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In the card game “Startups” we trade shares in six promising companies. Whoever holds the majority at the end gets to cash in – everyone else has to pay.
Quickly explained
Each card in “Startups” represents a share in one of six companies with promising names like “Flamingo Soft” or “Elephant Mars Travel”. Three of these make up each players face down hand. Turns are quick: Draw a card, then play a card. Either as an investment to your own playing area, or discarded face up to the central market. The cards there can be taken by any player on their turn.
If you want to draw from the deck regardless, you must place one of your capital tokens on each spurned market card. But if you take a card from the market, you can pocket all its tokens, too. A good deal, because each is worth one victory point. The game ends when the last card is drawn from the deck. Whoever holds the sole majority of a company receives a capital token from all losing investors for each of their shares – flipped to the more valuable back side. The richest player wins.
What makes the game appealing?
Two tricks ensure that “Startups” develops a surprising depth of play despite its simple ruleset. First, whoever owns the most shares in a startup receives its “anti-monopoly chip”. The holder is not allowed to take any more open cards of the corresponding company from the market. Only when someone else has more shares does the chip change hands. Thus, no one can easily “run away” with a majority – everything stays within striking distance.
Second, our three face-down hand cards also count. At the end of the game, they are added to the shares we have played, potentially turning seemingly secure majorities on their heads. Plenty of potential for bluffs and mind games.
Who’s having fun?
“Startups” rewards overview and cool-headedness. If you’re clever, you can lure your fellow players into costly traps. After just a few rounds, surprisingly complex tactical possibilities open up.
However, success also requires card luck – especially with higher player counts. Completely fine for a game that only takes 15 minutes, but those who can’t let chance have the last word are better off investing elsewhere.
Conclusion
“Startups” is a clever little card game with high interaction and many exciting decisions. A good investment.
Originally published on January 2nd 2023 as part of “WDR 2 Spiele” – a series of board game recommendations on the German radio.
Direct link to the German version:https://www1.wdr.de/radio/wdr2/themen/servicezeit/spiele-sta…
Direct link to the audio:https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr2/audio-startups–spe…
