Thurn and Taxis: A Comprehensive Guide to Rules, Instructions, Strategy, and Winning Tips

Introduction

Thurn and Taxis is a board game that I, as a board and card game oldie with too many hours invested, have come to appreciate for its strategic depth and historical context. Named after the 16th-century postal system established by the Thurn and Taxis family in Bavaria, Germany, the game challenges players to build the most efficient postal network across the region. The game was designed by Karen and Andreas Seyfarth and published by Hans im Glück in 2006. It won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award in 2006, a testament to its engaging gameplay and design.

To play Thurn and Taxis, you will need the game board, which represents a map of Germany and its surrounding countries, 80 post offices in four colors, 20 carriage cards, 30 bonus tiles, and a set of cards representing different cities. Each player also receives a summary card to help them keep track of their actions during the game.

Rules for Playing Thurn and Taxis

The rules of Thurn and Taxis are straightforward. The goal of the game is to score the most points by building postal routes across the map. A player’s turn consists of three steps: drawing a card, playing a card to continue a route, and then choosing to close the route or continue building it. The game ends when a player reaches a carriage level of 7, or when all the post offices of one color have been placed on the board.

While the official rules provide a balanced and fair game, some players like to introduce ‘house rules’ to add variety. For example, some players might agree to play with a time limit, or to allow trading of city cards between players.

How to Play Thurn and Taxis

Setup

1. Each player chooses a color and takes the 20 post offices in that color.
2. The game board is placed in the middle of the table, and the carriage cards are sorted by level and placed next to the board.
3. The city cards are shuffled and six are placed face up next to the board. The rest form a draw pile.
4. Each player draws a hand of three city cards.

Gameplay

1. On their turn, a player must first draw a city card from the display or the draw pile.
2. They then play a city card from their hand to start a new route or continue an existing one. The new city must be adjacent to the last city in their route.
3. The player may then choose to close their route. They place post offices in the cities on their route, score points, and possibly upgrade their carriage.
4. If a player has a route of at least three cities, they must close it at the end of their turn.

End of the Game

The game ends when a player reaches a carriage level of 7, or when all the post offices of one color have been placed on the board. The player with the most points wins the game.

How to Win at Thurn and Taxis

Winning at Thurn and Taxis requires a balance of strategy and adaptability. Here are some strategies that can help you win the game:

1. Build Long Routes: Longer routes earn more points and allow you to upgrade your carriage faster. Try to keep your routes open as long as possible before closing them.
2. Upgrade Your Carriage: Upgrading your carriage allows you to build longer routes and score more points. Aim to upgrade your carriage as quickly as possible.
3. Control the Board: Placing your post offices strategically can limit your opponents’ options and give you control over certain regions of the board.
4. Use Bonus Tiles: Bonus tiles can give you a significant point boost. Try to claim as many bonus tiles as you can.

Best Strategies for Playing Thurn and Taxis

As a seasoned player of Thurn and Taxis, I can share some advanced strategies that can give you an edge in the game:

1. Plan Your Routes: Try to plan your routes a few turns in advance. This will allow you to build longer routes and score more points.
2. Adapt to the Card Draw: The city cards you draw can greatly influence your strategy. Be flexible and adapt your strategy based on the cards you draw.
3. Block Your Opponents: If you see an opponent building a route towards a certain city, consider placing your post office there first to block them.
4. Balance Risk and Reward: Building longer routes is risky, but it can also be very rewarding. Balance the risk and reward based on your current position in the game.

Scenarios for Thurn and Taxis

During a game of Thurn and Taxis, you might find yourself in various scenarios. Here are some common scenarios and how to handle them:

1. You have a long route, but you’re not sure whether to close it or keep building. In this case, consider the risk and reward. If you can potentially score a lot of points by adding one more city, it might be worth the risk. But if your opponents are close to ending the game, it might be safer to close the route and score your points.
2. You’re behind in points, but you have a high-level carriage. In this case, focus on building long routes to take advantage of your high-level carriage. You can score a lot of points quickly and catch up to your opponents.
3. Your opponents are controlling the board and blocking your routes. In this case, try to find alternative routes or use your post offices to block your opponents in return.

Frequently Asked Questions about Playing Thurn and Taxis

1. Can I play a city card that is not adjacent to my route? No, you can only play a city card that is adjacent to the last city in your route.
2. Can I close a route of less than three cities? No, you can only close a route of at least three cities.
3. What happens if the draw pile runs out? If the draw pile runs out, shuffle the discard pile to create a new draw pile.
4. Can I have more than one route at a time? No, you can only have one route at a time.
5. What happens if all the post offices of one color are placed on the board? The game ends immediately and the player with the most points wins.

External Links

For more information about Thurn and Taxis, visit the official game website here.