ALHAMBRA



OBJECTIVE OF ALHAMBRA: The objective of Alhambra is to be the player who has been awarded the highest number of points by the time the game comes to an end.  

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 to 6 Players 

MATERIALS: 6 Starting Tiles, 1 Bag, 6 Tile Reserve Boards, 2 Scoring Cards, 108 Money Cards, 12 counters, 1 Scoring Board, 1 Building Market, 54 Building Tiles, and Instructions 

TYPE OF GAME: Hand Management Board Game 

AUDIENCE: Ages 8 and Up 


OVERVIEW OF ALHAMBRA 

In Alhambra, only the best builders will be remembered. After all, it is your legacy that lives on in your structures. The players must hire builders, ensuring that they pay them proper wages in their native currency. Players win by building the most majestic buildings all over the land! Who will be remembered, and who will fade into history? 

SETUP 

Setup will begin by giving each player a starting tile and two counters that match in color, which is placed in front of them on the table. One of the counters is placed on top of the starting tile, while the other is placed on the bottom left of the scoring board. All of the building tiles are placed in the bag.  

Four of the building tiles are then removed and placed in the spaces found on the building market. The players will then take a reserve board and a points table. Two of the scoring cards are then removed from the pack and placed to the side while the remainder is shuffled. Everyone is given their money at this point. Each player will be given one card at a time until each player has a total of at least twenty, and then the next player will receive their money.  

The player who has the lowest number of cards will begin the game. Four additional cards are placed face up in the center of the playing area, beside the building market. Any other money cards are split into five piles. The first scoring round card is placed in the second pile, and the second scoring round card is placed in the fourth stack. Place the piles on top of each other, with the first being on top and the fifth being on the bottom. The game is then ready to begin. 

GAMEPLAY 

The game is played over the course of numerous turns, with each turn consisting of three actions that the player must take. During their turn, the player must collect money, purchase and place a building tile, and redesign their Alhambra. Once their turn concludes, any money or building cards that have been removed are replaced with brand new ones.  

To begin their turn, a player can take any one of the money cards from the ones that are lying face down, and they may be able to collect more than one if it does not exceed five. After collecting money, they may buy building tiles. The players may then add their tile to their Alhambra or to their reserve board.  

The players have three ways in which they can redesign their Alhambra. They can place a building tile out of their reserve to add to their Alhambra. They may remove a tile and place it into their reserve. Finally, the player may choose to swap a tile in their reserve for a tile on their board. Players must ensure that they follow the building rules when redesigning their Alhambra.  

All of the building tiles have to be placed so that all of the roofs point in the same direction. Sides that are found next to each other have to be of the same materials. All of the tiles have to be joined together by at least one side. Players are not permitted to leave any spaces around their building tiles.  

Once players have completed their turn, the next player will take their turn, rotating clockwise around the group. The game continues in this manner until there are not enough building tiles remaining in the bag for players to refresh their hands.  

END OF GAME 

When there are no longer enough building tiles remaining in the bag for the player to refresh their hand to four tiles, the game comes to an end. The rest of the tiles found in the market are given to the players who hold the highest amount of money of the certain currency. If there is a tie for the richest player, then the building tile will stay in the market.  

The final scoring round will then take place. The player with the leading position on the board after the final round, wins the game! If two players are tied, then they will both win the game! 

Ellie Phillips
Latest posts by Ellie Phillips (see all)