Description
The object of the game is to gain points by mounting profitable archaeological expeditions to the different sites represented by the colored suits of cards. On a player’s turn, they must first play one card, either to an expedition or by discarding it to the color-appropriate discard pile, then draw one card, either from the deck or from the top of a discard pile. Cards played to expeditions must be in ascending order, but they need not be consecutive. Handshakes are considered lower than a 2 and represent investments in an expedition. Thus, if you play a red 4, you may play any other red card higher than a 4 on a future turn but may no longer play a handshake, the 2, or the 3.
The game continues in this fashion with players alternating turns until the final card is taken from the deck. The rest of the cards in hand are then discarded and players score their expeditions. Each expedition that has at least one card played into it must be scored. Cards played into an expedition are worth their rank in points, and handshakes count as a multiplier against your final total; one handshake doubles an expedition’s value, while two handshakes triples that value and three handshakes quadruple it. Expeditions start at a value of -20, so you must play at least 20 points of cards into an expedition in order to make a profit. If you are left with a negative value and have a handshake, the multiplier still applies. A 20-point bonus is awarded to every expedition with at least eight cards played into it.
Tournament Format
Platform – BoardGameArena + Discord (DISCORD.GG/MRHTB4M)
Players Per Table – 2
Rounds – 7+3
Tournament Link – https://boardgamearena.com/tournament?id=129198
TOURNAMENT RULES & INFORMATION SHEET
This tournament will be played in two phases. The first phase will be played using the BoardGameArena (BGA) automated tournament system. The second phase (the playoffs) will be organised through Discord. Please read the Tournament Rules & Information Sheet for full details.
All participants must join the tournament on BGA using the above link and “register”. This option will only become available 24 hours before the tournament is scheduled to begin, as this helps to avoid players signing up and then not showing up to take part in the tournament. To join on BGA you will need 100 ELO points which can easily be achieved by playing a few games, however if you’re unable to do so you may request an invitation using our BGA INVITE REQUEST form. Requests must be submitted between 24 and 2 hours before the tournament begins, requests received outside of this period will not be processed.
All participants should make themselves familiar with our BGA AUTOMATED TOURNAMENTS RULES which also explains how BGA will organise the tournament.
If you require an arbiter/administrator during the tournament please contact us via DISCORD. The MindSportsOlympiad BGA account is not regularly monitored for messages.