Alright, guys, let's dive into the hilariously relatable world of the Singaporean Dream card game! If you're Singaporean (or have ever hung out with Singaporeans), you'll know this game hits close to home with its satirical take on the things we really want – from that coveted condo to a spouse who can actually drive. This guide will break down the rules and gameplay, so you can hustle your way to achieving the ultimate Singaporean Dream (or at least, pretend to).

What is The Singaporean Dream?

The Singaporean Dream is a card game that pokes fun at the aspirations and anxieties of Singaporeans. It's all about accumulating possessions, upgrading your lifestyle, and one-upping your friends (in a friendly way, of course!). Think Monopoly meets Cards Against Humanity, but with a distinctly Singaporean flavor.

Objective of The Game

The main objective is super simple: Be the first player to achieve your Singaporean Dream. How do you do that? By accumulating Dream cards and avoiding those pesky Sabo King cards that everyone loves to play on you.

Components of The Game

Before we get started, let's make sure you know what's in the box:

• Dream Cards: These are the good stuff! They represent your aspirations – buying a fancy car, getting married, owning a landed property, etc.
• Cash Cards: Because, let's face it, everything in Singapore revolves around cold hard cash.
• Action Cards: These cards are your secret weapons. They allow you to do all sorts of things, from stealing dreams to avoiding Sabo Kings.
• Sabo King Cards: Ah, the spice of life (and the bane of your existence). These cards let you mess with your opponents, delaying their dreams and making their lives a little bit harder.

Setting Up The Game

Alright, gather your friends (or enemies, depending on how competitive you get) and let's set things up:

1. Shuffle: Shuffle each deck of cards separately (Dream, Cash, Action, and Sabo King).
2. Deal: Deal each player 3 Dream cards, 5 Cash cards, and 2 Action cards. No peeking!
3. Place: Place the remaining decks in the center of the table to form the draw piles.
4. Decide: Choose a player to go first. Usually, the most kiasu person gets the honour.

Playing The Game: A Step-by-Step Guide

Okay, now for the nitty-gritty. Here's how a typical turn goes:

1. Draw Phase

At the beginning of your turn, draw one card from either the Cash, Dream, or Action card pile. Choose wisely, as this could make or break your entire game strategy. Don't forget that having a healthy supply of cash can help you buy those Dream cards faster, but having Action cards to defend yourself from Sabo Kings is equally important. Or perhaps today's the day to go big and go for that dream card to get ahead of everyone else. Think carefully about your decision!

2. Action Phase

This is where the fun (and the sabotage) begins! You can play as many Action cards as you like during this phase. Here are some things you can do:

• Play Action Cards: Use Action cards to steal money, protect yourself from Sabo Kings, or peek at other players' cards. The possibilities are endless!
• Play Sabo King Cards: Got a grudge to settle? Play a Sabo King card on another player to slow them down. Just be prepared for retaliation!
• Buy Dream Cards: If you have enough cash, you can buy Dream cards from the center of the table. The cost of each Dream card is indicated on the card itself.
• Do Nothing: If you're feeling particularly zen, you can choose to do nothing and pass your turn. But where's the fun in that?

3. Discard Phase

At the end of your turn, you must discard down to your hand limit. The hand limit is 7 cards in total across all types of cards (Dream, Cash and Action). If you have more than 7 cards, choose which ones to discard. Pro-tip: Discard strategically! Don't discard valuable Action cards or Dream cards that you're close to acquiring. But getting rid of those Sabo King cards is always a good idea.

Card Types in Detail

Let's take a closer look at the different types of cards you'll encounter in the game:

Dream Cards

These are the cards you're ultimately trying to collect. They represent different aspects of the Singaporean Dream, such as:

• Material Possessions: Owning a car, a house, a condo, luxury goods, etc.
• Relationships: Getting married, having children, sending your kids to overseas universities.
• Experiences: Traveling the world, eating at Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoying staycations.

Each Dream card has a cost associated with it. You must pay this amount in cash to acquire the card.

Cash Cards

Cash is king in the Singaporean Dream! You'll need cash to buy Dream cards and pay off Sabo Kings. Cash cards come in different denominations, so make sure you hoard them like a true Singaporean.

Action Cards

Action cards are your tools for manipulating the game. They can be used for both good and evil, depending on your play style. Some examples of Action cards include:

• Steal Money: Take cash from another player.
• Sabo King Immunity: Protect yourself from a Sabo King card.
• See the Future: Look at the top few cards of a draw pile.
• Dream Swap: Exchange one of your Dream cards with another player's Dream card.

Sabo King Cards

These are the cards that everyone loves to hate. They inflict negative effects on other players, such as:

• ERP: Force a player to pay a sum of money.
• Late for Work: Skip a player's turn.
• Crazy Ex: Discard a Relationship Dream card.
• Increase in COE: Increase the cost of a car Dream card.

Winning the Game

You win the game by being the first player to achieve a predetermined number of Dream cards. The exact number may vary depending on the version of the game you're playing, but it's usually around 5-7 Dream cards. Once you've collected enough Dream cards, declare your victory and bask in the glory of achieving the Singaporean Dream!

Strategies for Success

Want to up your game? Here are some strategies to help you dominate the competition:

• Hoard Cash: Cash is essential for buying Dream cards, so make sure you have plenty of it on hand.
• Play Action Cards Wisely: Don't waste your Action cards on trivial matters. Save them for when they can have the biggest impact.
• Target the Leader: If someone is close to winning, team up with other players to sabotage them.
• Know Your Opponents: Pay attention to what Dream cards your opponents are collecting and try to block them.
• Embrace the Sabo: Don't be afraid to play Sabo King cards! It's all part of the game.

Variations and House Rules

The Singaporean Dream is a pretty flexible game, so feel free to experiment with variations and house rules. Here are some ideas:

• Variable Dream Card Count: Adjust the number of Dream cards required to win based on the number of players.
• Special Action Cards: Create your own custom Action cards with unique effects.
• Themed Decks: Create themed decks of Dream cards based on specific industries or hobbies.

Final Thoughts

The Singaporean Dream card game is a fun and engaging way to experience the (sometimes absurd) aspirations of Singaporeans. It's easy to learn, quick to play, and guaranteed to generate plenty of laughs. So gather your friends, brush up on your Sabo King skills, and get ready to chase your Singaporean Dream!

Now go forth and conquer! May the best (and most kiasu) player win!