takenoko rules question

[Bakersboy]

I have a question that I hope someone can answer re. the gameplay in Takenoko.

If everyone shows their completed objectives to claim their points, they all know what one another's points are during the game - correct?

And if so, doesn't it make sense that every player that ISN'T winning near the end of the game is going to try NOT to complete the last objective because they then automatically LOSE when the points are added up?

Surely only the one person with the most points is going to try to complete the last objective so they can win the game?

Or am I missing something obvious here?

Feedback please.....

[Nanaki404]

It's rather a strategy question than a rules question (in my opinion, at least).

Let's say you are 2 players, so the last objective is the 9th.
Say, for example, that both players have 8 objectives down (each), but a difference in points, in one way or another.

Why should you (maybe) drop the 9th objective first :
- You get a 2points additional card (the emperor)
- You can still drop a 10th, 11th, ... objectives if you have them completed but still in your hand
- You are limited to 5 objectives cards in hand anyway, so if ALL your 5 cards are completed, you may as well end now

Why you should NOT drop the 9th objective :
- Your opponent gets one free turn if you do

If you are behind the other EVEN when adding the objectives you have completed still in your hand AND the additional 2 points, sure you should not end now.
But if you are only slightly behind, and your additionnal objectives could get you the first place, maybe you should end.

It's also a psychological matter, because it depends on if you think the other player can use a "free turn" to its full potential or not.


Hope this helps

[Bakersboy]

Merci Nanaki

I did not realise that you could put down a 10th, 11th etc successful objective immediately after completing your 9th.

I thought your game ended as soon as your 9th one was declared......

Obviously this does make a big difference as success can often be guaged by what you have in your hand and not necessarily what you have completed in front of you.

Taking this to the obvious conclusion I assume you would tend to keep the ones you know can't change (e.g. tiles of same colour) whereas you may 'cash in' ones that may change (e.g. collecting bamboo).

One last question if I may - once objectives are completed and declared what are the rules for displaying them? (i.e. can you 'stack them' so only you can see them or must every other player be able to see them?)

Thanks for the feedback mon ami - much appreciated!

[Nanaki404]

Everyone should be able to see which objectives you have completed (and how many points you already have). You cannot hide anything except your hand.

Just to put it clearly, the end of the game happens this way :
One player completes and declares its Nth objective (9, 8 or 7, depending on the number of players), and he receives the additionnal (unique) 2points "Emperor" card. Then, this player can keep playing its turn (performing remaining actions, putting irrigations, declaring objectives, ...). Then, each other player plays one last turn (just as normal turns).
Everyone can have as many objectives declared as he want (or can), but only one player can have the "Emperor" card, and that's the player who reach X completed objectives first.

[StijnH]

That last explained this completely correctly.
One of my strategies when I play is to hide objectives until I have to declare them to free up my hand for more objective cards. Also, I try to go as far over those 9 objectives as I can if I think I might fall behind on my opponent's extra turn.
Keep them in the dark so they don't know what to complete to catch up to you.