How To Play: Politico

Overview

If you’ve ever wanted to stab your friends in the back with a smile, Politico is your game. I’ve clocked too many hours at the table, always leaving with fewer friends but more stories. In this guide, I’ll give you an outline of the game rules and show you the best strategies for winning. Get ready to laugh, strategize, and maybe hold a grudge or two!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 6 Player Tokens
• 60 Influence Tokens
• 36 Alliance Cards
• 24 Event Cards
• 1 Rulebook
• 18 Region Tiles
• 36 Vote Cubes
• 1 Election Timer

How To Play Politico: Rules Summary

Game Setup

1. Give each player a player board and matching influence tokens.
2. Shuffle the event and secret agenda cards. Deal one secret agenda card to each player.
3. Place the main board in the middle. Each player puts one marker on the score track at zero.
4. Randomly pick a start player, or go with whoever last watched a political debate (true story, my friend Paula won the honour and regretted it fast).

Gameplay

1. Each round starts with all players choosing and placing influence tokens on the board, in turn order.
2. After all tokens are placed, reveal any event cards that apply to this round.
3. Players negotiate and may trade promises, tokens, or alliances. (Prepare for deals messier than my last attempt at baking.)
4. Once negotiations wrap up, resolve areas of conflict based on influence totals.
5. Update the score track according to who controls what.
6. Draw new secret agenda cards if needed and repeat the steps for the next round.

Winning the Game

1. The game ends after a set number of rounds (usually five, but check your box—one of ours was misprinted and caused chaos!).
2. The player with the most points on the score track wins.
3. If there is a tie, the player with the most secret agenda points wins. If still tied, argue loudly about who deserves it more. (Kidding. Sort of.)

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Secret agenda cards can grant surprise points and bonus actions. Play them at any time unless the card says otherwise.
2. No direct swapping of score points. Tokens and promises only.
3. If a rule dispute happens, settle it by group vote—majority rules. Unless your friend Steve is playing. Then brace yourself for a debate that rivals the real elections.

That’s How To Play Politico in a nutshell! With these steps, you can jump in and survive your first game, even if your only campaign experience is running for snack-master at game night. Good luck, and trust no one!

Best Politico Strategies

The Shady Art of Alliance and Betrayal in Politico

How To Play politico: Friends or Foes?

Alliance building in Politico feels like a group hug—until someone sneaks a knife between your ribs. I once partnered with Bob, thinking we’d rule forever. Bob, if you read this, I still want my snacks back.

Alliance Strategies

1. Pick allies who have something to gain from teaming up. Don’t ally with the top player—they’ll stomp you later.
2. Share just enough info to keep trust alive, but never your whole plan.
3. Switch sides if you spot a better offer. Loyalty in Politico is as real as my diet.

Betrayal Tactics

1. Wait until your ally trusts you completely. That’s the perfect time for a sneaky backstab.
2. Keep your betrayal secret until the last moment. A dramatic reveal scores bonus points for style (not in the rules, but in my heart).

Master these tricks, and you’ll be the legend of the table. Or, like me, forever known as “Jamie the Betrayer.”

Mastering Your Influence Tokens in Politico

Plan Ahead for Key Rounds

Think about when you’ll need those influence tokens most. You don’t want to run out when things get spicy. I have lost more games than I can count by blowing my tokens too soon. Instead, try these tips:

1. Count your tokens every turn.
2. Save big plays for late-game power moves.

Spread, Don’t Clump

You should never dump all your tokens in one basket. Once, I did that and my friends steamrolled me. Instead:

1. Place tokens in spread-out areas.
2. Keep pressure on multiple fronts.

React to Opponents

Always watch where others are placing their tokens. If someone looks like they’re plotting a surprise, it’s wise to adjust your own. Try:

1. Block big moves with timely tokens.
2. Shift your focus if someone becomes a leader.

How To Play politico well comes down to smart influence management. With these tricks, you’ll outlast your rivals and claim victory!

Sharpen Your Mind: Outsmart Opponents in Politico

Watch Their Moves Closely

First, pay attention to what everyone does, not just what they say. In our last game, my buddy Pete claimed he wanted peace, yet grabbed power like a raccoon grabs trash. Spot the sneaky ones early!

1. Count how often opponents target the same region.
2. Notice who always helps the same player.
3. Track anyone who rarely spends influence.

Spot Bluffs and Bold Declarations

Next, catch players who talk big but act small. Last round, my friend Linda promised to support me, then stabbed me in the back faster than I could say ‘How To Play politico.’ Don’t trust loud promises!

1. Compare words to actions every turn.
2. See who avoids direct eye contact when plotting.

Predict Their Next Steps

Finally, guess where they’ll strike next. When a player hoards influence, expect a surprise attack, not a tea party invitation. Prepare your defense before the storm hits.

1. Watch for stockpiled cards or tokens.
2. Ask yourself, ‘Who stands to gain next round?’
3. Set traps for overeager attackers.

Time to Rule the Table!

Congrats, you’re now ready to storm the halls of power in Politico! After many games with my friends (and way too many heated debates about who betrayed whom), I can tell you—there’s no two games alike. Mastering alliance building and knowing when to turn on your best mate is the real key. Just remember, if you win, act humble. Trust me, nobody likes a gloating ruler. If you need a refresher on How To Play politico, this guide’s always here. Good luck, and may your snacks never run out!

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