Game Night #45

Tonight was April's pick. Thankfully she spared us and allowed us to maintain our dignity. There was no Pretty, Pretty Princess played this evening.

Attendees: Mark, Zeb, April, Erin, Brent and Joey

Previous Overall Standings:
April 10.0 (10.0/1)
Joey 8.1 (81.7/10)
Zeb 7.9 (63.3/8)
Mark 7.7 (38.9/5)
Erin 7.5 (7.5/1)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)
Brent 6.0 (6.0/1)

This Event's Standings:
Erin 8.7 (8.7/1)
Brent 7.2 (14.4/2)
Joey 7.1 (21.5/3)
Mark 6.7 (20.2/3)
Zeb 6.6 (20.0/3)
April 5.4 (16.3/3)

January's Overall Standings:
Erin 8.1 (16.2/2)
Joey 7.9 (103.2/13)
Zeb 7.5 (83.3/11)
Mark 7.3 (59.1/8)
Brandt 7.1 (35.8/5)
Brent 6.8 (20.4/3)
April 6.5 (26.3/4)

So, we pulled out Crimson Skies first and we put it away when April called and told us that she was almost to our house. Also, the Crimson Skies scenario that was next was a long one so we decided to scrap it. Then we pulled out Settlers of Zarahemla and just as we got that set up Brent showed up. So we needed a five player game. Finally, we settled upon Manila. This game of Manila was crazy. The silk commodity shot to the top immediately. Then for the rest of the game, everyone did everything in their power to keep the game from ending and most of the other commodities caught up. All in all, it was a very shrewd game of Manila. There was a fair amount of pirating, but somehow I've lost my touch and I got shut-down a couple of times as pirate. Zeb counts that as a moral victory.
Manila Standings:
Joey 10.0 (129 pesos)
Zeb 9.6 (125 pesos)
April 8.1 (105 pesos)
Mark 7.9 (103 pesos)
Brent 4.4 (58 pesos)

After that I guess we couldn't get enough of betting; we played Wits and Wagers. This was a fairly standard game until the last round. No one was correct on the answer so it went to the 5:1 spot. Brent and Mark both had chips there. Brent had a hoard of chips there and Mark had a few. Luckily, April and I both saved a few chips just in case. Zeb spent them all. Brent blew us out of the water.
Wits and Wagers Standings:
Brent 10 (255 points)
Mark 3.1 (80 points)
April 1.5 (40 points)
Joey 1.5 (40 points)
Zeb 0 (0 points)

Lastly, we played Puerto Rico. This was new to Zeb. Zeb did a great job, because no one held their punches. This game was a intense. Nearly everything was taken. We were almost out of men, VP chips, buildings and plantations. This game really went the distance. In the end, I pulled off a victory due to having two VP buildings. Close game.
Puerto Rico Standings:
Joey 10 (56 points = 19VP + 25 buildings + 12 VP buildings)
Zeb 9.4 (53 points = 34 VP + 13 buildings + 6 VP buildings)
Mark 9.2 (52 points = 33 VP + 19 buildings)
Erin 8.7 (49 points = 22 VP + 22 buildings + 5 VP buildings)
April 6.7 (38 points = 12 VP + 18 buildings + 8 VP buildings)

Additional Stats
2008 Points Total
Erin 8.1 (16.2/2)
Joey 7.9 (103.2/13)
Zeb 7.5 (83.3/11)
Mark 7.3 (59.1/8)
Brandt 7.1 (35.8/5)
Brent 6.8 (20.4/3)
April 6.5 (26.3/4)

Games Played in 2008, Sorted by Popularity
Manila 2
Hey! That's My Fish! 1
Gang of Four 1
Chez Geek 1
Pirate's Cove 1
Hive 1
Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot 1
Ticket to Ride 1
Lost Cities 1
Elk Fest 1
Wits and Wagers 1
Puerto Rico 1

Game Night #44

A lot of new faces tonight!

Attendees: Zeb, April, Erin, Brent and Joey

Previous Overall Standings:
Mark 8.0 (40.1/5)
Zeb 7.9 (23.9/3)
Joey 7.8 (39.2/5)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)

This Event's Standings:
April 10.0 (10.0/1)
Joey 8.5 (42.5/5)
Zeb 7.8 (39.4/5)
Erin 7.5 (7.5/1)
Brent 6.0 (6.0/1)

January's Overall Standings:
April 10.0 (10.0/1)
Joey 8.1 (81.7/10)
Zeb 7.9 (63.3/8)
Mark 7.7 (38.9/5)
Erin 7.5 (7.5/1)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)
Brent 6.0 (6.0/1)

Zeb arrived first and brought a marvelous quiche for a snack (game night is moving up and getting cultured!) We sorted through Zeb's new Red expansion pack for Killer Bunnies and then dove into a game that was new for both of us: Hive. This is a real thinking game and you really have to balance offense and defense well. At one point we were both close to winning the game and the goal eluded us. Then as we both neared the finish again, Zeb quickly closed in and claimed the victory.
Hive Standings:
Zeb 10 (Surrounded the white queen bee)
Joey 7.5 (Wasn't quite able to do the same to the back queen bee)

Next, April and Mark K. showed up. Mark K was keen on honing his Wii Golf skills while the rest of us played a game of Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot. I quickly had an army of bunnies, but only ever received one "Collect a Carrot" card. While most everyone else was in a near opposite dilemma. By the end of the game, Zeb had a stack of carrots, April had a few and I had two. Erin had two carrots, but without any bunnies had to give them to Zeb. As we eliminated the carrots that were not the winning carrot, we found that each of us only had one carrot left. I was first to drop out, then Zeb and then April. April won the quest for the magic carrot!
Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot Standings:
April 10 (1 Magic carrot)
Zeb 7.5 (Lots of mundane carrots)
Joey 7.5 (A couple of lackluster carrots)
Erin 7.5 (Carrotless)

April and Mark K. had to leave and by then Brent had arrived. Brent, Zeb and I played a game of Ticket to Ride. This seemed to be a fairly matched game of Ticket to Ride. We stayed neck and neck in the pre-route scoring. Brent and Zeb contended for the Pacific Northwest and I wasn't clear in my explanation of the rules change for a two- and three-player game. That goof hosed Brent and the game ended shortly thereafter. Sorry about that Brent.
Ticket to Ride Standings:
Joey 10 (149 points)
Zeb 6.6 (99 points)
Brent 6.0 (90 points)

Brent had to leave, so Zeb and I played a game of Lost Cities. I was ahead the entirety of the game by about twenty to thirty points. We both had a huge third round. Zeb scored 76 points in the last round, unfortunately (for him) I scored 111 points that round. The game went to me, but I was still tense all the way through.
Lost Cities Standings:
Joey 10 (179 points)
Zeb 5.3 (96 points)

Eager for retribution (or so I assume), Zeb picked Elk Fest as his last game of the night. I got an early lead. However that early lead dissolved as I failed to move my stones very far and Zeb was able to flick his stones much further apart. Zeb's moose rocketed to the other side of the river.
Elk Fest Standings:
Zeb 10 (Dry moose)
Joey 7.5 (Wet moose)

Additional Stats
2008 Points Total
April 10.0 (10.0/1)
Joey 8.1 (81.7/10)
Zeb 7.9 (63.3/8)
Mark 7.7 (38.9/5)
Erin 7.5 (7.5/1)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)
Brent 6.0 (6.0/1)

Games Played in 2008, Sorted by Popularity
Hey! That's My Fish! 1
Gang of Four 1
Manila 1
Chez Geek 1
Pirate's Cove 1
Hive 1
Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot 1
Ticket to Ride 1
Lost Cities 1
Elk Fest 1

Games in the Heart of Texas (GITHOT)

For those of you that would be interested in going too, I will be attending Games in the Hot of Texas (GITHOT) this weekend. For $20, you can play and sample games that you may be on the fence on. So before you shell out that green come and try those games first. There are also a ton of door prizes and a Wits and Wagers tournament. You could very well walk away with something that makes your entry fee more that worth it. $20 for the whole weekend and... well, all the info on this event is in the link below. Cheers and I hope to see you there, or if you would like to come along with me let me know. It's right in Round Rock. Spitting distance.

http://githot.com/

Game Night #43

Great turn out and a load of great games were played. A great start to the New Year.

Attendees: Mark, Brandt, Zeb and Joey

Previous Overall Standings:
Brandt
Brent
Mark
Zeb
Joey

This Event's Standings:
Mark 8.0 (40.1/5)
Zeb 7.9 (23.9/3)
Joey 7.8 (39.2/5)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)

January's Overall Standings:
Mark 8.0 (40.1/5)
Zeb 7.9 (23.9/3)
Joey 7.8 (39.2/5)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)

We started off with Hey! That's My Fish!. Brandt, Mark and I started off pretty close to each other and the name of this game was segmenting off huge chunks of the board.
Hey! That's My Fish Standings:
Joey 10 (42 fish)
Mark 7.6 (32 fish)
Brandt 5.9 (25 fish)

Next we played a game of Gang of Four. I really like playing this with three players. Playing it with three give shlubs like me a fighting chance. At one point I was down by forty or so points and somehow (because I usually stink at Gang of Four) I made a miraculous comeback! Needless to say, Brandt does not enjoy Gang of Four with three players.
Gang of Four Standings:
Joey 10 (49 points)
Mark 7.3 (99 points)
Brandt 5.0 (128 points)

Zeb arrived and we played an extremely unique game of Manila. Only two wares even counted for anything and not many boats came in. Zeb had to hawk a ware and he still came in second. It was a slow economy day in Manila.
Manila Standings:
Mark 10 (124 pesos)
Zeb 8.7 (109 pesos)
Joey 6.3 (79 pesos)
Brandt 6.0 (75 pesos)

Next we played a game of Chez Geek. This game got nasty. People were jacking each other rooms like crazy. Things getting burgled. Chainsaws during sleep. TV killing nookie. Regardless, Brandt reigned supreme as the master slacker (ironically).
Chez Geek Standings:
Brandt 10 (19 out of 18 slack)
Mark 7.0 (14 out of 20 slack)
Zeb 6.4 (11 out of 17 slack)
Joey 3.5 (6 out of 17 slack)

Lastly we played a game of Pirate's Cove. This game had battles a plenty and was a tremendously close game. We even had a four-way battle. I was first to hobble away from that one and Mark was the last pirate standing when the gun smoke cleared. But that was only one battle, the pirate war was won by master cutthroat Brandt.
Pirate's Cove Standings:
Brandt 10 (34 acts of notoriety)
Joey 9.4 (32 acts of plunder)
Zeb 8.8 (30 acts of sacking)
Mark 8.2 (28 acts of pillaging)

Additional Stats
2008 Points Total
Mark 8.0 (40.1/5)
Zeb 7.9 (23.9/3)
Joey 7.8 (39.2/5)
Brandt 7.3 (36.9/5)

Games Played in 2008, Sorted by Popularity
Hey! That's My Fish! 1
Gang of Four 1
Manila 1
Chez Geek 1
Pirate's Cove 1

Changes in 2008

I thought that I would document the new 2008 game night scoring system; here goes.

The system is a ten-point based system that is similar to "grading on the curve". This will reflect how well you are doing in each game.

Whoever wins a game will receive ten points. In the worst case scenario the last place player will only gain one point, but only if they do really poorly. Rarely will anyone receive negative or no points for playing a game. From there it gets tricky.

In a game where there is a score that has a positive number all of the other players will receive points based on their scores relative to the winner.
For instance: Ticket to Ride, everyone receives a positive score (nearly all of the time, eep!). Say that Mark attains a score of 116, Zeb 108, Brandt 89 and Joey 43. Mark receives 10 points for being the winner. Everyone else receives points based on Mark's score. You would take your score and divide it by Mark's score to get a percentage. Then you would take that percentage and divide by 10 to get the game night score; a number between an 10 and 1. So in the above example, Mark would receive 10 points, Zeb would receive 9.3 points, Brandt 7.6 and Joey 3.7

However, in games where the is score based on placement (RoboRally, Formula De), the scoring will go as follows:
Two-player game- First place, 10 points. Second place, 7.5 points
Three-player game- First place, 10 points. Second place, 8 points. Third place, 6 points
Four-player game- First place, 10 points. Second place, 9 points. Third place, 8 points. Fourth place, 7 points.
And so on...

Lastly, there are the negative scoring games (No Thanks!, Gang of Four, Hearts). In those cases the winner will receive 10 points, the loser 5 points and everyone else in between will receive points based on the relative position between the winner player's score and the losing player's score.

I hope this made sense. It does in my head, but putting it into words is something else entirely. Cheers and see you next Tuesday!

Game Night #42

This was an awesome game night. We had a lot of people show up, played a grip of games and, most of all, everyone pitched in and got me Space Dealer. Thank you every one, I am really touched.

Attendees: Mark, Brandt, Brent, Suzanne, Clyde and Joey

Previous Overall Standings:
Joey 2
Brandt 2
Brent 2
Zeb -2
Mark -4

This Event's Standings:
Mark 4
Suzanne 2
Brandt 1
Clyde 0
Brent -1
Joey -6

December's Overall Standings:
Brandt 3
Suzanne 2
Brent 1
Mark 0
Clyde 0
Zeb -2
Joey -4

Brandt showed up a bit early to get first pick of the games. We played a game of Balloon Cup. It was close at times, but Brandt has really become formidable at this game and cleaned up.
Balloon Cup Standings: Brandt 1, Joey -1

We quickly had a full house and decided to play a game of No Thanks! We had to hear Brandt's usual tirade about "seating position and its effect on No Thanks!" Needless to say, he lost (so did I), but the Moore's and their kin took all the top spots.
No Thanks! Standings: Mark 4, Suzanne 2, Clyde 0, Joey -2, Brandt -4

We then played a great (and learning) game of Space Dealer. Everyone caught on really quickly and aside from a few rules fudges we made it through the game. I cleaned up on the Gizzis. But as they say, "A handful of Gizzis does not a winner make." Mark proved himself to be the most efficient alien race in the cosmos.
Space Dealer Standings: Mark 3, Brandt 1, Brent -1, Joey -3

We then played the perennial favorite; Pirate's Cove. This game consisted of all of us heading to the same island or all of us heading to different islands. When playing with three people, who know how to play the game, Pirate's Cove plays really quickly and made for a fun game. I picked up Long John Silver's parrot pretty early in the game and that made me a target. The poor parrot was quickly reduced to a puff of feathers and smoke shortly thereafter. Mark went on to challenge Blackbeard at Treasure Island and was halfway to defeating him when his cannons could not make contact with Blackbeard's hull any longer. Brandt handily became the most famous (er, notorious) pirate.
Pirate's Cove Standings: Brandt 2, Joey 0, Mark -2

Still good to go, we played a game of Mag-Blast. Brandt was dealt three Dreadnoughts from the start. We made attempts to blast him, but he made short work of us.
Mag-Blast Standings: Brandt 2, Joey 0, Mark -2

Formula De was next to the table. This was a fairly short game of Formula De. Before we reached the halfway mark of the first (and only) lap, I bumped both cars and we all took a point of body damage. Then Mark and Brandt bumped each other, exploded and I cruised to the finish line in first gear.
Formula De Standings: Joey 2, Mark -1, Brandt -1

That last game of Formula De was so short we decided to play again. This was a much different race. I shot out ahead for the last half of the race, but at the sacrifice of my car. Mark was last and had a near mint car. Mark was able to open her up and push his car harder than I was on the last couple of turns and shot ahead to the finish line. Also, Brandt spun-out. This is the first time that I have ever seen that.
Formula De Standings: Mark 2, Joey 0, Brandt -2

Lastly we played a game of Pirate's Dice. I was losing badly, quickly. I was down to two dice before I was able to whittle a few dice away from Mark and Brandt. I then lost my two remaining dice. Shortly thereafter, Mark and Brandt had one dice each and they both rolled terrible. Brandt managed to win with a feat of honesty.
Pirate's Dice Standings: Brandt 2, Mark 0, Joey -2

Additional Stats
Overall Points Total
Brent 9
Zeb 6
Mark 5
Brandt 4
Aaron 3
Suzanne 2
Clyde 0
James -6
Joey -9

This Event's Wins to Played Ratios
Brandt 4:8 (50%)
Mark 3:7 (42%)
Joey 1:8 (12%)
Brent 0:1 (0%)
Suzanne 0:1 (0%)
Clyde 0:1 (0%)

December's Wins to Played Ratios
Brandt 6:12 (50%)
Zeb 1:2 (50%)
Mark 3:12 (25%)
Brent 1:4 (25%)
Joey 2:13 (15%)
Suzanne 0:1 (0%)
Clyde 0:1 (0%)

Overall Wins to Played Ratios
Aaron 3:6 (50%)
Brandt 9:24 (37.5%)
Zeb 20:54 (37.03%)
Joey 45:133 (33%)
Brent 7:24 (29%)
Mark M. 21:82 (25%)
James 2:13 (15%)
Suzanne 0:1 (0%)
Clyde 0:1 (0%)

Games Played, Sorted by Popularity
Pirate’s Dice 14
For Sale 9
RoboRally 9
Formula De 7
Nexus Ops 5
Shadows over Camelot 4
Manila 4
Hey! That’s My Fish! 4
No Thanks! 4
Space Dealer 4
Formidable Foes 3
Tide of Iron 3
Arkham Horror 3
Elk Fest 3
Bang! 3
Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot 3
Lost Cities 3
Pirate’s Cove 3
Mag-Blast 3
Memoir ’44 2
Wings of War: Burning Drachens 2
Crimson Skies 2
Doom: The Boardgame 2
Zombies!!! 2
TransAmerica 2
Betrayal at House on the Hill 2
Ticket to Ride 2
Balloon Cup 2
Conquest of the Empire 1
Poison 1
Twilight Imperium, 3rd Edition 1
Antike 1
Mystery of the Abbey 1
Fluxx 1
Puerto Rico 1
Nottingham 1
Qwirkle 1
Axis & Allies 1
Ricochet Robots 1
On the Underground 1
China 1
Vampire: Prince of the City 1
Jambo 1
Mississippi Queen 1
Quelf 1
Power Grid 1
Citadels 1
Descent: Journeys in the Dark 1
San Juan 1
Blokus 1
Colosseum 1
Mmm... Brains 1
Acquire 1
Wits and Wagers 1
Thurn and Taxis 1
Star Wars Miniature Battles 1
Boomtown 1
Chez Geek 1

Game Night #41

Much like last week. Five players in attendance, five games played. Weird.

Attendees: Zeb, Mark, Brandt, Brent and Joey

Previous Overall Standings:
Joey
Aaron
Brandt
James
Zeb
Brent
Mark

This Event's Standings:
Joey 2
Brandt 2
Brent 2
Zeb -2
Mark -4

December's Overall Standings:
Joey 2
Brandt 2
Brent 2
Zeb -2
Mark -4

Brandt and Mark showed up at the same time and we played a game of No Thanks! I thought that by sitting to Brandt's left I might have more of an advantage. Boy, was I wrong! I came in dead last and need to not push my luck so much...
No Thanks! Standings: Brandt 2, Mark 0, Joey -2

Brent arrived and we played a game of Boomtown. I must admit that I picked this because I thought that I had a knack at winning this game and was looking to boost my totals. I was wrong. I was doing fairly well, but I made a few goof ball choices late in the game. Brent really cashed in.
Boomtown Standings: Brent 3, Joey 1, Mark -1, Brandt -3

Zeb called us from Taco Bell and told us that both he and tacos would be there soon, so we sat down to play a quick game of Pirate's Dice. Brent really got tossed around at first, but then he held strong and the rest of us took some hits. Then Brent went out, followed by me. I didn't see as Brandt and Mark went head-to-head (tacos). But Brandt won it. Maybe Brandt or Mark would care to detail how that went down...
Pirate's Dice Standings: Brandt 3, Mark 1, Joey -1, Brent -3

With everyone here, we began the main event. A single-map, four-flag, five-player game of Robo Rally. Pushing, shooting, crushing... we had it all! It was a great game. Brent and I both made runs at the final flag and it was pretty dang close the first time.
Robo Rally Standings: Joey 4, Brent 2, Brandt 0, Mark -2, Zeb -4

Brent and Brandt left and we that remained played a game of Chez Geek. Mark, the Tech Support specialist, was master of the nookie and had tons of income but nothing to spend it on. I, the Research Subject, had tons of friends over but not a whole lot of anything else. Zeb, the Web Designer, had a nice mix of everything and shot past his Slack Goal pretty easily. Mark and I just aren't slacker enough.
Chez Geek Standings: Zeb 2, Joey 0, Mark -2

Additional Stats
Overall Points Total
Brent 10
Zeb 6
Aaron 3
Brandt 3
Mark M. 1
Joey -3
James -6

This Event's Wins to Played Ratios
Brandt 2:4 (50%)
Zeb 1:2 (50%)
Brent 1:3 (30%)
Joey 1:5 (20%)
Mark 0:5 (0%)

December's Wins to Played Ratios
Brandt 2:4 (50%)
Zeb 1:2 (50%)
Brent 1:3 (30%)
Joey 1:5 (20%)
Mark 0:5 (0%)

Overall Wins to Played Ratios
Aaron 3:6 (50%)
Zeb 20:54 (37%)
Joey 44:125 (35%)
Brandt 5:16 (31%)
Brent 7:23 (30%)
Mark M. 18:75 (24%)
James 2:13 (15%)

Games Played, Sorted by Popularity
Pirate’s Dice 13
For Sale 9
RoboRally 9
Nexus Ops 5
Formula De 5
Shadows over Camelot 4
Manila 4
Hey! That’s My Fish! 4
Space Dealer 3
Formidable Foes 3
Tide of Iron 3
Arkham Horror 3
Elk Fest 3
Bang! 3
Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot 3
Lost Cities 3
No Thanks! 3
Memoir ’44 2
Wings of War: Burning Drachens 2
Crimson Skies 2
Doom: The Boardgame 2
Pirate’s Cove 2
Zombies!!! 2
TransAmerica 2
Betrayal at House on the Hill 2
Ticket to Ride 2
Mag-Blast 2
Conquest of the Empire 1
Poison 1
Twilight Imperium, 3rd Edition 1
Antike 1
Mystery of the Abbey 1
Fluxx 1
Puerto Rico 1
Nottingham 1
Qwirkle 1
Axis & Allies 1
Ricochet Robots 1
On the Underground 1
China 1
Vampire: Prince of the City 1
Jambo 1
Mississippi Queen 1
Quelf 1
Power Grid 1
Citadels 1
Descent: Journeys in the Dark 1
San Juan 1
Balloon Cup 1
Blokus 1
Colosseum 1
Mmm... Brains 1
Acquire 1
Wits and Wagers 1
Thurn and Taxis 1
Star Wars Miniature Battles 1
Boomtown 1
Chez Geek 1