Home / Board game

Samarkand (1980)

2–5 players · 40 min · age 9+ · ★ 6.5 on BGG

Players
2–5
Play time
40 min
Age
9+
Complexity
Medium-light
BGG rating
6.5/10

Best for 2–5 players aged 9+ who like economic games — medium-light complexity, plays in 40 min.

🎲 Get it on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Samarkand board game box cover

About Samarkand

A trading game in which you don't trade with the other players. Instead the commodities are displayed on the board in a number of "nomad camps." If your move brings you to a camp, you must present a gift to the camp -- then you can trade your cards for any cards in the camp. You can also buy goods from the deck at "oasis" squares. Once you've amassed a number of a particular commodity, you head for the city where that commodity is bought. There are a few o

Ready to play Samarkand?

🎲 Get it on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📦 Buying this as a gift? Board games are bulky, and Prime's free 30-day trial includes fast free delivery — worth knowing when the game has to arrive before a birthday or a games night.

Start the free 30-day trial

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.

Economic

Mechanics: Pick-up and Deliver, Set Collection, Square Grid, Trading · Designer: Sid Sackson

Players: 2P · 3P · 4P · 5P

Games like Samarkand

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Samarkand FAQ

How many players is Samarkand?
Samarkand plays with 2–5 players, ages 9 and up.
How long does Samarkand take to play?
A game of Samarkand takes 40 min, at medium-light complexity (1.9/5 on BoardGameGeek).
Is Samarkand any good?
Samarkand rates 6.5/10 from 764 BoardGameGeek ratings. It is a economic game built around pick-up and deliver, set collection, square grid.