Cartagena - How to Play 🎲 and Why It's a Gem 💎

This week's older board game gem is Cartagena, by Leo Colovini and Winning Moves Germany in 2000. Players are trying to be first to move all their pirate pawns down a track to the finish, and can play cards to move their pawns forward - but can only get new cards by moving their pawns backward! How well you do at both depends a lot on the positions of your opponents' pawns. A very simple game with a depth to it, it's a great game that fits almost any situation.
In the mid-2000s a Cartagena line of sorts was started by Winning Moves, including a sequel by Colovini himself. There are separate sections that show How to Play both games. I also talk a bit about the newest version, which is a combination of both games.
00:00 Intro ▶️
01:40 How to Play Cartagena 🎲
07:29 How to Play Cartagena 2 🎲🎲
13:12 Why It's a Gem 💎
Board Gems is a weekly video series highlighting board games that aren't talked about much any more - maybe they're a bit old (though not usually crazy old), or maybe they didn't make a big splash when they came out - but are still great games today, and deserve to not be forgotten!
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[@JellybeanInc]

I've had this game since 2000 and it's just been sitting on a shelf. I hope my family and I can play it this year.

[@grog3514]

I love your channel m8! You love the same kind of games I do. Simple mechanisms with lots of depth. To me thats the pinnacle of elegance. Will try to pick this one up.

[@BoardGems]

Thanks!

[@Juegosmontt]

From Colovini The Bridges of Shangri-La is a masterpiece!

[@BoardGems]

It’s been suggested I cover it! I need to play it more first, but I’ll definitely get to it.

[@timothyweddle3723]

I’ve been following Leo Colovini’s work recently. I’m keeping an eye out for Cartagena (2000) but I’m only able to find the 2017 version.
Curious, have you covered, or perhaps even played, Masons? I just found a NIS copy and found the game to be intriguing. Ever since I bought Colovini’s co-designed game Old London Bridge (2022), I’ve been enthralled with his elegant approach. Thanks.

[@BoardGems]

I haven't seen it in person but I'd think the 2017 edition is fine. It comes with some extra stuff, which doesn't hurt and you don't have to use. But I also enjoy getting the original edition when possible. I'd prefer owning the 2000 edition over my 2006.
Oh yes, I am familiar with Masons! Being a Colovini from Hans im Glück definitely piqued my interest. I enjoy it, it's not a favourite but I will certainly cover it at some point. A new game of his that shares some DNA with Masons is Castello Methoni, a game I would love but haven't acquired yet.
Colovini polishes his game designs so they're smooth as silk, but that can be good and bad. They're elegant, but sometimes rough edges in a game can be where some of the fun and excitement occurs. Not every Colovini game is top tier but most are worth exploring. I also enjoy Carolus Magnus (I covered that one) and Heul Doch (a new-ish card game), and Bridges of Shangri-La is a lot of people's favourite Colovini. Cheers!

[@FestaNoYoutubiu]

Great content. You're legit, man. Keep going!

[@BoardGems]

Thanks!

[@jwspiker]

i've got the venice collection version from 2000, will need to try this out

[@BoardGems]

Old school! Old school is my school. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!

[@rzhang86]

Would you cover the somewhat similar game, Hare & Tortoise?

[@BoardGems]

Yes, I would!

[@laxisusous]

I've got the Ravensburger version. It has 6 tiles, but only 5 pirates per player. The big difference is that you only get two actions per turn instead of three. Still great.

[@BoardGems]

I didn't realise it only had two actions per turn! I did know it used fewer tiles and pawns.
Some games, you change one small thing and the whole game breaks down. But Cartagena, you can change a few variables and the game still works completely fine. It just shows how robust the design is.

[@upandawaygames]

Nice game. Maybe the Tortuga variant should have put the cards in a circle and replenished continually, using the arrow card to indicate the direction.

[@BoardGems]

That's an interesting idea! Though it might be a bit annoying to refresh the cards constantly. Not sure.

[@koolkid4825]

:)

[@BoardGems]

🙃