How do gray routes work in Ticket to Ride?
Pay for a gray route with a set of cards that are all the same color, any color you like. The number of cards must match the route's length, and locomotives can stand in for any card.
The rule:
In Ticket to Ride, you claim a gray route with a set of train cards all in one color of your choice, as many as the route’s length, and locomotives can replace any of those cards. Mixing colors isn’t allowed.
To claim a route, play as many train cards as it has spaces.
- Colored routes: all cards must match the route’s color.
- Gray routes: all cards must be one color of your choice. Mixing colors isn’t allowed.
- Locomotives: they’re wild and can replace any card in either kind of set.
Put one of your trains on each space and discard the cards you used. The route scores right away: 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 or 15 points for lengths 1 to 6.
Example:
A gray route is 3 spaces long. Kai plays 2 green cards and 1 locomotive. That works. Playing 2 green and 1 red wouldn't, because the set has to be one color.
Why players argue about it:
Gray is often read as "any cards at all." The set still has to be a single color, just one you choose.