Mombasa Game Rules

Introduction

Hi there! I’m here to give you an overview of the Mombasa game and help you get started. Let’s dive right in!

The Game

In Mombasa, you and your friends will embark on a thrilling adventure set in the African continent. As an entrepreneur, your goal is to build your trading empire and become the most successful company in Mombasa.

How to Play

To start the game, each player receives a company board and a set of action cards. The game is played over a series of rounds, and each round consists of two phases: the Action Phase and the Bookkeeping Phase.

During the Action Phase, you will choose and play action cards from your hand. These cards allow you to take various actions, such as expanding your trading network, investing in companies, or acquiring valuable goods. The order in which you play your cards is crucial, as it determines the order of actions you can take.

Once all players have played their cards, the Bookkeeping Phase begins. During this phase, you will earn money based on the companies you have invested in and the resources you have collected. You will also adjust your hand size and income for the next round.

Strategy and Tactics

Mombasa is a game of strategy and tactical decision-making. You will need to carefully plan your actions, take advantage of opportunities, and adapt to changing circumstances. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

1. Diversify your investments: Investing in multiple companies will provide a steady income and reduce the risk of losing everything if one company fails.

2. Expand your trading network: Building a wide network of trading posts will give you more options for acquiring resources and trading them for profit.

3. Manage your hand: Keep an eye on your hand size and make sure to adjust it during the Bookkeeping Phase. A larger hand size allows for more flexibility in future rounds.

4. Watch your opponents: Pay attention to what your opponents are doing and adjust your strategy accordingly. Blocking their actions or taking advantage of their moves can give you the upper hand.

Conclusion

Now that you have a good understanding of the Mombasa game rules, it’s time to gather your friends, set up the game, and begin your journey to become the most successful entrepreneur in Mombasa. Good luck and have fun!

In Mombasa, I get to be part of something big. I can acquire shares of powerful chartered companies that span across Mombasa, Cape Town, Saint-Louis, and Cairo. My goal is to establish my trading posts and expand my influence all across Africa. The more I succeed, the more money I earn.

Chartered companies were these groups that formed back in the day. They came together to explore new lands, trade goods, and even colonize territories. But let’s face it, those times were not very bright. They were linked to a dark chapter in history: global colonialism. This period lasted for many years, from the 15th century all the way to the middle of the 20th century. It was marked by many harsh things like exploitation and even slavery.

But don’t worry, Mombasa is not a history lesson. It’s a strategy game that focuses on economics. It takes inspiration from history but puts its own spin on things. The game creates a fictional setting that resembles that time period. So while it hints at the exploitation of Africa and its people, it doesn’t explicitly show it during the gameplay. It’s all about the strategy and the thrill of building your trading empire.

What You Need to Know About Components

Exploring the World of Components

When I first started learning about web development, I was introduced to this concept called “components.” At first, I didn’t really understand what they were or why they were so important. But as I delved deeper into the world of web design, I realized that components are the building blocks of any website or application.

So, what exactly are components?
Components are self-contained parts of a web page or application that can be reused across different pages or applications. They consist of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code that work together to create a specific functionality or visual element. Essentially, components are like puzzle pieces that you can arrange and combine to create a complete picture.

The Benefits of Using Components

Now that I understand the concept of components, I can see why they are so important. Here are a few reasons why using components can greatly benefit web developers like you and me:

1. Reusability: Components can be reused across different pages or applications, saving time and effort. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time, you can simply reuse existing components and focus on adding unique elements.

2. Maintainability: Since components are self-contained and independent, they are easier to maintain. If you need to make a change to a specific component, you can do so without affecting the rest of the website or application.

3. Consistency: Components promote consistency in design and functionality. By using the same components throughout a website or application, you can create a cohesive and polished user experience.

4. Scalability: Components allow for scalability, making it easier to add new features or expand the website or application. You can simply add new components or modify existing ones without disrupting the overall structure.

5. Collaboration: Components facilitate collaboration among developers. Since components are modular and can be easily shared, multiple developers can work on different components simultaneously, speeding up the development process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, components are an essential part of web development. They provide reusability, maintainability, consistency, scalability, and collaboration. By incorporating components into your web projects, you can streamline your development process and create websites or applications that are efficient, robust, and visually appealing. So, why not give components a try and see how they can elevate your web development skills to the next level?

I can’t wait to tell you about this amazing game board and all the components that come with it. Let me break it down for you:

1. Game board: This is where all the action happens. It’s the central hub where you and your friends will embark on your adventures.

2. Company Tracks: There are four double-sided company tracks, each made up of two jigsaw pieces. These tracks represent the different companies in the game and provide a visual guide for keeping track of their progress.

3. Player Boards: You and your fellow players will each have your own player board. These boards have spaces for you to place action cards and keep track of your resources and progress.

4. Action Cards: There are 44 action cards in the game. These cards represent the actions you can take on your turn and will help you build your company and achieve your goals.

5. Starting Action Cards: In addition to the regular action cards, there are 36 starting action cards. These cards will give you a boost at the beginning of the game and help you get started on the right foot.

6. Expansion Cards: There are four “1”-expansion cards. These cards introduce new elements and options to the game, allowing for even more strategic choices.

7. Track Cards: Each player will have their own track card. These cards help you keep track of your progress on the company tracks and show you the rewards you can earn.

8. Book Tiles: There are 72 book tiles in the game. These tiles represent the different books you can publish and sell. Collecting and selling books is a key part of the game and will earn you valuable resources.

9. Starting Tiles: At the beginning of the game, each player will receive 10 starting tiles. These tiles represent the initial resources and opportunities available to you.

10. Bonus Tiles: There are four bonus tiles in the game. These tiles provide additional benefits and rewards when you achieve certain goals or milestones.

11. Coins: You’ll need money to fund your company and take actions. The game comes with 60 coins, including 40 1-pound coins and 20 5-pound coins.

12. Trading Posts: The game also includes 60 trading posts. These represent your presence in different regions and will help you expand your company’s reach.

13. Track Markers: There are 16 track markers in the game. These markers are used to track your progress on the company tracks.

14. Bonus Markers: In addition to track markers, there are also 20 bonus markers. These markers represent the bonuses and rewards you can earn throughout the game.

15. Ink Jar Markers: Each player will have their own ink jar marker. These markers represent the ink you have available to publish books and take certain actions.

16. Diamond Markers: There are four diamond markers in the game. These markers represent diamonds, which are a valuable resource in the game.

17. First Player Marker: To determine the order of play, there is a first player marker. This marker will rotate throughout the game, ensuring that each player has a chance to go first.

18. Scoring Note Pad: To keep track of scores, the game comes with a scoring note pad. Use this pad to record your points and see who comes out on top at the end.

19. Overview Sheets: Finally, there are four overview sheets. These sheets provide a quick reference for the different actions, components, and rules in the game. They’re a handy resource to have on hand as you play.

So, as you can see, this game is jam-packed with exciting components that will bring your gaming experience to life. Get ready to dive into a world of strategy and adventure. Happy gaming!

Getting Started

Okay, let’s set up the game. Here’s what you need to do:

1) First, place the game board right in the middle of the table. That’s where all the action is going to happen.

2) Now, there are these 4 track cards that you can put away for now. You won’t be needing them just yet. Instead, grab the company tracks A1, B1, C1, and D1. Place them neatly along the edges of the game board like this:

• A1 goes on the black edge called Mombasa
• B1 goes on the red edge called Cape Town
• C1 goes on the white edge called Saint-Louis
• And D1 goes on the orange edge called Cairo.

Now, here’s the thing! These company tracks are important, so pay attention. For the rest of the game, each of these tracks is linked with its own company. So, A1 is known as the Mombasa track, C1 is known as the Saint-Louis track, and so on.

Alright, let’s get down to business. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 3: Take the 15 trading posts of each color and place them on the corresponding company bases. For example, the black trading posts go in Mombasa, the red ones in Cape Town, the white ones in Saint-Louis, and the orange ones in Cairo. Make sure that each space on a company base is covered with a trading post, including any coin icons.

Step 4: Get the 44 action cards and sort them by the letter on the Book display in the upper right corner of each card. There are five letters: A, B, C, D, E. Shuffle the four cards with the letter E and put them face-down next to the lower left corner of the game board. Then, shuffle the four cards with the letter D and place them on top of the stack you just made.

Here’s how you can get started:

First, gather all the cards labelled C and B. Make sure you have 11 C cards and 16 B cards. Once you have them, shuffle them together.

Now, place the shuffled stack of C and B cards face down. This stack is known as the “action card stack”. Keep some space next to it for the discard pile.

Next, it’s time to set up the card display. There are 12 spaces in total. Take the top card from the action card stack and place it face-up in the first space of the right column. Do the same for the second space, third space, and fourth space of the right column. Repeat this process for the middle and left columns. As you do this, the top space of the left column should have a card with the letter A, and the three cards below it should show the letter B.

So, here’s what you need to do:

First, grab some coins—specifically, 1 and 5 pound coins. These will be your money for the game, and you’ll find them in “the bank.”

Next, take a look at the round track. It’s a board with numbered spaces from 1 to 7. Fill spaces 2 to 7 with coins from the bank, but remember, space 1 always stays empty. The number of players you have will determine how many coins you place in each space.

Here’s what you need to do to set up the game:

1. Get the game board ready
2. Choose the number of players:
3. For 2 players: Get 6 coins with a value of 1 and place one coin on each of the 6 spaces on the round track.
4. For 3 players: Get 9 coins with a value of 1. Put 2 coins on spaces 2, 4, and 6 of the round track. Put 1 coin each on spaces 3, 5, and 7 of the round track.
5. For 4 players: Get 12 coins with a value of 1. Put 2 coins on each of the 6 spaces on the round track.
6. Sort the 72 book tiles by their letters (A, B, C). Put them face down next to the upper right side of the board as the book supply. Fill the 12 spaces of the book display by revealing 4 tiles of each letter and placing them face up in the corresponding book spaces.
7. Place the 4 bonus tiles face up next to the right side of the game board.
8. Each player picks a color and gets:

When you start the game, there are a few things you need to set up. First, you take the player board that matches your color and place it in front of you. Make sure there’s enough space above and below the board.

Next, you take four track markers in your color and put one on each starting space of the four company tracks.

You also get a diamond marker, which goes on the diamond space of the diamond track on your player board. And don’t forget the ink jar marker – place it below your player board for now.

To top it off, you receive one pound from the bank. Put it next to your player board.

Finally, you get some bonus markers in your color. The number of bonus markers you receive depends on how many players are in the game. If there are two players, each player gets three bonus markers. If there are three or four players, each player gets two bonus markers. Any spare bonus markers can be returned to the box – they’re only used when playing with the company track B2.

Hey there! Let’s kick off our game by deciding who goes first. To do that, we need to choose a player and give them the special first player marker.

To start the game, each player will be given a special “1”-expansion card. I’ll explain how it works:

The first player gets the “1”-expansion card with a number 1 in the upper right corner.

The player to their left, known as the second player, receives the “1”-expansion card with the letter ‘h’.

If there is a third player, they will receive the “1”-expansion card with the letter ‘j’.

If there is a fourth player, they will receive the “1”-expansion card with the letter ‘t’.

Once a player receives their “1”-expansion card, they add it to their hand, making a total of 10 starting action cards.

Any extra “1”-expansion cards can be returned to the game box.

Now, let’s move on to the next step:

In a clockwise order, each player will be given a specific starting tile.

• I get the first tile
• You get the second tile
• If there’s a third player, they get the third tile
• If there’s a fourth player, they get the fourth tile

Now, let’s go through the steps for each player:

1. Place your starting tile face up on the space with the envelope on your player board.
2. Put your ink jar marker on the ink jar icon on your tile.
3. From your starting hand, find the 3 cards shown by the 3 icons in the left corner of your starting tile. Put these cards face up above your player board, each card in one of the 3 colored resting slots (you can choose any order).
4. Get your starting bonus.

Setting up for the next games

Once you’ve become familiar with Mombasa, you have the freedom to experiment with different strategies for steps 2 and 13:

Okay, here’s what you need to do:

1. Grab those 4 track cards and mix them up, keeping them face down. Place one card next to each board edge, making sure one of the arrows points towards that edge. Now flip the cards face up.
2. Put the company track on each board edge according to the card half that points towards it. Once that’s done, put the track cards back in the box.
3. Now let’s deal with the 10 starting tiles. Shuffle them up and hand out 2 to each player, face down. Any leftover tiles go back in the box. Take a look at your tiles and pick one secretly, returning the other one to the box.
4. It’s time to reveal! Everyone shows their chosen tile at the same time.

So, what’s the goal here?

Investing in chartered companies and spreading their trading posts across Africa is how I, as an investor, aim to make the most money. This involves increasing my shares in these companies by investing goods and boosting the value of each share by expanding their trading posts.

Additionally, I have the opportunity to enhance my earnings and prospects through strategic diamond stockpiling and smart bookkeeping.

Throughout the game, I earn money, which is typically used to cover specific actions. However, the bulk of my earnings comes at the end of the game. To determine my total, I add:

• The cash I currently have.
• The value of my shares in each of the four companies.
• The final value on my diamond track, indicating the progress of my diamond marker.
• The final number your ink jar marker has crossed on your bookkeeping track is your last value.

The player who has the highest total will win the game.

Company Shares and Their Worth

During the game, you can move your marker forward on each company track. Whenever you land on or pass a space with a share icon, you will possess the number of shares indicated by the icon. In addition, some cards (which can be obtained during the game) might include an extra share of that company.

The value of each share in a company is determined by the number of trading posts that have departed from the company’s base: The total value of all the coin icons uncovered in the base equals the worth of each share in that company.

How to Play Mombasa: Explained

Mombasa is a board game that is played over 7 rounds. Each round consists of 3 phases:

1. Planning Phase
2. General Action Phase
3. Preparation Phase for the Next Round

After the General Action Phase of the 7th round, the game comes to an end with a final scoring phase.

I. Planning Phase

The Planning Phase is when all players plan their moves simultaneously. This phase has 2 steps:

Step 1: Place Cards Face Down In Your Action Area

#image.jpgIn this step, you choose cards from your hand and place them face down in the action slots available in your action area (the area below your player board). Keep in mind that the cards you place here will determine the actions you can perform during the General Action Phase. At the beginning of the game, you have 3 action slots available (the 3 colored slots at the bottom of your player board). Each slot can hold one card, allowing you to place up to 3 cards. However, as the game progresses, you may unlock additional action slots by reaching or passing certain spaces on your diamond track and bookkeeping track. Each unlocked slot lets you place an additional card during the Planning Phase, giving you the potential to place up to 5 cards. It’s important to consider which cards you place in each slot. Each action slot is linked to the resting slot directly above it on your board. At the end of the Action Phase, the cards in your action slots move up to the linked resting slots. Over time, a resting deck builds up in each resting slot, containing all the cards previously played in its linked action slot. These cards are inactive and cannot be used until they are recovered. However, during each round, you can only retrieve the cards from one of these resting decks back into your hand. So it’s crucial to strategically place cards in the appropriate action slots so that they go into the resting deck that suits your plans best. It’s worth noting that in the Planning Phases of rounds 6 and 7, the placement of cards in your action slots becomes irrelevant since you cannot retrieve them back into your hand before the end of the game. Ultimately, you have the flexibility to place fewer cards than the allotted slots if you prefer.

Reveal the Cards

II. What to Do Next

Now I’m going to tell you what happens during the time when it’s your turn to take action. After your turn, it will be the next player’s turn, and then the player after that, and so on. This cycle keeps going in a clockwise direction until everyone has finished their turn.

When it’s your turn, there’s one important thing you need to do: you must choose ONE action from the following options:

1. When you want to take action, you can use 1 or more goods cards of the same type.
2. You can also use all of your expansion cards during your turn.
3. If you have a bookkeeper card, you can use it as well.
4. Similarly, if you have a diamond merchant card, you can use that too.
5. Don’t forget to place 1 bonus marker.
6. Once you’re done with your actions, you can end your own action phase.

When you choose to “End your own action phase,” you will leave the General action phase. Everyone must take this action before the General action phase can come to an end.

Note: Depending on the cards you used in your action area during the Planning phase, you might not be able to do certain actions (because you didn’t use the right cards). If you don’t have the right card(s) to do something, you have to pick a different action instead. (If you don’t have anything else to do, you have to end your own action phase).

Example: When it’s my turn, I can’t use the “Use 1 bookkeeper card” action because I haven’t placed a bookkeeper in my action area. (The bookkeeper in my middle resting deck doesn’t count, of course, as it’s not active).

Important: Once you’ve used a card for an action, you need to flip it face down (to show that it’s been used). Flipped cards can’t be used again.

Example: After I use my diamond merchant card, I flip it face down.

1. Use one or more cards of the same type in your action area.

When playing this game, you have the option of using different types of cards. However, one strategy you can employ is to focus on using cards of the same type in your action area. By doing so, you can maximize the effectiveness and impact of your moves.

For example, let’s say you have a set of attack cards in your hand. Instead of playing them individually, you can choose to use two or more attack cards together. This will unleash a more powerful and devastating attack on your opponent, increasing your chances of victory.

Similarly, if you have a set of defense cards, using multiple cards at once can create a stronger defense against your opponent’s attacks. This will give you a greater sense of security and make it harder for your opponent to defeat you.

Using multiple cards of the same type can also have synergistic effects. For instance, if you use two healing cards together, you can restore a larger amount of health to your character. This can be extremely beneficial in critical moments, helping you survive longer and turn the tide of the game in your favor.

By using one or more cards of the same type in your action area, you can harness their combined power and increase your chances of success. So, next time you play, remember to consider this strategy and take advantage of the benefits it brings.

When you want to get new cards and move your track markers, this action is for you.

To do this action, look at the cards in your action area. Choose as many face-up goods cards as you want, but they have to be the same type of good, like coffee, bananas, or cotton. You have to choose at least one card, no matter how many cards or what values they have.

Add up the unit values of the cards you chose. This total unit value is important because it determines what you can do:

• So, here’s what you can do: you can grab one card from the card display, OR
• You can move forward on one or more company tracks using your track markers.

Hey there! Let me walk you through how to pick a card from the card display in the game board. It’s pretty simple, I promise!

So, the card display has a bunch of cards, and you get to choose one that you like. Each card has a specific price on it.

This price is made up of two values: the red crate-value of the card itself and the red crate-value right next to it on the game board. You need to add up these two values to get the total card price.

Now, here’s what you need to do: your total unit value (which we’ll figure out later) has to be at least equal to the card price. If it is, you can take the card from the display and put it in your hand. Easy peasy!

But wait, there’s more! If your total unit value turns out to be higher than the card price, you get to take the card into your hand and use the extra units to advance on one or more company tracks. Exciting, right?

Oh, and just so you know: the card display won’t be filled up until the end of the round. So keep an eye out for new cards!

Alright, now I’ll explain how to advance on one or more company tracks. Hang in there!

When you play the game, use the points you have to move your marker on the company tracks. Each unit of goods allows you to move one space. Keep moving until you’ve used all of your units. You can divide your units however you want, putting them all on one track or spreading them out.

After you’ve used all of your units, flip the cards that added to your total face down. Then it’s the end of your turn.

2. Use all expansion cards in your action area

Hey there! I wanted to share an interesting tip with you about playing this game. When it comes to using your expansion cards, did you know that it’s a good idea to make use of all of them in your action area?

So, what’s the big deal about using these cards? Well, they can really give you an advantage as you progress through the game. They offer different abilities and options that can help you in various ways. It’s like having a secret weapon up your sleeve!

But here’s the thing: sometimes it can be tempting to hold on to these cards and wait for the perfect moment to use them. I get it, I’ve been there! It’s natural to want to save them for a big move or a critical situation.

However, by doing so, you might miss out on valuable opportunities that can enhance your gameplay. Imagine if you had that extra boost and you didn’t use it when you really needed it? That could be a bummer, right?

That’s why I suggest using all of your expansion cards in your action area. By doing this, you keep the game moving and take advantage of every tool at your disposal. Plus, it adds an element of surprise and excitement to your strategy. You never know how a card might come in handy in a future turn.

So, next time you’re playing, don’t hold back! Use all of your expansion cards in your action area to maximize your chances of success. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Good luck and have fun!

When you want to grow your business, one way to do it is by placing your trading posts in different regions on the game board. This action allows you to expand your company and reach new customers.

To perform this action, you need to use all the expansion cards in your action area at once. You can’t save any of them for later. Each expansion card has a number of expansion points indicated by the helmet icon (1, 2, or 3). You need to add up the expansion points of all your cards to get your total expansion value.

The total expansion value represents how much you can expand just one company. You can choose which company you want to expand, but you can’t divide your expansion value among multiple companies. Focus on growing one company at a time.

Note: I want to share an important point with you. Don’t worry if any of the expansion cards you use show in their lower left corner an additional company share of any company. You see, these extra company shares only come into play during the final scoring phase. So, while you’re busy expanding a company, you can simply ignore them.

So, here’s what you need to do. First, pick a company to work with. Then, use your expansion points to enter new regions. These regions are divided by either single or double borders. Crossing a border will cost you either 1, 2, or 3 expansion points, depending on the type of border. Once you’ve used up all your expansion points, you’ll get the rewards for the regions you entered, and your turn is over.

Here’s How to Enter a Region:

1. When you’re choosing a region for your expanding company, it’s important to pick one that’s easy to reach. Look for a region that’s right next to your company’s base or to another region that has a trading post from your company. Make sure not to choose a region that already has one of your own trading posts.
2. Next, you’ll need to consider how many expansion points it will take to enter the region. If you only have to cross a single line border, it will cost you 1 expansion point. If you have to cross a double line border, it will cost you 2 expansion points. And if there’s already a trading post from another company in the region, it will cost you an additional 1 expansion point.

If you have enough expansion points to enter the region, you can take a trading post from the expanding company’s base and put it in the region. Each base has three columns with five spaces each. You can choose which column to take the trading post from, but it should be the one that is closest to the center of the map.

When you place the trading post in the region, make sure it is standing on its edge. This will show that you have entered the region but have not yet received its rewards.

Continue these steps for entering a region until you have used up all of your expansion points. If you don’t want to or can’t use all of your points, you will have to give up the remaining points.

Once you have used all of your expansion points, do the following:

1. First, I want you to gather up all the rewards from each region you visited. You can grab them in any order you like, no matter the order in which you went to the regions.
2. Next, I need you to kick out any trading posts from other companies that are in the regions you went to. Return each of these trading posts to an empty spot at their company’s base. You get to choose which column to put them in, as long as it’s not on the very back space. If a column is completely empty, you can put a trading post in the front spot, but if the back space is free, it can’t be covered again.

What to do after returning ousted trading posts in your company bases:

I wanted to make sure you were aware of what to do after returning ousted trading posts to their company bases. It’s a crucial step in the game, so pay attention! Let me break it down for you:

1. First, you need to check if there is more than one trading post in each region. If there is, you can’t place any more trading posts there. Once you’ve sorted that out, it’s time to tip over the upended trading posts and make sure they stand up properly, with the rooftop facing up. It might sound simple, but it’s an important detail to keep things in order.
2. Next, it’s time to wrap up your turn. To do that, flip all expansion cards in your action area face down. This signals that your turn has come to an end, and it’s time for the next player to take their turn. It’s a neat way to keep the game flowing smoothly.

Some additional things to keep in mind:

Hey there! Let me tell you something interesting about this map. You see, there are 2 special areas on it called “enclaves.” These enclaves are completely surrounded by another area on the map. So, before you can go into an enclave, you have to enter the region that surrounds it. These surrounding regions don’t have any rewards, though, so keep that in mind!

Now, here’s another rule for you. If a company base doesn’t have any trading posts left, it can’t expand until those trading posts are returned by ousting someone. Ousting means kicking someone out, by the way.

Oh, and another thing. If a company base runs out of trading posts while you’re trying to expand it, you have to give up any remaining points for that expansion. It’s a bummer, I know.

Finally, let me tell you what to do if you need to return an ousted trading post but there’s no empty space for it. In that case, you just remove the trading post from the game completely. It’s like it never existed. Poof!

If you only have one expansion card in your action area and it doesn’t have enough points to enter the region you want, you have to give up the action entirely and flip the card face down.

In a company base, the last space in each column is the most valuable because it has 2 coin icons and can’t be covered again. So, it’s usually a good idea to empty one column completely before moving on to the next. But if you have good reasons, you can empty the columns evenly too.

It doesn’t matter if a trading post is connected to its company base or not, you can still enter a region that is next to it.

Company bases are not regions, so you can’t enter them.

Hey there! Let me break it down for you! Before I go into detail about the “Use 1 bookkeeper card” move that helps you move your ink jar marker on the bookkeeping track, let’s talk about book tiles and bookkeeping points.

So, here’s the deal: your ink jar marker can only go on the spaces of your bookkeeping track if there are book tiles on those spaces. In simple terms, you need books from the book display to fill up your bookkeeping track. (By the way, you start with 1 book on your starting tile).

To get books from the book display, you need bookkeeping points. You can earn bookkeeping points when you expand a company, use a bookkeeper, or through special bonuses. But here’s the catch: you have to use your bookkeeping points right away. You can’t save them up for later!

Let’s talk about bookkeeping points. These points are valuable and can be used in different ways. You have a total number of bookkeeping points that you can split between the following options:

#image.jpg#image.jpg#image.jpg

• You can use 1 bookkeeping point to take 1 A-book from the book display.
• You can also use 1 bookkeeping point to take 1 B-book from the book display.
• If you’re willing to spend 2 bookkeeping points, you can take 1 C-book from the book display.
• For 1 bookkeeping point, you have the option to take 1 pound from the bank.

Once you’ve finished your turn, and you’ve used up all your reward points, it’s time to wrap things up. Here’s what you need to do if you got at least one book:

1. First, you need to put the books you have on your bookkeeping track. You can put each book in any space on the track. But there are a few things to think about:
2. You can’t put an A-book on an empty space that has an A crossed out. (Only B and C books can go in these spaces).
3. Books are essential for progressing in your bookkeeping journey. Let me explain how they work. In the upper part of the books, you’ll find requirements that you must fulfill using the cards in your action area. The better the requirements of the books match, the easier it is to fulfill multiple books at once and make faster progress on the track. Remember, you can’t skip empty spaces, so it’s usually a good idea to fill up the track from front to back. However, strategically placing books with similar requirements next to each other can also be beneficial and allow you to place books further up the track.
4. Once you place a book on a space, it’s there to stay (unless you can flip it – more on that later). You won’t be able to remove it, so choose your spots wisely!

When it comes to organizing your book collection, there are a few important factors to consider. First, it’s important to remember that you have the freedom to arrange your books in any order you like. You can categorize them by genre, author, or even color!

To keep things organized, start by placing a book on the designated track. If needed, you can stack new books on top of ones that are already there. However, make sure you don’t cover a B-book or C-book with an A-book. This will make it easier to find specific titles later on.

Next, fill in any empty spaces on the book display with face-up book tiles. These tiles can be drawn from the book supply, and you should use ones that correspond to the appropriate letter.

Finally, don’t forget to use your bookkeeper card in your action area. This card will help you keep track of your collection and ensure everything stays in order.

By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and organized book display that will make it easy to find your favorite reads. So go ahead and start organizing your books today!

Hey there! Let me walk you through an important action that can give you some awesome rewards – advancing your ink jar marker on your bookkeeping track. Here’s what you need to do:

1. First off, if you want to move your ink jar marker, you have the option to flip one book on your track face down. But keep in mind, this will cost you 2 pounds to the bank. However, this step is mostly meant as a last resort, so use it wisely.
2. Now, let’s talk about moving your ink jar marker forward on your bookkeeping track. You can move it as far as you like, but there are a few things to consider:
   • #image.jpgWhen moving forward, you need to do it book by book. Each book has its own set of requirements displayed in the upper half. These requirements match the cards you have face up in your action area. To enter a book, you need to check if the total value of the required cards in your action area is equal to or greater than the total value needed. It doesn’t matter in what order the requirements are listed. Once you meet all the requirements of a book, you can enter it. Then, you move on to checking if you meet the requirements of the next book. If you do, you can keep moving forward, and so on. Each book is considered separately, and their requirements don’t add up. The cards you use to meet the requirements are not used up or flipped. They remain in your action area. Flipped book tiles can be entered without any requirements. But remember, empty spaces on the bookkeeping track cannot be entered.

   If you can’t or don’t want to go any further, just leave your ink jar marker on the current book tile. That’s where you’ll get your reward. But remember, if you use a flipped book tile, you won’t get any reward. And if you didn’t move at all, sorry, no reward for you.

   • #image.jpgOnce you’re done moving your ink jar marker forward, take note of the total bookkeeping points on the bookkeeper card as usual.

   Once that’s done, flip the used bookkeeper card over and your turn is over.

   Hey there!

   If you’re thinking about getting a bookkeeper to help you with your bookkeeping, make sure you do it before using any of your action cards. Once you use those cards, you can’t use them for any other requirements.

   4. Use 1 diamond merchant card in your action area

   Hey there! I’ve got a super important tip for you. So, listen up! You know those diamond merchant cards? Well, I’ve got one cool idea for you. How about using just one of those cards in your action area? Trust me, it’s worth your while! Let me explain.

   Here’s the deal – when you use a diamond merchant card in your action area, something amazing happens. It’s like a magic trick! Just one card can totally transform your game. It’s like having a secret weapon up your sleeve. And who doesn’t want that?

   Using a diamond merchant card in your action area is a game-changer. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You’ll be able to do things you never thought possible. It’s like discovering a hidden treasure chest full of surprises. Who wouldn’t want that thrill?

   Think about it – with just one diamond merchant card in your action area, you’ll have the power to make strategic moves that will leave your opponents in awe. They won’t know what hit them! You’ll be like a mastermind, planning your every move with precision and finesse. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other.

   But here’s the thing – choosing the right moment to use that diamond merchant card is crucial. You have to be smart about it. Timing is everything. It’s like a game of chess – every move counts. So, take your time, analyze the board, and make your move when the time is right. Trust your instincts, and you’ll come out on top.

   So, my friend, the choice is yours. Are you ready to unleash the power of the diamond merchant card? Are you ready to take your game to a whole new level? I know you can do it. Just remember, one card is all it takes to change everything. So go ahead, make your move, and let the games begin!

   When you take this action, you’ll move your diamond marker along the diamond track and collect a few pounds.

   Remember: Diamond merchants are special cards that you don’t start with. There are a total of 5 diamond merchants available from the card display during the game.

   To perform this action, simply use one of the diamond merchant cards in your action area.

   If you choose to use a diamond merchant, you’ll move your diamond marker one space forward on the track and receive 2 pounds from the bank.

   But if you use the Cairo diamond merchant, you’ll move your diamond marker forward by two spaces and take 1 pound from the bank.

   If you’re wondering about what to do next, I have a helpful suggestion for you. Well, it’s actually an interesting strategy you can follow to gain an advantage in the game. Let’s dive into it! First, take a look at your diamond track and see if you can make any additional moves. It’s quite simple, really. Just pay attention to the regions controlled by the Cairo company, which you can identify by the presence of orange trading posts.

   Now, here’s where things get exciting. Count the number of mine icons that the Cairo company has in those regions. For every two mine icons they control, you can move your diamond marker one more space forward on your diamond track. Isn’t that cool?

   So, the more mine icons the Cairo company has, the farther you can advance on your diamond track. It’s like a little boost to help you on your journey. Plus, it adds a strategic element to the game. I love it!

   Alright, now that you know this awesome trick, put it into action and see how it works for you. Remember, keep an eye on those mine icons and use them to your advantage. Good luck and have fun!

   Every company has a diamond merchant who works just like the diamond merchant in Cairo.

   Once you’ve used your diamond merchant, turn it over. Your turn is done.

   5. Place 1 bonus marker

   Alright, let’s talk about placing bonus markers! It’s super important to know how and when to do this in the game. So, let me break it down for you.

   When I want to place a bonus marker, I need to keep a few things in mind. First, I need to think about where it will have the most impact. This means finding a spot on the board that will give me the best advantage. I want to make sure I’m getting the most out of my bonus marker.

   Next, I have to consider the other players. I don’t want to place my bonus marker somewhere that will help them too much. I need to think strategically and find a spot that benefits me more than it does them. It’s all about finding that perfect balance.

   And finally, I need to be mindful of the overall game situation. Are there any specific goals or objectives I should be focusing on? This will play a big role in deciding where to place my bonus marker. I want to make sure I’m working towards my own agenda while also taking into account what others are doing.

   So, there you have it. Placing a bonus marker is all about finding the best spot on the board, thinking strategically, and considering the overall game situation. With these factors in mind, you’ll be placing bonus markers like a pro in no time!

   When you take this action, you have the opportunity to place one of your bonus markers onto an empty bonus space. Doing so will grant you certain privileges or rewards.

   To complete this action, simply select one of the bonus markers in front of you and place it onto an empty bonus space. It’s as simple as that!

   Hey there! Let me tell you about these bonus spaces in a fun way.

   So, you know when you’re playing a game and you have to do something special to get a bonus? Well, that’s what these bonus spaces are all about!

   Each bonus space has its own rule or cost that you have to follow. It’s like a little challenge within the game. If you meet the requirement or pay the cost, you get to put your marker on the space.

   Now, here’s the cool part. Some bonus spaces give you an instant reward right away! That means you get a prize or something good as soon as you put your marker down. How awesome is that?

   But wait, there’s more! Other bonus spaces let you reserve a special tile for the next round. It’s like saving a treat for later. You don’t get it right away, but you know it will be there waiting for you in the next round.

   Oh, and one more thing. Once you put your marker on a bonus space, nobody else can use it for the rest of that round. It’s like you claimed it as your own little spot.

   So, on the game board, you’ll see different kinds of bonus spaces. Each one has its own unique rule or cost. It’s up to you to decide which ones you want to go for.

   That’s all there is to it! Pretty cool, right? Now you know all about these bonus spaces and how they can make the game even more exciting. Have fun playing!

   Majority Bonus Spaces

   Rule: You can place your bonus marker on this space only if no one else has more coffee units face up in their action area than you do (a tie is okay).

   Reward: If you have 1 or 2 coffee units, move your marker 2 spaces forward on the Cairo track. If you have 3 or 4 coffee units, move your marker 3 spaces forward on the Cairo track. If you have 5 or more coffee units, move your marker 4 spaces forward on the Cairo track AND remove a trading post from any company base you choose.

   Important: Placing your marker here doesn’t use up the cards in your action area. So keep them face up!

   Here’s how the majority bonus spaces work: You can only put your bonus marker on a majority bonus space if you currently have the majority or at least the same number as others of the required type (goods units/expansion points) facing up in your action area.

   Depending on the total value of the required type, you get a reward. This includes moving forward on a specific company track and possibly getting an extra reward, like using 1 bookkeeping point or taking 1 pound.

   If you want, you can always choose a lower-value reward than what you actually have. For example, even if you have 6 units of cotton in your action area, you can still choose the “4+” cotton reward instead of the “6+” cotton reward.

   Bonus Tile Spaces

   In this task, I’ll explain what you need to do and what you’ll get as a reward. It’s pretty straightforward, so let’s get started!

   Requirement: You must pay the bank the specified number of pounds indicated in either space 1 or space 2.

   Reward: When you fulfill the requirement, you won’t see an immediate impact. Instead, you’ll reserve a valuable bonus tile for the next round. However, please remember that you can’t use or take advantage of the bonus tile right away. You’ll have to wait until the “Preparation phase for the next round” to get it. Be patient, it will be worth the wait!

   What Are Bonus Tiles?

   If you reserved a bonus tile through its designated space, you’ll receive the tile during the “Preparation phase for the next round”. (If you reserved multiple bonus tiles, you’ll get all of them, naturally). There are a total of 4 bonus tiles available: one tile that grants an additional goods, and three tiles that represent action cards (including a bookkeeper card, a diamond merchant card, and an expansion card).

   The great advantage of the action card bonus tiles is that they function just like regular action cards but don’t occupy one of the slots in your action area. They are extra cards that complement the ones in your existing slots, and are placed slightly apart from them in your action area.

   It’s important to note that these bonus tiles count as action cards of their respective types and are used in the same way as regular cards of that type. Once they have been used, they are flipped face down as usual.

   The goods tile that grants a +1 bonus.

   When you get the “+1”-goods tile, put it next to your player board and keep it there until the General action phase. Then, during any of your turns in the General action phase, you can take the “+1”-goods tile and place it on any face-up goods card in your action area.

   After that, the value of that goods card goes up by 1 unit for everything.

   • Once you put it on a goods card, you can’t move the “+1”-goods tile to a different card.
   • After you use the goods card with the tile, flip them both face down.
   • You can’t use the tile by itself, it has to go on a goods card.

   Bookkeeper-card tile.

   This bookkeeper works just like any other bookkeeper, but it only gives you 1 bookkeeping point. Diamond merchant-card tile.

   When you play as the Diamond Merchant, you’ll take a big leap forward on your diamond track. But that’s not all! For every other face-up Diamond Merchant card you have in your action area (excluding the Diamond Merchant card you just used), you’ll get to move one extra space. It’s like getting bonus points for having more Diamond Merchant cards!

   Now let me tell you about the Expansion card tile…

   If you have any unused cards or bonus tiles in your action area, use them instead of performing the end action. You can’t bring them into the next round, though.

   If you can’t or don’t want to do any of the other actions, you can end your own action phase. This means you drop out of the General action phase for this round.

   To end your own action phase, follow these 2 steps:

   1. First, choose one of your resting decks. In the first round, each resting deck has only one card. Later, resting decks may have multiple cards. Take all the cards from your chosen resting deck into your hand.

   Here’s what you need to do:

   1. To start, tidy up your action area by turning the cards face up again.
   2. Move each card from its action slot back to its resting deck.
   3. If there are already cards in the resting deck, slide the new card in from behind. This will create an overlapping column with the top of each card visible.
   4. If you have any bonus tiles, put them back on the right side of the game board.

   Note: Remember, before each new Planning phase, you pick up 1 resting deck. It’s important to have all potential cards visible so you can plan ahead effectively.

   If you choose to end your own action phase, you won’t get to participate in the General action phase for the rest of the game. Be aware that once every player has ended their own action phase, we move on to preparing for the next round. This happens after round 7 as well, when we enter the final scoring phase.

   III. Preparing for the Next Round

   Here’s what you need to do:

   • Take coins from the round track and put them in the book display
   • Make sure the card display is fully stocked
   • Give back the bonus markers to the players, including any bonus tiles

   A. Moving coins from the round track to the book display

   Hey there! Let’s talk about the round track in this game. It’s pretty cool, I promise!

   Okay, so on spaces 2 to 7 of the track, you’ll find a stack of coins. The number of coins in each stack depends on how many players are in the game. It could be 1 coin or 2 coins.

   Now, here’s where things get interesting. Take the coins from the leftmost stack and move them down to the wooden spaces below. Each wooden space matches the number on the space where you took the coins from. If there’s only 1 coin, put it on the wooden space in the first row. If there are 2 coins, put one on the first row and the other on the second row.

   Now, here’s the cool part. Each coin you move to the book display is connected to the book right above it. So if you end up getting that book, you also get the coin!

   Oh, and don’t forget about the round track. The number that’s revealed on it tells you which round is coming up next. Exciting stuff, right?

   B. Let’s fill up that card display now!

   To start, let’s make sure there are no cards left in the right column. If there are, we need to put them on the action card discard pile. After that, we want to make sure that each row in the display has either two, one, or no cards left.

   If there are two cards in a row, we should move them both to the right, filling up the right and middle spaces. And if there’s only one card left in a row, we’ll move it to the right space of that row.

   Once all the cards are rearranged, we’ll need to fill the empty spaces in the card display. Starting with the right column, we’ll place a face-up card in each empty space from top to bottom. Then we’ll move on to the middle column and do the same, filling the empty spaces from top to bottom. Finally, we’ll fill the empty spaces in the left column, again from top to bottom.

   If we run out of action cards, we won’t be able to fill any more empty spaces in the display.

   Step 3: Get Your Bonus Markers Back

   It’s time to collect your bonus markers! Take a moment to retrieve your markers from any bonus spaces and put them beside your player board. If you had a bonus marker on a bonus tile space, you also get to take the corresponding bonus tile. Just make sure to place it face up in your action area. The “+1” goods tile, on the other hand, should be placed next to your player board.

   Once you’ve gathered all your bonus markers, we can move on to the next round and start the Planning phase.

   Hey there! Let’s talk about the last 8 cards in the action card stack. These cards are called single share cards, and they work a little differently from the others.

   Unlike the other cards, single share cards only represent one additional share of a specific company. Once you get one of these cards, you keep it in your hand until the final scoring phase. You can’t use it in one of your action slots because it doesn’t have an associated action.

   The End of the Game

   Once we finish round 7’s General action phase, the game is over. Now it’s time for the final scoring phase. Here’s what happens:

   First, let’s gather all of our inactive cards by picking up our resting decks. From there, we’ll look for cards that have an extra company share in the lower left corner. Sort those cards by company and place them in front of you.

   Next, grab the scoring notepad that’s included. We’ll go through the 7 scoring categories one by one and write down how many points each player earns in each category:

   First things first, grab a piece of paper and jot down how much cash each player has in front of them.

   Now, let’s focus on the Mombasa company. I want you to figure out how many pounds each player scores for their shares in Mombasa. To do this, count how many coin icons are uncovered in Mombasa’s company base. Then, multiply that number by the total shares that each player owns in Mombasa. Write down the result for each player.

   Hey there! Just a quick reminder: the number of shares a player has in a company is determined by the last share icon they reach or pass on that company’s track, plus any extra shares they have on their cards.

   Now, let’s figure out each player’s Mombasa shares. Write down their results. Then, we’ll do the same for the Cape Town company, the Saint-Louis company, and finally the Cairo company.

   Take a look at each player’s diamond marker on their diamond track to see how far they’ve moved. Jot down the value where they last landed.

   Take a look at each player’s board and see how far they’ve moved their ink jar marker on their bookkeeping track. Write down the value that the marker has passed last.

   If a marker hasn’t advanced enough to score, we’ll ignore it. And book tiles, whether the ink jar marker has entered them or not, don’t count for anything right now.

   Once you’ve written everything down, add up the scores for the 7 categories for each player.

   The player with the highest score, meaning they’ve earned the most money, is the winner. In the event of a tie, it’s a shared victory.