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Chinatown
alea · 1999
3–560 min12+ yrs2.2/5 complexity7.4 BGG#382 BGG15,3 KStrategy
⚡ short answer
How do you play Chinatown?
The primary objective of Chinatown is to accumulate the most money by the end of the game. This is achieved by acquiring properties, establishing and expanding businesses on those properties, and engaging in strategic trading with other players to maximize income.
To find the best price for Chinatown, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
Players receive property cards and money, then place their markers on owned properties.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up the game, players first receive a hand of property cards. The number of cards dealt varies by the number of players and the current round. For example, with three players, seven cards are dealt in the first round, and players keep five. In subsequent rounds, six cards are dealt, and players keep four. These cards represent specific numbered properties on the game board. Players then place their colored markers on the properties they own, as indicated by their cards. Additionally, each player starts with a set amount of money, typically $5,000.
Objective
The primary objective of Chinatown is to accumulate the most money by the end of the game. This is achieved by acquiring properties, establishing and expanding businesses on those properties, and engaging in strategic trading with other players to maximize income.
On your turn
Each round consists of several phases. First, players draw property cards and secretly select a certain number to keep, discarding the rest. Then, all players simultaneously place their markers on the properties they now own. Next, players draw business tiles, which represent different types of shops (e.g., clothing, seafood, restaurants, fireworks, laundry). These tiles are placed on owned properties. The core of the game is the trading phase, where players can freely negotiate and exchange properties, business tiles, and money with each other. This trading can be open or secret, loud or quiet, and is crucial for forming large, valuable businesses.
Scoring
At the end of each round, after the trading phase, businesses generate income. The value of a business depends on its type and the number of adjacent properties it occupies. Businesses that are vertically or horizontally connected become more valuable. For example, a jeans shop might yield $2,000 if it occupies two connected properties, but $5,000 if it occupies three. A special 'conjuncture card' is also revealed at the end of each round, providing additional, unpredictable income bonuses that apply to all players.
Game end
The game concludes after six full rounds. Once the final income for the sixth round has been calculated and all money is tallied, the player who has accumulated the greatest total wealth, combining their cash and the value of their businesses, is declared the winner.
Tips
Success in Chinatown heavily relies on effective negotiation and strategic property management. Players should aim to consolidate properties of the same type to create larger, more profitable businesses. Actively engaging in trades, even offering money for properties or business tiles you desperately need, is often more beneficial than holding onto disparate assets. Pay attention to what other players need and what you can offer to facilitate mutually beneficial exchanges. Remember that once a business tile is placed, it cannot be removed, but properties can be traded even with businesses on them.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity2.2 / 5
BGG rating7.4 / 10
Vibe
Strategy
Language dependence
No in-game text needed
Play time
60 min
Players
3–5
Recommended age
12+ yrs
BGG rank
#382
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective of Chinatown is to accumulate the most money by the end of the game. This is achieved by acquiring properties, establishing and expanding businesses on those properties, and engaging in strategic trading with other players to maximize income.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up the game, players first receive a hand of property cards. The number of cards dealt varies by the number of players and the current round. For example, with three players, seven cards are dealt in the first round, and players keep five. In subsequent rounds, six cards are dealt, and players keep four. These cards represent specific numbered properties on the game board. Players then place their colored markers on the properties they own, as indicated by their cards. Additionally, each player starts with a set amount of money, typically $5,000.
Q3How does a turn work?
Each round consists of several phases. First, players draw property cards and secretly select a certain number to keep, discarding the rest. Then, all players simultaneously place their markers on the properties they now own. Next, players draw business tiles, which represent different types of shops (e.g., clothing, seafood, restaurants, fireworks, laundry). These tiles are placed on owned properties. The core of the game is the trading phase, where players can freely negotiate and exchange properties, business tiles, and money with each other. This trading can be open or secret, loud or quiet, and is crucial for forming large, valuable businesses.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
At the end of each round, after the trading phase, businesses generate income. The value of a business depends on its type and the number of adjacent properties it occupies. Businesses that are vertically or horizontally connected become more valuable. For example, a jeans shop might yield $2,000 if it occupies two connected properties, but $5,000 if it occupies three. A special 'conjuncture card' is also revealed at the end of each round, providing additional, unpredictable income bonuses that apply to all players.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes after six full rounds. Once the final income for the sixth round has been calculated and all money is tallied, the player who has accumulated the greatest total wealth, combining their cash and the value of their businesses, is declared the winner.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Success in Chinatown heavily relies on effective negotiation and strategic property management. Players should aim to consolidate properties of the same type to create larger, more profitable businesses. Actively engaging in trades, even offering money for properties or business tiles you desperately need, is often more beneficial than holding onto disparate assets. Pay attention to what other players need and what you can offer to facilitate mutually beneficial exchanges. Remember that once a business tile is placed, it cannot be removed, but properties can be traded even with businesses on them.
Q7How much does Chinatown cost?
No store is currently tracking Chinatown. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy Chinatown cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Chinatown?
Chinatown is a city building game, for 3–5 players, taking ~60 minutes, featuring enclosure. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Chinatown — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Chinatown support?
Chinatown is played by 3–5 players.
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Chinatown (2020 English - French Edition)
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