
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,576
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Master of Economy
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 4.1/5
- 2010

1994
Rules assistance for The Oilman Game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Oilman Game is a board game released in 1994 for 2–8 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Team-Based Game, and Commodity Speculation.
From the box: A game that captures the true to life excitement and drama, success, and failures of the international oil magnate. Using the unique 3 dimensional board, oil companies bid for leases world wide, drill for oil, and erect oil wells. The object... to become the most successful oil company in the world. The amazing game board design ensures the game will never be played the same way twice. For two or more players or teams.
The Oilman Game supports 2–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for The Oilman Game is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists The Oilman Game for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
The Oilman Game has a complexity rating of 2.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
The Oilman Game belongs to these categories: Economic, Exploration, and Industry / Manufacturing. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Team-Based Game, and Commodity Speculation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists The Oilman Game as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.