Instructions Die Kaufleute von Amsterdam

Objective of the Game

"Merchants of Amsterdam" is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of merchants in 17th century Amsterdam. The goal of the game is to collect the most victory points by trading goods and fulfilling contracts.

Components

• 1 Game Board
• 4 Sets of Player Pieces (each in a different color)
• Various Goods Cards
• Contract Cards
• Coins (Money)
• An Auction Clock
• Various Markers

Setup

1. Set up the Game Board: Place the game board in the center of the table.
2. Distribute Player Pieces: Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding pieces.
3. Shuffle Cards: Shuffle the goods and contract cards and place them on the designated areas of the board.
4. Distribute Starting Money: Each player receives a certain amount of coins as starting capital.

Game Play

The game is played over several rounds, each consisting of three main phases: Auction Phase, Trading Phase, and Building Phase.

1. Auction Phase

• Auction Mechanism: A central mechanism of the game is the Clock Auction. The clock starts at a set value and decreases slowly. Players can call "Stop" at any time to accept the current price.
• This phase is used to acquire contracts or specific bonuses that provide advantages during the game.

2. Trading Phase

• Acquire and Sell Goods: Players can draw or sell goods cards. Prices may vary depending on demand.
• Fulfilling Contracts: Players can also fulfill contracts by delivering certain goods, earning victory points in return.

3. Building Phase

• Make Investments: Players can invest in the construction of buildings or ships. These projects offer additional victory points or trade modifiers at the end of the game.

Special Features and Strategies

• Economic Planning: Good planning and foresight are necessary to make the best purchase or sale at the right time.
• Auction Timing: The clock auction requires good timing and quick reactions to avoid overpaying for an acquisition.
• Variety in Contracts: A wide range of fulfilled contracts can make a decisive difference.

End of the Game and Scoring

The game ends after a set number of rounds. Players tally their earned victory points from fulfilled contracts, remaining monetary resources, and constructed buildings. The player with the most victory points wins.

Conclusion

"Merchants of Amsterdam" combines strategic planning with exciting auctions. Players who maintain a good overview of the game development can prevail through clever decisions and timing.