How to Play Dice Town: Cowboys

Matagot, Game Harbor, RollinGames · Board game · 2017
2–6 45 min Weight 2.0/5
— rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG

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Step by step

Objective of the Game

This expansion introduces cattle and legendary cowboys to Dice Town, offering new opportunities for players. While the core objective of Dice Town remains, players are now trying to accumulate Victory Points through various means, including managing herds of cows, recruiting cowboys, and acquiring Rodeo cards. The player with the most Victory Points at the end of the game will be the winner.

Preparation (Setup)

  1. Place the Prairie board on top of your base game board between the town hall and Doc Badluck. This creates a single space for the Property Deeds, with a corral for the cows below it.
  2. Place 20 cows on the Prairie board.
  3. Add the 5 new General Store cards to the General Store deck.
  4. Shuffle the 12 Cowboy cards (3 Hearts, 3 Spades, 3 Diamonds, and 3 Clubs) and place them facedown in a deck near the Prairie board. Then, draw and place the top 2 cards of the deck faceup next to the deck.
  5. Place the 4 Rodeo cards, each worth 10 Victory Points (VP), near the board.

Fluxo do Jogo

Town Hall (modified town location)

The player with the best poker hand takes the faceup Property Deed. Aces no longer allow players to take additional Property Deeds.

If you have the first expansion: The second action (draw a Property Deed) is unchanged.

Prairie (new location)

The player with the most Aces goes to the Prairie and takes one of the following actions:

  1. Steal cows
  2. Recruit a cowboy

If you have the first expansion: Like other locations, with 3 or more players, the player with the most Aces takes one of the two actions and the player with the second most Aces takes the remaining action.

Ações e Como Jogar

New Location Actions

1) Steal Cows

Steal 1 cow for each Ace in your poker hand. If there are cows in the prairie, you must steal cows from the prairie. If there are no cows in the prairie, you must steal them from one or more opponents’ herds.

When you steal cows, place them in front of you; they make up your herd. You can immediately decide to place all or part of your herd on one or multiple of your Property Deeds. If so, place a Property Deed from your hand faceup on the table, and place a number of cows equal to the value of that Property Deed. (Note: The number of cows must be exactly equal to the Property Deed value.)

Placing cows on a Property Deed has three advantages:

  • This Property Deed cannot be stolen from you.
  • The cows on this Property Deed cannot be stolen from you.
  • This Property Deed is now worth 1 additional VP.

Keeping cows in your herd is risky because they can be stolen from you, but the biggest herd is worth 10 VP at the end of the game.

If you have the first expansion: You cannot place a cow on a Ranch.

2) Recruit a Cowboy

Take one of the two faceup Cowboy cards. Then, replace it with the top card of the Cowboy deck.

There are 4 suits of Cowboys; each suit has a different effect. A Cowboy card effect is active until the Cowboy card is discarded for a Rodeo card. Card effects of the same suit are cumulative.

  • Cowboy of Spades: Play this card when you exploit the gold mine. Gain one additional gold nugget for each Cowboy of Spades you own.
  • Cowboy of Diamonds: Play this card when you rob the bank. Each opponent must give you $1 for each Cowboy of Diamonds you own.
  • Cowboy of Hearts: Play this card when an opponent steals from you at the saloon. For each Cowboy of Hearts you own, cancel one of your opponent’s Q’s. That player will therefore look at fewer cards in your hand and, if you cancel out all of their Q’s, they are not able to steal from you.
  • Cowboy of Clubs: Play this card when you steal cows from the prairie. Steal one extra cow for each Cowboy of Clubs you own.

New General Store Cards

  • Cattle Herder: Play this card when an opponent steals cows from you. No one can steal cows from you this turn. That player must steal from another player. If there are no cows in the other herds, that player does not steal any cows.
  • Lasso: Play this card when you steal cows. Steal two cows for each Ace in your poker hand instead of one.
  • Recruitment: Play this card when you recruit a cowboy. Take two faceup Cowboy cards instead of one.
  • Persuasion: Play this card when the Mayor rewards you at the town hall. After taking Property Deeds, draw one Property Deed from the deck for each Ace in your poker hand, keep one, and return the others to the box—they will not be used for the rest of the game.
  • Bribe: Play this card when the Mayor rewards you at the town hall. Instead of taking the faceup Property Deed, take the top 2 cards from the Property Deed deck.

Rodeo

When a player owns one cowboy in each suit, he must immediately discard them to take one Rodeo card worth 10 VP.

Fim de Jogo e Pontuação

End of Game

Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Scoring

  • At the end of the game, each Property Deed with a matching number of cows on it is worth 1 additional VP.
  • Additionally, the player who owns the biggest herd (cows that are not on Property Deeds) gains 10 VP. If multiple players are tied for the biggest herd, they each gain 5 VP.
  • Each Rodeo card is worth 10 VP.

Dicas para Vencer

  • Placing cows on a Property Deed makes both the deed and the cows on it immune to being stolen, and increases the Property Deed's value by 1 VP. This is a good way to secure your assets.
  • While keeping cows in your herd is risky, having the biggest herd at the end of the game grants a significant 10 VP bonus, or 5 VP if tied. Balance risk and reward!
  • Collecting one cowboy of each suit allows you to immediately claim a Rodeo card for 10 VP. This is a direct path to substantial points.

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Prefer the Official PDF? Download the official Dice Town: Cowboys rulebook or browse it online with our AI rules assistant.
View Rulebook PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about the rules

5 questions
What is the objective of Dice Town: Cowboys?
This expansion introduces cattle and legendary cowboys to Dice Town, offering new opportunities for players. While the core objective of Dice Town remains, players are now trying to accumulate Victory Points through various means, including managing herds of cows, recruiting cowboys, and acquiring Rodeo cards. The player with the most Victory Points at the end of the game will be the winner.
How do you set up Dice Town: Cowboys?
Place the Prairie board on top of your base game board between the town hall and Doc Badluck. This creates a single space for the Property Deeds, with a corral for the cows below it. Place 20 cows on the Prairie board. Add the 5 new General Store cards to the General Store deck. Shuffle the 12 Cowboy cards (3 Hearts, 3 Spades, 3 Diamonds, and 3 Clubs) and place them facedown in a deck near the Prairie board. Then, draw and place the top 2 cards of the deck faceup next to the deck. Place the 4…
How do you play Dice Town: Cowboys?
Town Hall (modified town location) The player with the best poker hand takes the faceup Property Deed. Aces no longer allow players to take additional Property Deeds. If you have the first expansion: The second action (draw a Property Deed) is unchanged. Prairie (new location) The player with the most Aces goes to the Prairie and takes one of the following actions: Steal cows Recruit a cowboy If you have the first expansion: Like other locations, with 3 or more players, the player with the…
How does Dice Town: Cowboys end, and how do you score?
End of Game Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Scoring At the end of the game, each Property Deed with a matching number of cows on it is worth 1 additional VP. Additionally, the player who owns the biggest herd (cows that are not on Property Deeds) gains 10 VP. If multiple players are tied for the biggest herd, they each gain 5 VP. Each Rodeo card is worth 10 VP.
What are some tips for winning Dice Town: Cowboys?
Placing cows on a Property Deed makes both the deed and the cows on it immune to being stolen, and increases the Property Deed's value by 1 VP. This is a good way to secure your assets. While keeping cows in your herd is risky, having the biggest herd at the end of the game grants a significant 10 VP bonus, or 5 VP if tied. Balance risk and reward! Collecting one cowboy of each suit allows you to immediately claim a Rodeo card for 10 VP. This is a direct path to substantial points.
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