1
Understand game structure
The game plays in rounds, each containing 4 phases in order: Workers, Buildings, Aristocrats, Trading
2
Know phase structure
Each phase has 3 parts: Player Actions, Scoring, New Card Placement
3
Determine turn order
The player with the current phase's starting marker goes first, then play continues clockwise
4
Choose one mandatory action
On your turn, you must perform exactly one of four actions:
5
Continue until all pass
The phase's action portion ends only when all players pass consecutively
6
Score current phase
After actions end, score points/money only for the current card type:
7
Receive from matching cards
All face-up cards of the current type score, regardless of when they were placed
8
Replenish cards
Administrator adjusts card display:
9
No scoring occurs
Trading phase provides neither money nor points
10
Replace cards only
When buying or playing a trading card, you must replace an existing face-up card in your area that matches the color shown on the trading card
11
Match requirements
Blue trading cards replace any building; red trading cards replace any aristocrat; green trading cards must also match the goods symbol
12
Remove replaced cards
Replaced cards are removed from the game entirely
13
Pay the difference
If trading card costs more than replaced card, pay the difference; if equal or less, pay 1 money minimum
14
Cannot swap trading cards
A trading card cannot replace another trading card
15
Remove bottom row
At phase end, all remaining cards in the bottom row are removed from the game
16
Shift and refill
Move top row cards to bottom row (right side), then draw new cards to top row until 8 total cards are displayed
17
Duplicate card discount
Pay 1 less for each identical card you already have face-up
18
Bottom row discount
All cards in the bottom row cost 1 less
19
Gold Foundry benefit
Pay 1 less for every aristocrat (red) card purchased
20
Carpenter's Workshop benefit
Pay 1 less for every building (blue) card purchased
21
Stack all discounts
All applicable discounts combine, but minimum payment is always 1 money
22
Pass markers left
After all 4 phases complete, each player passes their starting marker to their left neighbor
23
Begin new round
Start again with the worker phase
