Welcome to the Watergate Game!

Are you ready to dive into a thrilling political mystery and test your investigative skills? Well, buckle up because the Watergate Game is here to transport you back to the 1970s and challenge you to uncover the truth behind one of the biggest political scandals in American history.

How to Play

Let me break it down for you. The game is played between two players: the Reporter and the Editor. Each player takes turns playing the Reporter and the Editor, and the roles switch back and forth throughout the game.

The game board represents the political landscape of Washington, D.C., with various locations and connections between them. The objective is for the Reporter to connect Informants, Evidence, and Newspaper stories, while the Editor tries to block those connections.

At the beginning of each round, both players receive cards, which represent Informants, Evidence, or Newspaper stories. The Reporter can place Informants on the board to get closer to the truth, while the Editor can place Evidence to disprove the Reporter’s claims.

The key is to strategically connect Informants to Newspaper stories before the Editor blocks those connections with Evidence. The Reporter can also accuse the Editor of committing obstruction to gain bonus points.

The Thrill of the Game

Get ready for an adrenaline rush as you unravel the web of lies and deception. Each round, the tension builds as the Reporter and the Editor race against the clock to connect the dots and make their case.

The Watergate Game is not just about strategy; it’s also about deduction and intuition. As the Reporter, you’ll need to read between the lines and follow your instincts to expose the truth. And as the Editor, you must think one step ahead to thwart the Reporter’s investigation.

Immerse Yourself in History

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Watergate Game is its historical setting. The game captures the essence of the 1970s, with its iconic locations and characters. It’s like stepping into a time machine and becoming a part of history.

By playing the Watergate Game, you’ll not only have a blast but also gain a deeper understanding of a pivotal moment in American history. You’ll learn about the intricacies of investigative journalism and the lasting impact of the Watergate scandal.

Are You Ready?

So, are you up for the challenge? Whether you’re a history buff, a strategy enthusiast, or just looking for a fun and engaging game night, the Watergate Game has it all. Gather your friends, immerse yourself in the world of 1970s politics, and let the investigation begin!

In June 1972, I was shocked to hear that five men had been arrested in Washington’s Watergate Building. This incident seemed like a typical burglary attempt on the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. Little did I know that it would lead to a much bigger and more scandalous story.

Two journalists from the Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, decided to dig deeper into this seemingly simple break-in. What they found was shocking and went far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Over the course of the next two years, Woodward and Bernstein uncovered a web of deceit and corruption that reached all the way to the White House. They discovered that the five men had actually been directed by someone within the Nixon administration to spy on their political opponents. This was a clear abuse of power and an attack on the very foundation of our democracy.

Their investigation revealed a level of corruption and cover-up that shook the nation. It became clear that President Nixon was involved in the scandal and had been attempting to hide his complicity. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and in 1974, facing certain impeachment, Nixon resigned from office.

The Impact

1 game board
1 momentum card “Nixon Administration”
1 momentum card “Editor”
20 player cards “Nixon Administration”
20 player cards “Editor”
1 initiative card
1 End of round overview card
9 momentum tokens
1 initiative token
36 evidence tokens
7 picture tiles
1 bag
Rulebook

Object of the Game

In the game WATERGATE, one person is the Newspaper Editor and the other is the Nixon Administration. Each person has their own set of cards.

To win, the Nixon Administration needs to build up enough momentum to make it to the end of their term. The Editor, on the other hand, needs to find enough evidence to connect two sources directly to the President.

So here’s the thing: the powers that be are doing everything they can to hide that evidence. But what if I told you there’s someone, a mysterious insider they call “Deep Throat,” who might just blow the whole thing wide open? It’s a race against the clock, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Story Unfolds

First things first, let’s decide who will be the Editor and who will be the Nixon Administration (known as “Nixon” from now on).
Now, let’s position the game board A between us, with the Editor looking at it right side up and Nixon looking at it upside down.
Each of us needs to take our 21 role cards.
Next, place your momentum card B face up next to the research track on your side of the board.
Time to shuffle your 20 player cards and place them as your personal draw deck C face down in front of you.
Beside the 0 space on the research track, let’s put the initiative card D face up between your two momentum cards. Make sure its arrows point towards you, the Editor. And let’s place the End of round overview card E next to it.

When you play Watergate, you’ll need to follow these steps to get started:

First, place the initiative token (F) and 1 momentum token (G) on the 0 space of the research track. You’ll also need to have a supply of 8 remaining momentum tokens (H) nearby.
Create a supply of 7 picture tiles (I), which will be known as the “potential informant supply.”
Put the 30 evidence tokens (J) in the bag (K) and keep it nearby.

Now that you’re all set up, let’s talk about how the game is played. Watergate is made up of a series of rounds, and each round has three phases:

Initial Phase

Card Phase

Evaluation Phase

Let’s talk about how you can earn initiative, momentum, and evidence tokens on the research track based on which side you’re on.

If Nixon is your side, you win the game right away by placing 5 momentum tokens on your momentum card.

If you’re on the Editor’s side, you win the game immediately if you can connect at least 2 informants on the evidence board to Nixon’s picture in the center using face-up evidence tokens.

The Starting Point

Let’s begin by examining the initial phase and what needs to be done. There are two important steps to follow:

Let’s start the game! Take a look at the side of the initiative card that’s facing you and grab the same number of cards from your own draw deck. You can choose either 4 or 5 cards. Keep these cards in your hand, so your opponent can’t see them. If you run out of cards in your draw deck, simply shuffle your discard pile and make it your new draw deck.
Now, it’s Nixon’s turn. Nixon needs to grab 3 evidence tokens from the bag and take a secret look at them. Then, he should place these tokens face down on the 0 space of the research track. Nixon is allowed to peek at these face-down tokens whenever he wants, but the Editor can’t do the same.

B. Card Phase

Let’s talk about the next phase of the game – the Card Phase.

During the Card Phase, I get to draw cards from my deck. This is where my strategy really kicks in. I have to think carefully about the cards in my deck and how they can help me win the game. It’s like putting together a puzzle.

Each card in my deck has its own unique abilities and effects. Some cards allow me to attack my opponent directly, while others can help me defend myself or gain advantages. It’s important to have a good mix of offensive and defensive cards to be successful.

I have to be strategic about when I play my cards too. I don’t want to use all my powerful cards too early and run out of options later on. Timing is everything in this game.

I also have to be aware of my opponent’s cards. I need to anticipate what they might play and prepare accordingly. It’s like a game of cat and mouse, trying to outsmart each other.

The Card Phase is a critical part of the game. It’s where I get to make important decisions and set the stage for the rest of the game. The cards I draw can make or break my chances of winning.

So, in the Card Phase, I must carefully consider my deck, the abilities of each card, and the timing of my plays. It’s the phase where my strategy takes center stage and determines the course of the game.

When it’s my turn to go, I’ll start by playing a card from my hand. Then, it’s your turn to do the same. We’ll keep going back and forth until we don’t have any cards left.

During my turn, I can only play ONE card.

Every card has two parts:

A value part
An action part

I have to choose which of these two parts to use.

Note: Each card also has a quote at the bottom, but it doesn’t affect the gameplay.

Value Part

If you pick the value part, you move one token on the research track towards your side by the number stated on the value (1 to 4).

You can choose to move either the initiative token , the momentum token , or an evidence token.

If you move an evidence token, remember these rules:

There are three types of evidence tokens, each with its own color:

Blue (represents checks for Nixon’s re-election campaign)
Yellow (represents ground-plans of the Watergate complex)
Green (represents transcripts of the Nixon White House tapes)

Have you ever wondered about the different types of evidence and how they are used in various situations? It’s fascinating to explore the world of evidence and understand its importance in determining truth and solving mysteries.

When it comes to evidence, there are two primary types: direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. Direct evidence is tangible and straightforward. It directly proves or disproves a fact. On the other hand, circumstantial evidence is indirect and requires interpretation. It relies on reasoning and inference to connect the dots and form a conclusion.

Direct evidence is like a spotlight shining directly on the truth. It leaves no room for doubt or speculation. A concrete example of direct evidence is a video recording that captures an event as it happened. When you see something with your own eyes, you can trust the evidence it provides.

Circumstantial evidence, however, is like pieces of a puzzle that need to be put together. It requires careful analysis and interpretation. Suppose you find a muddy footprint at a crime scene. This footprint alone doesn’t directly prove someone’s guilt, but when combined with other pieces of evidence, like matching shoe tread patterns, it can play a crucial role in solving the case.

Understanding the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence is essential, as they have different strengths and limitations. Direct evidence provides undeniable proof, but it may not always be available or conclusive. Circumstantial evidence, while not as concrete, can be powerful when multiple pieces fit together to form a clear picture.

It’s important to note that both types of evidence are equally valuable in the justice system. Their admissibility and weight vary depending on the circumstances and the legal standards of a particular jurisdiction.

So, the next time you come across evidence, remember to consider its type and evaluate its relevance and reliability. Whether it’s a direct or circumstantial piece, each plays a unique role in uncovering the truth.

So here’s the deal: when you use the value part of your card to scoot an evidence token around, it’s gotta be a token of the same color as the card, or a two-colored token that has that color in it.

But wait, there’s more! If your card shows a joker (one of those cool cards with all three colors), you can move one token of any color you want. Pretty neat, huh?

When you want to move a face-down evidence token, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

If I’m Nixon, to move a face-down evidence token that matches the color on my card, I just need to flip it over and move it where it belongs. (And remember, I can always peek at face-down tokens).
If I’m the Editor, and I want to move a face-down evidence token, I’ll ask Nixon if there’s one with the color on my card. If I have a joker, I can even name a color. If there’s a face-down token with that color, Nixon must reveal it and move it towards my side. If there are a few of them, Nixon gets to pick which one to flip and move. But if there’s no face-down token with that color and Nixon confirms it, then I can choose to move either the initiative token, the momentum token, or an already face-up evidence token with that color (or any color if it’s a joker).

Hey there! It’s super important that you understand how to use the value part of a card. Don’t worry, I’ll break it down for you.

First things first, when you use the value part of a card, make sure to discard it face up to your personal discard pile. Simple, right?

If it’s the first card you’re discarding, place it face up beside your draw deck to create your discard pile.

Got it? Great! Now you’re ready to dive into the game!

Getting a token to space 5 on your side:

When you successfully move a token to space 5 on your side of the research track, you immediately gain that token. Any additional steps you had will be forfeited.

If you gain a token in this way, refer to the instructions in the green box for that token type.

Attention: Once you have gained a token, it will be removed from the research track and cannot be moved again.

Action Part

If you decide to use the action part of your card, simply follow the instructions provided.

There are three types of actions:

Events

Conspiracy is a common occurrence in the game. I must remember to eliminate events from the game once I have used their action. The only exception is the event called “Gambit.” It offers a different outcome.

Let me tell you something interesting. Only Nixon works with conspirators. When Nixon decides to use the action part of a conspirator card, that card then goes to Nixon’s discard pile.

People who report news

Hey there! Did you know that only the Editor has journalists? Once the Editor uses the action part of a journalist card, it goes to the Editor’s discard pile. Pretty cool, huh?

Hey, listen up:

When you come across certain cards, they may have requirements that you must meet before you can use their action.

Hey there! Let’s talk about reaction cards, shall we? They’re pretty neat and can be a real game-changer in certain situations.

Now, here are some popular instructions for using them:

If you see an instruction telling you to move a token a certain number of steps, simply move that token on the research track towards your side by the indicated number of spaces.

When you receive an instruction indicating a specific location on the research track, simply move the token to that space. It’s as simple as that!

When you receive an instruction to move evidence tokens, you have the freedom to select from all the tokens placed on the research track, regardless of whether they are face up or face down. This flexibility allows you to make the most strategic move, unless the instruction specifically tells you otherwise.

Hey there! I wanted to give you a heads up about something really important when it comes to moving face-down evidence tokens. It’s a little rule you need to remember: whenever you move one, you have to flip it over and reveal what’s on the other side. That’s right, every time!

If someone tells you to “pin a picture to the evidence board,” it means you need to take the picture tile of the person’s name from the potential informant supply and put it on that person’s informant space, which is marked with their last name. The Editor always puts the picture tiles facing up, like recruited informants, while Nixon puts them face down.

FYI:

Just so you know, both of you have the option to check out the face-down evidence tokens that are already on the evidence board.

Also, you can both take a peek at the cards in either of the discard piles and any cards that have already been removed from the game. (However, you can’t look at the face-down draw decks.)

C. Time to Evaluate

Once neither of us has any cards left in hand, let’s move on to the evaluation phase. We’ll follow these 5 steps in order:

1. Put neutral evidence tokens back in the bag

If there happen to be any evidence tokens left on the 0 space of the research track (whether they’re flipped or not), they need to go back in the bag.

Giving Out the Initiative Token

I’m here to tell you how to award this round’s initiative token. It’s actually pretty simple! You just need to give it to the player who has their side of the research track it’s on. Easy, right?

Getting the Initiative Token

Now, when it comes to gaining the initiative token, things can get a little more interesting. You see, you need to take the token from the research track and put it on the initiative card. But wait, there’s more! You also need to turn the initiative card (if you have to) so that the arrows point towards you. This way, everyone will know that you have the initiative. How cool is that?

So there you have it. Awarding the initiative token is as easy as can be. Just remember to give it to the player on the right side of the research track, and make sure those arrows on the initiative card are pointing straight at you. Good luck!

If the initiative token is on the 0 space of the research track, the player who didn’t have the initiative this round gets it.

If the initiative token was already gained earlier this round, we can skip this step.

3. Give the Momentum Token for This Round

The player on whose side of the research track the momentum token is gets it.

How to Gain the Momentum Token

When you gain this round’s momentum token, take it from the research track and put it on your momentum card in the empty space with the lowest number. If there is an instruction text next to that space, follow the instructions now.

If the Editor gains the momentum token but doesn’t have a free space on the momentum card, remove that momentum token from the game!

If the momentum token is on space 0 of the research track, neither player gains it. Instead, it is returned to the supply.

If the momentum token was gained earlier this round (see page 6), we can skip this step.

Step 4: Put the initiative token and 1 new momentum token on space 0

Grab the initiative token from the initiative card and place it on space 0 of the research track.

Then, take 1 momentum token from the supply and also put it on space 0 of the research track. If you can’t do this because there are no more momentum tokens left in the supply, Nixon wins the game immediately.

5. Get rewarded with evidence tokens!

Here’s the exciting part: you get evidence tokens as a result of your progress on the research track. It’s time to claim your reward! The player with the initiative, which is usually me, starts by taking any evidence tokens from my side and pinning them to the evidence board. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated – just put them in the green box below. Then it’s your turn to do the same for any evidence tokens you have. Easy peasy, right?

How to pin an evidence token

When I receive a piece of evidence (or a card tells me to attach one to the evidence board), I can choose any empty evidence space marked with a slip of that evidence’s color to place it on (or if it’s a two-colored evidence, I can choose one of its two colors).

If I am the Editor, I should place it face up to create connections. But if I am Nixon, I should place it face down to disrupt connections.

Hey there! Just a heads up – if you see this symbol on the evidence token, it means you need to move the momentum token on the research track one space closer to your side. Keep an eye out for it!

Now, let’s talk about what happens at the end of the game.

The End of the Game

Okay, so here’s the deal – the game comes to a close right away if Nixon wins. Yep, he gets the victory!

When I, Nixon, add a fifth momentum token to my momentum card, something important happens. It’s like a burst of energy that propels me forward in the game. Usually, this happens during step 4 of the evaluation phase when I place a momentum token on the research track. But sometimes, there are no more momentum tokens left in the supply. That’s rare, but if it happens, the game takes note. It’s a pivotal moment that demands attention.

This rule is significant because it tells me that momentum is a powerful force in the game. It’s a resource that I need to carefully manage and use to my advantage. When I have enough momentum, I can make big moves and accomplish important tasks. It’s like having a secret weapon that can tip the scales in my favor.

Understanding this rule is crucial for success in the game. It means I need to plan my moves carefully and consider when to use my momentum tokens. I can’t waste them or underestimate their value. Every placement of a momentum token matters and can have a significant impact on my progress.

So, remember, when you’re playing the game, pay attention to your momentum. It’s not just a game mechanic; it’s a symbol of power and progress. By using it wisely, you can elevate your game and regenerate a winning response. If you’re looking for a strategy that can give you an edge, focus on building momentum and making the most of it. With this approach in mind, you’ll be well on your way to victory.

When you’re playing the game, the Editor wins right away if they manage to connect Nixon to at least 2 informants on the evidence board.

A connection is made by having a thread go from an informant’s visible picture tile all the way to Nixon’s picture in the center. Any empty spots or face-down evidence tokens will break the connection.

How to play Watergate Official Rules