# 18Ireland

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 7.4
- **BGG Rank**: #4950
- **Players**: 3-6 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 240-300 min
- **Weight**: 4.09 / 5
- **Designers**: Ian Scrivins
- **Publishers**: (Web published), All-Aboard Games
- **Categories**: Economic, Trains
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Network and Route Building, Stock Holding, Tile Placement

## Verdict
Fans of economic strategy and deep stock negotiations will love 18Ireland.Unexpected company mergersCreative routing demands lateral thinkingHexagonal trains with obsolescence phasesRequires patience in low player countsNarrow gauge connections are abstractSmall initial bank raises tensionFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
18Ireland brings the classic 18xx mechanics to the lush Irish landscape, but with a quirky twist. Instead of a wealthy nation, Ireland was poor, making investors even more eager to build profitable railways. Up to 13 five‑share companies appear in a random sequence, each with its own fate: some thrive, others languish due to underinvestment or isolation. If a company struggles, a shareholder voting system can force a merger into a ten‑share company, dramatically shifting the game. The board features unique track tiles, so a direct route isn’t always available; players often have to devise detours. There are two gauges: broad and narrow. Narrow gauge tracks lack purchasable locomotives; instead, they work abstractly, boosting the value of connected broad‑gauge stations. Trains are hexagonal and gat two obsolescence stages: first, rusted trains can be bought back from the bank at half price and capacity, then, when they rot, they’re removed from play. As the game progresses, the train rush becomes brutal. Player bankruptcy does not end the game; survivors continue until they break a bank that starts with only £4,000. 18Ireland runs with 3 to 6 players. With fewer players, the focus is on running good companies; with more, the competition intensifies as portfolios diversify and hostile mergers matter more. By choosing the player count, you decide the vibe you want: a calmer strategy or a heated clash.

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime?
Between 240 and 300 minutes, depending on player count and the dynamics of mergers.

### How many players can join?
From 3 to 6 players, allowing both more strategic and more intense confrontations.

### Is the game complex?
Yes, it involves multiple layers of decision: auctions, route building, mergers, and fleet management. It’s recommended for 18xx fans.

### What are the components?
Board with track tiles, hexagonal train pieces, money tokens, action cards, company tokens, and a bank of cash.

### Who is the game for?
For 18xx enthusiasts, economics lovers, network builders, and those who enjoy stock negotiations in a historical setting.

### How do company mergers work?
When two neighboring five‑share companies merge, shareholders vote to create a new ten‑share company, sometimes against the directors’ wishes.