Douro 1872
Douro 1872 Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Content
- Book of rules
- 55 Player cards
- 50 barrels (10x5 different characters)
- 5 reference (1 for each player)
- 21 Rabelo cards
- 15 regular
- 6 fog
- 2 Special cards
- 1 phylloxera
- 1 charity
- 20 score barrels
- 10 (1 point)
- 5 (3 point)
- 5 (6 point)
Purpose of the Game
Because of the phylloxera, which destroys the vineyards in the Douro Valley, the big companies desperately seek wine barrels. The players are small grape growers who have some aging wine reserves in their cellars. In the game, it will help large companies meet deadlines for orders. For every Rabelo boat full of barrels, the most generous producers receive a reward. For each incomplete boat, less generous producers are penalized. It's not always good to trust the fog; it's all a matter of luck!
The winner is the player who at the end of the game adds more score barrels.
Phylloxera
Phylloxera is a disease caused by an insect that attacks the roots and leaves of the vines. It was detected in the United States in 1854, but quickly reached Europe, notably France (in the south of the Rhone region), where it caused the first damage in 1862. It quickly reached all of France and several European countries, having reached the Douro around 1868. By 1872 most of Porto's wine producing estates were destroyed.
Game Preparation
Each player receives:
- A1. Ten barrel cards (of the character he/she chooses).
- A2. A reference card that each player puts face-up in front of themselves, also of the character they choose.
- A3. Two 1-point barrel cards and one 3-point barrel card placed in front of each player (the value of the points remains hidden throughout the match).
- A4. The remaining score barrels are placed in the center of the table, arranged in three different stacks (the value of the points is visible throughout the game).
B. Separate the six fog Rabelo cards from the 15 regular Rabelo cards:
- B1. Shuffle the 15 regular Rabelo cards; separate 3 and place them (as a stack) in the center of the table, face down.
- B2. To the remaining 12 regular Rabelo cards join the fog Rabelo cards and shuffle. Finally, place them face down on top of the 3 regular Rabelo cards initially reserved (B1). Make sure the top-of-the-stack card is always a regular Rabelo card.
- B3. Place the regular Rabelo cards on top of the pile on the table (face down) until you find a fog Rabelo card (this area is called the Douro Valley).
C. Place the charity card next to the Rabelo stack.
D. Carry out the "lottery" for the phylloxera card (see Special Cards, 2A Phylloxera).
Development of the Game
A game of Douro 1872 takes place as follows:
- Phase 1: players play their barrel cards to try to complete orders for regular Rabelo cards (see point 1A) and fog Rabelo cards (see point 1B). Perform this procedure until you have exhausted the stack of the 10 barrel cards.
- Phase 2: in the middle of the game, collect the stack of the 10 barrel cards to your hand and make a donation to the charity card (2B).
- Phase 3: repeat the first phase procedures until the Rabelo cards from the stack end.
IMPORTANT: How do you arrange the regular Rabelo cards and fog Rabelo cards on the table during the game? The regular Rabelo cards are removed from the top of the stack and arranged on the table, face down, in an area called the Douro Valley. When a fog Rabelo card appears at the top of the stack, the players begin to dispute the cards. This procedure is repeated throughout the game.
Example: players compete for 3 regular Rabelo cards (one at a time and in the order they come out), and lastly, the fog Rabelo card.
1- Rabelo Cards
The regular Rabelo cards and fog Rabelo cards compete in four steps. From step one to three, the procedures are the same for both types of cards. The fourth and last step (the effect) is different for the regular Rabelo cards and fog Rabelo cards.
To dispute the regular Rabelo cards and fog Rabelo cards:
- Players choose a barrel card from their hand which they place in front of them (face down).
- Players reveal the value of their barrel card, simultaneously.
- Players add the total amount of barrels on the table.
- Players turn the regular Rabelo card (1A) or fog Rabelo card (1B) that is in dispute and its effect takes place (see info on the effect of the cards).
Note: The regular Rabelo cards or fog Rabelo cards are removed to the disposal pile after they are resolved. The barrel cards remain in a stack in front of the player, only the last card being played is visible.
1A- Regular Rabelo
There are 15 cards (3 for each level, with different amounts).
Each card shows: A) Card level (from 1 to 5); B) Barrels necessary to fill the boat (from 1 to 29/39/49); C) Number of players (to have as reference).
IMPORTANT: During the game, refer to the regular Rabelo card information on the reference card.
In a match, only the values of the column referring to the number of players in play are used.
Effect of the 15 cards:
- a) If the total sum of barrels is equal to or greater than the boat's order:
- i. The player who played the highest card receives 2 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the highest barrel cards receive 1 victory point (see exception phylloxera card).
- b) If the total sum of barrels is lower than the order of the boat:
- i. The player who played the lowest card loses 2 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the lowest barrel cards lose 1 victory point (see exception phylloxera card).
1B- Fog Rabelo Card
There are 6 Rabelo fog cards; they all have a different effect. These cards represent dangers or events of the everyday life of the workers who maneuvered Rabelo boats on the Douro River.
Fragas (River Rocks)
- a) If the total sum of barrels is equal to or greater than the boat's order:
- i. The player who played the highest barrel card receives 4 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the highest barrel cards gain 2 victory points (see exception phylloxera card).
- b) If the total sum of barrels is lower than the order of the boat:
- i. The player who played the lowest barrel card loses 4 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the lowest barrel cards lose 2 victory points (see exception phylloxera card).
Douro was formerly a dangerous and untamed river where just the Rabelo boats could navigate. Full of currents and rocky shallows it required great skill and experience to navigate.
Our Lady of Cardia
- a) If the total sum of barrels is equal to or greater than the boat's order:
- i. The player who played the highest barrel card receives 2 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the highest barrel cards receive 1 victory point (see exception phylloxera card).
- b) If the total sum of barrels is lower than the order of the boat:
- i. The player who played the lowest barrel card loses 2 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the lowest barrel cards lose 1 victory point (see exception phylloxera card).
IMPORTANT: After disputing the card, all players return to their hand the barrel card just played.
The faith of the sailors of the Douro River led to the construction of several votive chapels to thank the success of their journeys. Our Lady of Cardia, located in Penha Longa, was one of these places.
Rápidos (Rapids)
- a) If the total sum of barrels is equal to or greater than the boat's order:
- i. The player who played the lowest barrel card receives 2 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the lowest barrel cards receive 1 victory point (see exception phylloxera card).
- b) If the total sum of barrels is lower than the order of the boat:
- i. The player who played the highest barrel card receives 2 victory points.
- ii. In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the highest barrel cards receive 1 victory point (see exception phylloxera card).
The nightmare of the Rabelo sailors was the crossing of the rapids. Too much speed was fatal; however, less speed was putting their fate in the hands of destiny.
Sirga (Tow)
When the tow card is revealed, a regular Rabelo card is immediately taken from the stack. The barrel cards on the table serve to dispute the regular Rabelo card.
IMPORTANT: if the following card is a fog Rabelo card, the players must remove the first regular Rabelo card immediately below it.
Navigating up the Douro River was very slow, especially when the winds were not in favor. Whenever the wind dropped, the Rabelos would be towed upstream with ropes, from the margins, by hand or sometimes by teams of oxen.
The Barraca (Stall) – Floating Tavern
- a) No matter the sum, the player who played the lowest barrel card receives 2 victory points.
- b) In case of a tie, the two or more players who played the lowest barrel cards gain 1 victory point (see phylloxera card exception).
In one of the calm areas of the river was a "Barraca", a floating tavern that helped to relax and regain the energy of an exhausting journey of at least 10 days.
Customs Formalities
The played card is simply used; no player receives or loses victory points.
Halfway through the return journey to Vila Nova de Gaia, customs obligations were fulfilled, with the delivery of wine and sometimes some amounts to the Fiscal Guard.
2- Special Cards
2A- Phylloxera
Card draw: All players randomly remove from the player's stack on their left a card of barrels (which they place in front of the player to whom the deck belongs). The value is revealed immediately. The player with the lowest barrel card in front of him/her receives the phylloxera card.
Effect of the card: The phylloxera card may rotate to all players during the game. In case of a tie, with one or more players, the player who holds the phylloxera card always loses.
The effect of the card is valid on draws with all regular Rabelo cards and fog Rabelo cards, with charity card and, still, in case of a tie, at the end of the game.
IMPORTANT: The phylloxera card rotates clockwise whenever there are draws involving the player who holds it, even if that tie is not important in the distribution / delivery of points.
2B- Charity Card
This card does not change the play of the game. In the middle of the game, as players retrieve the 10 barrel cards played in the first half, each one chooses one of their barrel cards that are placed (without revealing the value) beneath the charity card.
At the end of the game, after playing the hand with the last Rabelo card of the pile, the values of the barrel cards are revealed for charity and:
- The player or players who donated the lowest value card deliver 1 point (note phylloxera card).
- The player or players who donated the highest value card receive 1 point from the pile (note phylloxera card).
Dona Antónia, «A Ferreirinha», was a successful woman in a business area then reserved for men. Concerned about social issues, she was responsible for the construction of the Régua hospital and other major works and acts of charity.
End of the Game
The game ends after being played the last regular Rabelo card in the stack. After counting the profits or losses of the charity card, all the victory points are added. The player who scores the most points is the winner. In the event of a tie, among the tied, the player immediately to the left of the phylloxera card wins.
NOTE: During the game, players are forgiven of paying barrels (victory points) when they do not have them.
Variant (D. Sebastião) – for 2 Players
A two-player match is played in the same way as a 3-player game, with a ghost player added (D. Sebastião). The phylloxera card is removed from the game.
The cards of the ghost-player (D. Sebastião) are played randomly, which causes great surprises and laughter. In this game mode, all point procedures are applied, and the big surprise is that, at the end of the game, D. Sebastião can even win.