Draughts London

Master the Ticket to Ride board game in minutes!

Looking to bring the whole family together for an evening of railway adventures and friendly competition?

The Ticket to Ride board game might just be your perfect match! Since 2004, this award-winning board game has been bringing smiles to faces around gaming tables worldwide.

Got 45 minutes and players aged 8 or above? That’s all you need for this brilliant blend of strategy and simplicity.

Your mission?

Build railway routes across a stunning map of North America, from the sunny shores of Los Angeles to the bustling streets of New York City.

The rules couldn’t be simpler – draw cards, claim routes, or place your colourful trains on the Ticket to Ride board.

Fancy a change of scenery? With over 15 different versions featuring everything from Japanese railways to European destinations, you’ll never run out of new territories to conquer.

Ready to become a railway tycoon?

Let’s get you started with all the clever tips, winning strategies and rookie mistakes to dodge – everything you need for your first Ticket to Ride adventure to run smoothly!

Let’s Get This Train Rolling: Ticket to Ride Setup and Rules Made Simple!

Ready to start your railway adventure?

Pop the board right in the middle of your table, then let everyone pick their favourite colour – will you go for the bold blue, ravishing red, gorgeous green, youthful yellow, or brilliant black?

Each player gets 45 train cars and matching scoring markers. Don’t forget to shuffle those train cards – everyone starts with four in hand!

Your Railway World Awaits!

Feast your eyes on the beautifully illustrated map crisscrossed with colourful railway routes connecting cities across North America!

You’ll spot five face-up train cards beside the board, plus separate piles for train cards and those all-important destination tickets.

Fancy a secret mission?

Each player must keep at least two of their three starting destination tickets – but shhh, keep them hidden until the game ends!

Your Turn to Shine!

What can you do on your turn?

  • Grab two shiny new train cards (from the display or the mystery deck)
  • Claim an exciting route with your matching coloured cards
  • Draw more thrilling destination tickets

Want to claim a route?

Match those colours!

Eyeing that four-space blue route to Chicago?

You’ll need four blue cards (or those crafty wild locomotives) to make it yours. Then proudly place your trains along your newly claimed railway!

Points, Points, Points!

How does the scoring work?

Here’s the brilliant bit – the longer your route, the more points you’ll pocket:

When the final whistle blows, you’ll add points for your completed tickets and (gulp!) subtract points for any unfinished ones.

Fancy an extra boost? The player with the longest continuous railway line gets a 10-point bonus!

Clever Tricks to Become a Railway Master!

Want to outsmart your opponents in your very first game? Let’s explore some brilliant strategies that’ll have you laying tracks like a pro in no time!

Pick Your Perfect Path

Fancy a coast-to-coast adventure? Start with an ambitious ticket like Los Angeles to New York or Portland to Nashville.

The secret Ticket to Ride sauce? Choose smaller routes that perfectly overlap with your grand plan. Building from LA to New York?

A Denver to Pittsburgh route fits brilliantly into your journey!

Stack Those Train Cards

Here’s a top tip – collect loads of train cards in your opening rounds. This clever approach lets you:

  • Sneak cards from the face-down pile to keep your rivals guessing (plus those precious wild cards!)
  • Gather the perfect colours for your dream routes
  • Save up enough cards to claim those juicy long routes back-to-back

Master Your Timing

Got your cards ready? Listen closely – timing can make or break your game! Snap up those crucial grey routes early – they’re proper gold dust since anyone can grab them with matching colours.

Those mighty six-train routes? Worth a whopping 15 points, so keep your eyes peeled for these!

Want to keep your opponents scratching their heads? Don’t build in obvious straight lines! Start from the middle of your route and work your way out. They’ll never guess your master plan!

Keep counting those trains, though! When you’re down to your last few carriages, think twice about grabbing new destination cards. Better to complete what you’ve started than risk those nasty negative points!

Dodge these Ticket to Ride railway rookie mistakes!

Think you’re ready to hit the tracks? Hold your locomotives! Let’s look at some common derailments that might throw your game off the rails – and how to keep your railway empire running smoothly!

Route Planning Pitfalls

Ever been so excited by those long routes that you’ve forgotten about your destination tickets? Rookie mistake! Those shorter routes might look boring, but ignoring them is like missing your connecting train! Want to know another classic blunder, not building a proper network is like having train stations with no tracks between them!

Card Collecting Calamities

Got a hand full of cards but nowhere to go? You’re not alone! Many new conductors fall into the train card hoarding trap. This railway rookie mistake leads to:

  • A fistful of useless cards (like having tickets for the wrong train!)
  • Missing your chance to grab those golden routes
  • Running out of steam when you need it most

And don’t get me started on those precious locomotive wildcards – overlooking these beauties is like leaving your first-class ticket at home!

Timing troubles

Fancy playing the waiting game? Watch out! Dragging your feet on expansion is like missing your train by a minute. But hang on – rushing to lay tracks without a proper plan isn’t any better!

Left those destination tickets until the last minute is a recipe for disaster that’ll leave you:

  • Scrambling for routes when the station’s closing
  • Missing your chance to block those sneaky opponents
  • Stuck with a railway map that’s gone off the rails

Keep your eyes on your fellow railway tycoons – ignore their moves and you might find your perfect route has been pinched right under your nose!

Ready to Become a Railway Strategy Master?

Think you’ve got what it takes to outmanoeuvre your opponents, let’s turn you from a casual conductor into a railway mastermind!

Spot Your Opponents’ Secret Plans

Want to know what your rivals are plotting, then keep your eyes peeled for these telltale signs:

  • Which coloured cards keep disappearing from the display
  • Where those wandering eyes keep landing on the board
  • Those little “oh no!” moments when routes get claimed
  • How quickly they’re building their railway empire

Clever Blocking Moves

Blocking isn’t just about being a nuisance – it’s an art! The craftiest railway tycoons know that the best blocking moves:

  1. Snatch those crucial bottlenecks like Atlanta-Nashville or Houston-New Orleans
  2. Guard your precious routes while throwing a spanner in your opponents’ works
  3. Score points while playing defence – that’s killing two birds with one stone!

Master the End Game

Keep those eagle eyes on everyone’s remaining trains and scores!

Do you have a comfortable lead?

Maybe it’s time to wrap things up with some quick, long routes – even if they’re not part of your ticket collection!

Here’s a brilliant trick – stockpile about 35 cards before your final push.

Otherwise, you’ll give those crafty opponents time to complete their routes. This sneaky strategy works wonders against newer players – they’ll never see it coming!

All Aboard the Victory Train!

Ready to conquer the railways? Ticket to Ride isn’t just another board game – it’s your ticket to countless evenings of strategic fun and family excitement! While mastering those clever routes and perfect timing takes practice, these railway tricks will keep you on the right track from your very first journey.

Start small – grab those matching train cards, keep an eye on your fellow conductors, and build your network with care.

No need to race through the game like a runaway locomotive!

Once you’ve got those basics sorted, why not try your hand at some crafty blocking moves or end-game surprises?

Remember, building your railway empire is like conducting a symphony – you need just the right balance of route planning, card collecting, and brilliant timing!

Whether you’re sharing laughs with family or matching wits with seasoned players, these railway fundamentals will have you steaming towards victory in no time!

FAQs

What’s the best strategy for beginners playing Ticket to Ride?

Focus on collecting train cards early, choose complementary destination tickets, and secure vital routes quickly. Balance your strategy between completing tickets and claiming longer routes for higher points.

How can I make my family game night with Ticket to Ride more enjoyable?

Set up the game in advance, explain the rules clearly, and start with shorter routes for younger players. Provide snacks that are easy to eat while playing, and consider having a backup game ready in case you finish early.

Which routes should I prioritise in Ticket to Ride?

While longer routes like Seattle to New York (22 points) offer high scores, it’s essential to balance them with shorter, more achievable routes. Focus on creating a well-connected network that allows you to complete multiple destination tickets efficiently.

How can I prevent other players from blocking my routes?

Pay attention to the train cards other players are collecting and the areas of the board they’re focusing on. Secure critical chokepoints early and consider building your network from the middle outwards to keep your strategy less obvious.

What should I focus on towards the end of the game?

Monitor your remaining trains and current score compared to other players. If you’re in the lead, consider ending the game quickly by claiming longer routes. If behind, focus on completing your destination tickets and blocking opponents’ potential connections.

Food and Drinks

From giant nachos and pulled pork cheeseburgers to Korean chicken and Buffalo cauliflower!