Claim Reinforcements Maps: How the New Boards Change Play

Quick answer

Use Claim Reinforcements: Maps by adding the new map boards to your Claim base game setup, then follow the standard trick-taking rules while using the maps to track progress and introduce new strategic considerations. The expansion is designed to be quick to learn and play, making it ideal for filler sessions.

Step-by-step: setting up and playing with Claim Reinforcements: Maps

1. Check you have the base game: Before you start, ensure you have the Claim base game, as this expansion requires it. Open the Claim Reinforcements: Maps box and separate the map components from any other contents. Common mistake: trying to play with only the expansion—it won't work without the base game.
2. Integrate the maps into the play area: Place the map boards in the center of the table where all players can see them. The exact placement may depend on the map type, but generally, they should be accessible for tracking progress during tricks. Checkpoint: Make sure every player can reach and see the maps clearly; adjust seating if needed.
3. Deal and prepare as usual: Set up the base game according to its standard rules: shuffle the deck, deal cards to each player, and prepare any other components. The maps don't change the basic deal. Common mistake: forgetting to shuffle thoroughly—Claim relies on a good mix of suits.
4. Explain the map rules briefly: Before the first trick, remind all players how the maps work: typically, they track which suits or regions players have claimed. The exact rules are in the expansion's rulebook, so read them aloud if anyone is new. Checkpoint: Ask each player to summarize one map rule to confirm understanding.
5. Play tricks and update the maps: Play Claim as you normally would, following trick-taking rules. As you win tricks, update the map boards according to the expansion's instructions—usually by placing markers or moving tokens to indicate control. Common mistake: neglecting to update the maps promptly; do it immediately after each trick to avoid confusion.
6. Use the maps to inform strategy: Pay attention to the map state when choosing which cards to play. The maps can show you which suits are valuable or which areas are contested, helping you decide whether to win or lose a trick. Checkpoint: After each round, briefly discuss how the maps influenced your decisions.
7. Finish and reset: At the end of the game, determine the winner using the base game's scoring plus any map-based scoring described in the expansion. Then clear the maps and shuffle for the next round. Common mistake: forgetting to reset map markers between games—store them properly to avoid loss.

Product facts

• Claim Reinforcements: Maps: Claim Reinforcements: Maps is an expansion for the Claim trick-taking game that adds new maps to enhance gameplay. This means you can introduce map-based variety to your existing Claim sessions without learning a whole new game system.