Union Pacific

Objective of the Game:
In "Union Pacific," players assume the role of investors in the railroad industry during the expansion of rail lines in the USA. The aim is to have the most money at the game's end by investing strategically in stocks and influencing the growth of railroad companies.

Components

• 1 Game board with a map of the USA displaying the expansion of railroad companies.
• 80 Stock cards divided among different railway companies
• 25 Locomotives used to mark the companies' routes on the board
• Play money
• 27 Scoring cards randomly shuffled into the deck

Setup

1. Every player receives 1 Union Pacific stock card at the beginning.
2. The remaining stock cards are shuffled. Each player draws 5 cards into their hand.
3. The rest of the stock cards form a face-down draw pile.
4. Money is allocated, and each player starts with $2,000.
5. The game board is placed in the center, and the locomotives are prepared.

Gameplay

The game is played in rounds, with each player taking a turn following these steps:

1. Draw a card: The player draws a card from the deck or chooses one of the face-up cards from the market (3 cards are face-up).
2. Take an action: The player chooses one of the following actions:
3. Invest: Place a stock card face down in front of them. A player can only hold a limited number of stocks from each company.
4. Expand: Place a locomotive on the board to expand a company's railway network.
5. End the turn by refilling the market to 3 cards.

Scoring

During the game, 4 scoring rounds occur as triggered by revealing scoring cards. Each scoring evaluates the players' holdings in various companies; dividends are given based on majority holdings: - Majority Holder: The player with the most stocks earns the highest dividend. - Second Place: Earns a lesser dividend. Ties result in even splits.

End Game and Winning

The game concludes once all scoring cards have been revealed and no valid moves remain. The player with the most money, including stock values, wins.

Strategic Considerations

• Note that the track network of each company on the board holds significance. Recognizing expansion opportunities can increase a company's value.
• Since scoring cards are random, it pays to remain flexible in stock investment across companies.
• Union Pacific stocks are particularly valuable as they feature in every scoring round.
• Keep a close watch on other players' actions to gauge their investment strategies.