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!).
Showing posts with label guillotine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guillotine. Show all posts
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Monday 30th April, 2007
Before Monday night is games night, Lisa and I played the deciding game of Carcassonne the Castle. Lisa wiped the floor with me - 104 to 75. She managed to pick up all of the tokens until the 56/57 corner on the score track(!) and was able to use them to great effect. How humiliating!
Greg and Spencer then arrived and the four of us had a quick game of Guillotine. Spencer played this really well, ending the game when he was clearly in the lead. He amassed 17 heads, Lisa 12 and Greg and I both ahd 11.
We then brought out Fire and Axe for the third Monday running! Spencer won with 166 (and the Bloodiest Axe!) Lisa did well scoring 155 and Greg and I were Shield Brothers with 141. Settling accounted for most of my points! A fun evening once again.
Greg and Spencer then arrived and the four of us had a quick game of Guillotine. Spencer played this really well, ending the game when he was clearly in the lead. He amassed 17 heads, Lisa 12 and Greg and I both ahd 11.
We then brought out Fire and Axe for the third Monday running! Spencer won with 166 (and the Bloodiest Axe!) Lisa did well scoring 155 and Greg and I were Shield Brothers with 141. Settling accounted for most of my points! A fun evening once again.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sunday 25th February 2005
Lisa and I had a lovely afternoon with Jack and his wife, Lou. Ellie loved having more grown-up attention than usual and she definitely warmed to both of them (Lou's presence was even requested in the bathroom at bath time - a high honour indeed!).
After a meal of build-your-own-tortillas (one of Ellie's favourites) the grown-ups retired to an evening of games. First up we tried It's Alive! - the prototype of the next game Jack's publishing. I had played and enjoyed this before, but it was a new experience for Lisa!
We both really enjoyed this and Lou and Jack, who I'm guessing have both played it rather a lot, seemed to enjoy playing it with us. The game is essentially a race to purchase body parts to complete a cadaver. The villagers can upset your plans and sometimes its best to auction body parts to the other Dr Frankenstein's to add to your bank role.
Lisa really took to this game, enjoying the theme and the straightforward mechanics. She won the first game with 51 points. She also got to shout out "It's Alive!" as she finished her body-reconstruction. Lou came second with 44, Jack just behind his wife with 43 and I brought up the rear with 37.
We all wanted to play again...which must be a good sign for the success of the game! Lou won this time with 57, Jack was second with 45, I came third with 38 and, in a reversal of fortune, Lisa was last with 34.
After this we elected to play Carcassonne - the first time Lisa had played with more than 3 players! It was a close game. Jack and I felt a bit put upon as our spouses kept muscling in on our cities and fields. It was a tense, satisfying game, which was reflected in the scoring. Lou and myself drew for first place with 59 points. Jack was next with 56 and then came Lisa with 53. She commented that she really enjoyed playing the 4-player version but had suffered as she had not finished several potentially high scoring features as the tiles simply ran out! As she doesn't usually play with farmers I thought she did really well.
We fancied something quick and simple next so out came Diamant, a game I think was new to Lou. Lisa won the first game with 42 stones. Lou was close behind with 39. I came next with 35 and Jack was last with 25. I won the next game with 28 jewels despite having no jewels until the fourth mine. Lisa was second with 23 and Jack and Lou drew for third place with 20 jewels.
Jack then requested Guillotine, another new game for Lou. This was a good, fun game to round off the evening with. I won the first game with 27 points, due to several palace guards. Lisa was second with 18, Lou close behind with 17. Jack did... not so well with 9 points. Before calling it a night we had another go. I won this one as well (!) with 20 points. Lisa and Lou drew for second place with 17 points - Jack.... did not so well again with 11 points.
A fantastic evening with lovely company and good games.
After a meal of build-your-own-tortillas (one of Ellie's favourites) the grown-ups retired to an evening of games. First up we tried It's Alive! - the prototype of the next game Jack's publishing. I had played and enjoyed this before, but it was a new experience for Lisa!
We both really enjoyed this and Lou and Jack, who I'm guessing have both played it rather a lot, seemed to enjoy playing it with us. The game is essentially a race to purchase body parts to complete a cadaver. The villagers can upset your plans and sometimes its best to auction body parts to the other Dr Frankenstein's to add to your bank role.
Lisa really took to this game, enjoying the theme and the straightforward mechanics. She won the first game with 51 points. She also got to shout out "It's Alive!" as she finished her body-reconstruction. Lou came second with 44, Jack just behind his wife with 43 and I brought up the rear with 37.
We all wanted to play again...which must be a good sign for the success of the game! Lou won this time with 57, Jack was second with 45, I came third with 38 and, in a reversal of fortune, Lisa was last with 34.
After this we elected to play Carcassonne - the first time Lisa had played with more than 3 players! It was a close game. Jack and I felt a bit put upon as our spouses kept muscling in on our cities and fields. It was a tense, satisfying game, which was reflected in the scoring. Lou and myself drew for first place with 59 points. Jack was next with 56 and then came Lisa with 53. She commented that she really enjoyed playing the 4-player version but had suffered as she had not finished several potentially high scoring features as the tiles simply ran out! As she doesn't usually play with farmers I thought she did really well.
We fancied something quick and simple next so out came Diamant, a game I think was new to Lou. Lisa won the first game with 42 stones. Lou was close behind with 39. I came next with 35 and Jack was last with 25. I won the next game with 28 jewels despite having no jewels until the fourth mine. Lisa was second with 23 and Jack and Lou drew for third place with 20 jewels.
Jack then requested Guillotine, another new game for Lou. This was a good, fun game to round off the evening with. I won the first game with 27 points, due to several palace guards. Lisa was second with 18, Lou close behind with 17. Jack did... not so well with 9 points. Before calling it a night we had another go. I won this one as well (!) with 20 points. Lisa and Lou drew for second place with 17 points - Jack.... did not so well again with 11 points.
A fantastic evening with lovely company and good games.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Monday 12th February 2007
Monday Night is Games Night! Tonight I was joined by Spencer, Jack and Greg, with Vin arriving later in the evening.
We played a couple of quick games whilst waiting for Vin to arrive. First up was my homemade copy of Die Mauer. This is a simple bluffing game in which players try to empty their hand of town wall segments by guessing which piece the master builder is attempting to construct. It's a really simple game; describing the rules makes it sound more complicated than it actually is.
Spencer won this, being the first to have built all his pieces, Jack was next with wall worth only 5 points left in his hand. Paul was next with 6 points worth and Greg brought up the rear with 26 points left. I don't think Greg enjoyed it!
As Vin had not yet arrived we turned our attentions to Guillotine. This is something of a favourite as it is always good fun and is easy to play. Spencer and Jack drew on 20 points, although as Jack had executed the King we felt he was the moral victor... sort of. Greg came next with 17 points and Paul was last with 16.
Vin arrived during Guillotine and so we decided to play Alhambra. This is a beautifully-produced Queen game. It's one of those which is easy to play but hard to play well. The aim is to build the palace of Alhambra by purchasing tiles. You can choose to purchase tiles or collect cash each turn. There are three scoring rounds during the game where poits are awarded for the length of your enclosing wall and having the most, or second most, or even third most, of each building type.
I've previously not done too well at this. This time I kept more of an eye on who was building what and managed to score for several building types. As a result I cam joint first with Greg (we both had 85 points), Spence was next with 80 and Vin and Jack drew for last place with 58 points.
Another fun evening with much wit, laughter, and some sarcasm!
We played a couple of quick games whilst waiting for Vin to arrive. First up was my homemade copy of Die Mauer. This is a simple bluffing game in which players try to empty their hand of town wall segments by guessing which piece the master builder is attempting to construct. It's a really simple game; describing the rules makes it sound more complicated than it actually is.
Spencer won this, being the first to have built all his pieces, Jack was next with wall worth only 5 points left in his hand. Paul was next with 6 points worth and Greg brought up the rear with 26 points left. I don't think Greg enjoyed it!
As Vin had not yet arrived we turned our attentions to Guillotine. This is something of a favourite as it is always good fun and is easy to play. Spencer and Jack drew on 20 points, although as Jack had executed the King we felt he was the moral victor... sort of. Greg came next with 17 points and Paul was last with 16.
Vin arrived during Guillotine and so we decided to play Alhambra. This is a beautifully-produced Queen game. It's one of those which is easy to play but hard to play well. The aim is to build the palace of Alhambra by purchasing tiles. You can choose to purchase tiles or collect cash each turn. There are three scoring rounds during the game where poits are awarded for the length of your enclosing wall and having the most, or second most, or even third most, of each building type.
I've previously not done too well at this. This time I kept more of an eye on who was building what and managed to score for several building types. As a result I cam joint first with Greg (we both had 85 points), Spence was next with 80 and Vin and Jack drew for last place with 58 points.
Another fun evening with much wit, laughter, and some sarcasm!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday 11th December, 2006
Monday night is Games Night! Jack, Greg, Andy and I began the evening with a quick game of Guillotine. Andy got off to a roaring start on the first day and could not be caught. Final scores: Andy 24, Jack 19, Greg 18, Paul 14. We like this game; it is quick, fun and simple.
Vin then arrived and joined us in a game of Puerto Rico (Lisa was tempted to join in but decided to do the work she had brought home instead). This felt like a quick game and the final scores were fairly close: Greg 35, Paul & Jack 30, Vin 25 and Andy 23. Of note..... Vin ABANDONED his coffee-buying approach!
We rounded off the evening with a quick game of Diamant. Lisa joined us for this and much hilarity ensued. Fianl scores: Vin 28 (most of which he acquired in the first mine), Lisa 14, Paul 11 (he had no precious stones until the fourth mine), Jack 9, Greg 8 and Andy 5.
Also of note....Andy won a game...he assured us this is a rare event and so is worthy of note.
Sadly, this was our last Monday night until 2007 due to the forthcoming festivities etc. Merry Christmas everyone!
Vin then arrived and joined us in a game of Puerto Rico (Lisa was tempted to join in but decided to do the work she had brought home instead). This felt like a quick game and the final scores were fairly close: Greg 35, Paul & Jack 30, Vin 25 and Andy 23. Of note..... Vin ABANDONED his coffee-buying approach!
We rounded off the evening with a quick game of Diamant. Lisa joined us for this and much hilarity ensued. Fianl scores: Vin 28 (most of which he acquired in the first mine), Lisa 14, Paul 11 (he had no precious stones until the fourth mine), Jack 9, Greg 8 and Andy 5.
Also of note....Andy won a game...he assured us this is a rare event and so is worthy of note.
Sadly, this was our last Monday night until 2007 due to the forthcoming festivities etc. Merry Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Friday 24th November 2006
Steer joined Lisa and I for dinner (Roast Duck!) and we then introduced him to Hey! That's My Fish over a bottle of wine (or 2). Steer enjoyed this and his mathematical mind seemed stimulated....
Steer 36, Lisa 33, Paul 27.
Lisa 46, Paul 32, Steer 21.
Lisa 36, Steer 32, Paul 31.
Steer 40, Paul 33, Lisa 23.
He was then persuaded to try Guillotine...3 times!
Paul 34, Lisa 30, Steer 29.
Lisa 19, Paul 17, Steer 16.
Steer 24, Paul 23, Lisa 21.
A fabulous evening.
Steer 36, Lisa 33, Paul 27.
Lisa 46, Paul 32, Steer 21.
Lisa 36, Steer 32, Paul 31.
Steer 40, Paul 33, Lisa 23.
He was then persuaded to try Guillotine...3 times!
Paul 34, Lisa 30, Steer 29.
Lisa 19, Paul 17, Steer 16.
Steer 24, Paul 23, Lisa 21.
A fabulous evening.
Monday 20th November 2006
Monday night is games night...even if we had only just got home from Center Parcs! Paul was joined by Jack, Greg and Andy. We decided to try Vlanderen 1302; a game only Paul and Andy had played before. It took everyone a while to get into it but then appeared to be enjoyed. The game felt even closer than the final scores indicate:
Greg 46, Jack 42, Andy 36, Paul 34, Neutral 8.
We all fancied something quicker and less mentally challenging next, so we had 2 games of Guillotine.
Paul and Jack drew the first game (17 points), Greg 12, Andy 11.
Greg 23 (quietly collecting palace guards!), Jack 22, Paul 19, Andy 12.
A fun evening once again!
Greg 46, Jack 42, Andy 36, Paul 34, Neutral 8.
We all fancied something quicker and less mentally challenging next, so we had 2 games of Guillotine.
Paul and Jack drew the first game (17 points), Greg 12, Andy 11.
Greg 23 (quietly collecting palace guards!), Jack 22, Paul 19, Andy 12.
A fun evening once again!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday 23rd October 2006
Monday night is games night...after a considerable break due to my hospital stay etc. I was joined by Andy, Greg, Spence and Vin who kindly agreed to play simpler games as my brain is not functioning properly yet.
First up was Guillotine, which is becoming something of a favourite 'fast' game. Despite not really remembering how to play very clearly I managed to win! Poor Vin may have done better if anyone had remembered to tell him that the game takes place over only 3 days! Final scores:
Paul - 18
Andy - 17
Vin - 14
Spence - 13
Greg - 11
Next up was Finster Flure (Fearsome Floors)... a dungeon-based game in which you have to move your team of counters out of the dungeon whilst avoiding being eaten by a monster; in this case a tuxedo wearing giant eyeball! Part of the fun is in positioning your pieces to lure the monster towards other players' pieces. It turned out to be harder than it sounded. Spencer won convincingly and I was pleased to see that I was not the only person who failed to think tactically (although I have a good excuse!).
We decided to round off the evening with Diamant. My lack of tactical ability made me play rather more recklessly than I think I would normally do. However, this time it paid off as I won. Final scores:
Paul - 37
Andy - 33
Vin - 30
Greg - 25
Spence - 21
A fun evening was had by all, except Greg who bemoaned not winning!
First up was Guillotine, which is becoming something of a favourite 'fast' game. Despite not really remembering how to play very clearly I managed to win! Poor Vin may have done better if anyone had remembered to tell him that the game takes place over only 3 days! Final scores:
Paul - 18
Andy - 17
Vin - 14
Spence - 13
Greg - 11
Next up was Finster Flure (Fearsome Floors)... a dungeon-based game in which you have to move your team of counters out of the dungeon whilst avoiding being eaten by a monster; in this case a tuxedo wearing giant eyeball! Part of the fun is in positioning your pieces to lure the monster towards other players' pieces. It turned out to be harder than it sounded. Spencer won convincingly and I was pleased to see that I was not the only person who failed to think tactically (although I have a good excuse!).
We decided to round off the evening with Diamant. My lack of tactical ability made me play rather more recklessly than I think I would normally do. However, this time it paid off as I won. Final scores:
Paul - 37
Andy - 33
Vin - 30
Greg - 25
Spence - 21
A fun evening was had by all, except Greg who bemoaned not winning!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Monday 11th September 2006
Monday night is games night! We were a little depleted in numbers...Greg was away somewhere doing something work-related and Jack was busily constructing sets of Border Reivers. However, Andy, Spence and Vin did trek out to the wilds of Osbaldwick!
Lisa joined us for a quick game of Guillotine before disappearing to sort out her budgetary overspend. As always it was fun, if a bit silly. Vin arrived a third of the way through..and looked thoroughly bemused!
The final scores were:
Andy 17
Spence 23
Lisa 26
Paul 29
I made timely use of The Scarlet Pimpernel card to end the game when I had just taken the lead.
Lisa then disappeared to the realm of numbers and accountancy whilst the rest of us indulged in a game of Flanders 1302...or whatever it's called. I had played this once at Beyond Monopoly and so thought I may have something of an advantage as the other guys had not even heard of it. How wrong I was! I'm not sure where I went wrong....but I did! On reflection I think I spread myself too thinly across too many cities. We did not use the neutral pieces or church pieces to hamper each others scoring as much as I had anticipated. I was braced waiting for this to happen...but it didn't! I admit I played badly but I still think this is a fine game... a pity it has been discontinued. The pieces are beautiful and the mechanics are satisfying. My only question is ...why 1302?
The final scores were....
Neutral - 2
Paul - 32
Andy - 38
Vin - 42
Spence - 49.
All in all a fun evening.
Lisa joined us for a quick game of Guillotine before disappearing to sort out her budgetary overspend. As always it was fun, if a bit silly. Vin arrived a third of the way through..and looked thoroughly bemused!
The final scores were:
Andy 17
Spence 23
Lisa 26
Paul 29
I made timely use of The Scarlet Pimpernel card to end the game when I had just taken the lead.
Lisa then disappeared to the realm of numbers and accountancy whilst the rest of us indulged in a game of Flanders 1302...or whatever it's called. I had played this once at Beyond Monopoly and so thought I may have something of an advantage as the other guys had not even heard of it. How wrong I was! I'm not sure where I went wrong....but I did! On reflection I think I spread myself too thinly across too many cities. We did not use the neutral pieces or church pieces to hamper each others scoring as much as I had anticipated. I was braced waiting for this to happen...but it didn't! I admit I played badly but I still think this is a fine game... a pity it has been discontinued. The pieces are beautiful and the mechanics are satisfying. My only question is ...why 1302?
The final scores were....
Neutral - 2
Paul - 32
Andy - 38
Vin - 42
Spence - 49.
All in all a fun evening.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Monday 4th September 2006
Monday night is games night! I was joined by Spence, Jack, Andy and Greg. We first played 'Guillotine' (see Jack's blog for details). It is a fun and light-hearted game...just what I needed after a stressful day.
Final scores:
Jack - 14
Greg - 13
Paul - 12
Spence - 8
Andy - 6
(although Jack's final move was...rather dumb!)
We then moved to a lengthy game of 'Caylus'. This was a lot more involved and complicated. It was a slow game as only Jack had played before. Whilst I did enjoy it I did not quite grasp it during this, my first play. As a result I lost...hideously!
Final Scores:
Jack - 65
Greg - 59
Andy - 56
Spence - 50
Paul - 47
All in all, a good night for Jack!
Final scores:
Jack - 14
Greg - 13
Paul - 12
Spence - 8
Andy - 6
(although Jack's final move was...rather dumb!)
We then moved to a lengthy game of 'Caylus'. This was a lot more involved and complicated. It was a slow game as only Jack had played before. Whilst I did enjoy it I did not quite grasp it during this, my first play. As a result I lost...hideously!
Final Scores:
Jack - 65
Greg - 59
Andy - 56
Spence - 50
Paul - 47
All in all, a good night for Jack!
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