Sequence and Phases

How a game of 18 India runs: certificate distribution, then one Stock Round and two Operating Rounds, again and again; the four phases set by train purchases; glossary.

Sequence of play

1. Certificate distribution — once, at the start: deal, keep and draft certificates into secret hands.
2. Stock Round — selling turn, then buying turns until everyone passes.
3. Operating Round — twice in a row.
4. Back to 2, until the game ends.

The round tracker on the map (SR → OR1 → OR2) keeps count.

Phases

The game moves through four phases. A new phase starts when a Company buys the first train of a new type.

Phase I

• 2-trains are for sale. All tile colours can be laid from the start.
• Private Company abilities may be used; Companies may buy trains from the bank or from each other.
• Train limit: 2 per Company.
• GIPR shares can be bought and sold, but the GIPR cannot operate yet.

Phase II

• Starts with the first 3-train bought. 3-trains for sale.
• The GIPR may operate (once three of its 10% shares are in play).

Phase III

• Starts with the first 4- or 4E-train bought. 4 / 4E-trains for sale.

Phase IV

• Starts with the first Phase IV train bought: 3×2, 3×3, 4×2, 4×3, 4E×2 or 4E×3 — all available at once. A Company may own only one of them.
• Guaranty warrants expire.
• No more gauge change markers are placed; a Company may instead remove one as its track action.
• Royal Bonds may be converted into GIPR shares.

Turn order

The turn order cards deal the first order. In every Stock Round, the order in which players pass sets the order for the next one (Passing). Companies operate in share-price order (Operating order).

Glossary

• Route — an unbroken path of track that contains at least one of the running Company’s stations. It may pass any Towns and any Cities with a free station circle or its own token, but not a City filled with other Companies’ tokens.
• Portfolio — the certificates you own and have put into play.
• Hand of certificates — the secret certificates only you may buy; they are not in play until bought.
• IPO — the three face-up rows of certificates; Open Market — sold shares, trains and Private Companies.
• Floating — a Company becoming operational: its home station goes on the map and its price marker on the Stock Market.