Bohnanza

Bohnanza is a card game designed by Uwe Rosenberg, first published in 1997. It is known for its unique trading and planting mechanics centered around beans. The game is notable for limiting player agency in card order, forcing players to deal with cards as they are drawn.

Gameplay:

The objective of Bohnanza is to earn the most thalers (money) by planting and harvesting fields of different types of beans. Players receive bean cards throughout the game and must plant them in fields. Each player initially has two bean fields, with the option to purchase a third.

A key element of the game is that players cannot rearrange the order of the cards in their hand. They must plant the first bean card in their hand and then may plant the second. This limitation forces players to trade beans with other players to manage their fields effectively.

Bean cards come in different varieties, each requiring a different number of beans to be harvested for a thaler payout. Some bean types are more common and thus easier to collect in large quantities, while others are rare and require fewer beans for a harvest. The number of beans required for a certain thaler payout is printed on each bean card.

Players take turns drawing new bean cards and must plant or trade the first one or two cards drawn on their turn. Trading is a crucial part of the game. Players can offer bean cards to other players, often in exchange for different types of beans that they need. Trading allows players to optimize their fields and prepare for harvesting.

When a player has enough beans of the same type in a field, they can harvest it. Harvesting involves discarding the beans from the field and receiving thalers based on the number of beans harvested and the payout scale on the bean card. The thalers are kept face down and are not revealed until the end of the game.

The game ends when the bean card deck has been cycled through a specific number of times. Players then harvest any remaining fields, count their thalers, and the player with the most thalers wins.

Significance:

Bohnanza is considered a classic card game and is noted for its innovative trading and planting mechanics. The fixed hand order creates interesting challenges for players and encourages negotiation and cooperation. The game's theme is also lighthearted and engaging. It has inspired numerous expansions and variations.