The Cut-Throat Variant, requires that each player holds only one demand card independent of his/her opponents cards. This card can be used just like the three cards given to each player under the original rules.

The true twist to the rules comes by adding three universal demand cards. These cards are displayed where all the players can see them. Every player has the right to attempt to complete any demanded delivery listed on the card. However, should another player complete any delivery on the card, that demand card is discarded and a new card takes it's place. The impact can be devasting.

For example, suppose one of the universal demand cards has a huge payoff for carrying iron to a faraway city and two other mediocre train runs. As fortune would have it, you are close to connecting to the demanding city and you can pick up some iron in just one turn. You estimate that you can reach your final destination in around six turns and score a big payoff. As you finish your track and approach the destination city, your opponent suddenly cashes in on a lesser delivery on the same card! The card is removed from play and replaced with another card. You have just experienced the cut-throat operations of a true robber baron. I imagine you will start plotting your revenge right away.

Right to Enter Major City. Every player has the right to build at least one section of track from every major city. No track may be built from a major city which would block any other player from having one section of track from that major city.

The Right to Enter a Major City. This rule should not be changed.

Limited Entry Into Medium And Small Cities. The original rules work well when you have more than three players. However, we find it more competetive to limit access to cites based on simple formula.

Medium Cities: In a three player game, only 2 players can connect to a medium city.

Available Cargo Loads is limited by the number of cargo chips. Also, when a player drops off a load, without receiving a payout, the cargo chip is immediatley available for the other players to use during their turn.

Available Cargo Loads should be equal to the lesser of the following two options: the number of cargos chips (as in the original rules) or the number of players minus one.

When a player chooses to drop off a load without payment, that load should remain in the city it in which it was deposited. That load will remain in that city until any train passes through that city at a later time.

Movement stops when a player has used all his/her available movement points.

Movement stops as per the original rules or whenever a player moves into a city to pick up or drop off cargo. The player my drop off and pick up cargo in one turn, but the train must remain in that city until the following turn. This to reflect the amount of time it takes to load and unload a train.