Showing posts with label canasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canasta. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Friday 1st June, 2007
Lisa and I decided to spend our Friday evening gaming. We started with a go at Trans Europa. Lisa struggled to get across Europe repeatedly allowing me to win on 10. We decided to carry on our Canasta campaign. We each won 2 games, although Lisa leads overall by4695 to 2730, helped by me scoring -260 on one hand!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Monday 14th May, 2007
Monday night is Games Night! But before Greg and Spence turned up Lisa and I had time for 2 games of It's Alive! Lisa won the first one 59 to 55 even though it was me who shouted "it's alive!" (I love doing that). I redeemed myself somewhat by winning the second game 48 to 46 and utterring my favourite phrase.... We tried our idea of being able to purchase cards from players' cemeteries with more than one card. It only made a little bit of difference. I think you tend to buy more spare parts in the 2-player game anyway as you have more of an idea what your opponent still needs. I don't think our variant would work with more than 2.
When the others did arrive we all decided trhat we fancied several short games for a change. We started with Trans Europa. Spence won the first game and Greg lost it with Lisa and I drawing in the middle! It had been a close game though. We decided to play again and Greg won this time. Lisa was second, I was third and Spencce was last; a reversal from the previous game!
We then played 2 games of Hey! That's My Fish! -a game we all enjoy but don't play that often. Lisa easily won the first game with 30 floes. I was second with 26 floes, Greg next with 22 and Spencer, whose penguins got a bit stranded, managed 19 floes. Spencer clearly learnt some valuable lessons as he romped to victory in the second game with 33 floes. Lisa did well coming second with 25, whilst Greg and I both managed only 21 floes (I won as I had more individual floes!).
After all that penguin madness we decided to round off the evening with a game of Guillotine. I won this with 22 points. Greg was second with 21, Lisa third with 18 and Spencer last with 17. I paid careful attention to everyone's scores as I had several cards which allowed me to end the game. I chose my moment carefully when I had jsut snatched victory from Greg.... a great evening.
When Spence and Greg left Lisa and I had a quick hand of canasta before retiring to bed. I won this hand scoring 1205 points to Lisa's 640 (I had lots of wild cards!). I currently lead this game 1840 points to 1770 (4 games each!).
When the others did arrive we all decided trhat we fancied several short games for a change. We started with Trans Europa. Spence won the first game and Greg lost it with Lisa and I drawing in the middle! It had been a close game though. We decided to play again and Greg won this time. Lisa was second, I was third and Spencce was last; a reversal from the previous game!
We then played 2 games of Hey! That's My Fish! -a game we all enjoy but don't play that often. Lisa easily won the first game with 30 floes. I was second with 26 floes, Greg next with 22 and Spencer, whose penguins got a bit stranded, managed 19 floes. Spencer clearly learnt some valuable lessons as he romped to victory in the second game with 33 floes. Lisa did well coming second with 25, whilst Greg and I both managed only 21 floes (I won as I had more individual floes!).
After all that penguin madness we decided to round off the evening with a game of Guillotine. I won this with 22 points. Greg was second with 21, Lisa third with 18 and Spencer last with 17. I paid careful attention to everyone's scores as I had several cards which allowed me to end the game. I chose my moment carefully when I had jsut snatched victory from Greg.... a great evening.
When Spence and Greg left Lisa and I had a quick hand of canasta before retiring to bed. I won this hand scoring 1205 points to Lisa's 640 (I had lots of wild cards!). I currently lead this game 1840 points to 1770 (4 games each!).
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Monday 23rd April 2007
Before everyone descended to play games, Lisa and I squeezed in 3 hands of canasta. Lisa won the first with 1640 points to my 1120, bringing her total to 6915 and mine to 5230. Victory was clearly in her sites and she managed it on the next hand, managing 1035 points to my 1510. Final scores - Lisa 7950, me 6740. We are now drawing 4 games each. We played the first hand of a new game and Lisa won this one to with 1130 to my 635. Oh dear.
The hordes did not descend, only Greg. He brought Fire and Axe with him, so the three of us played this. I lost hideously due to abysmal (no, really, really bad... honest) dice rolls. Greg won easily and Lisa acquitted herself well. I still think this is a great game, although a little harder with 3 players I thought.
The hordes did not descend, only Greg. He brought Fire and Axe with him, so the three of us played this. I lost hideously due to abysmal (no, really, really bad... honest) dice rolls. Greg won easily and Lisa acquitted herself well. I still think this is a great game, although a little harder with 3 players I thought.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Wednesday 28th March, 2007
With an evening to ourselves, Lisa and I decided to enjoy a couple of hands of canasta, before turning our attentions to the TV!
I won the first hand with 1145 points to Lisa's 440. I picked up quite a few wild cards and so was able to go out quickly. This hand brought our total scores to me 2900 with Lisa leading 3060.
The second hand was closer than the score shows. Lisa managed to pick up all 4 red 3's (worth lots of points!) and got a natural canasta. She went out just before I did. She scored 2115 (huge score!) to my 1210. Lisa now leads 5275 to my 4110. Still, Lisa needs 150 to meld in the next hand...
I won the first hand with 1145 points to Lisa's 440. I picked up quite a few wild cards and so was able to go out quickly. This hand brought our total scores to me 2900 with Lisa leading 3060.
The second hand was closer than the score shows. Lisa managed to pick up all 4 red 3's (worth lots of points!) and got a natural canasta. She went out just before I did. She scored 2115 (huge score!) to my 1210. Lisa now leads 5275 to my 4110. Still, Lisa needs 150 to meld in the next hand...
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Friday 9th March 2007
Lisa and I sat down to enjoy 4 hands of canasta. In the first hand I managed to go out quickly. I scored only 915 points but made Lisa have -45. I repeated this in the second hand, scoring 1290 for myself and -120 for Lisa. This put me in the lead, and within sight of victory, with 6545 to Lisa's 4970.
Although Lisa scored the most points in the third hand (1430) I got 1200 which put me over the 7500 victory threshold. This means that I now lead 4 games to 3!
We then played the first hand of a new game. I failed to adjust to the low melding and was whooped; Lisa got 1035 whilst I ended on -65. Oh dear!
We then fancied another game of Carcassonne - The Castle. Lisa won a resounding victory at this with 128 points to my 97. She did really well obtaining most of the tokens and managing to complete several large structures. A good evening.
Although Lisa scored the most points in the third hand (1430) I got 1200 which put me over the 7500 victory threshold. This means that I now lead 4 games to 3!
We then played the first hand of a new game. I failed to adjust to the low melding and was whooped; Lisa got 1035 whilst I ended on -65. Oh dear!
We then fancied another game of Carcassonne - The Castle. Lisa won a resounding victory at this with 128 points to my 97. She did really well obtaining most of the tokens and managing to complete several large structures. A good evening.
Tuesday 6th March 2007
Lisa and I played 2 hands of canasta, winning one apiece. Lisa is now in the lead with 5135 to my 4340.
Monday 5th March 2007
Before Monday Night is Games Night Lisa and I enjoyed two quick hands of canasta. The first hand was pretty close. Lisa won it with 1010 points to my 560. This brought her total to 3155 and mine to 1710. In the next hand I went out really quickly due to picking up the deck at a good time! I scored only 975 points but forced Lisa to lose 190 points! (It's rare that I force her into a minus situation!). This put me back in the game with 2685 points to lisa's 2965.
Greg, Spencer and Vin then arrived and we set up Britannia. I played this once before and won (!) despite being fairly clueless about what I was doing. Still, it had been good fun. This is a 'sweep of history' game. Each of the four players represents several races who invade England sometime between the Roman occupation and the Norman invasion of 1066. The fortunes of the different races wax and wain roughly in accordance with history (although last time I managed to still have the Brigantes hanging around when the Normans turned up!). Every so often a race scores points depending on which regions they hold. Points are also scored for whacking the romans and killing opposition leaders - heroic figures who turn up occasionally.
As I had previously been victorious I was selected to play the Romans. This is quite hard as, although you have 4 subsequent races whereas everyone else has 4 in total, the Romans are your only really good one. Therefore you have to score most of your points early in the game and watch everyone else catch up and possibly overtake you later on. That said, I managed to amass 113 points with the Romans, which I think is quite good!
The Romans pretty much stayed out of Wales which allowed Spencer to consolidate his position there with the erm... Welsh! A little later and there was an epic struggle between the Angles and the Saxons for control of most of England. I did fairly well wresting control of most of Scotland from the Picts.
In the end we stopped playing at the end of Round 7; about halfway through. It had taken us 3 hours to get this far and we decided to conclude on another evening.
Scores thus far are:
Greg : 74
Spencer: 84
Paul: 143
Vin: 63
But we've got along way to go yet!
Greg, Spencer and Vin then arrived and we set up Britannia. I played this once before and won (!) despite being fairly clueless about what I was doing. Still, it had been good fun. This is a 'sweep of history' game. Each of the four players represents several races who invade England sometime between the Roman occupation and the Norman invasion of 1066. The fortunes of the different races wax and wain roughly in accordance with history (although last time I managed to still have the Brigantes hanging around when the Normans turned up!). Every so often a race scores points depending on which regions they hold. Points are also scored for whacking the romans and killing opposition leaders - heroic figures who turn up occasionally.
As I had previously been victorious I was selected to play the Romans. This is quite hard as, although you have 4 subsequent races whereas everyone else has 4 in total, the Romans are your only really good one. Therefore you have to score most of your points early in the game and watch everyone else catch up and possibly overtake you later on. That said, I managed to amass 113 points with the Romans, which I think is quite good!
The Romans pretty much stayed out of Wales which allowed Spencer to consolidate his position there with the erm... Welsh! A little later and there was an epic struggle between the Angles and the Saxons for control of most of England. I did fairly well wresting control of most of Scotland from the Picts.
In the end we stopped playing at the end of Round 7; about halfway through. It had taken us 3 hours to get this far and we decided to conclude on another evening.
Scores thus far are:
Greg : 74
Spencer: 84
Paul: 143
Vin: 63
But we've got along way to go yet!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Thursday 1st March 2007
Lisa and I spent part of the evening playing four hands of canasta. I won the first 2, giving me a total of 8255; well over the 7500 winning threshold. I managed to keep Lisa's scores low, which was just as well as she also finished past the threshold with 7960 points. That made the series level at three games each.
In the first hand of the new game Lisa played exceedingly well to amass 1765 points to my -220!
I won the next game scoring 1370 (giving me a total of 1150) and limiting Lisa's to 380 (total: 2145).
A fun evening with some good strategy from both of us.
In the first hand of the new game Lisa played exceedingly well to amass 1765 points to my -220!
I won the next game scoring 1370 (giving me a total of 1150) and limiting Lisa's to 380 (total: 2145).
A fun evening with some good strategy from both of us.
Wednesday 28th February 2007
Lisa and I had a quick hand of canasta. I won with 1425 points, bringing my total to 6095. Lisa scored only 650 but is still in the lead with a total of 6145.
Tuesday 27th February 2007
Lisa and I spent the time waiting for 'Life on Mars' on TV playing canasta. I won the first hand scoring 1295 to Lisa's 1000 points. This brought my total to 3440, Lisa's to 3230. Lisa then won the next hand with 2265 to my 1230. This was actually a close game as I could have gone out on my next go....had it got that far! Final scores: Lisa in the lead with 5495 me with 4670.
Monday 26th February 2007
Monday night is games night! But before this.... Lisa and I had a few hands of canasta. I won both hands, scoring 580 in the first and 1565 in the second. This brought my total to 2145 due to my -415 score in the first hand of the game! Lisa scored 480 and then 585, bringing her total to 2230 - so she's still in the lead!
We were then joined by Jack and Lou (again!) and Greg for a game of Guillotine. Lou did really well, winning this with 24 points. Lisa came second with 18, Greg and Paul drew for third with 16 whilst Jack brought up the rear with 14.
Spencer then arrived, so all six of us spent the rest of the evening playing Powergrid with the US map. The game worked well with six and was a close run thing throughout - not neccesarily reflected by the final scores. We were all hampered by the good power stations proving elusive. In the end, Greg won as he could power 14 cities. Jack and Spencer could both power 13, although Jack had the most money. Paul, Lou and Lisa all could power 12, although Paul had the most money, followed by Lisa. As Lou had not played the game before she did really. Even though she was in last place it had been a close game and all of us really enjoyed it and had a pleasant evening.
We were then joined by Jack and Lou (again!) and Greg for a game of Guillotine. Lou did really well, winning this with 24 points. Lisa came second with 18, Greg and Paul drew for third with 16 whilst Jack brought up the rear with 14.
Spencer then arrived, so all six of us spent the rest of the evening playing Powergrid with the US map. The game worked well with six and was a close run thing throughout - not neccesarily reflected by the final scores. We were all hampered by the good power stations proving elusive. In the end, Greg won as he could power 14 cities. Jack and Spencer could both power 13, although Jack had the most money. Paul, Lou and Lisa all could power 12, although Paul had the most money, followed by Lisa. As Lou had not played the game before she did really. Even though she was in last place it had been a close game and all of us really enjoyed it and had a pleasant evening.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Sunday 18th February 2007
Whilst Eleanor had an afternoon nap, Lisa and I enjoyed a quick game of Carcassonne The Castle. This looked to be a fairly close game. Lisa finished a huge tower, whilst I scored heavily for an unfinished road (with token) and had the largest keep. However, I also managed to obtain the most markets which helped me to my 109 points to 75 victory. Lisa played well but was frustrated that I managed to get to the corners on the scoreboard (and therefore the handy tokens!) before she did.
In the evening we played several hands of canasta. Lisa currently leads 3 games to 1. In this game I was winning 3960 points to Lisa's 2760. In the first hand Lisa profited hugely from the high melding threshold my score put me at. She got several canastas, including a natural one (worth 500 points) and scored 1570, bringing her total to 4330. I managed only 485 points (total: 4445).
Lisa played exceedingly well in the next hand and destroyed me, going out before I had done anything really. I managed 230 points whilst Lisa scored 1035. This put Lisa in the lead; 5365 to 4675.
With the help of many wild cards I managed to go out fairly quickly during the next hand to limit Lisa's scoring potential. I scored 1175 to Lisa's 595.
The next hand commenced with the scores very close: Lisa just ahead with 5960 to my 5850. I managed the next hand really well and managd to go out concealed for 895 really quickly. This stung Lisa who scored only 20!
This put me in the lead - 6745 to 5980. In the final hand I went out although Lisa scored the most points. Lisa scored 1290 bringing her total to 7270 - 230 shy of victory. I got exactly 1000 points making my total 7745; over the 7500 required. This means that Lisa now leads 3 games to 2.
We started the next game, which was disastrous for me, as Lisa went out really quickly scoring 1165 and leaving me with -415!!! Oh well. Fun none the less.
In the evening we played several hands of canasta. Lisa currently leads 3 games to 1. In this game I was winning 3960 points to Lisa's 2760. In the first hand Lisa profited hugely from the high melding threshold my score put me at. She got several canastas, including a natural one (worth 500 points) and scored 1570, bringing her total to 4330. I managed only 485 points (total: 4445).
Lisa played exceedingly well in the next hand and destroyed me, going out before I had done anything really. I managed 230 points whilst Lisa scored 1035. This put Lisa in the lead; 5365 to 4675.
With the help of many wild cards I managed to go out fairly quickly during the next hand to limit Lisa's scoring potential. I scored 1175 to Lisa's 595.
The next hand commenced with the scores very close: Lisa just ahead with 5960 to my 5850. I managed the next hand really well and managd to go out concealed for 895 really quickly. This stung Lisa who scored only 20!
This put me in the lead - 6745 to 5980. In the final hand I went out although Lisa scored the most points. Lisa scored 1290 bringing her total to 7270 - 230 shy of victory. I got exactly 1000 points making my total 7745; over the 7500 required. This means that Lisa now leads 3 games to 2.
We started the next game, which was disastrous for me, as Lisa went out really quickly scoring 1165 and leaving me with -415!!! Oh well. Fun none the less.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Thursday 15th February 2007
Once Lisa and I had the evening to ourselves we decided to have a couple of quick games; something we've not managed to do for awhile. First up was Carcassonne - The Castle. This is still one of our favourite games.
Lisa took an early lead and managed to sneak around most of the corners and collect the rather useful tokens. Paul rallied a little but was unable to compete really. Still, the final scores were closer than we expected. Lisa won with 101 points to Paul's 92. Lisa managed to secure the largest keep, which gave her 8 points.
It was fun to play this after quite a break.
Next up was a hand of Canasta, which we haven't played since November! We had a warm up hand to re-acquaint us with the game. Lisa was massacred!
This was repeated in the game proper. Carrying on our previous match, Paul scored 950 points, bringing his total to 3960. Lisa scored 80, bringing her total to 2760. I now need 12o points to meld in the next hand though....
Lisa took an early lead and managed to sneak around most of the corners and collect the rather useful tokens. Paul rallied a little but was unable to compete really. Still, the final scores were closer than we expected. Lisa won with 101 points to Paul's 92. Lisa managed to secure the largest keep, which gave her 8 points.
It was fun to play this after quite a break.
Next up was a hand of Canasta, which we haven't played since November! We had a warm up hand to re-acquaint us with the game. Lisa was massacred!
This was repeated in the game proper. Carrying on our previous match, Paul scored 950 points, bringing his total to 3960. Lisa scored 80, bringing her total to 2760. I now need 12o points to meld in the next hand though....
Monday, November 13, 2006
Saturday 11th November, 2006
Our routine at weekends seems to have become that whilst Eleanor has a nap Lisa and I play a game. Today we returned to Canasta. My impaired thinking does not seem to spoil my results at this although I do find it harder to play than normal. We had three hands with Paul winning the first two and Lisa the last one (Paul - 1205, 1310 and 495; Lisa - 470, 920, 1290). This was a new game and the final scores were Paul 3010 and Lisa 2680. Lisa currently leads 3 games to 1. Paul was a little annoyed with the final hand as he miscounted his wild cards and could have scored nearer 1500 points! Oh well....there's always next weekend.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Saturday 21st October 2006
It has been awhile since I played any games due to my recent neurological problems. Although my cognitive abilites are still impaired Lisa and I took the opportunity to play Canasta whilst Eleanor had a snooze.
Despite my problems I managed to win 6 of the 9 hands and thus won my first game! Managing to obtain all four red 2's helped, scoring 800 points.
The scores were:
Paul 1735
Lisa - 315
Paul - 5
Lisa 1355
Paul 1045
Lisa 375
Paul 930
Lisa - 130
Paul 1830
Lisa 765
Paul 860
Lisa 755
Paul 950
Lisa 40
Paul 985
Lisa 490
Paul 950
Lisa 1050
Lisa leads 3 games to 1.
Despite my problems I managed to win 6 of the 9 hands and thus won my first game! Managing to obtain all four red 2's helped, scoring 800 points.
The scores were:
Paul 1735
Lisa - 315
Paul - 5
Lisa 1355
Paul 1045
Lisa 375
Paul 930
Lisa - 130
Paul 1830
Lisa 765
Paul 860
Lisa 755
Paul 950
Lisa 40
Paul 985
Lisa 490
Paul 950
Lisa 1050
Lisa leads 3 games to 1.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Saturday 9th September 2006
Whilst Eleanor enjoyed a lengthy afternoon nap Lisa and I decided to enjoy a few hands of Canasta. I use the word 'enjoy' somewhat reluctantly as Lisa well and truly wiped the floor with me! I must concede that she is the far better player of the two of us. She does seem to have an almost magnetic attraction for red 3's (worth 100 points each). I think she averrages 2-3 per hand! Scores were as follows:
Ist Hand:
Lisa scored 1555 (a huge score, helped by three red 3's!), bringing her total to 4570
Paul scored 775, bringing his total to 4670 (I was still ahead at this point!)
2nd Hand:
Lisa scored 1170, bringing her total to 5740
Paul scored a lowly 400, bringing his total to 5070 (the tide turns...)
3rd Hand:
Lisa scored 1125, bringing her total to 6865
Paul scored 905, bringing his total to 5975 (I actually played better than the score indicates!)
4th Hand:
Lisa scored 1275, bringing her total to 8140 (overkill I thought seeing as we only play to 7500!)
Paul scored 1010, bringing his total to a pitiful 6985 (although I thought I played this hand really well!).
Lisa now leads 3 games to...erm...zero.
Any tips anyone?
Ist Hand:
Lisa scored 1555 (a huge score, helped by three red 3's!), bringing her total to 4570
Paul scored 775, bringing his total to 4670 (I was still ahead at this point!)
2nd Hand:
Lisa scored 1170, bringing her total to 5740
Paul scored a lowly 400, bringing his total to 5070 (the tide turns...)
3rd Hand:
Lisa scored 1125, bringing her total to 6865
Paul scored 905, bringing his total to 5975 (I actually played better than the score indicates!)
4th Hand:
Lisa scored 1275, bringing her total to 8140 (overkill I thought seeing as we only play to 7500!)
Paul scored 1010, bringing his total to a pitiful 6985 (although I thought I played this hand really well!).
Lisa now leads 3 games to...erm...zero.
Any tips anyone?
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Sunday 3rd September 2006
Whilst Eleanor had an extensive afternoon nap Lisa and I sat down to play a game (and eat chocolate and drink coffee).
We elected to play 'Carcassonne - The Castle' . This is a game I bought a few weeks ago but that we had not had the chance to play.
It is a two-player game set in a medieval castle (predictably). It is essentially a tile-laying game like 'Carcassonne'. Followers are placed to score points during the game or at the end. Whilst 'Carcassonne' allows for the 'board' to be extensive and spreading, 'The Castle' features an enclosing wall (which doubles as a scoretrack). Tiles have to be placed within this.
We thoroughly enjoyed the game and found it more challenging than 'Carcassonne'. The board quickly felt cramped; working out where to place tiles was much harder than in the original game. As unfinished features do not score it is tactically harder to place followers. After two games we realised that the cards you can collect for landing on the corners of the scoring track are supposed to be seen by both players....that will make us play differently next time!
The meeples differ from the original game. We were not sure that they needed to really but they are still pleasant pieces. The tiles are colourful but felt a little too 'regimented' for me; the paths don't bend much and the rooftops are all identical. I would give this one an eight out of ten (in fact I have on Boardgamegeek ).
Final scores:
Game 1 - Lisa 97, Paul 73
Game 2 - Paul 99, Lisa 91
We then decided to have a quick hand of Canasta. I 'won' this but Lisa scored the most points. This is starting to become a regular occurrence. Lisa is much better than me at holding out for natural canastas. She also has an uncanny ability to pick up around three of the four red 3's per game (each worth 100 points!). As a result Lisa scored 1420 points in that hand to my 930.
At present the scores are:
Lisa 3015
Paul 3895
Lisa leads 2 rounds to 0.
How depressing!
We elected to play 'Carcassonne - The Castle' . This is a game I bought a few weeks ago but that we had not had the chance to play.
It is a two-player game set in a medieval castle (predictably). It is essentially a tile-laying game like 'Carcassonne'. Followers are placed to score points during the game or at the end. Whilst 'Carcassonne' allows for the 'board' to be extensive and spreading, 'The Castle' features an enclosing wall (which doubles as a scoretrack). Tiles have to be placed within this.
We thoroughly enjoyed the game and found it more challenging than 'Carcassonne'. The board quickly felt cramped; working out where to place tiles was much harder than in the original game. As unfinished features do not score it is tactically harder to place followers. After two games we realised that the cards you can collect for landing on the corners of the scoring track are supposed to be seen by both players....that will make us play differently next time!
The meeples differ from the original game. We were not sure that they needed to really but they are still pleasant pieces. The tiles are colourful but felt a little too 'regimented' for me; the paths don't bend much and the rooftops are all identical. I would give this one an eight out of ten (in fact I have on Boardgamegeek ).
Final scores:
Game 1 - Lisa 97, Paul 73
Game 2 - Paul 99, Lisa 91
We then decided to have a quick hand of Canasta. I 'won' this but Lisa scored the most points. This is starting to become a regular occurrence. Lisa is much better than me at holding out for natural canastas. She also has an uncanny ability to pick up around three of the four red 3's per game (each worth 100 points!). As a result Lisa scored 1420 points in that hand to my 930.
At present the scores are:
Lisa 3015
Paul 3895
Lisa leads 2 rounds to 0.
How depressing!
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