Master Merchant

About this board game

Master Merchant is a hand-building card game for 3–4 players, with games lasting around 15 minutes. Inspired by the deck-building genre, it removes the deck entirely, leaving players with only a hand of cards and an open discard pile.

Each player begins with two cards: one that steals a gold from every player with four or more gold, and another that lets them buy a card from the town. On a turn, a player may play up to two cards from their hand. Cards can be played face up to use their effects or face down to gain one gold.

The town offers ten different types of cards, with prices ranging from 1 to 4 gold. Purchased cards, along with cards played for their effects, go into the player’s personal discard pile. Because that pile remains open information, everyone can track what each merchant has acquired.

• Hand-building gameplay: Manage a hand and discard pile instead of a traditional deck.
• Flexible card use: Play cards for their effects or turn them face down for gold.
• Open information: All players can see each personal discard pile.
• Two paths to victory: Reach eight gold or collect eight different cards first.

If a player begins a turn with no cards in hand, they pick up their entire discard pile and continue building from there. This creates a compact cycle of planning, purchasing, and choosing when to convert useful cards into immediate wealth.

Released in 2011, Master Merchant shares its setting with Mai-Star, created by the same designer, artist, and publisher. Build a fortune, earn trust, and become the first merchant to reach one of the winning goals.