Afrikan tähti: Unleashing the Adventurer in You with Strategy, Rules & Instructions

Introduction

Afrikan tähti, also known as The Star of Africa, is a popular Finnish board game that has been entertaining players since its creation in 1951. It’s been one of the highest-selling Finnish board games for most of that time, and a few of my Finnish friends describe it as a family classic. The game is a journey across the African continent, where players search for the precious gem, the Star of Africa.

The game is designed for 2-6 players and is suitable for all ages. The equipment needed to play the game includes a game board, which is a map of Africa, 6 pawns, 52 playing cards, and 24 gemstones, including the Star of Africa.

If you’re into popular Finnish board games, I recommend checking out Inkan Aarre, which I’ve also written a guide on!

Rules for playing Afrikan tähti

1. Each player chooses a pawn and places it on one of the starting cities on the game board.
2. Players take turns to roll the dice and move their pawn the corresponding number of spaces.
3. When a player lands on a city, they can choose to buy a gemstone by paying with their playing cards. The value of the gemstone is unknown until it is purchased.
4. If a player lands on a space with an event symbol, they must draw an event card and follow the instructions.
5. The game continues until a player finds the Star of Africa and returns to one of the starting cities.

House rules can be introduced to add variations to the game. For example, players can agree to reveal the value of gemstones before they are purchased, or to allow trading of gemstones between players.

How to Win at Afrikan tähti

Winning at Afrikan tähti requires a combination of strategy, luck, and risk-taking. Here are some strategies for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players:

1. Beginners should focus on learning the rules and understanding the value of gemstones. It’s important to remember that not all gemstones are equal – the Star of Africa is the most valuable and the key to winning the game.
2. Intermediate players can start to develop strategies based on the layout of the game board. For example, choosing a route that passes through many cities increases the chances of finding valuable gemstones.
3. Advanced players can use their knowledge of the game to make strategic decisions. For example, they might choose to take a risk and travel to a distant city in the hope of finding the Star of Africa, or they might choose to play it safe and stay close to the starting cities.

Best Strategies for playing Afrikan tähti game

The best strategy for playing Afrikan tähti is to balance risk and reward. Here are some strategic plays to aim for:

1. Try to visit as many cities as possible to increase your chances of finding the Star of Africa.
2. Keep an eye on your opponents’ moves and try to anticipate their strategies.
3. Use your event cards wisely. They can help you to gain an advantage or disrupt your opponents’ plans.
4. Remember that the game is not over until a player returns to a starting city with the Star of Africa. Even if another player finds the Star first, you can still win by preventing them from returning to a starting city.

Scenarios for Afrikan tähti

There are many scenarios that can arise during a game of Afrikan tähti. Here are some common good and bad scenarios, and how to turn them to your advantage:

1. If you find a valuable gemstone early in the game, this can give you a significant advantage. You can use this to intimidate your opponents and force them to take risks.
2. If you are running low on playing cards, this can put you at a disadvantage. However, you can turn this around by focusing on visiting cities where you can buy gemstones cheaply.
3. If another player finds the Star of Africa before you, don’t give up. You can still win by blocking their path to a starting city or by using your event cards to slow them down.
4. If you are far from a starting city when the Star of Africa is found, this can seem like a bad scenario. However, you can use this to your advantage by taking a risk and heading for a distant city where the Star might be hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Afrikan tähti game

1. What is the age limit for playing Afrikan tähti?
   There is no age limit for playing Afrikan tähti. The game is suitable for all ages.
2. How long does a game of Afrikan tähti usually last?
   A game of Afrikan tähti usually lasts between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the number of players and their level of experience.
3. Can I play Afrikan tähti with more than 6 players?
   The game is designed for 2-6 players. However, you can play with more players by using additional pawns and playing cards.
4. What happens if two players reach a starting city with the Star of Africa at the same time?
   In this case, the player who started the game wins.
5. Can I trade gemstones with other players?
   Trading of gemstones is not allowed in the official rules, but it can be introduced as a house rule.

External Links

For more information about Afrikan tähti and it’s place in Finnish culture, consider reading about some of the colonial debate it has spawned.

An outsider’s review on Afrikan tähti [Video]