Puerto Rico 1897: Special Edition · Board game rules

How does The Smuggler expansion affect game setup and play?

Quick answer

The Smuggler expansion adds a Smuggler Role tile and token. During setup, both are placed on the Main board. Players choosing this Role select one of four actions: raid a ship, plunder the Trading House, poach workers, or capture a Role. The Smuggler token prevents reuse until another player selects the Role.

Details

Setup Changes

• The Smuggler Role tile and Smuggler token are added to the Main board during setup [p.28 — Expansion III: The Smuggler].
• No other component or initial configuration changes are required beyond including these elements.

Gameplay Changes

1. Role Selection: When a player chooses the Smuggler Role, they take the Smuggler token (preventing them from reselecting it until another player does) and pick one of four actions:

   • Raid a Ship: Take up to 3 Crates from any Cargo Ship, returning remaining Crates to the supply.
   • Plunder Trading House: Remove all Crates from the Trading House and gain 1 VP per Crate.
   • Poach Workers: Reduce the Work Register to the number of players, then gain up to 3 Workers to place on empty slots.
   • Capture the Role: Take an available Role tile, gain its Coins, and hold it. Other players can still use the Role, but the Smuggler gains 3 Coins if they do. If unchosen by round’s end, the captured Role is played normally [p.28 — Expansion III: The Smuggler].

2. End-of-Round Rule: If the Smuggler Role isn’t chosen, no Coin is placed on it during the end-of-round phase (unlike other unchosen Roles) [p.28 — Expansion III: The Smuggler].

Interactions and Exceptions

• The Smuggler cannot use "Capture the Role" if they already hold a captured Role.
• The Smuggler’s actions can disrupt opponents (e.g., raiding a Ship removes Goods others might want to sell/load).
• Watch out: If a player captures a Role, they must still follow the standard action order when it’s played later. For example, if they capture the Captain Role, other players still perform the Captain action when it’s resolved.

Puertoma Interaction (if applicable)

• Puertomas prioritize the Smuggler Role if it has the most Coins or is tied. They avoid it if they hold the Smuggler token or lack Goods/Workers to make an action profitable [p.40 — Expansions Support].

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