May 8, 2008 Session Report

Finally, getting around to this week's session ... six of us (Doug, Nick, Clayton, Paul, Ben and myself) wound up playing just three games.

First up as an "opener" was an out-of-print, privately-produced simulation of drag car racing, the Vallco Professional Drag Racing, autographed by game designer and former drag race competitor Greg Zyla. After a series of elimination round races in which everyone got to try out the game (averaging like one or two minutes per race), it came down to a final between Doug (who was Connie Kalitta) and Paul (Don "Big Daddy" Garlits). In a real close race, Doug managed to get the measure of "Big Daddy."

Next up -- and kind of the main event of the evening -- was Merchant of Venus, a game I have owned for a long time but not played much recently. We played with a full table of six, maybe a mistake as the game seemed to drag a bit at times. We called the game at about a half hour before closing time. A few of us (notably Doug, Clayton, Paul and myself) were nowhere close to victory, but Ben needed less than 500 bucks and Nick was not too far behind. Ben had the "Jump Start" relic that seemed to be really strong with four teleports out there once Ben traded for the four-dice spaceship, the clipper.

That left just enough time for some Cloud 9 action, with the #1 trash-talker Ben having to take his leave to get up for some Mothers' Day Weekend travel commitments. Nick selectively chose the right time to bail out to grab the early lead, and, in the end, only Doug was in a position to challenge. Finally, Nick pushed it to over 50 and Doug was victim of a balloon crash with Paul at the pilot. I got off to a terrible start, crashing three out of four voyages and never recovered. Final scores: Nick 51, Doug 38, Clayton 27, Paul 26, John 22.

Final reminder -- Main Street Festival rain-or-shine this Saturday, starting at 9 AM. Our booth location is 512-B-and-C. Hoping for good weather.