All Questions
4
votes
2answers
112 views
English Rules For The Card Game Belote
There is a card game I used to play which in school in the Middle East which I understand if based on a French game called Belote.
Does anyone know of an English set of rules for this game?
The game ...
17
votes
10answers
2k views
How Unethical Is A Purely “Blocking” Move In Ticket To Ride?
Here's a scenario to illustrate my question. My wife and I were playing Ticket To Ride: Nordic Countries earlier this evening - apologies if you don't own this particular edition, but hopefully the ...
1
vote
2answers
75 views
Responding to a simple overcall (SAYC)
LHO opened with 1C – Partner overcalled with 1S – (I have 6 pts, 4 Spades) → Do I respond with 2S?
P.S. rho pass.
EDIT : what my gripe with this is, that according to textbooks, you respond to ...
4
votes
0answers
86 views
Is there a viable “Japan First” strategy for the Allies in Axis and Allies?
In the "real" war, the Allies concentrated on, and defeated Germany before Japan. That might not have been the case if Hitler had not declared war on the United States in 1941, and the U.S. had ...
3
votes
1answer
262 views
Do all the haunts in Betrayal at House on the Hill follow a pattern?
So, I've recently received Betrayal at House on the Hill, and I'm smitten. I'm also learning Java in my spare time. I thought it would be pretty cool to team up with my friend, who's had more ...
5
votes
5answers
157 views
What are some good introductory rules to bridge?
I've tried to learn how to play bridge before, but there are so many variations (even on the Wikipedia page) that it's hard to keep track of everything and pin down exactly one way of playing it that ...
-1
votes
3answers
813 views
Is A Good time Make a “Penalty” Double When Your Defensive Tricks Exceed Your “Allowance”?
Most contracts are predicated on the supposition that the defenders will win some tricks. If game can be made with "26 points and eight trumps," this leaves 14 points and five trumps to the defenders ...
1
vote
3answers
192 views
Which Experts Seem to Interchange Trumps and Points in Bridge Bidding?
Most bridge players know that you can make a major suit game with combined partnership holdings of 26 points and eight trumps. (Plus the absence of "bad breaks" in trumps, finesses, etc.).
My ...
3
votes
0answers
55 views
How do zombies win in Last Night on Earth: Timber Peak?
My friends and I played Last Night on Earth extensively. Games were always very close, and tough for both sides. We liked it so much we got the Timber peak sequel/expansion.
However, we find now that ...
0
votes
3answers
68 views
What is the meaning of “count your losers” at no trump, and “count your winners” for a trump contract?
Are no trump bidders taught to "count your losers" because their 25-26 points represents enough material for nine tricks so that they should "play not to lose" (i.e. to prevent their opponents from ...
28
votes
7answers
9k views
What are good placement strategies for Stratego?
How would I set up a good placement in Stratego, especially with bombs and the flag? What is a good strategy for varying the placement?
5
votes
3answers
4k views
Can a Space Marine army consist of units from different chapters?
I'm a newcomer to the Warhammer 40K tabletop miniature game and I'm researching different armies, but I wasn't sure if different Space Marine chapters were compatible.
For example, could I play an ...
3
votes
2answers
226 views
Why is Trade Secrets banned in EDH or Commander?
Ban list for commander
I don't see any announcement for Trade Secrets. Why has it been banned? Is there any mention of this card from Wizards, a card they made specifically for Commander?
5
votes
1answer
86 views
Will Counterbalance counter storm copies?
Counterbalance allows you to reveal the top card of your library whenever a spell is played, and counter it if the revealed card has the same mana cost.
If an opponent has cast several spells to ramp ...
4
votes
2answers
188 views
What does Counterbalance counter, when revealing a split card?
Split cards have 2 Converted Mana Costs everywhere except the stack. I saw a similar question relating to Dark Confidant explaining that you lose life for each converted mana cost, however the way it ...
-3
votes
0answers
45 views
Checkers game on javascript html [closed]
i have a problem that i can move after another position if any one can help
here is what i have done, i have made a table and used cell id to each cell but how can i make one function that can move ...
2
votes
1answer
176 views
What are some good general strategies for Eclipse?
I was recently introduced to Eclipse via Big Daddy's iPad implementation. I've been mainly playing the AI as I try to get the hang of this relatively complex game. I'm getting better but I hope that ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views
How do I tell at a glance whether a Warjack is focus hungry or not?
I'm fairly new to Warmachine and whilst perusing through various fora and what not, I hear that some Warjacks are focus heavy and some are not. Obviously some like the Berserker are focus-light but ...
4
votes
2answers
142 views
Does Thrumming Stone ripple after ripple
The card Thrumming Stone says:
Spells you cast have ripple 4. (Whenever you cast a spell, you may reveal the top four cards of your library. You may cast any revealed cards with the same name as ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
When do trading deals become too unbalancing?
I've played a few games of Settlers of Catan with friends and seen some deals emerge in the trading that don't seem quite right to me. When do deals that extend beyond the current trade become ...
14
votes
4answers
364 views
What is optimal robber placement in Settlers?
Every time I think I've mastered Settlers, I discover yet another novel tactic or strategy. This time it's Robber placement.
I've usually selected robber placement based on a combination of factors, ...
5
votes
1answer
112 views
Can I extort Launch Party with the creature I'm sacrificing?
If I control exactly 1 Basilica Screecher, and I cast Launch Party sacrificing my Basilica Screecher, can I still use Basilica Screecher to extort on Launch Party?
1
vote
1answer
57 views
Overcall of 3S over 1C opening, what does it show? (assuming bidding system SAYC)
I assumed it was 10+pts, and 7 Spade suit -- am I correct?
10
votes
1answer
159 views
Dark Confidant and split cards
On my upkeep controlling a Dark Confidant I trigger revealing a card and losing life to it's cmc cost. What happens if I have a split card with 2 identifiable spells? Do I get to choose which one I ...
2
votes
0answers
39 views
How can I quickly calculate the shanten number in Mahjong?
I am able to calculate the shanten number myself, but it often takes me more than a minute. I'm looking for ideas how to become more efficient.
Background: I'm currently writing a paper about ...
11
votes
3answers
233 views
Abstract “move holding” service for simultaneous-move board games
Background
I am looking to play a variant of Diplomacy over email or other messaging system. The specifics of Diplomacy and of the variant are not important, suffice it to say that the root trouble ...
4
votes
1answer
50 views
If I forfeit Breaking News, will the tags stick?
Breaking News is an agenda that reads:
When you score Breaking News, give the Runner 2 tags.
When the turn on which you scored Breaking News ends, the Runner loses 2 tags.
If I find some ...
13
votes
2answers
151 views
Can you collect a resource of your choice if you have no production due to the robber?
In "Cities and Knights" there is a city improvement which allows you to "collect a resource of your choice" if "you don't receive production on a turn."
Does this privilege apply when the following ...
8
votes
5answers
876 views
Is it ever a good idea to research weapons development?
In Axis & Allies (2nd Edition Rules), is it every a smart move to spend IPCs to research weapons development?
I usually forego doing any weapons development, but I play with others who spend 5 ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
In bridge, what level of strength do different systems require to bid a short minor?
Most players will bid 1 spade with (s) AKJxx (h)Axxx (d)xx (c)xx. That is, 12 hcp and a five card major.
If you "redistribute" the two spade spots, you get: (s) AKJ (h)Axxx (d)xxx (c)xxx.
Many ...
7
votes
1answer
119 views
Commander rulings on extort
If my commander is mono black and one of the creatures I have is color black and have the skill Extort which could be paid in white or black mana. Can I use this card on my commander deck?
0
votes
2answers
69 views
In bridge, does a declarer “need to” locate all 52 cards during the play of a trump contract?
This was recommended by author Terence Reese (and several members of the site).
But I was taught differently, at least as declarer.
That is, I was taught to count "trumps and honors." So, if you are ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
Why couldn't I declare Tsumo with this hand? [duplicate]
I recently played a game of Mahjong on the internet, and I had gotten this hand
[2 Characters]
[3 Characters]
[North Wind]
[North Wind]
[4 Characters] <- Drawn Tile
[Melded Pon of 2 Bamboo]
...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
What would have happened if the Horus Heresy hadn't happen in warhammer 40k [migrated]
Just how powerful would the Imperium of Man of been had the Horus Heresy not occurred?
2
votes
3answers
215 views
Should I respond to 1 NT in a suit or NT holding 17 HCP and a void?
My partner opened a "strong" one NT. I am holding:
♠ void
♥ KJxx
♦ AKQxxx
♣ KJx
What should I bid?
0
votes
3answers
408 views
What caused this world-class player' to respond inappropriately to her partner's transfer bids?
Zia Mahmood's Bridge column today relates an amusing tale of disaster at the World Championships. A player on the apparently very talented Netherlands ladies team, holding the following 6-3-2-2 hand:
...
3
votes
2answers
71 views
In bridge, what caused bidding “standards” to decline post Goren?
I was weaned on "Goren" in the 1960s, and as some readers of my other questions have pointed out, am not totally comfortable with "Standard American" or other newer standards. These may be some ...
1
vote
2answers
40 views
Is there a way to quantify the effects of luck versus skill in rubber bridge?
Duplicate bridge was created to "eliminate" the luck factor. That is partnerships are compared only against other partnerships playing the same cards.
Rubber bridge is a different animal. Here, "luck ...
4
votes
3answers
189 views
In Bridge, What Are Some Defenses Against Squeezes?
My understanding is that squeezes are most likely to occur when one defender holds all the key cards in say, two different suits. And in most cases, they are what I call "secondary" cards (e.g. Kx, ...
8
votes
5answers
695 views
When will playing Rubber Bridge vs. Duplicate Bridge affect your decisions?
In Rubber Bridge, you are trying to get more points than your opponents. In Duplicate Bridge, you are trying to get more points than the other people playing the same hand later on do. For a while I ...
1
vote
2answers
34 views
Question on leading
In bridge, what is the priority in leading when partner bid spades, and contract is clubs, and I have ace and queen of spades. Does the rule "do not underlead an ace" here override the rule "lead with ...
2
votes
2answers
367 views
Are there “established” systems where “Five Card Majors” isn't a strict rule?
In "Standard American," I must open a major with 65432 while refraining from opening a major with AKQJ.
IMHO, there are five card majors that are too weak to be opened and there four card majors that ...
10
votes
4answers
416 views
Too many Tech-Victories seen in 2-player rules for Civilization
I have been playing Civilization The Board Game some times with my girlfriend, but each time, the game quickly becomes a race for the tech-victory. Since it is a large advantage to research tech in ...
2
votes
2answers
119 views
In bridge, do people go through cycles of under- and -over bidding?
In the board game Go, there are two basic styles, high and low. "High" is all the rage for about ten years, until people have forgotten how to play "low." Then "low" gets "rediscovered," and people ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
Should I cut the Ora et Labora reference sheets in half?
I'm in the middle of my first game of Ora et Labora now. It comes with quick reference sheets with both Ireland and France references on it.
It seems, given my limited understanding of the game so ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
Replacement coins for At The Gates of Loyang
I have the game, and one of the first things I noticed was the cardboard money. Not a fan, even though in this game it's really just another resource, and doesn't change hands often.
Anyone have a ...
3
votes
2answers
178 views
Sorcery supercedes instant?
If I cast a sorcery spell to force the opponent to discard two cards, and he/she then casts one of those cards as an instant, would the instant apply first or would the sorcery take precedence?
15
votes
1answer
182 views
Can you fail to find a card in someone's hand?
If I cast Inquisition of Kozilek, and my only target is a Loxodon Smiter, do I have to make my opponent discard the Loxodon Smiter, or can I "fail to find" just as I would if i were searching my ...
11
votes
12answers
28k views
What is the fastest MTG Mill deck that can be made?
I have been working on putting together a Mill deck and it occurred to me that there are likely much faster Milling decks out there. So, what is the fastest Milling win condition that can be achieved?
...
11
votes
5answers
271 views
What to do in long games with players who are way behind?
When our group plays longer games (6+ hours), we usually choose games where players who fall behind still have chances to recover, so all players remain interested in and engaged with the game. ...
