HT Games
Goal: To collect the most points by claiming routes on the board and completing your destination tickets.
Players: 2-5 players
Setup:
* Each player gets a set of colored train cars (usually 45), destination tickets, and a player board.
* The map is laid out with city cards and route connections.
* A stack of colored train cars is placed in the center of the table.
* Each player draws a hand of three destination tickets (or two for two-player games).
Gameplay:
1. Claiming Routes:
* Players take turns claiming routes by playing train cars of the same color or a combination of colors.
* The number of cars needed for each route is shown on the map.
* Routes can be claimed by playing from your hand or by drawing from the center pile.
2. Destination Tickets:
* Players can choose to keep or discard destination tickets at the start of their turn.
* Points are awarded for completing destination tickets by connecting the two cities on the ticket.
* If a player can't complete a destination ticket, they receive a penalty.
3. Drawing Train Cars:
* Players can draw up to two train cars on their turn.
* They can either draw from the center pile or from the face-down deck.
4. Wild Cards:
* Wild cards can be used as any color car.
* They are often drawn from the center pile or the face-down deck.
5. End of the Game:
* The game ends when a player has claimed 15 or more train cars or when no routes remain to be claimed.
* All players finish their current turn and then the game ends.
Scoring:
* Completed Destination Tickets: Points are awarded according to the distance on the ticket.
* Claimed Routes: Each route claimed awards a set amount of points based on its length.
* Uncompleted Destination Tickets: Penalties are deducted for uncompleted tickets.
The player with the highest score wins the game.
Important Rules:
* Longest Route: The player who claims the longest continuous route gets bonus points.
* No Backtracking: You cannot use the same route twice.
* Blocking: You can block other players by claiming routes they need to complete their destination tickets.
Variations and Expansions:
* Ticket to Ride: Europe: A larger board with new routes and destinations.
* Ticket to Ride: First Journey: A simplified version for younger players.
* Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary: A special edition with new train cars and a bonus expansion.
This is a brief overview of the basic rules. There are more detailed rules and variations depending on the specific edition of Ticket to Ride.