Basari

About the game

What is Basari?

Basari is a game of gem merchants competing in a marketplace": racing, collecting, trading, and predicting what the other merchants will do. To start the game, players receive 12 gemstones (3 each of 4 colors). Each turn there will be a movement phase and an action phase: For movement, everyone simultaneously rolls their die and moves their markers around a track. They then choose one of three different actions to perform. The actions are: - to take a variety of gems from a market stall, - to immediately score from between 4 and 7 points, or - to roll and move again and also collect points. The action cards are revealed simultaneously. If only 1 player chose a particular action, they simply perform that action. If 2 players chose the same action, they barter back and forth with gemstones. One player will eventually accept the other's offer of gems, and the other will take the action. If 3 or 4 players all chose the same action card, that action is cancelled. Note that in 4-player games, there will always be a conflict in choice of 3 actions, so much more negotiating goes on. A new turn begins with everyone rolling their die, moving, then choosing and revealing their action cards. When any merchant piece completes a lap around the board, the round ends and bonus points are awarded based on who has the majority in each gem color and who has completed a lap. After three rounds, the game is over and the highest score wins. Re-implemented by: Edel, Stein & Reich

How it plays

Mechanics

On the shelf

Categories

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

• How do setup and the first turn work in Basari?
• When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
• How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?