How To Play: Titanic

Overview

If you ever thought you could do better than Jack and Rose, this guide is for you. I played Titanic with my friends and, trust me, chaos on a sinking ship is real. Here, you’ll find a quick outline of the game rules, plus my best tips for snatching victory before the ship sinks. Ready to learn How To Play titanic and actually win? Let’s get started!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 6 Character Pawns
• 6 Character Boards
• 60 Item Cards
• 30 Event Cards
• 20 Lifeboat Tokens
• 40 Survivor Tokens
• 1 Ship Movement Marker
• 1 Iceberg Token
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Titanic: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the Titanic game board in the center. Try not to spill your drink on it, unlike me last Friday.
2. Shuffle all the item cards and deal three to each player.
3. Each player picks a survivor token and puts it in their cabin, unless they want to sleep on deck (not recommended).
4. Put all lifeboat tokens next to the board. Don’t hide them for yourself. People notice.
5. Decide who goes first. We usually pick whoever did the worst Jack impression.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw one event card and follow its instructions. Some are good; most are as friendly as a rogue ice cube.
2. Take two actions. Move, play an item, or try to get in a lifeboat. Or do all three if you have a TARDIS.
3. You can help another survivor if you land in their space. I tried to help Dave, but he keeps tripping over lifebelts.
4. Watch for water rising sections of the ship. Move fast, unless you’re aiming for a dramatic exit.

Winning

1. To win, get your survivor safely into a lifeboat before the ship sinks. Sounds easy. Isn’t.
2. If more than one survivor escapes, the one with the most item points wins. I once won by saving just my rubber duck.
3. If all lifeboats launch and you’re still on the ship, well… maybe next time!

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If an event card says ‘Floods Two Rooms,’ get your token moving faster than I run for cupcakes.
2. Some item cards can only be played once per turn—no hoarding lifebelts, Steve.
3. If two players fight over a lifeboat seat, roll the dice. Highest roll wins, but friendships may lose.
4. If you forget whose turn it is, just ask who last made a Titanic pun. It’s probably their turn.

And that’s How To Play Titanic. Don’t panic, plan ahead, and remember: if all else fails, blame the iceberg.

Best Titanic Strategies

Lifeboat Management: Survive Like a Pro on Titanic!

When it comes to How To Play titanic, lifeboat management is your ticket out. Don’t get stuck on the deck with a violin—let’s get strategic!

Pick the Right Lifeboat

1. Choose a lifeboat close to your character’s location.
2. If the next one is overloaded, find a less crowded option.

Time Your Moves

1. Wait for the best moment before running for the lifeboat.
2. Sometimes, hang back and let the crowd thin out.

Coordinate With Friends

1. Work together to avoid bottlenecks.
2. Spread out to claim multiple lifeboats if possible.

Make Your Item Cards Count on the Titanic!

Know When to Grab

1. Always check decks near your starting spot first.
2. Pick up items early, before the chaos begins.

Trade or Trash?

1. Trade extra cards with friends for something you really need.
2. Don’t hoard useless items—ditch them to lighten your load.

Use at the Right Moment

1. Wait until danger strikes before you play big lifesaver cards.
2. If a friend faces disaster, use a card to save the day and score points.

Learning How To Play titanic with killer item strategies beats taking a swim in cold water. Smart use wins games, and sometimes even friendships!

Mastering Survivor Positioning for Victory in Titanic

Survivor positioning can mean the difference between a soggy defeat and a glorious win in Titanic. My friends learned this the hard way after we abandoned Aunt Edna near the stern (sorry Edna). Below are my best tips!

Always Stay Close to Lifeboats

1. Keep at least one survivor within two spaces of a lifeboat.
2. Continually adjust positions as lifeboats move or get filled.

Block Rivals (Without Making Enemies… Maybe)

1. Strategically stand in spaces that slow down your opponents.
2. Use survivors to create traffic jams near bottlenecks.

Plan for the Unexpected

1. Always have a backup route for each survivor.
2. Don’t clump survivors together—spread out to avoid disaster.

Adapting When Chaos Hits

1. When the board floods, reposition survivors to higher ground fast.
2. React quickly if rivals block your main path.

If you want to really master How To Play titanic, smart survivor positioning is a must.

Make Waves, Not Mistakes

If you want to win Titanic, you can’t just float around like a lost rubber duck. Wrangle those lifeboats! Nab the best item cards before your cousin Larry grabs them! Move your survivors with the grace of someone who definitely isn’t panicking as the ship sinks. Most of all, laugh about it when Uncle Bob rows himself straight into the ice! After playing Titanic with my friends (and losing dramatically), I learned that luck helps, but smart moves help more. So put these tips to use, and next time you’ll be the one giving advice on How To Play titanic instead of desperately asking for it.

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