Become the wealthiest player by buying stock in hotel chains, growing them, and earning bonuses from mergers. At game end, the player with the most cash wins.
Each player draws a tile to determine turn order — the player closest to 1A goes first. By default those tiles stay on the board; the host can turn this off so they go back in the bag instead. Each player then receives 6 tiles and $6,000 starting cash.
1. Place a tile on the board. If it's adjacent to a lone tile, you found a new chain and get 1 free share. If it touches an existing chain, the chain grows. If it touches two chains — merger!
2. Buy stock — up to 3 shares in any active chains you can afford.
3. Draw a tile to refill your hand (automatic).
The larger chain absorbs the smaller. Majority and minority shareholders of the defunct chain receive cash bonuses. Then each player (starting with the merger maker) chooses to sell, trade (2-for-1 into survivor), or hold their defunct shares.
A chain with 11+ tiles is "safe" — it cannot be taken over. Two safe chains can never merge.
The game ends when a player declares it (if any chain has 41+ tiles or all active chains are safe). Final bonuses are paid, all stock is sold, and the richest player wins!