I've been playing this incorrectly at the table, but I wonder if it wouldn't make an interesting variant: Instead of sorting out the "service bounty" cards and placing them face-up in the starting display (with the 3 "S" cards), shuffle the service bounty cards into the full deck.
The present rule doesn't seem particularly thematic - in that it directs opening play toward those bounties, rather than establishing a more realistic rail network. Granted, it could significantly change the opening bidding, but maybe that's not an entirely bad thing?
I would definitely not change the existing rule, as it makes establishing a viable bond-covering opening placement. But could it be considered as an optional variant?
The present rule doesn't seem particularly thematic - in that it directs opening play toward those bounties, rather than establishing a more realistic rail network. Granted, it could significantly change the opening bidding, but maybe that's not an entirely bad thing?
I would definitely not change the existing rule, as it makes establishing a viable bond-covering opening placement. But could it be considered as an optional variant?