Ticket to Ride: The Card Game (2008) Board Game

Ticket to Ride: The Card Game is a spin-off of the popular board game Ticket to Ride, which was designed by Alan R. Moon and first published in 2008 by Days of Wonder. The card game version offers a more compact and portable version of the original game, making it easier to take on the go.

Game Components of Ticket to Ride: The Card Game

Train Cards: 96 cards, each displaying one of eight colors or a locomotive (wild card).

Destination Tickets: 46 cards listing routes and required train card sets.

Big City Bonus Cards: 6 cards awarded for completing tickets to major cities.

Locomotive Cards: Each player starts with one locomotive card.

How To Setup Ticket to Ride: The Card Game

To set up the game, each player is given one locomotive card and seven other train cards. The remaining train cards are shuffled and five are flipped face-up next to the draw pile. Six destination tickets are dealt to each player, who must keep at least one. The big city bonus cards are set aside. Players then choose which destination tickets they want to keep, shuffling the unchosen tickets back into the draw pile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Score the most points by completing destination tickets and connecting to big cities.

Turn Structure:

Move Cards: Move one card from each color in the railyard to the on-the-track stack face-down.

Take an Action: Draw train cards, draw destination tickets, or play train cards to the railyard.

End of Game: When the train deck runs out, players complete their destination tickets using the cards in their on-the-track stack. Completed tickets score points, while uncompleted tickets deduct points. Big city bonuses are awarded to players who completed the most tickets to each big city.

Player Experience

Ticket to Ride: The Card Game offers a blend of strategy and memory challenge. Players must manage their train cards carefully, balancing the risk of losing cards in the railyard with the need to remember which cards are in their on-the-track stack. The game is particularly engaging with three players, providing a good balance between elegance and player interaction.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic planning and memory to manage cards effectively.

Color-Blind Friendly: Uses symbols to help color-blind players distinguish between colors.

Quick Gameplay: Typically lasts about 30 minutes, making it a great filler game.

Cons

Memory Requirement: Can be challenging to remember which cards are in the on-the-track stack, especially for less experienced players.

Crowded with More Players: The game feels more crowded and less enjoyable with four players compared to two or three.

Personal Thoughts on Ticket to Ride: The Card Game

Ticket to Ride: The Card Game is ideal for fans of strategic card games and those who enjoy set collection and memory challenges. It’s a great introduction for new players to the Ticket to Ride series and offers a unique twist on the traditional board game version. The game is suitable for players looking for a compact, engaging experience that can be completed in under an hour. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with less memory reliance or more direct interaction.

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