# Dominion: Black Market Promo Card

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2009
- **BGG Rating**: 7.1
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 30 min
- **Weight**: 2.32 / 5
- **Designers**: Donald X. Vaccarino
- **Artists**: Franz Vohwinkel
- **Publishers**: Albi, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten, Bard Centrum Gier, Filosofia Éditions, Hobby Japan, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi, Rio Grande Games, Stupor Mundi, W. Nostheide Verlag GmbH
- **Categories**: Card Game, Expansion for Base-game, Medieval
- **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Delayed Purchase, Hand Management, Open Drafting

## Verdict
If you love Dominion and want extra surprise choices, Black Market gives you exactly that with a simple, fun mechanic.Expands strategic optionsEnables treasure combosFits seamlessly with base gameNeeds pre‑game setupDoes nothing when deck emptiesLimits purchase to one card per playRECOMMENDED

## Description
Black Market is a promotional Dominion card released in 2009, bundled with the Envoy promo. When you play the Action (cost 3 coins), you reveal the top three cards of the Black Market deck – a pile assembled before the game with Kingdom cards that are not in the regular supply. You may purchase one of those cards immediately, using coins already in your hand or even treasure cards you decide to play during the Action phase. The remaining revealed cards are placed on the bottom of the Black Market deck in any order you choose, letting you shape future options. If you choose not to buy any of the three, you still gain +2 coins, so the card never feels wasted. The purchase made here doesn’t count as a purchase in the Buy phase, meaning you don’t need an extra +1 Buy to still acquire something during your normal buying step. To build the Black Market deck, players agree beforehand which Kingdom cards to use – typically one copy of each card not present in the supply, with at least fifteen cards and no duplicates. This pile is not part of the official supply, so its depletion does not end the game. The card also lets you play extra treasure during the Action phase, stacking coins that can be spent later in the Buy phase. Mechanically, Black Market blends deck‑building, hand management, delayed purchase and open drafting, all in a compact package that adds strategic depth to Dominion without overwhelming complexity. It’s perfect for players already comfortable with the base game who crave an extra layer of choice and surprise, though it does require some pre‑game setup to assemble the extra deck.

## FAQ
### How many players can use the card?
It works in 2‑4 player games, just like the base Dominion.

### How long does it take to set up the Black Market deck?
Usually about 5 minutes – pick Kingdom cards not in the supply and shuffle them together.

### Does the card increase game complexity?
Not really; it adds a strategic layer, but the rules are straightforward.

### Do I need extra components?
Only the Black Market deck, which can be built from Kingdom cards of other expansions or spare copies.

### Is it suitable for beginners?
Better for players already familiar with Dominion, as it assumes knowledge of the action and buy phases.

### Can I use it in official tournaments?
Usually not – promotional cards are often excluded from sanctioned events, but check the specific tournament rules.

### What happens if the Black Market deck runs out?
You still gain +2 coins when you play the card, but you won’t be able to buy an extra card.