rules - Quick Game Rules

Official Rule Breakdown

When a player is able to take the last remaining piece of an opponent on their turn, they are awarded all cards that the eliminated opponent had in their possession (Risk Rules 2022, Elimination of Opponents). Following this acquisition, the player may combine these new cards with their existing hand. If the combined total allows for the creation of one or more sets, the player may turn them in immediately during that same turn to collect additional armies. This is only possible if the total number of cards held by the attacker and the eliminated player combined equals six or more sets.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Capture the last remaining army/territory of an opponent.

Step 2: Collect all Risk cards currently held by that eliminated player.

Step 3: Combine the collected cards with your own current hand.

Step 4: Identify any complete sets (Infantry, Cavalry, or Artillery) within the combined total.

Step 5: Turn in those sets immediately to receive the corresponding army reinforcements.

Example Play Situation

Alice attacks Bob's last territory and eliminates his army. Alice takes all of Bob's Risk cards and adds them to her own. Since the combined cards allow her to form two complete sets, Alice turns them in immediately to receive extra armies for her next turn.

Quick Reference

You Can	You Cannot
You can combine eliminated cards with your own hand	You cannot turn in sets if the combined total is less than six cards
You can turn in sets immediately after an elimination	You cannot wait until a later turn to claim the eliminated player's cards
You can receive multiple army increases if you form multiple sets

You Can

You Cannot

You can combine eliminated cards with your own hand

You cannot turn in sets if the combined total is less than six cards

You can turn in sets immediately after an elimination

You cannot wait until a later turn to claim the eliminated player's cards

You can receive multiple army increases if you form multiple sets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official rule for eliminating a player in Risk?

You receive all cards held by the opponent you just eliminated.

Can I turn in cards from an eliminated player on the same turn?

Yes, if you can form sets using the combined cards, you may turn them in immediately.

Do I get the opponent's armies too?

No, you receive their cards, but the armies are removed from the board.

What happens if I collect cards but can't make a set?

You simply add those cards to your hand for future use.

Many players mistakenly assume they can simply play the required cards for a tunnel and complete the route immediately, but the official rules require a risk-based reveal process.

According to the Days of Wonder Official Rulebook, claiming a Tunnel Route involves a specific reveal process that may require playing additional cards.

Ticket to Ride Europe Official Rules, [edition not specified], [page not specified]

These rules correspond to the US edition of Ticket to Ride Europe.

Official Rule Breakdown

To claim a Tunnel Route, a player must first lay down the number of cards required by the length of the Route. Following this, the three top cards from the Train draw pile are turned faceup, regardless of the length of the Tunnel Route. For each card revealed whose color matches the color of the cards played to claim the Tunnel Route, the player must play an additional card of the same color from their hand (or a Locomotive). If the player does not have enough additional Train Car cards of the matching color or does not wish to play them, they may take all their cards back in their hand and their turn ends. At the end of the turn, the three Train Car cards revealed for the Tunnel are discarded. Note that Locomotives act as multi-colored wild cards; if a Locomotive is drawn during the reveal, it automatically matches the color of the cards played and forces the player to play an additional matching card.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Lay down the number of Train Car cards required by the length of the Tunnel Route.
Step 2: Turn the top three cards from the Train draw pile faceup.
Step 3: For every revealed card that matches the color of the cards played, identify the required additional cards.
Step 4: Play an additional card of the matching color (or a Locomotive) for each match found.
Step 5: Successfully claim the Tunnel if all required additional cards are played; otherwise, return all cards to hand and end the turn.

Example Play Situation

Alice attempts to claim a three-space Blue Tunnel. She plays three Blue cards. Bob turns over the top three cards of the draw pile, revealing one Blue card and two Red cards. Alice must then play one additional Blue card or Locomotive from her hand to successfully claim the route.

Common Misconceptions

Thinking the tunnel length determines how many cards are revealed
Assuming you can skip the additional card requirement if you don't want to
Forgetting that Locomotives count as matches during the reveal

Quick Reference

You Can	You Cannot
You can use a Locomotive to satisfy an additional card requirement	You cannot claim the tunnel if you fail to provide the matching cards
You can take all your cards back if you cannot complete the tunnel	You cannot use the revealed cards to claim the route

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official rule for claiming a Tunnel in Ticket to Ride Europe?: Play the required cards, reveal three draw pile cards, and play additional matching cards for any matches found.
What happens if I don't have enough cards to finish a tunnel?: You must take all your played cards back into your hand and your turn ends immediately.
Do Locomotives count as matches during a tunnel reveal?: Yes, Locomotives are multi-colored wild cards and will match the color of the cards you played.
How many cards are revealed when attempting a tunnel?: Exactly three cards are turned faceup from the Train draw pile.