LOST CITIES

OBJECTIVE OF LOST CITIES: The objective of Lost Cities is to be the player with the most discovery points by forming expedition routes. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 Players 

MATERIALS: 1 Gameboard, 45 Expedition Cards, 15 Wager Cards, and Instructions 

TYPE OF GAME: Hand Management Card Game 

AUDIENCE: Ages 10 and Up 

OVERVIEW OF LOST CITIES 

Throughout Lost Cities, players will conduct numerous archaeological expeditions to various sites, depending on the suits of cards. Players alternate turns until the deck is empty. The players tally points, and the player with the most points wins the game! 

SETUP 

To begin setup, the game board is placed in the middle of the two players. The cards are then shuffled, with eight cards being dealt to each player face down. The rest of the cards are placed in a pile beside the game board, creating the draw pile. The game is then ready to begin. 

GAMEPLAY 

The oldest player will begin the game, and then the players will rotate to the left around the group. Each player will only play cards to their side of the board. During their turn, a player must play one card from their hand first and then draw a new card.  

In order to place a card, the players must place a card in their own column. Players may use their played card in order to start a new column or extend one of their previous columns, and they must be placed on the end. Wager cards may only be placed at the beginning of a column, and only after a wager card. If a number card is placed in the column, wager card may not be placed after that.  

If a player does not want to place a card, they discard a card instead. Ensure that the card is placed face up on the board on the discard pile that matches in color. The top card should be the only visible card.  

After the players have discarded a card or played a card, they will then draw a new card to their hand. They may choose from the top cards on the discard pile or the top card of the draw pile. The game will continue this manner for three rounds, and then the winner is determined.   

END OF GAME 

The game comes to an end after three rounds of gameplay. The rounds end when the last card from the draw pile is drawn. The players score their column of cards. The values of all of the cards are tallies, and there is 20 points deducted from every row’s sum. Each column earns an additional 20 points if it consists of at least eight cards.  

Once points are tallied, the players will write them down. The game will continue for three rounds. At the end, the player with the most points is declared the winner! 

Ellie Phillips
Latest posts by Ellie Phillips (see all)
×