Instructions Jambo

Objective

Jambo is a two-player game where players take on the roles of African traders in the jungle during the 19th century. The objective is to outgain the opponent through clever use of goods, money, and cards.

Components

• 112 game cards, consisting of good cards, people and animal cards, and utility cards.
• Goods markers in five different types.
• Money markers in various denominations.

Setup

1. Each player starts with 5 money and a set (2 pieces each) of the five goods (parrots, ivory, furs, spices, jewelry).
2. Shuffle the cards thoroughly and place them as a draw pile in the center.
3. Each player draws 5 cards into their hand.

Gameplay

The game is played in turns, with players alternating. Each player has 5 actions per turn. Possible actions include:

1. Drawing Cards: A player can draw up to 5 cards from the draw pile (each costs 1 action) and can discard or swap those they don't want by refining through the market.
2. Playing Cards:
3. Goods Cards: A player can play one goods card per turn to buy or sell goods markers for the price shown.
4. People and Animal Cards: These offer immediate actions or benefits, such as extra money, goods exchange, etc.
5. Utility Cards: Certain utility cards can be played that increase the number of actions or have special effects.

Each player may not have more than 5 cards in their hand at the end of a turn.

End of the Game

The game ends when the draw pile is exhausted, or a player has less than 5 money at the start of their turn. The player with the most money wins.

Strategic Considerations

• Goods Management: Choose cards wisely to maintain a good balance between stocked and needed goods.
• Money Management: Always keep enough money to respond flexibly to opportunities.
• Card Selection: Decide wisely which cards to keep and play, as too many cards limit your options.

By effectively combining actions and cards, a player can optimize their turns to maximize gains. Jambo relies more on strategy than luck, requiring smart purchasing decisions and efficient resource use to secure victory.