Trains, Brains and the Route to Mobile

There may have been snow, but that wouldn't stop the immutable tradition of Tuesday's game night. Except it won't be Tuesdays for much longer, since we're moving to Thursday for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, it's immutable. And traditional.

At first, it was me, Joe and Adam who discussed our options for tonight and decided to set up Railways of the World: Eastern US. Sam had only played it once before, at Stabcon, but we were sure he wouldn't mind. And he didn't.

Duluth. Not the most exciting city on the board.

Joe set up the huge game board, almost sending three bottles of beer off the table as he wrestled with it. Then he got a collapsible table from the next room to house the money and score track since we'd run out of space.

I was in the mood for a challenge, but I didn't fancy my chances against past masters Joe and Adam. But I got off to a flier, picking up two bonuses in the first few rounds which helped me build up a decent income. Sam and Joe battled over the North-East section. Or should that be shared the North-East section? Adam had his own plan, and tried to monopolise the Great Lakes.

At the start, it was all about me and Sam, with Joe and Adam sadly lagging. Then Adam pointed out that Sam was about to get a twenty point bonus for the New York to Kansas link. I panicked and wasted a whole turn trying to block him but to no avail. Sam simply went around me to net his bonus and sink Adam's chance at winning.

While this was going on, Joe started shipping goods around his network, and before I knew it, he was challenging both Sam and I for first. I went back to my original plan, and it ended close. Painfully close.

Joe 81 (wins on money tie-breaker)
Sam 81
Andrew 80
Adam 67

It was a great game, full of tension and double dealing, and I note with approval how often we all stood up at the same time to study the map thoughtfully. And Joe's win has the added sheen of honesty, as he kindly pointed out I'd misread the map and would I like to reconsider my move before he exploits it. That such honesty should be rewarded with a win is only right.

But we ended at ten thirty, with still enough time for one more quick game. We chose 6nimmt as a suitable nightcap. However, Joe's attempt at doing the double ended after two bad rounds sent him from first to last. Sam played a cagey game, which contrasted with his disregard for safety concerning salty nibbles.

Appalled at his own addiction to pretzels, he pushed the bowl away, straight into my glass of whiskey which then spilt its contents all over the kitchen floor. Luckily, Joe's dog wasn't around to lick it up. Even more luckily we weren't in Vegas because casinos have been burnt down for less.

Sam 32
Andrew 51
Adam 54
Joe 70


On the form table, Adam falls after a poor evening and I remain in pole position.

						Points
Andrew	2	3	1	4	2	12
Sam	1	2	6	1	4	14
Anja	2	2	3	2	5	14
Joe	4	1	3	5	1	14
Adam	3	4	5	3	2	17
Steve	4	6	1	5	5	21