Madame Ching

Hurrican · Board game · 2014
2–4 · best 2 30–45 min Weight 2.2/5
7.6 rating Ludopedia
6.4 rating BGG
Buy
7.6 rating Ludopedia
6.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

An agile and thematic card game for sea lovers looking for strategy without the fluff.

Highlights
  • Smooth strategic navigation
  • Fast-paced card dynamics
  • Engaging pirate theme
  • Great for quick sessions
Keep in mind
  • Requires careful color management
  • Might be short for hardcore gamers
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Ready your captain and adjust the sails, because Madame Ching is calling! In this dynamic and strategic card game, you and your rivals embark on maritime expeditions across the ocean in search of glory and treasure. The goal is simple but the execution requires strategy: you must organize your voyages so that your ships reach distant destinations, like legendary Hong Kong. At the start, you receive a set of cards with specific numbers and colors. Each round, you must decide whether to continue an existing voyage or start a new journey. If you play a card with a higher value and the same color as the previous one, your ship moves straight to the right. If the color is different, the ship performs a more complex maneuver, moving both right and down, which can yield higher scores on the board spaces, but requires careful planning to ensure you don't run out of useful cards. Upon completing a voyage, you score points and can even claim special ship tiles or bonus cards. These action cards are the spice of the game, allowing you to steal gems from opponents, take cards from the discard pile, or manipulate your voyages. If you manage to collect the right symbols, you might even command the famous vessel, the Pearl of China, and end the game. At the end, we tally the points from routes, gems, and captured ships. Whoever has the highest total score becomes the master of the seas! It's a fast-paced game, perfect for those who enjoy agile resource management without overly heavy rules, but with the constant tension of a great pirate game.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Country: China Theme: Pirates
Publisher Hurrican
Designer Bruno Cathala, Ludovic Maublanc
Artist Vincent Dutrait

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,899owners
229wishlist
36want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How long does a game last?
Usually between 30 to 45 minutes, perfect for a quick session with friends.
What is the complexity level?
It's a light-to-medium weight game, easy to learn but requires attention to card management.
How many players is it for?
It works great for 2 to 4 players.
Is there much player interaction?
Yes, especially through bonus cards that allow you to steal resources from opponents.
Do I need to know much about the theme to play?
Not at all; the rules are intuitive and the pirate theme adds flavor to the experience.

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