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San Juan - Online Guide
Starting The Game
With /join 2-4 players can join the game. With /start the game begins. Alternatively, you can use the Game Tool!
Object of the Game
San Juan is played over several rounds. Each round, players select one of the five different roles and initiates an action played by all players. For example if the PRODUCER is chosen, then goods are produced which can then be sold later by the TRADER. Collateral accrued can then be used by the BUILDER, etc.
What is special about San Juan is that the cards have several functions: Each Spielkarte has several functions: Buildings (laid down on table), money (in hand) or commodity (laid on top of a production building).
The Game Progression and the Roles
The game plays over several rounds (typically 11-14). During each round, players select a different role, which initiates an action and provides a privilege for this role. The other players also take this action, without the privilege given to the selecting player. Once each player has selected a role, the round ends and the ownership of the Governor moves on.
At the end of each round, you may only have a maximum of 7 cards in your hand. You must therefore discard any extra cards. An exception is if you have built a tower, then you can hold 12 cards.
In a 2 player game, the GOVERNOR for the round selects two roles. (A-b-A)
If using the library note that it can only be used once per round. (Typically this is activated during the first selection , although you can deactivate it by clicking on the blue check mark!)
Builder
The player, who selects this role, can build any building, by clicking the appropriate card in his hand (bottom left). It is then highlighted with a green triangle. Click on the number of cards (highlighted with a red x) to pay for the building. The priviliege for selection the action is that you pay 1 card less for building. Confirm your choice by clicking on the arrow.
You may build several production buildings of the same type, however, each violet building can be built only once.
Producer
The player, who selects this role, begins with goods production. Click on the production building(s) according to the number of blue triangles available (you get 1 extra production for selecting this role). to two of its factory on and confirms by arrow. Each factory can only produce 1 commodity. Other players produce accordingly.
Trader
The player, who selects this role, can sell 1 extra goods. Click on the number of goods up to the number of blue triangles given then confirm by clicking the blue arrow. The small card shows the current prices. The other players follow selling goods.
There are 5 small trading cards, which cycle through to define the value of the trade.
Councilor
The player, who selects this role, gets 5 cards to choose from. He may select one to place in his hand. The remaining players get 2 cards to choose from.
Prospector
The player, who selects this role, gets a card from the deck.
Information on Play
The following is a list of all buildings and their statistics/functions:
Name Cost VPs Qty Function Aqueduct 3 2 3 You may produce one extra good Archive 1 1 3 During the Councilor phase, take all cards you get into your hand. You may discard cards you had in your hand prior to the Councilor. Black Market 2 1 3 When buying a building, you may use up to 2 goods from your production buildings to reduce the cost of the new building. Carpenter 3 2 3 If you build a violet building, after you pay for the building, you receive one card. City Hall 6 ??? 2 At the end of the game, you receive one VP for each violet building, including one for the City Hall Coffee Roaster 4 2 8 Produces one unit of coffee. Crane 2 1 3 You may build over an existing building. The existing building is lost, but its cost reduces the cost of the new building. If you replace a building with one of the same cost, it costs you nothing. Gold Mine 1 1 3 During the Prospector phase, four cards are dealt. If all have different costs, you choose one to keep. Guild Hall 6 ??? 2 At the end of the game, you receive 2 VP for each production building. Hero 5 5 3 Monument - only used for victory points. Indigo Plant 1 1 8 Produces one unit of indigo. Library 5 3 3 Once per turn, the owner gets to double the privilege of a role. Market Hall 4 2 3 During the Trader phase, if you sell at least one good, you receive one extra card. If you sell more than one good, you only receive one extra card. Palace 6 ??? 2 At the end of the game, you receive one VP for each 4 VP you have. This is calculated after all other bonuses are calculated. Poor House 2 1 3 If you have at most one card remaining immediately after building, you draw one card. Prefecture 3 2 3 You may keep 2 cards during the Councilor phase. Quarry 4 2 3 Pay one card less when building violet buildings. The Quarry does not reduce the cost of building production buildings. Silver Smelter 5 3 8 Produces one unit of silver. Smithy 1 1 3 Pay one card less when building production buildings. The Smithy does not reduce the cost of building violet buildings. Statue 3 3 3 Monument - only used for victory points. Sugar Mill 2 1 8 Produces one unit of sugar. Tobacco Storage 3 2 8 Produces one unit of tobacco. Tower 3 2 3 You may hold up to 12 cards in your hand, instead of the normal 7. Trading Post 2 1 3 You may sell one additional good during the Trader phase in addition what you would otherwise be allowed. Triumphal Arch 6 ??? 2 At the end of the game, you receive VP for monuments: For 1 Monument = 4 VP, for 2 Monuments = 6 VP, for 3 Monuments = 8 VP Victory Column 4 4 3 Monument - only used for victory points. Well 2 1 3 During the Producer phase, if you produce at least 2 goods you receive one card.
You can see the number of cards each player has by moving your mouse over the centre spot of the screen.
End of the Game
The game ends immediately after the building phase, in which the first player builds his 12th. The winner is the player with most victory points. In case of a tie the player with the highest total sum of cards in hand and goods on his production buildings wins.
The complete rules
are available in French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. There is no English PDF file currently available for San Juan.