# The Last Spike

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 6.7
- **BGG Rank**: #5839
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 1.76 / 5
- **Designers**: Tom Dalgliesh
- **Artists**: Cezary Szulc, Karim Chakroun, Tomasz Larek
- **Publishers**: Columbia Games, Nasza Księgarnia
- **Categories**: Economic, Trains
- **Mechanics**: Stock Holding, Tile Placement

## Verdict
The Last Spike is a clever game that will appeal to those who enjoy economic decisions with a dash of luck. The mechanic of buying city deeds while everyone collaborates on the same railroad creates a unique balance between cooperation and competition. Tension builds as the line approaches Sacramento, with players calculating when to invest or hold resources. The reward for completing the railroad is juicy but doesn't guarantee victory - you need to manage your investments well!Unique mix of cooperation and competitionStrategic economic decisionsBuilding tension in endgameCan be frustrating for those who dislike speculationSome games may have clear leaders earlyRECOMMENDED

## Description
In The Last Spike, you and your friends become 19th century railroad tycoons competing to profit from building the first US transcontinental railroad. The board shows nine cities in a diamond shape, with St. Louis and Sacramento at the ends. Each player gets four track tiles, each with a specific cost and location. On your turn, you place a track on the board (paying the cost) and can buy city deeds. The strategy lies in choosing where to build: being first to place tracks near a city gets you free deeds! When two cities connect, all deed holders get paid - more deeds mean bigger profits. The game ends when someone completes the continuous line between St. Louis and Sacramento, earning a $20,000 bonus. But watch out: if you run out of cash, you'll have to sell your precious deeds! In the end, the richest player wins this speculation and building game that mixes cooperation (everyone works on the same railroad) with competition (each for their own profit).

## FAQ
### How many players is ideal?
Works well with 3-5 players. With 2 it's drier, with 6 there might be some downtime between turns.

### Is it hard to learn?
No - rules are simple but strategy has depth. One learning game is enough to get the hang of it.

### How long does a game last?
About 45 minutes on average, but may vary with player count and how much deliberation happens.

### Is it luck-based or pure strategy?
Some luck in initial tile draw, but mostly about resource management and anticipating moves.

### Is it good for heavy gamers?
It's lighter (weight ~1.75/5) but offers good strategic decisions. Economics fans will enjoy it.

## Price Comparison
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