stock prices change in the Movement Phase.

Remember: we’ll use these cards later on, during the Movement Phase.

When it comes to the game setup, the number of pairs placed face-down depends on the number of players. For a three-player game, two pairs will be placed face-down, and for a four-player game, one pair will be face-down. However, no pairs will remain for a five-player game.

2. Supply Phase

Now, let’s talk about the Supply Phase. During this phase, it’s time for players to start placing cards into Stockpiles. These cards can represent shares of company stock, trading fees, or action cards. Keep in mind that Stockpiles represent the market supply, and they will be bid on and obtained during the Demand Phase.

Here are the steps for the Supply Phase:

1. First, flip one card from the Market Deck face-up. This card will serve as the starting point for building each Stockpile. Stockpiles are formed under the calculators located at the bottom of the board. The number of Stockpiles in each game is equal to the number of players.
2. Next, deal two cards from the Market Deck to each player. Make sure to keep these cards separate from any cards that have been obtained earlier in the game.

In the game, each player takes turns placing their two cards on the Stockpiles. One card is placed face-up, while the other is placed face-down. It’s up to you where to put them – they can go in the same Stockpile or different ones. Just remember that you can’t use the 4 or 5 player Stockpiles if there aren’t enough players. Make sure to spread out the cards so everyone can see how many are in each Stockpile.

After everyone has added their cards, it’s time for bidding in the Demand Phase.

Step 3: Time to Get What You Want!

Okay, now it’s time to talk about the Demand Phase. This is when you finally get to acquire the Stockpile that you worked so hard to build during the Supply Phase. Pretty exciting, huh?

During the Demand Phase, you’ll be dealing with the Bidding Track. This fancy track represents the demand or the value that you need to pay in money in order to get your hands on that awesome Stockpile at the end of the phase.

So, How Exactly Does the Demand Phase Work?

1. I’ll walk you through the process step by step. First, it’s your turn to make a move. You can place your Bidding Meeple on any open number of the Bidding Track. Remember, you can even choose a track that already has bids on it, as long as your bid is higher. Just make sure you don’t bid more money than you have – that’s an important rule we all have to follow.

If someone else places their Bidding Meeple farther along the same Bidding Track and outbids me, I am allowed to pick up my Bidding Meeple and place a new bid on my next turn. It’s important to note that this re-bidding only happens after all players have had the chance to bid once. If multiple players outbid each other, the re-bidding process goes in clockwise order. I can choose to place my new bid on the same Bidding Track or a different one. However, if there are no more available spots on a Bidding Track, that track becomes locked, and the maximum bid allowed is $25,000. I cannot place a bid that is lower or equal to another player’s bid.

The bidding process continues until there is only one bidding meeple on each bidding track.

You will need to pay the bank the amount of your bid, collect your bidding meeple, and take all the cards from the stockpile you bought. Note: It is possible to bid and pay $0 for a stockpile.

If your stockpile includes a trading fee card, you must pay the bank the specified amount. Once paid, trading fee cards are placed face-up in the discard pile next to the market deck.

Note: If you don’t have enough money to pay the trading fee, you can keep the card. Just put it in front of you with the face-up. You have to pay the fee as soon as you have enough money. Put the rest of the cards you got in the Stock Portfolio section of your Player Board with the face-down. Note: Keep the stock cards you get during the game a secret from other players. You can look at your stocks anytime you want.

4. Time for Action

During the Action Phase, I get to make things happen in the market. How? Well, I have these nifty action cards that let me do all sorts of cool stuff!

Here’s how the Action Phase goes down:

First, it’s important to know that we take turns. So, I’ll start by using all the action cards I got during the last phase. I’ll use ’em all up and then put ’em face-up in the discard pile. Gotta keep things organized, you know?

Now, let’s talk about Stock Boom! When I get one of those cards, I can choose a stock and boost its value by two. Watch it go up, up, up!

On the other hand, we have Stock Bust! If I get one of those cards, I can choose a stock and bring its value down by two. It’s like a little market crash.

Note: Before we get started, let me explain a few things. First, you need to pick one stock and either increase or decrease its value. If the value of your chosen stock reaches the Stock Split or Bankruptcy space, you’ll have to follow specific rules during the Movement Phase. Also, remember that Action Cards can only be played in the same round you obtained them.

5. Time to Sell

Now, it’s time for the Selling Phase. This is your chance to sell any stocks you currently own. To make the best decisions, use the knowledge you gained during the Information Phase.

Here’s how the Selling Phase works:

One at a time, each player can sell as many stocks as they want. Just place the stocks face-up in the discard pile and collect money from the bank. The amount you get will be equal to the current value of each stock you sold.

Note: When you sell a stock from your Split Portfolio, you get twice the value of that stock. But you can also transfer a stock from your Split Portfolio back to your regular Stock Portfolio and get the current value of that stock from the bank.

What I just mentioned is about selling only one stock from a split stock. For more details on split stocks, check out the Movement Phase: Stock Splits section.

6. Moving Stocks

In the Movement Phase, the values of stocks change based on the Company and Forecast Cards you received during the Information Phase.

Steps in the Movement Phase

1. We start by revealing our Company Cards and Forecast Cards one by one and adjusting the stock values accordingly.

When it’s time to move on to the next round, I’ll need to adjust the remaining stock values based on the face-up and face-down pairs of Company Cards and Forecast Cards. This means that all stocks will be affected every round, so it’s important to keep an eye on them.

If there’s a Forecast Card labeled “$$”, that means a company will be paying out dividends. The stock value doesn’t change, but you will receive $2,000 for each share of that company’s stock in your portfolio. It’s like getting a special reward for holding those stocks!

Just remember, if you have a Split Portfolio, you’ll receive twice the dividends for the stock in that portfolio. You’ll need to reveal your shares of stock to receive the dividends, but if you don’t want to reveal how many shares you have, you can choose not to collect the dividends for some or all of your stock.

Stock Splits

Have you ever wondered what happens when a stock’s value rises above 10? Well, let me break it down for you. When this occurs, something known as a stock split takes place. This is an interesting phenomenon that can have a big impact on your investments.

So, what exactly is a stock split? It’s simple: when a stock splits, the number of shares you own for that stock effectively doubles. Let’s say you initially had 10 shares of a certain stock. After a stock split, you would end up with 20 shares. Pretty cool, right?

Now, let’s dive a bit deeper into how this process works. Whenever a stock’s value reaches or surpasses 10, a stock split occurs. But what happens if the stock’s value lands exactly on the Stock Split space? In that case, the value of the stock is reset to 6. On the other hand, if the stock’s increase would cause its value to move beyond the Stock Split space, the stock’s value is reset to 6, and the increase continues.

Let’s take a look at an example:

When I look at Epic Electric’s stock value, it tells me that it started at 9 this round. They paired the Company Card with the +4 Forecast Card. To get to the Stock Split space, Epic Electric only used two of their +4 movement.

After that, the stock value resets to 6 but continues to increase for the rest of the move. Due to this movement, Epic Electric’s stock value is set to 8.

If you acquire new stock after the stock split, it goes into your regular Stock Portfolio, not the Split Portfolio.

Now, if you already have a stock in your Split Portfolio and it splits again later in the game, you receive $10,000 in Currency Cards for each Stock Card of that type in the Split Portfolio. The stock will still stay in the Split Portfolio.

Let’s talk about bankruptcy now.

If a stock’s value ever drops below 1 on a turn, it immediately goes bankrupt. That means it’s worthless and you have to get rid of all the stock of that kind that you own, including any stocks you have in your Split Portfolio. The stock’s price goes back to 5.

The End of a Round

A round is over after the Movement Phase. If the Turn Marker isn’t on the right-most spot of the calendar yet, it moves one spot to the right. The First Player Token goes to the player on the left, and a new round begins.

If the Turn Marker was already on the right-most spot of the calendar, the game is over. Keep reading to find out what happens next.

The Game Ends

The game ends at the end of the final Movement Phase. Any cards left in the Market Deck aren’t used for this game.

Here’s what happens at the end of the game:

1. Let’s start by figuring out who the majority shareholders are. To do this, all players will reveal how many shares of stock they own for each company. The player with the most stock in any company will be the majority shareholder. But here’s the interesting part – if any of their shares are in their Split Portfolios, those count as double. So, it’s like having extra power!
2. Now, it’s time to sell those shares back. Each player will sell their shares at a price equal to the final value of the stock. Remember, if any of their shares are in their Split Portfolios, those count as double, so they’ll make more money!
3. Finally, let’s see who has the most money. We’ll add up each player’s Currency Cards. The player with the most money, and the highest net worth, will be declared the winner. After all, who doesn’t love being the richest?