1817

About this board game

1817 is a railroad operations and share trading board game for 3–7 players, with a play time of 540 minutes. Released in 2010, it belongs to the 18xx series and is named after the year the New York Stock Exchange opened at 40 Wall Street in New York.

While it includes familiar 18xx activities such as placing tiles, purchasing tokens, and running trains, 1817 places its greatest emphasis on financial decisions. The game reflects the laissez-faire capitalism of early America, with victory or defeat shaped by how effectively players manage their financial opportunities and risks.

Its financial system includes several mechanisms found in other 18xx games, including mergers, friendly takeovers, and conversions to different share structures. It also adds a broad range of distinctive tools and corporate developments:

• Short selling
• Market-driven interest rates
• Hostile takeovers
• Corporate liquidations

Short selling is the standout feature. Players can sell stock they do not own, hoping to buy it back later at a lower price and profit from the decline. If the stock price rises before repurchase, the position creates a loss, and the player is also liable for dividends paid while holding it.

With its combination of railroad operations, share trading, and sophisticated financial mechanics, 1817 offers an 18xx experience where corporate strategy and market judgment are central to every decision.