Gamehelpbandido

Bandido is trying to escape! You need to place your cards so that all tunnels are blocked and Bandido cannot break out of jail.

After choosing the level of difficulty (middle card with 5 or 6 exits), each player takes three cards. At your turn, place one of your cards to connect it to one or more cards already on the table. After you have placed your card, take a new card from the draw pile. If you can’t play, you can place your cards under the draw pile and take three new cards. Take care not to place a card that makes it impossible to block off a tunnel (in this case, the game ends and you lose).

The game ends when you manage to block off all tunnels and you have won the game together. If one tunnel remains open after all cards have been placed, Bandido escapes and you all lose.

Tile distribution

• 1 starting tile with 5 exits
• 1 starting tile with 6 exits
• 69 tunnel tiles:
  • 2 each basic tunnel tiles in 24 configurations
  • 3 each end tunnel tiles in 7 configurations (straight, cross, T, left facing corner, right facing corner, left turn, right turn)

COVID-19 Edition

• 1 starting tile with 5 exits
• 1 starting tile with 6 exits
• 32 tunnel tiles:
  • 1 each basic tunnel tiles in 22 configurations
  • 2 each end tunnel tiles in 4 configurations (straight, cross, left facing corner, right facing corner)
  • 1 each end tunnel tiles in 2 configurations (right turn, left turn)

Play Style and Collaborating

There is nothing stated in the rules either for or against collaborating with your team, nor whether cards are to be held in hand (closed) or laid on the table (open). How openly you want to work together is entirely up to the group at your table in any game. Some players enjoy a fully open-hand game in which they describe their cards, discuss their options, and decide on the best course of action together. Other players enjoy a more challenging game in which cards are secret and there is no communication at all. And there are many gradations in between, such as telling your team when you have the card needed to resolve a specific situation, or when you have an end. You will quickly find which players' styles suit you and which don't. Just keep in mind that this is a matter of preference; all are valid ways to play.