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Board Game Mechaincs – Multiple Lot Auction

The multiple lot auction mechanic in board games is a type of auction where several items or lots are auctioned off at the same time. Players bid on one or multiple lots, and the highest bidder(s) win the right to purchase the item(s). In a multiple lot auction, the items being auctioned may be of different values or have different benefits, and players must decide which items they want to bid on and how much they are willing to spend. 

The multiple lot auction mechanic adds an element of strategy and decision making to the game, as players must balance the value of the items being auctioned against their own resources and goals. It can also create competition and tension as players try to outbid each other for the items they want. The multiple lot auction mechanic is different from other types of auctions, such as English or Dutch auctions, in that several items are being auctioned off at the same time.

Here are 10 popular board games with the multiple lot auction mechanic:

  1. Power Grid – In Power Grid, players must purchase power plants and resources to power their cities. The multiple lot auction is used to determine the turn order and allow players to purchase power plants and resources.
  2. Keyflower – Keyflower is a worker placement and auction game where players build and develop their village. The multiple lot auction is used to determine turn order and allows players to bid on various tiles to add to their village.
  3. Ra – In Ra, players take turns selecting tiles from a central pool to add to their collection. The multiple lot auction is used to determine turn order and allows players to bid on tiles they want to add to their collection.
  4. For Sale – For Sale is a quick and fun auction game where players bid on properties to build their real estate empire. The multiple lot auction is used to determine the properties that will be up for auction and players bid on those properties.
  5. Medici – Medici is an auction and set collection game where players bid on goods to add to their ships. The multiple lot auction is used to determine which goods will be available for purchase.
  6. Chinatown – In Chinatown, players buy and sell businesses to create their own Chinatown empire. The multiple lot auction is used to determine the businesses that will be available for purchase.
  7. Modern Art – Modern Art is an auction and set collection game where players bid on various types of art to add to their collection. The multiple lot auction is used to determine which types of art will be available for purchase.
  8. Goa- A New Expedition – Goa is a game of exploration and development where players compete to develop the best colony. The multiple lot auction is used to determine which ships will be available for purchase and allows players to bid on those ships.
  9. Saint Petersburg – Saint Petersburg is a game of building and development where players compete to build the best city. The multiple lot auction is used to determine which cards will be available for purchase and allows players to bid on those cards.
  10. Dominant Species – Dominant Species is a game of survival and adaptation where players compete to become the dominant species. The multiple lot auction is used to determine which actions will be available for the turn and allows players to bid on those actions.

A specific example of the multiple lot auction mechanic can be found in the game Power Grid. In Power Grid, players are competing to build and expand their power grid networks. At the beginning of each game round, several lots of different power plants are available for auction. Players must decide which lots they want to bid on, and the highest bidder(s) win the right to purchase the power plant(s). The multiple lot auction mechanic in Power Grid creates an exciting and competitive bidding experience, as players try to outbid each other for the power plants they need to grow their networks.

The mechanism also adds an element of strategy and decision making, as players must balance the cost of the power plants against their own resources and goals. This type of auction mechanic is different from other types of auctions, such as English or Dutch auctions, in that several items are being auctioned off at the same time.