Stockpile: Rules for Playing with Two Players

I’m excited to share with you the rules for playing Stockpile with just two players.

First and foremost, setup the game board as you normally would. Place the Information Cards on the side of the board where both players can easily see them. Each player should choose a color and take the corresponding Player Board, Reference Card, and Player Investment Cards.

One of the key aspects when playing with two players is the Auction Phase. During this phase, each player will take turns as the Auctioneer. The Auctioneer is responsible for selecting a set of face-up Company Cards to be auctioned. The non-Auctioneer player will then bid on the sets of Company Cards.

It’s important to note that during the Auction Phase, the Auctioneer can only bid on Company Cards that do not have any bids on them. If the Auctioneer places a bid, the non-Auctioneer player must either match that bid or pass. If the non-Auctioneer player passes, the Auctioneer must pay their highest bid to the bank.

Once both players have won their respective auctions, it’s time to move on to the Stock Phase. The players can now privately assign the Company Cards they won to their Stock Holdings using their Player Investment Cards. Remember to keep your investments secret from your opponent to add an element of surprise.

Next comes the Movement Phase. During this phase, players will roll the Movement Dice. The result will determine the stock market value and movement for each Company Card. Both players should update their Stock Holdings accordingly based on the movement of the cards.

The final phase is the Dividend Phase. During this phase, the players will receive dividends based on the stock market value of their Stock Holdings. The amount of dividends received can significantly impact a player’s overall score, so it’s crucial to keep a close eye on them.

Overall, playing Stockpile with two players enhances the strategic aspect of the game. The Auction Phase becomes a battle of wits and timing, and the secrecy of your investments adds a layer of excitement. So gather a friend and dive into the exhilarating world of Stockpile!

Before you dive into the 2-Player Variant, I recommend giving Stockpile a try with more than two players. It’ll give you a solid understanding of the game. But if you’re all set and excited to play with just two players, here’s what you need to know.

Getting Started

In the 2-player variant, you’ll each start with $30,000 instead of the usual $20,000. You’ll also start with one stock, just like in a 4-player game. And don’t forget, each player gets 2 Bidding Meeples, which can be red or blue.

Information Phase

At the start of the game, each player receives two pairs of Company Cards and Forecast Cards. Make sure to keep them in separate piles – you can’t mix them up.

Note: The remaining two pairs of Company Cards and Forecast Cards are placed face-down next to the game board. These cards will come into play during the game, but their effects won’t be revealed until the Movement Phase.

Supply Phase

In the supply phase, I want to share with you how I source a steady stream of creative ideas to keep my writing fresh and exciting. The supply phase is all about gathering inspiration and finding new angles to explore.

One way I do this is by immersing myself in the world around me. I take time to observe and experience life, seeking inspiration from everyday moments. Whether it’s going for a walk in nature, visiting a museum, or simply people-watching at a café, there is beauty and inspiration to be found everywhere. By opening myself up to the world, I am able to find unique and intriguing ideas that I can bring to my writing.

Another technique I use in the supply phase is to actively seek out new perspectives. I engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds and cultures, challenging my own beliefs and assumptions. By doing this, I am able to broaden my horizons and gain fresh insights that I can infuse into my writing. It’s amazing how a simple conversation can spark a whole new idea or angle.

I also find great value in consuming a variety of media during the supply phase. Reading books, watching movies and TV shows, listening to podcasts, and exploring different genres of music allow me to expose myself to different storytelling techniques and narrative styles. This exposure helps me refine my own voice and brings new dimensions to my writing.

In addition to these external sources, I also tap into my internal supply of creativity. Through practices like meditation, journaling, and brainstorming, I cultivate a space within myself that is open to new ideas and innovations. This internal exploration allows me to dig deep and discover unique perspectives that I can bring to my writing.

During the supply phase, I embrace the notion that creativity is an endless well and that there is always something new to discover. By actively seeking inspiration from the world around me, engaging with diverse perspectives, consuming a variety of media, and tapping into my own internal well of creativity, I ensure that my writing stays fresh, authentic, and captivating.

So, if you’re looking to infuse your writing with new life and excitement, I encourage you to embrace the supply phase. Explore the world around you, engage in meaningful conversations, consume a variety of media, and tap into your own internal well of creativity. You’ll be amazed at the abundance of inspiration that awaits you. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Let’s start by shuffling the Market Deck and placing one card face-up on each of the first four Stockpiles. Look for the Stockpiles marked with the 2-Player symbol.

Now, it’s time to draw cards from the Market Deck. Each player should draw two cards. One card should be placed face-up while the other should be placed face-down. Remember, you’ll repeat this step so that each player has four cards in their Stockpiles.

Remember: The first two cards must be placed before you can receive your second two cards.

Now, it’s time for the Demand Phase.

During this phase, players take turns placing their Bidding Meeples on available spaces of the Bidding Tracks.

Make sure to place all of your Bidding Meeples before any re-bidding happens.

Oh, and you can’t put a Bidding Meeple on a track that already has one of your other Bidding Meeples.

When we play the bidding game, we take turns placing our Bidding Meeples on the Bidding Track. This means that I put one of my Meeples, then you put one of yours, and we keep going like this. We continue to bid back and forth until all of our Meeples are on different spots on the Bidding Track. However, there’s something you should know: It’s possible for one player to bid twice in a row. So, if all of my Meeples have been outbid by you, I can still choose one of my Meeples to bid with next. I have that chance to get back in the bidding game.

But here’s an important thing to remember: I can’t bid more money than I currently have, even if I use both of my Meeples. That’s the rule. So, I have to be careful and make sure that my combined bids don’t exceed the amount of money I currently have. It’s all about strategy and managing my bids wisely.