Game: Merchants of Amsterdam

Image

djcack — 2008-09-21T20:37:32+00:00

Purple wins due to stingy auction practices, not domination on the board

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

Eldard — 2008-09-21T00:03:28+00:00

Rokkr wrote:
. . . With only three people we had people beating on the clock, knocking the board and pieces around and arguing who hit it first. . .

We never put the clock on the same suface as the gameboard. Set the clock down on separate surface that everyone can reach equally.

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

djcack — 2008-09-20T23:26:26+00:00

I think the game is playable with or without the timer. I think it was thrown in as something to differentiate it with the millions of other Euro games that have auctions in them.
If you were to just go without it, I would suggest still doing a Dutch style going from high to low. It's something a little different and still stays within the theme of the game.

Thread: Re: Adjacent?

duvalmont — 2008-08-29T08:15:52+00:00

We have made the same assumption that they are not adjacent, but there's nothing in the rules about it.

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

Seth_Logan — 2008-08-10T16:35:10+00:00

Can I refer you to this thread? Perhaps it will work for your group too.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/126906

Thread: Re: Adjacent?

rsmithx — 2008-06-16T02:40:20+00:00

We played that they were only adjacent to 1... based off of the point on the right hand one it appears they are not adjacent (although the left hand one does look like it could be).

But we play they are not adjacent.

Thread: Session Report

rsmithx — 2008-06-15T22:12:01+00:00

So this last Friday night was our monthly game night... I had SOOO much fun (as always). The first game I played was Merchants of Amsterdam, this was the first time I had played this game and it was quite fun (not a must own, but if we played this 2-3 times a year I wouldn't turn away from it).

We played a 5 player game and I was actually doing really well for my first time, but in the last few turns I spent too much money trying to prevent other players from getting cards and ended up over spending (the player with the most money at the end wins). I believe I could have not spent any money and probably either come in first or second, but alas because of my mistake I think I ended up dead last... oh well, live and learn.

The strategy I had employed (it was my first time) was to just concentrate on 1 resource and try and not only win it, but push it to be top resource (I chose spices as it was my starting resource) and then I tried to win 2nd in the lowest rank resource. The other resources were so heavily contested that I could spend very little and still maintain 2nd in the weakest resource. Then I tried to capitalize by getting the largest warehouse in one district (but I didn't have a presence, except for a bridge crossing, in other districts). I also had the largest number of offices in an area (the southeastern district) and won points for that, but again didn't really have a presence in any other areas.

The individual who ended up winning I don't believe "won" anything, but he had managed to place 2nd in 2 resources, placed 2nd in 3 warehouse districts, and placed 2nd in 3 regions. He never fought for having the largest of anything, but instead just piggy backed on the guys racing for largest and was happy to get the points for winning 2nd. In hindsight it was a brilliant strategy as he let others do all the hard work to get largest whatever, and with a minimal investment in each he then would take home almost as much as the guy who had spent 2-3 times more than him.

All in all a good game, and after having played it once I have a much better grasp for the feel of the game. The only thing that kind of annoyed me was the timer was so freaking loud... but it was an interesting game mechanic that was definitely unique.

Thread: Re: 3 Players

denverarch — 2008-06-04T23:03:40+00:00

Not so good with 5, I like 3.

Thread: Adjacent?

Favre4MVP — 2008-05-19T01:22:46+00:00

Are the spots at the bottom of the 2 outermost Amsterdam regions adjacent to 2 spaces each, or just one?

]]>

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

Der Das — 2008-04-05T00:24:28+00:00

Without the auction clock it wouldn't be Merchants of Amsterdam. The device makes the game for me.

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

amacleod — 2008-04-03T16:20:26+00:00

Sorry, Rik, but I like the clock, too!
Having said that, in several threads on the MoA page, I've seen people trash the clock and mention alternate ways of doing the auctions. So, you are not alone in your hatred!

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

clearclaw — 2008-04-03T09:23:24+00:00

Rokkr wrote:
With only three people...

First, never play with 3. The game is much better with 4 and best of all with 5.

...we had people beating on the clock, knocking the board and pieces around and arguing who hit it first. We had people hit the thing to start it and hold their hand over it.

Then establish a protocol for bidding and clock use. None of what you describe is necessary and it can all be easily solved by simple behaviour.

I'm sure some people enjoys the chaos factor...

The Dutch auction does not necessarily add chaos. Instead it adds tension. The values of lots are fairly easily calculable. The question is how low will the price go before someone snaps? Or how quickly with they snap, and what can you do to narrow that gap against them? No chaos, just simple human manipulation.

Am I the only one that thinks this would be an improvement?

Perhaps.

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

Rokkr — 2008-04-03T07:22:44+00:00

minordemon wrote:
How fast does the clock run?

Since I just read that in professional flower auctions they can go up to 1500 transactions per hour. (that is 2 seconds per lot)
I timed it once opened and from a full windup to the end it runs about 40 seconds.

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

minordemon — 2008-04-03T07:17:42+00:00

How fast does the clock run?

Since I just read that in professional flower auctions they can go up to 1500 transactions per hour. (that is 2 seconds per lot)

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

Rokkr — 2008-04-03T06:13:08+00:00

Daddys_Home wrote:
How would the bidding work start high and go low?
Start with a minimum bid, same as the lowest price on the clock, 50. If no one wants to bid, trash the card.
I honestly believe the gameplay would be the same, to wit the same prices paid for cards, just less chaotic.

Thread: Re: I Hate the Clock!

Daddys_Home — 2008-04-03T06:10:03+00:00

I've only played it once, with 3, I liked the clock. It seemed to make the game for me. If it was a typical auction I don't think I would like this game as much. It was a relative tame crowd, so maybe that was the difference. I'll have try this one again.

How would the bidding work start high and go low?

Thread: I Hate the Clock!

Rokkr — 2008-04-03T05:59:50+00:00

I really do. I think the game would be much improved by holding a regular auction.
Let it go around until everyone passes. You pass, you're out. This is similar to any number of other game auctions, but the Dutch auction is a big pain. With only three people we had people beating on the clock, knocking the board and pieces around and arguing who hit it first.
We had people hit the thing to start it and hold their hand over it.

I'm sure some people enjoys the chaos factor, but if I want chaos I'll play RoboRally or Cosmic Encounter.

I'm kind of shocked that even though there are threads about replacing the clock if broken, reducing wear on the clock and alternatives to the clock, no one has mentioned just not using it.
Am I the only one that thinks this would be an improvement?

Image

Rokkr — 2008-04-03T05:50:25+00:00

inventory of parts

Image

Rokkr — 2008-04-03T05:49:01+00:00

back cover of rule book

Thread: Re: a fix for the overbidding problem

out4blood — 2008-01-28T07:08:35+00:00

ekted wrote:
Philip Thomas wrote:
2) We didn't have this problem. But I found the game involved an Action/Dexterity element, and that turned me off it fast.

The auction clock, while perhaps an interesting mechanic, is a joke in this game. To me, it's akin to the subjectivity of miniatures games or perhaps the collaboration rules of Shadows Over Camelot. Make the game 100% objective; just use a normal auction.

I think it adds a real-time sense of urgency to the game. People's hands are twitching over the auction clock.

After losing 6 auctions in a row, one player WAY overbids in an effort "get to do something!"

Without the clock, you lose that.

Thread: Re: What do you do in 1600?

sasoose — 2007-12-28T18:37:25+00:00

Great, thanks! I thought we had to pay money or something. Whew!

Thread: Re: What do you do in 1600?

SteveK2 — 2007-12-28T16:31:33+00:00

From the rules translation here:

The numbers 50 000 and 200 000 on the spaces for 1600 and 1665 simply record the population of Amsterdam in those years.

Thread: What do you do in 1600?

sasoose — 2007-12-28T16:27:52+00:00

On the time track (around the board) there are two spaces (1600, 1665) with numbers below them. 1600 has 50,000 written below it and 1665 has 200,00 below it. What does this mean?!? I read the rules and couldn't find any reference to it. We just ignored it on our game.
Thanks!

Thread: Re: REVIEW: The Tale of an Apprentice in Amsterdam

ZirkvandenBerg — 2007-12-08T05:50:45+00:00

Nice review and doubly nice to see this deserving game getting some attention.

For a Knizia game it has a lot of theme. It happens to be one I relate to, being descended from Dutch settlers at one of those trading stations they have in the game. So once in a game, if I'm lucky, I get to say "there goes great-great-great-grandpa".

Okay, so there's the noisy clock mechanism that looks plasticky and brittle. We have a rule that you stop the clock using one finger only. Everyone keeps their hand by the clock, lower than its surface until they want to stop the clock. It works so far.

For the rest, it's a fun area influence game. The way the turns go by quite predictably is another plus. There's never time for things to flag.

I'd rather play this than many a game that's rated much higher.

Thread: Re: REVIEW: The Tale of an Apprentice in Amsterdam

flieger — 2007-11-26T14:14:53+00:00

Nicely done. I like the way your review matches the theme.

Thread: Re: REVIEW: The Tale of an Apprentice in Amsterdam

Bosco312 — 2007-11-25T23:35:33+00:00

I wish all reviews could be this informative and well written. Very nice.

Thread: REVIEW: The Tale of an Apprentice in Amsterdam

citylife — 2007-11-25T21:19:23+00:00

“Please come in and sit down … Now tell us, what you have learned” said the guild masters.

“Well this experience in Amsterdam was invaluable. I learnt that every action has a cost, and being a good merchant means knowing when the cost is too high. I learnt that no one can have everything, and any attempt to achieve it will result in mediocrity. I learnt you must spend money to make money. And finally I learnt that the fates can be cruel, and being in the right place at the right time can be the difference” I replied.

“Good, good, we might make something of you yet” the masters murmured. “But what about the Dutch auction, what were you’re thoughts”?

“Largely disappointing masters. You see the prices seemed very high in the auctions I attended. Perhaps 80% of the auctions I attended went for at least 150, and this was very dear indeed for a purse as small as mine. Many times I was not in the running. But it seems that sellers in Holland must do very well, and I think when I sell my old horse next month that I might use this method. In a market that is short on supply, the prices were very high. I must say I was fooled by another auctioneer one time when he looked as though he may take the lot, and I wanted it badly. But on the other hand I was very lucky to get another auction just as the hand of my competitor was bidding. All in all it was very entertaining, but I struggled to calculate the value of the returns”.

The masters chuckled and nodded knowingly. “And the presentation of the stalls, the tokens used for bidding, and the general attractiveness of the markets?”

“Not bad” I replied, “Yet not outstanding either” I added after a moments thought. ”I didn’t have a problem finding my way around, yet everything looked a little bit the same. My feeling is that many of the vendors could do with a revamp, something a little brighter and less muted. I suppose the governors are going for the professional mature look, yet a young buck like me might wish for a little more flavour. Each to his own though.”

“And might I add that the instructions given me were also adequate, though there were quite a number of them and managing my business was never a simple thing”

“Good, good, I think we all agree that though you are young and green you are deserving of your traders permit. You may not have made your fortune on the first journey, but I am confident you will enjoy the trip to Amsterdam many times in the future”. At this point the masters all gave me a firm shake of the hand. “Before you go, would you mind telling us if you would recommend the experience to your friends?”

“Oh yes, surely I would” I replied. “This was by far one of my better experiences. There are so many elements to balance, and one cannot possibly do everything. Neither can one buy all the lots, and one must be very selective, but not miss out either. There are so many decisions and so many ways to outfox your competitors. I will certainly be returning to Amsterdam. Thank you masters for the opportunity”.

Image

Majiken — 2007-11-15T14:40:24+00:00

A great addition to the game - if it works right.

Thread: Re: Let me love you MOA, please...(session with comments)

Seth_Logan — 2007-10-21T21:13:21+00:00

You'll be alright... the thing is: in the beginning people tend to overbid... If the clock doesn't dip below 120-100 some time... the players who don't do a lot of auctions have better chances at winning. I once won with only 1 auction. Placement, the shipcards and the commodities market (as you stated) are very important.

Thread: Re: Missing card

Stax — 2007-07-29T21:44:13+00:00

Thx for answer.

Thread: Re: Missing card

eker — 2007-07-29T14:35:36+00:00

You are missing merchandise card. If you are lucky - you may miss one of "not to be used in 3 player" card. Should be six of them.

In a 3 player game you can just use one of those and you be happy!

In a 4 or 5 player you must shuffle back your first drawn merchandise card. With no cards left you should be at the "1665" field - moving directly to the final double score field.

Lucky there are no unbalance issues as the merchandise cards are all the same value.

Thread: Re: Missing card

Tall_Walt — 2007-07-29T14:12:22+00:00

I have the Rio Grande Games version. It has 9 mechandise cards (called commodity cards). All have a ship on them with "3x": 3 are for all games; 6 are to be unused in three player games.

--Władysław

Thread: Missing card

Stax — 2007-07-29T12:43:55+00:00

I bought game few days ago. Unfortunately I found that in box should be 84 cards ( I've got only 83). Can somebody write for me, which card is missing?

I have 27 Amsterdam Cards, 8 Merchandise Cards, 24 Trading Post Cards, 24 Hourglass Cards.

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

kevruth — 2007-07-11T18:01:03+00:00

ixnay66 wrote:
Is there a company that sells a cheap LCD clock you could use?

The problem is that the clock has the bid amounts on it and not the time. It starts at 200 and counts down to 50 by 10's (200...190...180...etc.).

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

clearclaw — 2007-07-11T17:37:17+00:00

kevruth wrote:
While I like that idea I'd be afraid it would end up being too much like the card game Slap Jack. People trying to be first start hitting the table too hard shaking the pieces off of the board. It might also create some bruised hands.

None of which differs from the game when played with the clock.

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

ixnay66 — 2007-07-11T17:35:19+00:00

Is there a company that sells a cheap LCD clock you could use?

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

kevruth — 2007-07-11T17:27:24+00:00

clearclaw wrote:
kevruth wrote:
The solution: Have the Mayor countdown slowly from 200. When a player yelled "Stop" he got the card for that price.

That loses the physical tension. I'd go for the same manual countdown except have the bidders slap their hands down on bid. The hand on the bottom of the pile wins. This way you still get the twitch-reaction and push-the-edge aspects of the game.

While I like that idea I'd be afraid it would end up being too much like the card game Slap Jack. People trying to be first start hitting the table too hard shaking the pieces off of the board. It might also create some bruised hands.

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

clearclaw — 2007-07-11T17:20:04+00:00

kevruth wrote:
The solution: Have the Mayor countdown slowly from 200. When a player yelled "Stop" he got the card for that price.

That loses the physical tension. I'd go for the same manual countdown except have the bidders slap their hands down on bid. The hand on the bottom of the pile wins. This way you still get the twitch-reaction and push-the-edge aspects of the game.

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

kevruth — 2007-07-11T14:38:03+00:00

flieger wrote:
So,
what would be the best auction alternative, other than the one you mentioned?

The other threads used regular bidding (i.e. increasing the price). They do a normal auction and not a Dutch auction. The Dutch style auction makes it different from other games.

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

flieger — 2007-07-11T14:33:45+00:00

So,
what would be the best auction alternative, other than the one you mentioned?

Thread: Re: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

steveoliverc — 2007-07-11T05:00:58+00:00

My clock didn't work either, or rather, it stopped halfway. I contacted Jay at RGG and he sent me a new one on New Year's Day! That guy is great.

I like your idea and might give it a try, I haven't brought this game to the coffee shop yet because I'm a little leery about the noise.

Thread: Alternative to the Clock in the Game

kevruth — 2007-07-10T19:53:55+00:00

I was at Origins this last week where I brought along my copy of Merchants of Amsterdam to give it a first try. We were all set playing the game and ready to do our first auction when ...... THE CLOCK DIDN'T WORK.

We didn't want to pick up the game and since this was a Dutch auction game we didn't want to do a normal auction to replace it. The solution: Have the Mayor countdown slowly from 200. When a player yelled "Stop" he got the card for that price. If it was a tie we just did "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to see who would get it. Finally, if a person yelled "Double" before a bid of 190 was announced then we would restart the auction as normal doubling the final bid or selling it to the "Doubler" for 200k if the bid got to 100.

We found this as a great alternative to the clock and much less noiser, too.

Image

Legomancer — 2007-07-09T19:58:13+00:00

In 1625, the Merchants receive a vision of the future!

Thread: Re: 2-player?

Fledermaushaus — 2007-06-23T05:46:45+00:00

Yep, this is the variant I came up with when we owned the game. It worked well enough but I never really liked the game anyway.

I came up with what I thought was a clever way to do the auction without the clock.
Make a small rectangular board and put the bids down either side. Place this between the 2 players when doing the auction. Use a wooden block (e.g. a Jenga block) to connect the numbers on both sides (so the block connects the Start to the Start). Both players put a finger on the end of the block nearest them and move the block downwards together. As soon as the block reaches the number that one of the players is willing to pay he calls out.

Use the 54 cards of the 3 player game. Use 2 colours each - use one of your colours in Amsterdam and the other on the commodity track and in the settlements (in other words you're not playing 'double' but need extra pieces for the 2 player game and this is the easiest way to handle that).

In all the payouts, to get second place, 'half is not enough', i.e. you must have more than half the score of the leading player in order to get the points for second place.

Thread: 2-player?

cvlw — 2007-06-22T18:26:58+00:00

Has anyone tried this 2-player?

Thread: Re: Language Dependency

fs1973 — 2007-06-21T16:06:43+00:00

Ok,

thnks to you both.

fs

Thread: Re: Language Dependency

kevruth — 2007-06-21T15:50:11+00:00

I own the english version which is put out by Rio Grande Games. The english rules are available here on BGG for download as follows:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fileinfo.php?fileid=807

Thread: Re: Language Dependency

Dave — 2007-06-18T18:36:47+00:00

fs1973 wrote:
As far as i could search i don't think that the game is language dependent (beside the rules). Can anyone confirm this?

That's true. I do not know whether there was an English version made, but I own the German version and just needed the rules translation to play.

Thread: Language Dependency

fs1973 — 2007-06-18T17:49:15+00:00

As far as i could search i don't think that the game is language dependent (beside the rules). Can anyone confirm this?

Thread: Re: 3 Players

Gola — 2007-03-27T15:32:21+00:00

Fawksie wrote:
Who did you play the game with Joe?
A couple of friggin' lunatics, that's who.

clearclaw wrote:
Best with 5 players. Every player down from there weakens the game.
I'm curious to know why you think so.

I haven't played with five yet. The four- and three-player games had different feels, but I thought they were both enjoyable in their way. The board didn't get as filled up with three, but the feeling of competition was just as strong, as fewer competitors meant that I was more attuned to what those competitors were doing.

Thread: Re: 3 Players

clearclaw — 2007-03-27T07:56:12+00:00

Big Bad Lex wrote:
Is this an ok game for 3?

Best with 5 players. Every player down from there weakens the game.

Thread: Re: 3 Players

Fawkes — 2007-03-27T01:46:29+00:00

Who did you play the game with Joe?

Thread: Re: 3 Players

Gola — 2007-03-26T22:03:54+00:00

I've played one three-player game and I thought it worked fine.

Thread: 3 Players

Big Bad Lex — 2007-03-26T19:36:36+00:00

Is this an ok game for 3?

Thread: Re: scores in Amsterdam

Ludo le gars — 2007-03-23T17:47:24+00:00

Thanks !!!

Image

Phuntom — 2007-02-14T22:32:10+00:00

MoA map framed, pieces in shadow box

Image

FitisGames.be — 2007-01-08T14:49:11+00:00

Dutch version

Image

ddkk — 2006-11-20T08:31:00+00:00

Merchants of Amsterdam - Cards (2 of 2)

Image

ddkk — 2006-11-20T08:17:03+00:00

Merchants of Amsterdam - Cards (1 of 2)

Image

ddkk — 2006-11-20T07:53:21+00:00

Merchants of Amsterdam - Player Markers