# Yardmaster

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2014
- **BGG Rating**: 6.3
- **BGG Rank**: #4720
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 20 min
- **Weight**: 1.22 / 5
- **Designers**: Steven Aramini
- **Artists**: Dan Thompson, Darrell Louder, Mathieu Leyssenne
- **Publishers**: Crash Games, 2 Pionki, IELLO, Lex Games, Portal Games, Rexhry
- **Categories**: Card Game, Print & Play, Trains, Transportation
- **Mechanics**: Advantage Token, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Set Collection

## Verdict
If you love fast card games with tactical choices, Yardmaster will grab you by the hand.Smooth hand managementShort playtimeHigh replayabilityStrict matching rulesMinimal learning curveRECOMMENDED

## Description
In Yardmaster you become the terminal boss, tasked with sorting arriving freight and getting trains out on time. 2‑5 players compete to assemble trains from railcars that carry different goods and values, but you may only link cars that share the same value or the same cargo type. If you draw a car you can’t use yet, it sits in your sorting yard until it fits. Each player starts with five cargo cards and four railcar cards are displayed in the Arrival Yard. Everyone also holds an exchange token representing one of five cargo colors, while the player to the right of the starter gets the Yardmaster token, which grants an extra action each turn. On a turn you take two actions – you may repeat the same one – and if you have the Yardmaster token you get a third action before passing the token clockwise. Actions include buying a railcar by discarding 1‑4 cargo cards of the same color as the car (the number required equals the car’s value), swapping your exchange token for another, or using the token as a wildcard by discarding two cards of its color. Certain cargo cards give bonuses such as cheaper purchases or free draws. The first player to reach 16 points in a 2‑3 player game or 18 points in a 4‑5 player game wins. The game lasts about 20 minutes, has a light 1.2/5 weight, and blends hand management, open drafting and set collection – ideal for fans of quick, tactical card play.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 5 players.

### How long does a game take?
About 20 minutes.

### What is the complexity level?
Light, with a 1.2/5 weight – easy to learn.

### What components are needed?
Cargo cards, railcar cards, exchange tokens, the Yardmaster token, and a discard pile.

### Who is the game best suited for?
Fans of quick card games, hand management and set collection.

### Are there any expansions?
No official expansions; it is a standalone game.

### Can it be played solo?
There is no official solo mode, though house rules can be created.

## Price Comparison
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