Black Gold is a board game of drilling and discovery for 2-5
prospectors, and play can last from 1-2 hours. Competitors attempt to
claim the best wells, bid wisely against their neighbors, and sell their
oil at the highest price in order to finish the game with the most
money when the Oil Baron’s train reaches the last track.
To
secure wealth, players explore the terrain of the provided map tiles for
oil wells, and they survey and build their derricks. Map tiles are
double-sided and modular, ensuring a unique experience every time. Money
is made if a player can transport his oil to one of three oil
companies, and win the right to sell at auction. The Oil Baron's train
moves nearer every turn, counting down the rounds of the game's
thrilling ride; all the while it begs you and your fellow prospectors to
ask the question: Am I making enough money?
The landscape of the
Texas Oil business can be fickle and lonely as it is arid. Players can
strategize against their opponents, and upset their play through special
actions. During auctions, players can even lie about the value of their
Sales Licenses in order to force their neighbors to bid more! But
careful, you future tycoons – if you're caught bluffing, you're
penalized.
Although Black Gold is a satisfying bidding game, it
is also an exciting contest of strategy and exploration. Every game
variable can offer an advantage or variation in play each round. The
round's starting player has the first choice for powerful Action cards,
which dictate his options for that round. Subsequent prospectors can be
savvy and alter their exploration based on other players' surveying, or
the last player could choose to sell his oil at a different company than
his neighbors and find an easier auction at which to bid.
Black
Gold is easy to learn, but offers an abundance of intriguing game play
choices. Black Gold also provides players with optional rules that can
shorten or extend game play, increase the challenge, give inexperienced
players a handicap, or even reduce the randomness of well distribution.
With all of these options players will discover that Black Gold is a new
experience every time, even offering unique variation depending on
player number, map tile setup, and well placement.
