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Official Mille Bornes Rules

Mille Bornes, is a fun and strategic card game that simulates a road trip with its ups and downs. Players race each other to travel 1000 miles by playing distance cards while strategically throwing hazards at their opponents and using safety cards to overcome them. Here's how to play:

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Objective

Be the first team (or individual player in non-partnership games) to reach 1000 miles traveled, while strategically hindering your opponents' progress.

Setup

1. Shuffle the Deck: Mix all the cards in the deck face down.

2. Deal the Hands: Deal seven cards face down to each player.

3. Discard Pile: Place the remaining deck face down in the center of the playing area as a draw pile. Optionally, place a discard pile next to it where played cards are placed face up.

Gameplay

Card Types:

The Mille Bornes deck consists of four main types of cards:

Distance Cards (25, 50, 75, 100, 200 miles): These cards represent the miles you travel on your journey. You can only play a distance card if you have a green "GO" card or the special "Emergency Vehicle" safety card in play.
Hazard Cards (Stop, Out of Gas, Flat Tire, Accident): These cards are thrown down to hinder your opponents' progress. They force them to play specific remedy cards to continue their journey.
Remedy Cards (Gas, Repair, Spare Tire, Right of Way): These cards help you overcome the hazards played against you. You can only use a remedy card if you have the matching hazard card played on you.
Safety Cards (GO, Limit End, Left Turn, Right Turn): These offer special benefits. A GO card allows you to play a distance card, even if you don't have another GO card or the Emergency Vehicle in play. Limit End cancels a Speed Limit hazard played against you. Left Turn and Right Turn allow you to skip playing a hazard or remedy card on your turn.

On Your Turn:

Draw a Card: Draw the top card from the draw pile and add it to your hand face down.
Play a Card (Optional): You can choose to play one card from your hand face up to the center of the playing area. You can play:
- A distance card if you have a GO card or the Emergency Vehicle safety card in play.
- A hazard card to hinder another player's progress.
- A remedy card to overcome a hazard played against you.
- A safety card to use its special benefit.
Discard (Optional): If you don't want to play a card, you can choose to discard one card face down to the discard pile (if you're using one).

Playing Distance Cards:

You can only play a distance card if you have a GO card or the Emergency Vehicle safety card showing in your "Battle Pile" (the played cards in front of you).
Once you play a distance card, place it face up in your scoring area to track your total mileage.

Playing Hazard Cards:

You can play a hazard card on any opponent's turn.
The targeted opponent must play the matching remedy card from their hand (if they have it) on their next turn to avoid being stuck and unable to play distance cards.

Playing Remedy Cards:

You can only play a remedy card if you have the matching hazard card played against you.
Play the remedy card face down on your Battle Pile to discard the hazard and continue playing distance cards.

Playing Safety Cards:

Each safety card offers a unique benefit. You can play them on your turn.
Once used, discard the safety card face up to the discard pile (if you're using one).

End of Round:

A round ends when the first player (or team) reaches or surpasses 1000 miles traveled by playing distance cards.

Winning the Game

The team (or individual player in non-partnership games) who reaches or surpasses 1000 miles traveled by playing distance cards first wins the game!

Notes/Variations

Keeping Score (Optional):

A score sheet can be helpful to track your mileage and any additional points earned during the game (optional depending on the specific rules you use).
Some variations award points for playing certain cards or strategically hindering opponents.

Additional Tips:

Planning Your Route: Strategize which distance cards to play first, considering the potential hazards you might encounter.
Managing Your Hand: Keep track of the remedy cards you have in hand to be prepared for hazards played against you.
Partnership Communication (if playing with teams): Communicate with your partner about your hands and strategies to work together effectively.
Mindful Discards: Consider which cards to discard, avoid getting rid of potential remedies you might need later.

Variations:

Number of Players: Mille Bornes can be played with 2, 3, 4, or 6 players. The partnership format (teams of two) is popular with 4 players.
Team Variations: Some variations have specific rules for team play, like shared hazard knowledge or restricted communication between partners during turns.
House Rules: Feel free to introduce house rules for variations in scoring, card effects, or the number of decks used.

Mille Bornes is a fun and engaging card game that combines strategic thinking with a bit of friendly competition. It's a great choice for family game nights, gatherings with friends, or whenever you're looking for a strategic and entertaining card game experience. So, shuffle the deck, choose your travel companions (or rivals!), and get ready for a Mille Bornes adventure!