Ratrace

Overview

Ratrace is a family economic board game published by Waddingtons in 1967. Described as “the madcap game of social climbing,” players attempt to acquire status symbols and cash to ascend from Working Class through Middle Class to High Society. By buying status symbols, earning diplomas, and making strategic purchases, players climb the social ladder. The winner is the first player to reach High Society and accumulate $100,000 in cash with three High Society Status Symbols and no credit debt.

Components

• 1 Game board with three circuits: Working Class, Middle Class, and High Society
• Playing tokens (one per player, in 6 colors)
• Status Symbol cards (9 per business, 6 sets)
• 6 Small Business cards
• Cash in various denominations
• Credit cards (one per player)
• Dice
• Night School, Country Club, University, and Yacht Club membership cards
• Society Wedding cards
• Daily Bugle newspaper cards

Setup

1. Each player receives $200 in cash and a credit card.
2. Each player chooses one of six small businesses and takes both the 9 Status Symbols and the colored playing token for that business.
3. All playing tokens are placed on the “Graduation” space in the Working Class circuit.
4. Shuffle and place relevant card decks on the board.
5. Determine the starting player.

Turn Structure

1. Roll Dice: Roll the dice to determine movement.
2. Move Token: Move your token clockwise around the current circuit by the number shown.
3. Resolve Space: Follow the instructions on the space you land on.
4. Purchase (optional): If on a Business space, you may buy a Status Symbol or make an “Other Purchase.”
5. Pay Credit (if applicable): If you land on a “Credit Due” space, pay off all outstanding credit debt.

Actions

• Buy Status Symbol: On a Business space, pay the higher price to receive that business’s Status Symbol card.
• Make Other Purchase: On a Business space, pay the lower price without receiving a Status Symbol.
• Pay with Cash or Credit: Purchases can be made with cash or on credit. Credit purchases create debt.
• Advance to Middle Class: Requires one of: $500 in cash, three Working Class or higher Status Symbols from other businesses, a Night School diploma, Country Club membership, or landing on “Society Wedding.”
• Advance to High Society: Requires one of: $3,000 in cash, three Middle or Upper Class Status Symbols, a University diploma, or Yacht Club membership.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Win Condition: The first player to accumulate $100,000 in cash AND three High Society Status Symbols with zero credit debt wins the game.
• Players must be in the High Society circuit to win.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Credit Debt: If you land on “Credit Due,” you must pay off all credit immediately. If unable, you face penalties.
• Society Wedding: Landing here can allow free advancement to the next circuit.
• Status Symbols: You cannot buy your own business’s Status Symbols; only others’.
• Bankruptcy: If a player cannot pay a required expense and has no credit, they may face bankruptcy rules.
• Circuit Restrictions: Players cannot move to a higher circuit without meeting the requirements.

Player Reference

Circuit	Entry Requirement
Working Class	Start here
Middle Class	$500 cash, OR 3 Status Symbols, OR Night School/Country Club, OR Society Wedding
High Society	$3,000 cash, OR 3 Middle/Upper Status Symbols, OR University/Yacht Club

Win: $100,000 cash + 3 High Society Status Symbols + no credit debt