Ticket to Ride

In Ticket to Ride each player travels by train to many of the 38 US cities on the board. Each of these destinations is linked by a route (set of railway tracks). These range from 1 to 6 segments in length and come in 8 colours plus grey.  The board is surrounded by a point track, which allows players to record their score as it progresses during the game. 

Each player takes a coloured set of 45 small trains, which once played to the board, will depict the routes they control. The game revolves around the use of two decks of cards – train cards and tickets. Each train card depicts a different coloured train and these match the coloured routes on the board. There is also a multi-coloured set of train cards (locomotives), which can be used as any colour. Each ticket displays 2 cities and a bonus point value. If a player can link the 2 cities with a continuous chain of routes (using their trains only) then the ticket is fulfilled and the bonus points are awarded.

Before the game begins each player is dealt 4 train cards for their starting hand. A further 5 train cards are laid face-up for possible selection during play and then each player takes 3 tickets. They must keep at least 1 of these. Play can now begin. 

On a player’s turn they can take 1 of the following options; draw train cards, claim a route, or draw new tickets. When drawing train cards, a player can choose from 1 of the face-up trains or the top card from the facedown supply deck. They can then draw a 2^nd card in the same fashion. The only time they cannot take a 2^nd train card is if they took a face-up locomotive (wild) card. 

Claiming a route involves playing the required number of coloured train cards from a player’s hand, to match a route on the board. Once a route is claimed they place 1 of their trains on each segment of the route, thus linking 2 cities. Only one route can be claimed on a turn. To offer even further options the board also has grey routes. Playing a set of any coloured cards can claim these routes as long as the correct number are played. This can make for some frantic route claiming as players seek to take advantage of these routes and attempt to block the routes of others. 

Points are awarded when a route is claimed, based on its length. More points are awarded for the longer routes, which balances the game nicely (risk vs. reward). If a player chooses to draw tickets, they follow the same rules as in the set-up (must keep 1 of 3). But tickets can be a double-edged sword. They can offer great bonuses when completed but if left unfulfilled at games end (a player reduces their train pool to 1-2 trains allowing all players 1 last turn) their value will become negative. 

At the end of the game the player with the longest continuous set out routes will earn a bonus 10 points and this makes for a nice mini-competition as the play unfolds.

Ticket to Ride is simplicity itself. It can be learnt by anyone in 10 minutes and is very enjoyable. This game is brilliant as an entry-level game if you are new to the board game revolution and just as much fun for experienced gamers. It rates as one of the best games in my collection!

Ticket to Ride is for 2 to 5 players ages 8 and up and plays in about 60 minutes.

Available from The Games Capital's Online Store. 

Game Review by Neil Thomson

The Games Capital