Date: 21st September 2001
Game played: San Francisco ( AMIGO Spiel ) BGG Id: 736

After an aborted attempt to play this last week, when we had one too many players, this week we managed to try this game of several well-worn mechanisms welded together and given a veneer of theme - on this occasion rebuilding San Francisco after the 1903 earthquake. Players seek to gain investment rights for the various building projects with a view to having a majority when the project is complete. On each game turn, investment rights are auctioned off using one of three different auction types. Those successful in the auction get to place a stick ( an investment) on the board along the edge of one or two of the square building plots. As each plot will take just 4 investments, a majority can be gained by a player having placed 2 or 3 sticks around the plot. At this point, that project is declared complete and the majority hold gains between 4 and 6 victory points depending on the project type. In addition, on every turn where at least one project is completed, a random event occurs, which may allow investments to be moved elsewhere, further auctions to take place, or the ability to recoup cash or influence for later in the game. As soon as the 16th event has been actioned the game ends and the player with the most VPs wins.

This is quite an interesting game with lots to watch out for. Luck plays a part and Mark seemed to have his fair share of misfortune. Nige managed to cluster his investments close together on the board and this is good in gaining majorities, because each stick can count for two projects. Ben also picked up some cheap points by gaining control of one of the corners, whereas I (who was the only one to have played before) seemed to be all over the place. Nige managed to maintain enough control in the latter part of the game to avoid a nail-biting finish, which was a shame because that would certainly have made it more interesting. Still, we were all glad to have played it and would be prepared to play again. Just not too regularly.

 
Player
Rating
Score
Position
Winner
Nige
6
26
1
Ben K
7
24
2
Garry
6
20
3
Mark K
7
6
4

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