How To Play: Metro
Metro Game Quick Summary
Metro is a fun tile-laying game where you plan tracks, block opponents, and score big with long routes. Learn How To Play metro by mastering track planning, clever blocking, and maximizing points. Gather your friends, scheme a little, laugh a lot, and aim for the highest score!

Overview
If you’ve ever wondered How To Play metro and walk away as the champion (or at least not in last place), you’re in the right spot! After ~dozens~ of frantic subway sessions with my friends, I’ve cobbled together this guide. Here, you’ll find an outline of the rules, plus my favorite strategies for snatching victory. No more confused looks or wasted tracks—just pure Metro glory!
What’s in the box
- 1 game board
- 8 station markers
- 64 track tiles
- 84 subway cars (in 8 colors)
- 1 scoring track
- 8 scoring markers
- 1 cloth bag
- 1 rulebook
How To Play Metro: Rules Summary
Setup
- First, place the game board in the middle of the table. Everyone should reach it without stretching like a yoga instructor.
- Next, each player picks a set of colored metro cars and matching tokens.
- Then, shuffle all track tiles and stack them face down. Place eight tiles face up next to the board. This is your track buffet.
- Finally, put one metro car at every matching colored station around the edge of the board. Your adventure is ready to start.
Gameplay
- On your turn, draw a track tile and work out where to place it. Feel free to take a moment to look clever while you ponder.
- After laying your tile, move any metro cars that can travel to a new space along the fresh track segment.
- Try to plan ahead. You want to create the longest possible route for your cars.
- Keep replacing the face-up tiles from the draw pile. There should always be eight choices unless you’re running low.
Winning
- The game ends when all track tiles have been placed and every metro car has reached a station on the board’s edge.
- After that, count the number of spaces each car traveled from its starting station to its final station.
- Add up your scores. The player with the most points wins! Prepare a victory dance; you earned it.
Special Rules & Conditions
- If a car can move along more than one path, move it as far as it can go, but only along completed tracks.
- Some tiles show a station symbol. When you pass through these, you get bonus points, so keep your eyes peeled!
- No tile can send a route back to its own starting station. Don’t try to outsmart the Paris Metro gods, they’re strict.
Now you know the rules! If you’re still stuck, just remember the key phrase: How To Play metro. Trust me, even my uncle Bob figured it out and he once glued his tiles to the board by accident.
Best Metro Strategies
Master Track Planning: The Secret Sauce to Metro Victory
Every game of Metro starts with chaos. Trust me, last Friday my friends made the board look like spaghetti in fifteen minutes. To avoid their fate, get smart with your tracks. Below are tips that saved me from total humiliation—though, my friend Dave still groans about my sneaky placements.
1. Plot Your Route Early
- Pick a destination and stick with it—changing plans mid-game leads to short, sad train rides.
- Look for long track possibilities before others spot them.
2. Use Opponents’ Tracks
- Share paths for free distance, but watch out for sudden blockages.
- Never help opponents unless you gain more points.
3. Block Wisely
- Place tiles that mess up other players’ lines, but don’t ruin your own in the process.
- Always keep at least one escape route in sight.
When learning How To Play metro, track planning isn’t flashy, but it wins games. Give it a shot—your friends will never see it coming.
Stop Them In Their Tracks: Metro Blocking Tactics
Watch Their Moves
Pay close attention. If you see an opponent aiming for a long route, block it early. I once ruined my buddy Tim’s 10-point line just by placing a sneaky tile. He didn’t talk to me for an hour.
Time Your Placement
Choose your moment! Block just before their track connects to a station. This messes up their plan without wasting your own tiles.
- Track which tiles opponents need most.
- Place your tiles to steer their path away from valuable stations.
- Use dead ends to strand their lines whenever possible.
Stay Flexible
Don’t get stuck blocking just one person. Spread the pain. My group now calls me “The Spoiler.” It’s… kind of a compliment?
Consider these tricks next time you wonder How To Play metro well. Annoying your friends is just a bonus.
Score Big Or Go Home: Tips To Max Out Points In Metro
Watch For Bonus Stations
First, always keep an eye out for bonus stations. These give extra points! Use these:
- Plan routes to pass through as many as possible.
- Don’t let opponents sneak in and steal your chance.
Stretch Out Your Track
Next, longer routes score more. Remember these tricks:
- Choose tiles that add length but don’t backfire.
- Avoid closing a route too soon.
Time Your Moves
Patience pays off. You want to score big at the right moment:
- Wait for the perfect tile before connecting your end point.
- Delay finishing routes if more points are possible.
After a few rounds with my friends, I can tell you, learning How To Play metro for max points is the real secret sauce.
All Aboard For Victory!
Well, that’s the end of the line for my Metro strategy tips! I hope you found some clever ways to outsmart your friends and send their trains chugging off in circles. Remember, the key to Metro is planning your tracks, blocking at the right time, and grabbing those juicy long routes. Now you know How To Play metro like a champ. Next time we play, you owe me a seat by the window!
Want to know what we think of Metro? Read our detailed review of Metro here