How To Play: Carnival

Overview

If you’ve ever wondered how to go from lost in the midway to king of the carnival, you’ve come to the right place. My friends and I have played more rounds of Carnival than I’d like to admit (seriously, my wallet is now full of fake tickets). This guide has How To Play carnival rules laid out simple, plus my favorite winning strategies. Get ready for a whole lot of fun and maybe a little revenge.

What’s in the box

• 4 Player Boards
• 80 Attraction Cards
• 60 Ticket Tokens
• 1 Main Board
• 4 Score Markers
• 20 Prize Tokens
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Carnival: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the main Carnival board in the middle of the table. Try not to spill your drink on it (trust me, it doesn’t add to the theme).
2. Give each player their own set of ride tokens and a ticket tracker.
3. Shuffle the prize cards and place them face-down. Everyone grab a random one for good luck—well, actually, just the top one for each.
4. Make a neat pile of tickets and special action cards for easy grabbing, unless you like chaos, in which case just toss them somewhere nearby.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, choose to either add a new ride to your fair, play a special action card, collect tickets, or exchange tickets for prizes.
2. Ride selection works best when you yell out your pick, but that’s optional. Place your ride where it fits best based on your master plan (or wild guess).
3. Tickets let you buy rides or prizes. So, hoard them or spend them. I always try to spend early and often—maybe that’s why I rarely win.
4. Keep your eye on the prize cards. You’ll need matching rides to claim the best rewards.
5. Special action cards can change everything! Use them to mess up your friends’ plans or boost your own carnival. Timing is everything.

Winning

1. The game ends once a player has completed all their ride slots or once the prize deck runs out—whichever comes first.
2. Add up your prize card points and any bonus points from your carnival setup. I once thought I was ahead, then realized I counted my points wrong. Don’t be like me—double check!
3. The player with the most points wins and also gets bragging rights until the next game. If there’s a tie, have a pie-eating contest (not in the official rules, but it’s a house favorite of ours).

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you run out of tickets, you can trade a prize card for more—but only if you announce it with a dramatic sigh.
2. Special action cards might override the normal rules. Always resolve them before regular actions. Arguments must be settled with rock-paper-scissors (again, unofficial, but effective at our table).
3. If two players try to claim the same ride at the same time, the person who did the best carnival barker impression gets it. Or just roll a die if you’re boring.

Now you know How To Play carnival! Follow these steps and you’ll be setting up rides, claiming prizes, and plotting your victory in no time. If your family gets competitive, remember: it’s all fun and games until someone flips the board. Enjoy!

Best Carnival Strategies

Mastering Ride Selection and Placement for Victory

Pick Rides with Purpose

When I play with my friends, I never just grab the first ride I see. Instead, I always consider what fits my board and blocks them from good moves. Here’s how I approach my choices:

1. Look for rides that fit together easily to build combos.
2. Pick rides that score well with your attractions.
3. Avoid rides that leave awkward gaps on your board.

Think Ahead with Placement

I once lost because I stuck a ride in the corner and boxed myself in. Now, I always:

1. Leave openings for future rides.
2. Place rides to maximize ticket bonuses.
3. Block key spots your friends want.

React to Opponent Moves

Meanwhile, if my friend picks a ride I wanted, I pivot fast. Sometimes I’ll even change my whole plan and still win. Flexibility helps in How To Play carnival!

Snag Victory with Perfect Ticket and Prize Management!

Score Tickets Like a Pro

First, focus on ticket collection. Don’t just grab anything. Instead, try these:

1. Always keep an eye on what tickets opponents want.
2. Pick tickets that open up more prize chances for you.
3. Use ticket combos to block your rivals.

Prize Smart, Not Hard

After nabbing tickets, manage those prizes! In How To Play carnival, prizes can tip the game. Next, do this:

1. Go for sets instead of singles where possible.
2. Trade only when it benefits you more than them.
3. Hold onto rare prizes to limit your friends’ options.

Adapt on the Fly

During my last game, I almost missed out by hoarding just one ticket type. But eventually, mixing prizes helped me snag the win. Stay flexible and watch for chances!

Mess With Their Plans: Blocking in Carnival

Spot Their Moves Early

First, always watch your friends’ actions. If they grab certain tickets, you know which rides they want. Then, use your turn to mess things up.

1. Grab the last card they need for a ride.
2. Move a piece just to keep their meeple stuck.
3. Snatch the best prize before they get there.

React Fast

Sometimes, things change quick in How To Play carnival. You might need to change your plan and mess up someone else’s move in a new way.

1. Block spaces that open up after someone spends tickets.
2. Pick surprise bonus items right under their nose.

Don’t Make Enemies (Or Do!)

Finally, if you block too much, friends might gang up on you. Sometimes, it’s worth it for the win. Sometimes… maybe not.

## Carnival Mastery: Let the Good Times Roll!

And there you have it, my fellow fun-seekers! You now know the tricks on How To Play carnival like a real midway legend. With a pinch of planning, a splash of blocking, and just enough luck to make your grandma suspicious, you’ll keep your friends guessing (and maybe a little annoyed). Just remember, winning is sweet, but laughing at your own missteps makes the ride worth it. See you at the ticket booth!

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