Gameplay Examples

The Setup

It's Sarah's turn. She's trailing behind Tom by 12 points and needs to make up ground. She's been collecting maps (has 2 already) and could really use more to hit the 4-map bonus.

The Dive Begins

Sarah thinks: "Good value, but already 2 pressure. I'll keep going."

Sarah thinks: "A map! If I get one more, I'll have 4 total for the bonus. Let me push a bit more..."

Sarah thinks: "6 pressure already! That compass has 3 dots. But I still need another map..."

Sarah: "Whew! 8 pressure. I'm stopping here!"

Now Tom must divide the 4 cards into two groups. He knows Sarah has been collecting maps...

Tom's strategy: "I know Sarah wants maps. If I put the map with the low-value compass, she'll have to choose between higher immediate points or her map collection strategy."

Since Sarah didn't burst (stayed under 10 pressure), she gets to choose first.

Sarah chooses: "I'll take Group B. I'm investing in the map strategy!"

Tom receives Group A (the Gold 3 and Ruby 3).

When Greed Goes Wrong... Or Does It?

Let's see what happens when a player gets too greedy. It's Tom's turn and he's drawn these cards:

Tom sees a Gold 5 already revealed - that's huge! He decides to draw one more...

The Penalty: Because Tom burst, Sarah must divide the cards as evenly as possible (2 cards in each group since there are 4 total), but she gets to choose first!

Sarah: "Since you burst, I have to divide evenly but I choose first. I'll take Group A with 9 points!"

Tom is left with Group B (only 6 points). However, with 4 cards worth 15 total points, the forced even split still guaranteed him 6 points!

When Bursting Might Help

It's late in the game. Tom is ahead by 20 points and knows Sarah needs exactly 1 more map for the 10-point bonus. Tom has drawn these cards:

Tom's thinking: "I've drawn that map Sarah desperately needs, plus 2 cursed relics. If I stop now, Sarah will divide unfavorably but still put the map with the cursed relics, and she'll take it for the map bonus."

The Result: Now Sarah must divide 6 cards evenly (3 and 3). Tom picks first.

Tom chooses: "I'll take the 6 points from the gold cards."

Sarah gets: The map and 2 cursed relics (-3 points, but the map completes her set for 10 points total!)

End Game Scoring

The game has ended. Let's calculate Sarah's final score:

• Know When to Stop: Usually 7-8 pressure is the sweet spot. Bursting is almost never worth it!
• Division Strategy: When dividing, consider what your opponent is collecting. Force tough choices!
• Avoid Bursting: Remember, if you don't burst, YOU choose first. Bursting gives your opponent first choice even with forced even distribution.
• Set Collection: Sarah's map strategy shows that sometimes lower immediate value pays off long-term.
• Cursed Relics: They're risky, but getting exactly 3 turns a -6 penalty into +15 points!
• Pressure Management: Cards with 0-1 pressure dots are valuable for safe late-dive draws.