Tikal is a multi-player Euro game requiring strategy and resource allocation. Ideally, it is a 4-player game, but three may play. Each player receives18 explorers, worth one point apiece, and a leader worth three, for exploring the lost city of Tikal. Players randomly develop the board, so no two games are identical. Each turn consists of players bidding to choose: a) who goes next; and, b) which board tile will be played. A player who passes the bidding may not re-enter, but bidding continues until all players have passed but one. The high bidder chooses the tile to play from an initial selection of four (in a 4-person game) and places it on the board. That player then spends 10 movement points. These may be used to move from tile to tile, dig for treasure, develop a temple level or build base camps. There are four scoring rounds. Strategy is very important in choosing the right expenditure of movement points and bidding for tile and turn. Leadership in victory points can change quickly and on
any round, which keeps the game exciting throughout for all players. A typical game lasts less than two hours depending upon the skill of the players and their familiarity with the game. This year we will be using chess clocks to keep to the schedule. Each player will be allowed 20 minutes to complete ALL their turns, with the remaining time used for bidding, scoring and clean up.

All rounds at WBC will involve bidding, rather than random tile draw. There will be three initial heats. Semi-finalists will be the top16 players according to the WBC HSWG TIE-BREAKERS format, which will be strictly enforced. Notice this no longer means win one, and you are in. Exactly 16 players will advance to the semi-finals from where four will advance to the Final. Both the Semi and Final will be scheduled for two hours only, and will use clocks.

ADVANCEMENT TIE-BREAKERS: In Multiple Entry, Single Elimination events for multi-player games, players possibly qualify for Single Elimination play in the second round by winning any of up to four preliminary Heats. Occasionally, players may advance wihout winning a heat. Players can enter one or more Heats without limit. All events for most multi-player games consist of three rounds; an opening Round consisting of two to four Preliminary Heats, a semifinal and a Final. The semifinal round will advance a predesignated optimum number of players to fill the second round; i.e., 25 players for a 5-player game, 16 players for a 4-player game, etc. but in all cases will advance no more than half of all players which participated in the Preliminaries. If insufficient players advance to warrant a semi-final round, the scheduled semifinal will instead become the Final.

Heats: Most Win (HSW) Tiebreakers -
- This is a "Heat, Single Wins" (HSW) event. Ranking (tie-breakers) for advancement to the semifinals will be as follows:
- Win in first heat entered;
- Most Wins;
- Win in second heat entered;
- Win in third heat entered;
- Quality Seconds (as % of first place score);
- Random;

The GM will post a list on the Kiosk as soon as possible after each heat to show the top player rankings. Be sure to check the Kiosk if you are interested in advancing. No-shows in semifinals and Final will be filled with the players next in order.
Play Clarifications: Bidding starts in the first round with a random player. After that, bidding begins each and every time with the person to the left of the player who last placed a tile. The player winning the volcano plays 10 points and scores and then each player to his left plays10 points and scores. When all players have scored, the volcano player places the volcano on the board and then plays an additional 10 movement points and then bidding resumes. The final scoring round is played in reverse point order (lowest to highest). Any two players tied prior to the final scoring will play in order of prior scoring round with the lower player going first. GM or assistants will clarify any rules questions. Seating in heats will be random, but may be adjusted to avoid conflicts. Semis will be assigned seating based upon seeding and designed to avoid as many conflicts as possible. Players are encouraged to play in multiple heats, since winning does not automatically guarantee a spot in the semis.

Rules Clarifications:
1 Placing a new campsite does not require a worker present.
2 A worker may move and take other actions after uncovering a temple level or recovering a treasure.
3 It requires two different workers to uncover two temple levels or recover two treasures, but they do not have to be there at the same time.
4 A player may only place two temple guards during the game.
5 Volcanoes must be placed adjacent to any other hex with no requirement for stones as they cannot be entered. A non-volcano hex may not be placed next to only a volcano - it must be reachable from an existing non-volcano hex.