Tips & Strategy

Build discounts while contesting the shared token board.

Plan a victory route

Keep all three victory tracks in view. Crowns create Royal opportunities at three and six, while color columns can reach ten prestige before your total reaches twenty. A colorless prestige card helps only the total route.

Use the board as a contest

Before collecting tokens, compare the lines your opponent can take next. Taking three identical tokens or both pearls gives them a Privilege, so weigh the immediate haul against the token they may take later. Refill only when it improves your own access enough to justify giving them a Privilege.

Reserve with purpose

A reserve costs a mandatory action but gives a gold wild token and can deny a key face-up card. A blind draw hides the card from your opponent. Keep a reserve slot open if blocking a winning card may matter; three occupied slots prevent another reserve.

Keep purchases efficient

Bonuses reduce future costs automatically, before tokens are spent. Favor cards that build a needed color discount, while watching the ten-token cap. The three victory routes and token choices are described in the official rules.