Canal Grande

About this board game

Canal Grande is a two-player card game about gaining influence in the districts of Venice, with games lasting approximately 45 minutes. Released in 2002, it is described as a card-game version of San Marco.

At the heart of the game is a simple division-and-choice structure. One player divides a set of cards into two piles, and the other player chooses who gets which pile. This process determines how the available cards are distributed between the two players.

The cards represent several kinds of opportunities and setbacks. Some provide influence in districts, while others provide actions or negative points. Players use the card distribution to pursue influence across Venice while accounting for the different effects the cards can provide.

• Designed for exactly two players
• Approximately 45 minutes of play time
• Cards featuring district influence, actions, and negative points
• A division-and-choice card distribution system

Canal Grande focuses its play on the relationship between the cards one player divides and the choice made by the other player. Each round’s piles bring together the game’s influence, action, and negative-point cards, making the allocation of cards central to the contest.

For players interested in a compact card game set around influence in Venice, Canal Grande presents a focused two-player experience. Its connection to San Marco, combined with the distinctive rule that one player divides while the other chooses, defines the game’s central format.