Winter weather struck this week, keeping attendance down compared to prior weeks. We had a total of seven (Patrick, Mike, Tim, Lina, Laura, Rembert and myself), and we split into two groups and got in a total of just two games that each lasted the entire session: Brew Crafters and Concordia, played with one of the expansion boards (UK).
Brew Crafters was a three-player, consisting of Laura, Tim and myself. We played with the Interns optional space that was used quite frequently by both Laura and Tim and, quite effectively I thought, by Laura. I drew first player and took the Barley Grower skilled worker and went with a first-turn Farm strategy. Laure and Tim each took a local partnership and, with the two of them grabbing Interns right and left, I didn't get any but was the first to add a second brewery shift early in the second year. That, plus the Brewpub and the Brewpub Manager, enabled me to forge a fairly comfortable win in a relatively high-scoring game: 95 to 83 for Laura with Tim, at 55, trailing. OOPS, just re-checked the scoresheet and I made a math boo-boo. I only had 85 to 83 for Laura, a very close game, that could have gone the other way had someone beat me to one of the three gold label rewards.
Concordia, as mentioned before, was played with one of the new maps, for Britain or the UK, and it produced a fairly competitive game. Mike won with 97 to 90 for Lina, the difference being the 7-point bonus Mike got for triggering the game-end. Rembert (79) and Patrick (75) were not that far behind.
Next week will be PrezCon in Charlottesville, so I will not be at the club, so Mike will be in charge. Hoping for better weather and more people in the coming weeks, obviously. Don't forget about Maryland Game Days, which is coming up in about two weeks, March 12-15, and the Doubletree in Pikesville (a new time and new location for the event).
Monday, February 23, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
February 12, 2015 Session Report
Despite some cold weather, we still had a decent attendance as 10 hardy souls descended on the Community Center for an evening of gaming. One first-time attendee, Zak, joined Mike, Patrick, Greg, Ben, Alec, Will, Eugene, Neville and myself, and a total of three games were played: Sheriff of Nottingham, Concordia and Istanbul.
Sheriff of Nottingham was an interesting game where players take turns as the Sheriff, who can accept deals or decide to inspect any and all packages for contraband. Money changes hands during the game, and bonus points (money) are awarded for collecting specific goods and for having the largest sets at the end. Neville came away the winner. Scores: Neville 154, Greg 145, John 139, Patrick 138, Zak 122. The other group of five played Concordia. No details, just the results: 1. Mike 105 2. Ben 105 3. Eugene 103 4. Will 101 5. Alec 69 Finally, one more game, which was Istanbul, won by Patrick. Patrick was first with 5 gems, Zak and I had 4, Greg and Neville 3 at game-end.
Sheriff of Nottingham was an interesting game where players take turns as the Sheriff, who can accept deals or decide to inspect any and all packages for contraband. Money changes hands during the game, and bonus points (money) are awarded for collecting specific goods and for having the largest sets at the end. Neville came away the winner. Scores: Neville 154, Greg 145, John 139, Patrick 138, Zak 122. The other group of five played Concordia. No details, just the results: 1. Mike 105 2. Ben 105 3. Eugene 103 4. Will 101 5. Alec 69 Finally, one more game, which was Istanbul, won by Patrick. Patrick was first with 5 gems, Zak and I had 4, Greg and Neville 3 at game-end.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
February 7, 2015 Session Report
Group of 12 for this past week's session. In attendance were John W, Mike, Doug, Ben, Patrick, Greg, Neville, Will, Eric, Eugene, Tim and myself. Games played: Splendor (twice), Robinson Crusoe, Augustus, Roll for the Galaxy, Power Grid Deluxe: North America, Fidelitas and Yardmaster.
Some details on the games (scores when available): Started out with Splendor, a solid win for Mike. Scores were Mike 15, Doug 11, me 9, John W 7. We then broke into separate groups. One group (consisting of Greg, Patrick, Will and John W) played Robinson Crusoe. It's a cooperative game, and I didn't get a result. It lasted pretty much the rest of the session, and it either didn't make it to the finish or the players failed to fulfill the victory conditions. Afterward, I heard alot of "we should have done this or that," so I assume it did not go all that well for the players versus the game system. A five-player games of Augustus broke out. It resulted in a win for Eric. Scores were Eric 66, Eugene 37, Neville 30, Ben 13, Tim 11.
Doug, Neville and I played Roll for the Galaxy, the dice game sequel to Race for the Galaxy (one of the co-designers, Wei-Hua, is a former GCOM host). I managed to win with 33, ahead of Neville (28) with Doug (22) in last despite triggering game-end with most buildings but no shipping. Ben won a five-player Power Grid-Deluxe game using the North America map but it was an incredibly close battle for second among the other players. Ben had 17 powered cities, and everyone else was at 15. In order of money, it was Eugene second (14), Eric third (11), Mike fourth (10) and Tim (6). Four of this group played a second game of Splendor. Eric won with 18, ahead of Mike (11), Tim (7) and Eugene (6). Doug, Neville and I got in a couple of more games before time was up. One game, Fidelitas, was won by Doug (8) over Neville (7). I was far behind with 3, barely getting on the board in the last turn. We then turned to Yardmaster, and Neville proved to be the Yardmeister with a winning score of 20. I was second at 13, Doug trailing at 9.
Some details on the games (scores when available): Started out with Splendor, a solid win for Mike. Scores were Mike 15, Doug 11, me 9, John W 7. We then broke into separate groups. One group (consisting of Greg, Patrick, Will and John W) played Robinson Crusoe. It's a cooperative game, and I didn't get a result. It lasted pretty much the rest of the session, and it either didn't make it to the finish or the players failed to fulfill the victory conditions. Afterward, I heard alot of "we should have done this or that," so I assume it did not go all that well for the players versus the game system. A five-player games of Augustus broke out. It resulted in a win for Eric. Scores were Eric 66, Eugene 37, Neville 30, Ben 13, Tim 11.
Doug, Neville and I played Roll for the Galaxy, the dice game sequel to Race for the Galaxy (one of the co-designers, Wei-Hua, is a former GCOM host). I managed to win with 33, ahead of Neville (28) with Doug (22) in last despite triggering game-end with most buildings but no shipping. Ben won a five-player Power Grid-Deluxe game using the North America map but it was an incredibly close battle for second among the other players. Ben had 17 powered cities, and everyone else was at 15. In order of money, it was Eugene second (14), Eric third (11), Mike fourth (10) and Tim (6). Four of this group played a second game of Splendor. Eric won with 18, ahead of Mike (11), Tim (7) and Eugene (6). Doug, Neville and I got in a couple of more games before time was up. One game, Fidelitas, was won by Doug (8) over Neville (7). I was far behind with 3, barely getting on the board in the last turn. We then turned to Yardmaster, and Neville proved to be the Yardmeister with a winning score of 20. I was second at 13, Doug trailing at 9.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
January 29, 2015 Session Report
Despite some iffy weather during the day, we still had a good turnout of 11 for this week's session, with Mike, Kay (whom we haven't seen for awhile), Greg, Tim, Will, Ben, David, Lina, Eugene and one newcomer (Tom) and myself in attendance. Games played: Brew Crafters (first time with the finished product at the club), Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Splendor (twice) and Sushi Go (twice).
Brew Crafters was a four-player with three who were new to the game and myself. I managed to come home first with a score of 56, while Ben (best of the new players), perhaps aided by his past experience with playing Agricola, second at 50, followed by Lina (42) and David (32). Including time for teaching, this game took most of the evening. Another game featured was Castles of Mad King Ludwig, another four-player, scores were Greg (101), Mike (99), Will (95), Tim (83). Kay (who had some schedule issues and couldn't stay for the entire session), got into a couple of games of Splendor. First one, a two-player, was won by Eugene (15) with Kay second (12). By the time they had finished, Tom arrived, and so they played a three-player, won by Tom (15) to 9 for Eugene and 1 for Kay. The group playing Mad King Ludwig had time left for a couple of games of Sushi Go. Both came down to the final scoring with the player with the most pudding (a tiebreaker I am very familiar with) coming from behind to win. Game 1; Greg 37 Tim 35 Mike 32 Will 26 Game 2: Will 41 Mike 39 Tim 32 Greg 30
Brew Crafters was a four-player with three who were new to the game and myself. I managed to come home first with a score of 56, while Ben (best of the new players), perhaps aided by his past experience with playing Agricola, second at 50, followed by Lina (42) and David (32). Including time for teaching, this game took most of the evening. Another game featured was Castles of Mad King Ludwig, another four-player, scores were Greg (101), Mike (99), Will (95), Tim (83). Kay (who had some schedule issues and couldn't stay for the entire session), got into a couple of games of Splendor. First one, a two-player, was won by Eugene (15) with Kay second (12). By the time they had finished, Tom arrived, and so they played a three-player, won by Tom (15) to 9 for Eugene and 1 for Kay. The group playing Mad King Ludwig had time left for a couple of games of Sushi Go. Both came down to the final scoring with the player with the most pudding (a tiebreaker I am very familiar with) coming from behind to win. Game 1; Greg 37 Tim 35 Mike 32 Will 26 Game 2: Will 41 Mike 39 Tim 32 Greg 30
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
January 22, 2015 Session Report
Despite some snowy weather earlier in the week, we had a good crowd of 10 for this week's session: Doug, Mike, John W, Greg, Neville, David, Will, Rembert, Eugene and myself were the attendees. Games played: Scoville, Hollywood, Red 7, Biblios, Greenland, Yardmaster and Machi Koro.
Scoville was won by Mike (66) ahead of Doug (63), followed by Greg (56), John W (49) and Rembert (42). Hollywood, which Neville brought, was a new game about putting together movies which a weird bidding mechanism where even the losing bidder pays. Ties were also not friendly, as Eugene and I found out first time around when we went down to our last dollar. As it turned out, I got a lucky draw off the top and wen on to a narrow victory, 123 to 122, over David who was a close second. Will was third with 117, followed by Eugene (114) with Neville last (109). Second round of games, and for one group it was Red 7 (Won by Will, while Neville and myself also played), Biblios (won by Neville with 8 points, ahead of myself at 4 and Doug at 2) followed by Yardmaster (unfinished, I believe Neville was winning). Another group tackled Greenland, played by David, Rembert and John W, also unfinished. Similarly, no scores reported for Machi Koro (played by Mike, Greg and Will).
Again, a friendly reminder, if you are uncertain as to whether or not a club session might be cancelled due to inclement weather, feel free to call the CC and check out closing reports (if PG county schools and govt' offices are closed, then it's likely the CC will be closed as well).
Scoville was won by Mike (66) ahead of Doug (63), followed by Greg (56), John W (49) and Rembert (42). Hollywood, which Neville brought, was a new game about putting together movies which a weird bidding mechanism where even the losing bidder pays. Ties were also not friendly, as Eugene and I found out first time around when we went down to our last dollar. As it turned out, I got a lucky draw off the top and wen on to a narrow victory, 123 to 122, over David who was a close second. Will was third with 117, followed by Eugene (114) with Neville last (109). Second round of games, and for one group it was Red 7 (Won by Will, while Neville and myself also played), Biblios (won by Neville with 8 points, ahead of myself at 4 and Doug at 2) followed by Yardmaster (unfinished, I believe Neville was winning). Another group tackled Greenland, played by David, Rembert and John W, also unfinished. Similarly, no scores reported for Machi Koro (played by Mike, Greg and Will).
Again, a friendly reminder, if you are uncertain as to whether or not a club session might be cancelled due to inclement weather, feel free to call the CC and check out closing reports (if PG county schools and govt' offices are closed, then it's likely the CC will be closed as well).
Monday, January 19, 2015
January 15, 2015 Session Report
Second session of 2015, and a huge throng of 16 gamers descended upon the Laurel Community Center for what turned out to be our largest attendance in some time -- certainly larger than any of the sessions last year (when 15 was the high), didn't go back any further to check but I seem to recall we hit 17 or more once or twice. Anyway, the attendees were Alec, Tim, Mike, Greg, Will, Patrick, David, Eric, Lina, Eugene, Neville, Rembert, Moshe (back for a second time) and myself, plus two first-time attendees at the club, Laura and James. Games played (and it was tough to keep track of everything with four games going on at once): Scoville, Essen: The Game, Castles of Mad King Ludwig (played twice), Greenland, Biblios, Colt Express and Red 7.
Here's what I collected from the scoresheets and various reports: Castles of Mad King Ludwig: 1. Laura 114 2. Neville 103 3. Eric 79 4. Eugene 76 Scoville: 1. Will 66 2. Alec 64 3. Tim 50 4. Mike 37 Essen - The Game (it's a game about collecting the "hot" games at Essen): 1. Greg 86 2. Lina 70 3. John 58 4. Patrick 55 Biblios: 1. Eric 5 (+2) 2. Laura 5 (+0) 3. Eugene 3 4. Neville 0 Red 7: 1. Laura 2. Neville 3. Eric 4. Eugene Greenland: 1. Rembert ~ 40 2. James ~ 15 3. David 3 Colt Express: 1. Greg 1750 2. Patrick 1650 3. John 1300 4. Lina 0 (partial score, as we scored after three of five rounds, having run out of time) Not sure of the scores, but I believe there was a second Mad King Ludwig game featuring Mike, Tim, Alec and Will after they finished Scoville, perhaps the game did not make it to the finish line.
Here's what I collected from the scoresheets and various reports: Castles of Mad King Ludwig: 1. Laura 114 2. Neville 103 3. Eric 79 4. Eugene 76 Scoville: 1. Will 66 2. Alec 64 3. Tim 50 4. Mike 37 Essen - The Game (it's a game about collecting the "hot" games at Essen): 1. Greg 86 2. Lina 70 3. John 58 4. Patrick 55 Biblios: 1. Eric 5 (+2) 2. Laura 5 (+0) 3. Eugene 3 4. Neville 0 Red 7: 1. Laura 2. Neville 3. Eric 4. Eugene Greenland: 1. Rembert ~ 40 2. James ~ 15 3. David 3 Colt Express: 1. Greg 1750 2. Patrick 1650 3. John 1300 4. Lina 0 (partial score, as we scored after three of five rounds, having run out of time) Not sure of the scores, but I believe there was a second Mad King Ludwig game featuring Mike, Tim, Alec and Will after they finished Scoville, perhaps the game did not make it to the finish line.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
January 8, 2015 Session Report
First session of the New Year and despite some inclement weather earlier in the week, we had a group of eight hardy gamers -- Patrick, Mike, Ben A, Lina, Neville, Will and myself plus one first-time attendee (Manuel) -- and a total of three games were played: Nothing Personal, Imperial Settlers and Red 7.
Nothing Personal was a four-player, and Neville emerged the winner by a wide margin after a big surge on the last two turns of the game. I was in the lead, but of course my guys got bumped off or sent to prison. Final scores in this gangster-related game (reminiscent of Avalon Hill's Kremlin) were: Neville 74, John 38, Line 34, Manuel 31. Lina and Manuel got embroiled in a huge battle for control of the Capo on the final turn, allowing Neville to swoop in and claim just about all the other gangsters, while my strong early position faded badly down the stretch. The four of us also played a few hands of Red 7 but unfortunately we did not quite make it to the finish.
Imperial Settlers was played at the other table, and the winner (playing the Egyptians) was Patrick, with a score of 64. Second was Will, as the Barbarians, with a score of 57. Third was Mike, as the Japanese, with 49 while the Romans (played by Ben) brought up the rear with 30. Interesting, because I had heard that the Japanese and the Romans were the two strongest factions -- not true, if you go by the results of this one game. A reminder that the GCOM Winter GameFest is coming up soon, weekend after next, Jan. 17-18, at the Rockville Senior Center. Check out the link at the GCOM website, gamesclubofmd.org.
Nothing Personal was a four-player, and Neville emerged the winner by a wide margin after a big surge on the last two turns of the game. I was in the lead, but of course my guys got bumped off or sent to prison. Final scores in this gangster-related game (reminiscent of Avalon Hill's Kremlin) were: Neville 74, John 38, Line 34, Manuel 31. Lina and Manuel got embroiled in a huge battle for control of the Capo on the final turn, allowing Neville to swoop in and claim just about all the other gangsters, while my strong early position faded badly down the stretch. The four of us also played a few hands of Red 7 but unfortunately we did not quite make it to the finish.
Imperial Settlers was played at the other table, and the winner (playing the Egyptians) was Patrick, with a score of 64. Second was Will, as the Barbarians, with a score of 57. Third was Mike, as the Japanese, with 49 while the Romans (played by Ben) brought up the rear with 30. Interesting, because I had heard that the Japanese and the Romans were the two strongest factions -- not true, if you go by the results of this one game. A reminder that the GCOM Winter GameFest is coming up soon, weekend after next, Jan. 17-18, at the Rockville Senior Center. Check out the link at the GCOM website, gamesclubofmd.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)