# Azul: Joker Tiles

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 7.3
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 30-45 min
- **Weight**: 1.67 / 5
- **Designers**: Michael Kiesling
- **Artists**: Chris Quilliams
- **Publishers**: Plan B Games, Ghenos Games, Lacerta, Next Move Games
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Expansion for Base-game, Puzzle
- **Mechanics**: Pattern Building, Set Collection, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you love Azul and want extra choices without extra complexity, Joker Tiles hit the spot.more drafting optionspreserves visual themeno rule changesno end‑game color bonusesdoesn’t add new mechanicsRECOMMENDED

## Description
Azul: Joker Tiles arrives as a compact yet potent set of ten promotional tiles that fit seamlessly into the classic Azul game. Each joker can stand in for any other tile, acting as a wildcard that broadens your options during the factory drafting phase. This extra flexibility lets you shape the pattern you need on your preparation rows, potentially shifting the strategy of each round. The trade‑off is that these beautiful jokers do not count toward the end‑game color bonuses, so players must make up the lost points through other means. The set introduces no new rules, only the additional components, and it works with any edition of Azul, including other expansions. Playtime stays in the familiar 30‑45 minute window, perfect for a quick yet strategically richer session. With a light weight of 1.7/5, the learning curve remains gentle, welcoming both newcomers and veterans to enjoy the novelty without hassle. Component-wise, the jokers are high‑quality tiles matching the premium finish of the base game and blend beautifully with the palace aesthetic. In short, Joker Tiles inject visual flair and tactical depth into Azul while preserving the core experience, making it a smart way to refresh the base game without a full‑blown expansion.

## How to Play
Game Objective
Refer to the manual for details on this section.

Preparation (Setup)
Game setup varies depending on the number of players:

    In a 3 or 4 Player game, remove 2 Tiles of each color from the Game and include the 10 Joker Tiles.
    In a 2 Player game, remove 1 Tile of each color from the Game and include 5 Joker Tiles.


Gameplay Flow
Refer to the manual for details on this section.

Actions and How to Play
On your turn, during the Tile selection phase:

    You may choose all Joker Tiles from one location.
    If you choose all Joker Tiles, you may also choose all Tiles of another color from the same location (if possible).
    You must add all Tiles you chose to the same Row (placing any excess on the Floor Line).
    Any row can contain Tiles of a specific color and/or Joker Tiles.

In the Tiling phase:

    If you complete a row that has Joker Tiles, the order of your pieces must be rearranged so that the rightmost space is occupied by the Joker Tile.
    Then, move the Joker Tile to the corresponding Wall Line as usual:
        
            If your row only has Joker Tiles, place one of them in any free space on the corresponding wall line.
            If your row includes another color, place the Joker Tile in the space corresponding to that color on the wall line (Colored Board).
        
    
    Then score as usual.

Additional rules:

    If a Joker Tile occupies a space on the wall of a certain color, you CANNOT place more Tiles of that color in the Row.
    Any Row or Column of the wall can contain multiple Joker Tiles.


End of Game and Scoring
At the end of the Game, Joker Tiles DO NOT COUNT as the specific color, preventing the player from receiving the 10 additional points for 5 of a kind.
Refer to the manual for details on the end-game trigger and other scoring criteria.

Tips for Winning
Refer to the manual for details on this section.

## FAQ
### How many players can use Joker Tiles?
The expansion works for 2 to 4 players, just like the base game.

### Does the game take longer with the jokers?
Playtime stays roughly 30‑45 minutes, essentially the same as standard Azul.

### Can a joker replace an existing tile?
Yes, each joker can act as any other tile during the factory drafting phase.

### Do I lose points by using jokers?
Jokers don’t count toward end‑game color bonuses, so you’ll need to make up those points elsewhere.

### Are there any new rules to learn?
No. Joker Tiles are pure component additions; Azul’s rules remain unchanged.

### Is it compatible with other Azul expansions?
Yes, you can mix it with other expansions as long as the total tile count stays within the game’s limits.

### Do the jokers match the quality of the original tiles?
Absolutely, they have the same premium finish and blend visually with the rest of the game.

### Will the jokers affect the game’s difficulty?
They add strategic depth but don’t increase the overall complexity, keeping the game light and accessible.