Instructions for Hanamikoji
Objective of the Game:
In Hanamikoji, the goal is to earn the favor of at least four Geishas or achieve the highest favor points by the end of the game.
Components
- 21 Geisha cards (with values from 2 to 5)
- 7 Geisha tokens
- 4 action markers per player
- 21 Item cards corresponding to the Geishas
Setup
- Lay the seven Geisha cards in a line in the center of the table. Place the corresponding Geisha tokens on each card.
- Each player receives four action markers.
- Shuffle the 21 Item cards and place them in a draw pile.
Game Play
The game is played over several rounds, with players vying for the Geishas' favor.
Round Structure
- Dealing cards: At the start of each round, each player receives six Item cards.
- Drawing cards: Players alternate drawing from the pile until each has a hand of 7 cards.
- Taking actions: In each round, both players will perform all four of their actions. Players choose secretly and strategically in which order to perform these actions:
- Secret: The player chooses one card from their hand to place face down as a secret. It is revealed at the end of the round and contributes to the favor count for that Geisha.
- Trade-off: The player selects three cards, their opponent chooses one to play immediately to the corresponding Geisha, and the player plays the other two.
- Gift: The player selects two cards to put in a face-down pile. These cards are not revealed or used this round.
- Competition: The player splits the remaining cards into two groups. The opponent chooses one group and places those cards on the corresponding Geishas. The player places the remaining group's cards on the Geishas.
Players should carefully choose when to use each action to maximize their influence over the more valuable Geishas.
Gaining Favor
At the end of each round, the favor of each Geisha is evaluated. Each player counts the number of cards in their color on their side for each Geisha. The player with the most cards gains that Geisha's favor and moves the token to their side.
End of the Game
The game ends when a player: - Earns the favor of four Geishas, or - Achieves a total favor point of eleven or more (adding up the values of the Geishas whose favor they've won).
In these cases, that player is declared the winner.
Strategy Tips
- Pay attention to the Geishas' total value, not just their number.
- Try to predict which actions your opponent will take.
- Adjust your strategy based on the revealed cards and your opponent's actions.
Hanamikoji is a game that requires not only planning but also reading the opponent and anticipating their actions. Enjoy the game!
