How To Play: DIG

So, you’ve got a copy of DIG and you’re ready to beat your friends (or at least not embarrass yourself too badly)? You’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll share an outline of the game rules and spill the beans on the best strategies for crushing your rivals. After many nights yelling over the table, here’s what I’ve learned!

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 80 Resource tiles
• 40 Tunnel tiles
• 5 Player meeples
• 30 Victory point tokens
• 1 Rulebook
• 5 Player reference cards
• 1 Starting player marker
• 10 Special ability cards

How To Play DIG: Rules Summary

Game Setup: Ready, Set, Dig!

1. Lay out the main board in the middle of the table. Try not to spill your drink on it. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way.

2. Give each player a set of digger tokens, a starting tile, and a cheeky wink for good luck.

3. Shuffle the resource cards. Place the supply nearby, just out of your cat’s reach if you have one.

4. Each player draws three resource cards to start. No peeking at your neighbor’s hand! (Unless you’re playing with my cousin, who peeks anyway.)

Gameplay: How To Play dig

1. On your turn, pick one action: move your digger, place a tile, or claim a resource. Yes, just one! You can’t have everything.

2. Collect resources from the tile you land on. If there’s nothing left, just mutter under your breath and move on.

3. Trade resources with the market, but don’t try to trade your dignity. That’s gone after the first round anyway.

4. Block your friends from juicy spots. It’s competitive, not a group therapy session.

Winning: How To Snatch Victory

1. When the last tile is placed, or someone collects the secret golden resource (yes, it’s shiny), the game ends.

2. Add up your victory points from resources, tiles, and secret missions. Use your fingers if you need to count.

3. The player with the most points gives a victory speech—bonus points if you keep it under three minutes.

Special Rules & Conditions: Things That Will Trip You Up

1. If you run out of moves, shuffle your hand and draw backup from the resource pile. No crying allowed—just strategy.

2. Some tiles have special actions. When you land on one, follow the instructions. Yes, even the embarrassing ones.

3. If two players tie, the one who made the funniest dig pun wins. (Okay, that’s my house rule, but it keeps things lively!)

And that, my friends, is How To Play dig. Remember, strategy is good, but laughter is better!

Best DIG Strategies

Digging Your Way to Victory: Mastering Tile Placement

Start in the Sweet Spot

First, pick a starting place with easy access to gems and tools. If you begin far from resources, you will spend more turns walking than digging.

Block Your Foes

Next, play tiles to slow your friends (or mortal enemies). When the chance comes, use these tricks:

1. Drop tricky tiles where others need to go.
2. Create detours so they waste time.
3. Claim narrow paths and force them to backtrack.

Build a Route to Riches

Also, plan your tile path to reach the best rewards first. Stay flexible, watch the board, and change tactics if someone blocks you. With these tips, you will soon be the master of How To Play dig.

Mastering Resources: The Real DIG Power Play

Keep a Sharp Eye on Your Supplies

Resources slip away faster than my attention span at a tax seminar. In How To Play dig, you must track your stash like it’s candy at a kid’s party. Forget and you’ll be stuck, watching everyone else grab all the good stuff.

Plan Your Moves Based on Payouts

1. Use actions that give you the best returns, even if it means waiting a turn.
2. Don’t spend resources just because you have them. Hoard when you can.

Trade Smart and Often

1. Barter with players when it swings the game in your favor.
2. Avoid trading impulsively—think before giving away anything valuable.

Chasing Victory Points Like a Hungry Mole

Keep Scoring Every Turn

First off, always grab small points whenever you can. Little wins add up fast. In How To Play dig, these points sneak up on your friends, and suddenly you’re ahead before they notice!

1. Snag bonus tiles when you see them
2. Complete easy objectives first

Watch Opponents’ Scores

If you let your buddy Bert get ahead, you’ll regret it. Pay attention, then re-route your plans when Bert closes in on a big score!

1. Block high-value spots
2. Pick up leftover points your pals miss

Maximize Endgame Bonuses

Lastly, never ignore points at the end. It’s sneaky, but those endgame bonuses win matches. In How To Play dig, it’s how I stole my last win from Lucy—she still sulks.

1. Collect sets for final scoring
2. Plan your last turns to finish objectives

So, Are You Ready To Dig In?

Alright, folks, that’s the end of my DIG strategy brain dump. If you remember nothing else, just remember this: in How To Play dig, it’s all about grabbing those juicy tiles, hoarding just enough resources to make your friends sweat, and never—seriously never—letting Dave think he’s winning (he gets insufferable). My crew and I found that a bold opening and a sneaky endgame can turn the tables fast, so try out the tricks, mess up, learn, and have a blast. May your shovels stay sharp and your victory piles high!

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