Manila

Manila is a cutthroat game of speculation and maritime trade for 3–5 players, set against the vibrant backdrop of the Philippines. Players take on the roles of investors and black-market speculators, all vying to amass the greatest fortune by betting on the success-or failure-of cargo barges. While players can try to manipulate the odds, the ultimate fate of every shipment of nutmeg, silk, ginseng, and jade is decided by the unpredictable roll of the dice as ships struggle to reach the harbor.

Each round begins with a tense auction to determine who will serve as the Harbor Master. This is the most powerful position in the game, granting the winner the right to buy a commodity share, select which three goods will be shipped that round, and dictate the starting positions of the barges on the river. By positioning a boat further ahead, the Harbor Master can make a delivery seem like a “sure thing,” or they can leave it lagging behind to encourage others to bet on its failure.

The core of the game involves placing “punters” (workers) on various spaces to claim potential profits. You can place workers on the boats themselves to earn a payout upon arrival, or you can take a more cynical approach by betting that a boat will end up in the shipyards for repairs. If you are short on cash, you can act as an insurer, receiving an immediate payment from the bank but risking a heavy fine if a ship fails to dock. For the truly bold, you can even position yourself as a pirate, waiting for specific dice results that allow you to board and hijack a vessel, stealing the cargo for yourself.

The game ends when the share value of one of the four commodities reaches the top of the price scale. At this point, players tally their accumulated cash and the final value of their commodity shares. Success in Manila requires a mix of economic foresight and the ability to pivot when the dice turn against you. The winner is the speculator who best balances the steady profits of successful shipping with the high-risk, high-reward world of piracy and insurance.