Game: Shanghaien

Thread: Without A Trace - The Cardgame

macls29 — 2008-10-05T23:35:14+00:00

I was logging a play of Shanghaien, when I noticed that there are no Session Reports on this excellent game. Even though it is a short game (and this is a short session report) I decided to submit it.

Gameplay in brief: Please see Ian Collier's fine review for a succinct description of gameplay

My favourite game ever? Could well be.

My opinion on the game: I rate this game a 10. I know, I know. How can I rate a short game a 10 with only four plays? Well, because I just like it that much. This is a great game - like a light form of Roma. The scoring makes it "gamey", and the way ties for cards are decided force some interesting decisions when placing dice. With only 5 sailors in each nationality (suit) it is easy to keep track of how many sailors are left in the deck, without burning the brain. Learning to time the "Shanghai" is a key part of the game.

As a bonus, there are some free cards from Michael Schacht on the internet.

'And now, the session report!
It was a tense game from the start. Rachel had decided to stay away from "Dirty Trick" cards, except for Wilds. She focused on three suits. I was able to get small point sailors in two of those suits, but Dutch sailors kept evading me.

I made a rush at suits she had 2 or 3 points in. You could say I "diversified my portfolio". She continued to build up Dutch sailors and also invested her Wilds there. After bulking up on Dutch, she would quickly Shanghai when a sailor of this suit would come out, to keep me from getting one.

The final score was 16 to 18, with Rachel winning. 14 of her points came from the Dutch sailors she'd kidnapped. It was a gamble, but it paid off!

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

Great Dane — 2008-10-04T11:59:40+00:00

Isamoor wrote:
Great Dane wrote:
ixnay66 wrote:
I'd love to get a copy of Shanghaien here in the states. Anyone know if an online company will be carrying it soon?

It has been available for the last 5 months or so.
The game is a joint-venture between Abacusspiele and Rio Grande Games, and it contains rules in both German and English.

Unfortunately not. Still have to import it.

I bought my copy when I was in Ohio in April,
and as far as I can see it is still available from (for example) Funagain Games:
http://www.funagain.com/control/product/~product_id=019576

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

Isamoor — 2008-10-04T03:16:32+00:00

Great Dane wrote:
ixnay66 wrote:
I'd love to get a copy of Shanghaien here in the states. Anyone know if an online company will be carrying it soon?

It has been available for the last 5 months or so.
The game is a joint-venture between Abacusspiele and Rio Grande Games, and it contains rules in both German and English.

Unfortunately not. Still have to import it.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

Great Dane — 2008-09-20T19:27:33+00:00

ixnay66 wrote:
I'd love to get a copy of Shanghaien here in the states. Anyone know if an online company will be carrying it soon?

It has been available for the last 5 months or so.
The game is a joint-venture between Abacusspiele and Rio Grande Games, and it contains rules in both German and English.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

BobKo — 2008-09-20T19:15:47+00:00

Michael, Why hasn't Crazy Race ever been reprinted?

Thread: Re: rules clarification - Shanghai

olavf — 2008-08-21T20:27:03+00:00

1. We don't take the cards immediately but put them one by one towards the winning player (the cards with a tie stay in the middle). After each takes their cards.
2. No points on the 2nd card, so only possibly a decision on the 4th card.

Thread: rules clarification - Shanghai

lacxox — 2008-08-21T19:21:43+00:00

I'm just not sure if I totally understand the rules of the Shanghai part. My questions are:

1. During distribution of the cards, do the dice stay where the distributed card was before distributing it? Or how can we see what the number on the dice was in case there is a tie in the number of dice on the next card?

2. Let's say card nr. 2 was discarded because there was no die on it. If there is a tie on card nr. 3 and you hace to check the neighbouring cards, do you look at card nr. 1 now or you count the 'zero die' on the card already put back in the box?

Thread: Re: Discards: open or hidden?

Roman Pelek — 2008-07-24T06:31:22+00:00

The original intention is that cards that are removed may not be browsed, since they are not part of the game anymore - and browsing would mean that you use them actively to gather information about the current game going on.

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Angry Duck — 2008-07-24T04:23:07+00:00

Multilingual Rulebook

Thread: Discards: open or hidden?

eduart — 2008-07-23T22:45:05+00:00

The rules state that in some situations a card is removed from play. Are these cards free to browse to see if you need that last red card for example or hidden? The rules don't answer this question I think.

Thread: Re: Power Cards

Card — 2008-07-17T13:49:18+00:00

http://germangames.com/

Thread: Re: Power Cards

potts_games — 2008-07-17T00:48:46+00:00

Card wrote:
Just got the game today...

Nick,

Where did you order the game? Having trouble finding it at a US retailer.

Thanks

Thread: Re: Power Cards

Card — 2008-07-17T00:21:07+00:00

Just got the game today... haven't played it yet. But from reading the rules - the one disadvantage the person calling "Shanghai" is that the other player gets to start first the next round.

That in it self might equal it out. Once I get a few games in, I'll report back.

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Angry Duck — 2008-07-09T05:30:10+00:00

Super Pirate Captain

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richardsgamepack — 2008-06-15T19:42:35+00:00

Thread: Re: When may/should you play a dirty tricks card as a wild card?

Great Dane — 2008-06-04T08:40:52+00:00

Correct.
You can only assign one card per turn, and only after rolling the dice.

Thread: When may/should you play a dirty tricks card as a wild card?

smithhemb — 2008-06-03T13:58:49+00:00

Is it just after any dice roll, subject to the constraint that only one such card may be played per round?

Once assigned to a suit, I know they can't be moved. So, on the one hand, I guess you're waiting to figure out where wild cards can be used to greatest advantage, but you're also concerned about not finding yourself in a situation where you've got a stockpile of these cards and end up not being able to play a bunch of them (though there is a consolation prize -- 1 poin per unused card).

Am I understanding this correctly?

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

inuitmyth909 — 2008-05-28T16:51:49+00:00

Yeah!

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

Bolger — 2008-05-27T17:38:50+00:00

I think this game sounds great! Bruno Faidutti wrote some very positive things about the game on his site as well. And quit the cynicism people. This was a really good review of a game he obviously liked, and I think that is a great thing.

Thumbs up from me!

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

inuitmyth909 — 2008-05-21T11:41:02+00:00

There's always a place for simple games, I do think it's entirely feasible for a gamer's repertoire to include Power Grid AND Cheeky Monkey, it's a shame to limit yourself. As long as you have fun.

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

Craig Viau — 2008-05-20T19:59:21+00:00

I read this super super positive review but I'm not convinced. I guess I'm not the simple soul this guy is. However in his defense my favorite game is Princes of the Renaissance and I really don't care for simple games at all.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card II

mschacht — 2008-05-17T18:42:03+00:00

Bruce,
just changed it. thanks for your attention.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card II

tgbruiser — 2008-05-17T17:29:34+00:00

I love how you keep on adding extras to your games! I really liked the first expansion for Shanghaien.

There is a problem with the English version of the second expansion though. The card looks identical to the first expansion card. The German version has the correct card though. You might want to update the English card.

Can't wait to try out the new expansion!

Thread: Shanghaien expansion: extra card II

mschacht — 2008-05-17T12:59:58+00:00

just launched another extra card for Shanghaien on my website.

http://www.michaelschacht.net/p/shangXPUS2.pdf
(english)

http://www.michaelschacht.net/p/shangXP2.pdf
(german)

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mschacht — 2008-05-17T12:57:19+00:00

second extra card

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mschacht — 2008-05-17T12:56:30+00:00

First extra card

Thread: Re: 2 sailors trick card

chris_desert — 2008-05-01T18:54:31+00:00

Thanks for your answer.

Thread: Re: 2 sailors trick card

olavf — 2008-05-01T18:27:44+00:00

That's right. Once you rolled the dice you must add a die to a card, no matter if you played a trick card.

Thread: 2 sailors trick card

chris_desert — 2008-05-01T18:03:21+00:00

Can you please confirm that you still have to place one of your two dice on a card just after adding a 2 sailors trick card to your earned cards (that's how we played it).

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

ixnay66 — 2008-04-29T22:50:06+00:00

DocStryder wrote:
Welcome to shill-city.

With a Michael Schacht game? Please.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

ixnay66 — 2008-04-28T21:52:09+00:00

I'd love to get a copy of Shanghaien here in the states. Anyone know if an online company will be carrying it soon?

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

tgbruiser — 2008-04-28T21:31:35+00:00

mschacht wrote:
Bruce,

sorry, you're right.
just corrected and exchanged it.
Awesome! Looks great now.

Thank you, Michael!

Keep up the great work.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

mschacht — 2008-04-28T20:16:36+00:00

Bruce,

sorry, you’re right.
just corrected and exchanged it.

Thread: Re: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

tgbruiser — 2008-04-28T18:50:34+00:00

Michael,

Looks like the English link is wrong. I believe it should be:

http://www.michaelschacht.net/p/shangXPUS1.pdf.

Also, it looks like the English card still has German on it ("alle" instead of "all"). Any chance that you can update the card text?

I really like the actions on the new card. I have not played the game yet (still waiting for my Milan-Spiele order to come in), but this card looks to be a nice add on. Very much looking forward to playing Shanghaien!

Thanks for your continual support of all your games!

Thread: Shanghaien expansion: extra card I

mschacht — 2008-04-28T14:53:14+00:00

just launched an extra card for Shanghaien on my website.

http://www.michaelschacht.net/p/shangXPUS1.pdf
(english)

http://www.michaelschacht.net/p/shangXP1.pdf
(german)

*** corrected links ***

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Goodsound — 2008-04-25T13:13:27+00:00

The 4 different special action cards

Thread: Re: Power Cards

skeletodoc — 2008-04-24T18:27:37+00:00

I don't like the idea of the start player endinga round after placing 2 dice as the other player would have only placed 2 dice as well. There will be many cards thrown out without dice using this system. I happen to like playing with both players using the same number of dice until both only have one die remaining. Atleast this way there is no advantage to one player or another.

Thread: Re: Power Cards

Roman Pelek — 2008-04-23T19:12:42+00:00

skeletodoc wrote:
I am confused when you can play "shanghai"......is it when you have 2 dice on board, 2 dice on a card, or only when the start player is down to one die? It's unclear in the English rule translation. Wouldn't it be fairer if both players play down to one card and alternate start player?

You can call "Shanghai" if it is your turn and you have placed at least two own dice to one or more cards in previous turns of that round (=4 or less dice left in your supply). You have to call "Shanghai" if you haven't two or more dice left in your supply, since then you can't roll two dice instead.

So the earliest chance of calling "Shanghai" without using dirty tricks card "add both dice" is your third turn of the round, with using "add both dice" in the first turn, it is your second turn.

We did implement that rather free choice of when to call "Shanghai" since it gives the game quite a bit of its suspense and tactics. You always have to keep in mind that the other can call "Shanghai" pretty early and consider whether you should really start a (maybe hopeless) fight for one special card, use a dirty trick card to keep up with the other or rather avoid an uncertain battle and concentrate on other cards. Apart from that, the choice of when to shanghai gives you more control over what cards are discarded in the game.

Thread: Re: US release?

guru_mod — 2008-04-22T15:22:55+00:00

mschacht wrote:
as i know:
none planned so far.

Ahh.. It would be great to see this game easily available in US.

Thank you for your info!

Thread: Re: US release?

mschacht — 2008-04-22T10:05:53+00:00

as i know:
none planned so far.

Thread: Re: Power Cards

skeletodoc — 2008-04-22T00:19:44+00:00

I am confused when you can play "shanghai"......is it when you have 2 dice on board, 2 dice on a card, or only when the start player is down to one die? It's unclear in the English rule translation. Wouldn't it be fairer if both players play down to one card and alternate start player?

Thread: Re: US release?

Moviebuffs — 2008-04-21T07:21:56+00:00

Can't answer your question, I'm afraid.

But if it's any use, Abacus include English/German/French/Italian rules as standard.

N.

Thread: US release?

guru_mod — 2008-04-21T06:45:11+00:00

Will there be a US release for this game?

Thread: Re: Power Cards

Roman Pelek — 2008-04-16T22:22:24+00:00

Hi Jonas,

chessduffer wrote:

I found english rules after some digging around on the net, and it seems that there are 4 diffent power cards with 8 total, so I guess that means there are 2 of each.

Every of the 8 dirty tricks-cards lets you choose between two options to make them a bit more tactical/universal, so there are

3 cards with choice between "2 Sailors" and "Roll again",
1 with "2 Sailors" and "Add both dice",
3 cards with "Die +/-1" and "Roll again" and
1 card with "Die +/-1" and "Add both dice".

In total you have 6 cards who might let you reroll, 4 which allow die modification, 4 sailor jokers and only 2 with which you can add both dice. The stronger options are a bit more rare, yet we intended to keep it symmetrical to help memorize how many options of a certain type are in the game. Especially with the sailors this knowledge can be helpful when aiming to break the opponent's majority.

Best regards,
Roman

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

inuitmyth909 — 2008-04-15T10:40:44+00:00

Nice and polite try Mr Assist, but I still don't understand the leap of logic here. Maybe I just prefer 'if you hear hooves think horses not zebras' to 'there's no smoke without fire'.

And please feel free to use that vernacular 'till the cows come home.

Thread: Re: Power Cards

mschacht — 2008-04-15T07:41:15+00:00

The earlier you can get these cards the more control you have on the game. it makes a difference.

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

mr. assist — 2008-04-14T22:25:23+00:00

Hello Ian,
This site does an excellent job of filtering out the fakes. So understand that if you are just a regular bloke (if I may use your vernacular) you happen to fit the shill m.o. rather nicely. You register the day of this review (which is very well written) and there is not one negative (or grammatical error) just praise upon praise upon this game. And there is nothing else you have submitted since. So a shill is someone pretending to be one of us to get us to buy their game or friend's game under false pretenses.
So it's the old adage "If it looks like one, talks like one, acts like one, it is one". Either right or wrong it's the site's natural defenses keeping out the scum.
So it doesn't work properly all the time ( I swear half the members here are on Knizia's payroll) but when the shill title is placed it usually sticks.

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

inuitmyth909 — 2008-04-14T15:19:03+00:00

'Shill'? Never heard THAT term before. It stands for what exactly? Thanks to Nick for the defence, I can second that I'm not affiliated to anyone in anyway, just an enthusiastic game player and a HATER of cynicism. Easiest way to make yourself look big is to push the world down around you, right?

I can list games I absolutely hate if that would help. How about Evo, HATE it. Hollywood Blockbuster, SAVE ME, and if I never have to play another round of Bang! I'll go to my grave a happy man. But Shanghaien IS awesome. Hence the reason to post a review. I've not enjoyed a game so much for a long time, the catalyst for the well-deserved praise.
Shanghaien is STILL constantly on the game table in our house by the way, and a small pile of new and as yet unplayed titles is building beside it.

Thread: Re: Power Cards

skeletodoc — 2008-04-14T02:50:35+00:00

I like the game. Here are the English rules site........http://www.michaelschacht.net/flbuch.html

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

chessduffer — 2008-04-14T00:03:13+00:00

Is there 8 dice each? the pictures here on geek and the english rules I found seem to indicate 6 each?

Thread: Power Cards

chessduffer — 2008-04-13T23:44:05+00:00

What do the diffrent power cards in the game let you do? How many are there of them? Also any chance for english rules?

edit-

I found english rules after some digging around on the net, and it seems that there are 4 diffent power cards with 8 total, so I guess that means there are 2 of each.

Looks intresting.

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

richardsgamepack — 2008-04-07T09:04:08+00:00

I was pleasantly surprised by this game. Usually I do not like games that involve that many dice, but in this game, there are some tactical decisions to make.
Also read my first impression on the game:
http://www.gamepack.nl/gamepack/firstimp-stu.html#shanghaien...

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

skeletodoc — 2008-04-02T02:51:37+00:00

You forgot to mention that you can Shanghai 2 ways and thus end the round...........either when you have one die left in your supply or if you have put atleast 2 dice down at the board. The problem I have with the latter method is that you could concievably start and place 2 dice down on successive turns and "shanghai" on the 3rd turn closing the round with only your opponent being able to lay only one die down.Then there would be a lot of cards being thrown out for lack of a die placement. I think you should only be able to do the first method.

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Trollkin — 2008-04-01T22:08:35+00:00

Ramon El Dado and his trusty die

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

stormseeker75 — 2008-03-25T21:18:57+00:00

Fair enough. Either way, it got me interested in the game enough to look it up and its now on my radar.

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

Sexton — 2008-03-25T21:04:33+00:00

Moviebuffs wrote:
Just because a login name is dated the same day as a first review, this does not always mean that it is fake.

Well spoken. I browsed geek now and then for several months before registering - after all, you don't really have to have an account before you want to contribute to BGG yourself.

Thread: Re: My favourite game ever? Could well be.

Moviebuffs — 2008-03-25T20:56:35+00:00

DocStryder wrote:
Welcome to shill-city.

Hmmm .... Not sure if this is a serious comment or not, but - if it helps - I can vouch for Ian, and he is not a shill.

He's been a customer of ours for a couple of years, and we talk on the phone about games fairly often.

I know the kind of game he likes, and this fits the bill pretty well.

He is based in the UK, and therefore has no connection to either Michael Schacht, Roman Pelek or Abacus Spiele.

Just because a login name is dated the same day as a first review, this does not always mean that it is fake.

There.

N.

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boenke — 2008-03-18T19:27:35+00:00

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Moviebuffs — 2008-03-11T16:23:48+00:00

A well-designed box insert

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Moviebuffs — 2008-03-11T16:22:26+00:00

A game in progress