How To Play: 1899

Overview

If you’re scratching your head wondering how to finally beat your annoying cousin at 1899, you’re in the right place. After way too many late-night rounds with my friends (and a few too many snacks), I’ve put together a guide with a quick outline of the rules and all the best strategies for winning. Trust me, even your grandma could win with these tips. Let’s get started on How To Play 1899 the smart way!

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 7 company charters
• 7 sets of company tokens (13 each)
• 80 station markers
• 1 bank tray
• 63 train cards
• 140 share certificates
• 1 priority deal card
• 1 stock market marker
• 1 bank pool marker
• Paper money: various denominations
• 1 rules booklet
• 1 set of track tiles (yellow: 57, green: 42, brown: 28, gray: 18)
• 3 revenue charts
• Player tokens (one per player)

How To Play 1899: Rules Summary

If you ever wanted to feel like a railway tycoon with a knack for making (and losing) piles of cash, you’re in the right place. My friends and I laughed, schemed, and nearly flipped the table over this one. Here’s how to play 1899 without turning your game night into a train wreck.

Setup

1. Place the main board in the middle and hand out company charters.
2. Give each player starting cash—don’t spend it all on fake mustaches.
3. Shuffle and distribute company shares according to player count.
4. Lay out train cards and tokens where everyone can see them.
5. Choose the first player—oldest person or whoever last missed a train.

Gameplay

1. Players take turns in order, beginning with a stock round to buy or sell shares.
2. Next, players run their train companies, laying tracks and buying new trains.
3. Each company earns income based on routes and pays out to shareholders.
4. After income, players can upgrade trains if needed or safe enough financially (spoiler: it’s never safe).
5. Repeat the rounds, watching out for those sneaky friends trying to bankrupt you.

Winning

1. The game ends when the bank runs out of money or specific train cards are gone.
2. All players total up personal cash plus the value of their shares.
3. The richest player wins—yes, friendship might be lost, but victory is sweet.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Some trains “rust” and become useless—watch for upgrade warnings!
2. If a company can’t afford a train, the player must pay any shortfall or the company closes.
3. Market manipulation is fair game (in 1899, not in real life—please don’t call your lawyer).

Remember, learning How To Play 1899 usually involves a bit of chaos, some laughter, and the urge to check your wallet when someone grins too wide. Enjoy the ride!

Best 1899 Strategies

Pick the Right Company: Your 1899 Opening Move Matters!

I learned quickly in my first game that opening the wrong company in 1899 is like showing up to a spaghetti dinner with only a spoon—awkward and messy. Let me share my hard-won tips for getting a jump on the competition. When you want to know How To Play 1899, start here.

Timing Your First Company

1. Consider the map and trains left. Open if a route looks juicy and trains are available.
2. Watch your friends. Open after someone else if it sets you up for cheap shares.

Getting the Right Company

1. Pick a company with routes near each other for easy expansion.
2. Avoid weak companies far from the main action. Let others have the headaches!

Share Value Tricks

1. Set your par value wisely. A high par gives you cash, but a low one attracts buyers—and chaos!
2. If you sense trouble, be the second company opener, not the first to fall.

Mastering Train Upgrades in 1899: Timing Secrets

When To Upgrade for Maximum Profit

Acting too soon means you burn cash. Waiting too long leads to rust nightmares. Here’s how I time my upgrades when playing How To Play 1899:

1. Watch your routes. Upgrade when your trains can’t reach the best cities.
2. Check opponents’ trains. Upgrade just before they force you with rusting.
3. Plan for upcoming payouts. Buy trains after a big payout, not before.

Managing Finances

Cash is king. In my last game, I spent early and went broke before the second brown train phase. Now, I do this:

1. Save a buffer for surprise train rusting.
2. Never upgrade if it leaves you broke unless you’re desperate.

Reacting to Opponent Moves

Pay attention to what your friends do. I once upgraded because Pete looked shifty. Turns out, it prevented bankruptcy! So:

1. If someone upgrades, check if you also must act.
2. Upgrade or pass based on timing not panic.

Mastering the 1899 Stock Market: How To Play 1899 Like a Pro

Snagging Prime Shares Early

Act quick and grab the best shares before your friends even smell profit. This gives you a big money advantage later.

1. Jump in when companies float
2. Pick shares others overlook
3. Block rivals from easy wins

Timing Your Buys

Next, buy when prices drop but before others catch on. This takes guts and a little luck!

1. Watch for players dumping shares
2. Seize low-priced good companies
3. Avoid shares in dead-end companies

Dumping at the Perfect Moment

Finally, don’t hold a sinking stock. Move fast and leave someone else holding the bag.

1. Sell right before a company runs out of trains
2. Keep an eye on rivals’ cash piles
3. Don’t be sentimental—profit is king

Ready to Rule the Rails?

Look, you’ve got the basics, the tips, and a few laughs—so what more do you need? Well, maybe a snack. But after playing 1899 with my group (and surviving several table-flips), I can say it’s all about planning, a little bit of bluffing, and not trusting anyone who says, “I’m just learning!” Remember, every game is different, so grab your friends, lay those tracks, and show them you read the best How To Play 1899 strategy guide around. May your trains always run on time—unlike mine.

Want to know what we think of 1899? Read our detailed review of 1899 here