Exclusive workstations
Time resource conversions when each action space can be used only once per round.
Logic & rule checking
- Players
- 2 players
- Time
- 15–20 minutes
- Materials
- Four action cards, two worker marks per person and resource ledger.
Prepare
Each player starts with one grain and zero stars. Put four action spaces in public view: X gain 2 grain; Y spend 2 grain for 3 stars; Z gain 1 grain and 1 star; W gain 2 stars. All quantities are fictional ledger marks, not goods or money. Each has two workers.
Play
Play three rounds. In a round, alternate placing one worker on an empty action space and resolve it immediately. A Y placement is legal only with at least 2 grain before placement. An occupied space is unavailable to both players. If no action is legal, pass that worker attempt. Each player gets exactly two attempts per round.
Worked example
If white uses X from one grain, white now has 3. Black may use W for 2 stars. White can then choose Y, leaving 1 grain and gaining 3 stars. Black can still use Z for one grain and one star. After this round both have 3 stars, though their grain totals differ.
Finish and check
Return workers after both players have had two attempts; keep grain and stars. Swap the first player each round. After round 3, most stars wins, then most remaining grain breaks a tie; equal both is a draw. Workers do not multiply, spaces never carry over as reserved and stars cannot be spent.
Adaptation and limits
Write before/after resources rather than relying on a token pile. A partner can point to a legal action before placement. There is no automatic income between rounds. The example is a legal round, not a proof that one opening always wins; future blocking changes which conversions are available.
Purpose, observation and provenance
Within this activity: Time resource conversions when each action space can be used only once per round.
Explain one legal decision and check it against the written constraints; a single result does not measure lasting ability.
Our rules, examples and printable diagrams are separately prepared. The earliest inventor of the broader mechanism is not established here.
Free alternative: Copy the supplied grids, labels and cards onto reused paper. No specialist product is needed. Adults may prepare pieces or act as a scribe.
Printable materials
Preview at 100% scale, with browser headers and footers off. Cut with suitable help. Keep host keys separate. This is a manual tabletop kit, not an online opponent, automatic judge or solver.
Player materials · Exclusive workstations
X:+2grain / Y:−2grain,+3stars / Z:+1grain,+1star / W:+2stars.
Player / round / action / grain before→after / stars before→after.
Player record · keep host key separate
| Round | Player/action | Grain | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
Host key · separate from players
Example W:X,Y yields grain 1/stars 3; B:W,Z yields grain 2/stars 3. Swap starter, clear workers, keep totals.
Run the round
Each player starts with one grain and zero stars. Put four action spaces in public view: X gain 2 grain; Y spend 2 grain for 3 stars; Z gain 1 grain and 1 star; W gain 2 stars. All quantities are fictional ledger marks, not goods or money. Each has two workers.
Play three rounds. In a round, alternate placing one worker on an empty action space and resolve it immediately. A Y placement is legal only with at least 2 grain before placement. An occupied space is unavailable to both players. If no action is legal, pass that worker attempt. Each player gets exactly two attempts per round.
If white uses X from one grain, white now has 3. Black may use W for 2 stars. White can then choose Y, leaving 1 grain and gaining 3 stars. Black can still use Z for one grain and one star. After this round both have 3 stars, though their grain totals differ.
Return workers after both players have had two attempts; keep grain and stars. Swap the first player each round. After round 3, most stars wins, then most remaining grain breaks a tie; equal both is a draw. Workers do not multiply, spaces never carry over as reserved and stars cannot be spent.
Write before/after resources rather than relying on a token pile. A partner can point to a legal action before placement. There is no automatic income between rounds. The example is a legal round, not a proof that one opening always wins; future blocking changes which conversions are available.
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