All Questions
12
votes
4answers
625 views
Why are beginning to intermediate bridge players told to delay learning how to bid certain types of unusual hands?
When learning modern bidding (Standard American 5 card majors in my case), I noticed that the system's bidding techniques and common conventions described good ways of getting to a reasonable contract ...
4
votes
6answers
122 views
Simplest bidding system for introduction into bridge
What is the best bidding system which can be used for teaching beginners (who never played bridge before)?
I suspect that showing any complicated system, or asking to learn some long manual would ...
12
votes
4answers
10k views
How does regeneration work in Magic the Gathering?
How does the regeneration work? I know that if my creature is destroyed then I can spend X mana then tap my creature and move it out of combat. Is it attackable in any way after that? With spells or ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the highest score that can be achieved by pegging?
Nearly every cribbage player knows that 29 is the highest-scoring hand that one can achieve, and that 19 and some others are impossible to score.
However, I'm curious to know what is the highest ...
3
votes
3answers
126 views
Should we take good cards out for better cards while sideboarding (magic 2014 rules update)?
It has been announced, among other changes, that you are allowed to increase the number of cards in your deck beyond 60 while side boarding. Meaning you can bring 5 cards in and not have to take 5 ...
11
votes
3answers
4k views
How do the various expansions for Arkham Horror change the game? In what order would you recommend buying them?
Currently there are 7 different expansions for Arkham Horror, and I'm need some advice as which to buy.
How does each expansion change the game?
What new components does it offer?
In what order and ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
What is this brick-based board game?
I'm looking for the name of a board game from the 80's or 90's that was made up of yellow bricks in a small table that you had to tap out with a small red pick or hammer.
8
votes
3answers
486 views
Playing Settlers of Catan with a D12 instead of 2D6
Has anyone tried this?
Does it break the game?
Does it make it easier/quicker?
Assuming a 1 gave no resources to anyone and a 7 still invoked the robber how different a game would this make Settlers?
...
2
votes
2answers
86 views
Is it possible for players to gain an advantage from colluding in blackjack?
Blackjack basic strategy makes the assumption that the player is playing independently, with one person's decision to hit/stand having no affect on another player's decision to hit/stand. If the ...
3
votes
2answers
59 views
“Diplomacy” rule clarification, unit under attack
Referring to the original game.
If a unit is under attack from Province X, can it still interfere with the actions of a unit on Province Y?
For example:
fleet unit on "English Channel" ordered to ...
2
votes
2answers
62 views
Is there a Diplomacy variant that does not contain stalemate lines?
The standard Diplomacy game can often end up locked in a stalemate, with one player pushing for 18 territories, and two or more defenders trying to stop them. There are already many articles about ...
6
votes
3answers
86 views
What is the point in disclosure of the bidding system to opponents?
I fully understand and agree with the rule "do not communicate in illegal ways" (pose, tone of voice, etc), but I don't quite understand the point in requiring the disclosure of one's bidding system ...
6
votes
3answers
89 views
What are a blackjack dealer's options?
Everywhere I read manuals it focuses my options as a player. I can't figure out if the dealer knows his hidden card or not? Of course, when dealer has 10 or Ace showing, he checks if he's got a ...
8
votes
5answers
4k views
Is there a way to play the mafia party game online ?
Is there a way to play the mafia party game online ?
3
votes
0answers
39 views
Which bidding system is assumed by default at BBO?
Which bidding system is assumed by default at Bridge Base Online (for humans)?
I asked in chat several times in different games (ten times I think) and nobody answered.
Is it Bridge base basic? Or ...
3
votes
1answer
82 views
1-on-1 unorganized tournament scoring system
Assume I want to run a game tournament with 1-on-1 games (think chess) that have (for simplicity) just win or lose as the outcome and I need a way to rank the players. Formally speaking, I want a ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
Interpreting bidding by partners
RHO: 1C --> LHO: 1S --> RHO: 2D
Does this mean 4-4 in clubs/diamonds, or 5-4 in clubs diamonds. Is it a reverse? (e.g.18+ pts?).
Assuming opponents play SAYC.
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Where to buy bicycle quality custom playing cards
I have the ideas (and graphics) for two decks of cards. Googling I only found two options for creating custom playing cards in the bicycle quality/style that seemed legit.
One: custom decks from the ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Wort, Boggart Auntie and Goblins with Echo
So, I've got an EDH deck featuring Wort, Boggart Auntie as my General. I really want to exploit her ability for all it's worth, so I've been looking for different goblins that have "Enters the ...
2
votes
1answer
163 views
Does an exiled Aetherling come back into play untapped?
Let's say I attack with Aetherling. After it deals damage I blink it out. When it returns at my end step, does it come back untapped and ready to block?
2
votes
1answer
71 views
When would you “slot” points in backgammon?
In backgammon, substantial value is placed on making consecutive points in your home board. So much so, that some players would use say, an opening 6-2 to place a lone, exposed, man on the five point, ...
7
votes
2answers
73 views
Commerce in Seven Wonders: possible to buy the same resource more than once in the same turn?
Situation: one of my neighbors has a single resource card; I want to build something that needs two of that resource; my neighbor's card is the only way I have access to that resource (i.e., I have ...
6
votes
3answers
439 views
How much strategic depth is there in Quarriors?
I've played Quarriors a few times and I love Dominion. The one game of Quarriors that I won, I just happened to roll my monsters attack side up many times in a row, I didn't make any coherent plans ...
-2
votes
0answers
39 views
Good stories for werewolf/mafia? [closed]
What are some stories you have used as narrator in Mafia (a.k.a. Werewolf, Assassin, Witch Hunt, etc.)?
5
votes
2answers
130 views
First strike and bioshift
Player A's board consists of:
1/1 first strike with 4 +1/+1 counters
1/1 creature
Player B's board consists of:
2/2 lifelink creature
Player B has 5 life and has to block the creature with 4 ...
4
votes
4answers
338 views
If Koth of the Hammer's plus one ability ends at end of turn, doesn't it make it useless?
How does Koth of the Hammer's plus one ability work when it ends right after you use it and the Mountain turned into a creature has summoning sickness (part of the rulings on Gatherer)?
4
votes
1answer
43 views
Can the power of an attack be reduced below two?
When you are attacking in Illuminati and you're in the phase where players are spending Megabucks to aid or hinder the attack, is there a limit to how money can be spent to reduce the power of the ...
5
votes
2answers
179 views
How can I get the trait clips in Betrayal at House on the Hill to stay on?
Betrayal at House on the Hill features character pentagons with 4 traits that can increase or decrease and are marked by clips.
I find (at least with my copy) that the clips slip and slide too ...
10
votes
1answer
367 views
Surprise in World in Flames
Assume the following situation:
Italy at war with France but not CW. Italian navy is in port in La Spezia, along with one German SUB and a German AA. CW DOWs Italy.
In the port strike:
Are the ...
1
vote
1answer
349 views
Can an optimal strategy for Roll Through the Ages be created for two player games on modern hardware?
Yahtzee has been weakly solved* for single player, and uses about the same dice on average. The game is probably only slightly more complex than Yahtzee.
Can an optimal strategy for Roll Through the ...
6
votes
1answer
111 views
Dimir Doppelganger becoming Lazav, Dimir Mastermind
I have a few clarification questions regarding what happens after I use the activated ability of Dimir Doppelganger to target a Lazav, Dimir Mastermind that's sitting in a graveyard. For simplicity, I ...
13
votes
1answer
407 views
Khet opening set-ups
What are the different merits of the Khet opening set-ups - Classic, Imhotep & Dynasty?
1
vote
3answers
86 views
Looking for games with drop-in drop-out mechanic [closed]
When playing video games, I often prefer games that are easy to drop in and drop out of. Games like Team Fortress 2 where players are always respawning so the new player isn't set back, especially if ...
1
vote
2answers
93 views
Can an opponent destroy an Iron Maiden during their upkeep to avoid taking damage from it?
I'll lay out the situation. I have an Iron Maiden in play. My opponent begins his turn with 10 cards in his hand (including a Disenchant), and 1 life. Iron Maiden's ability triggers at the ...
5
votes
2answers
143 views
If my opponent tries to resolve a triggered ability out of order, did they miss their opportunity to do so?
My opponent controls a tapped Nettle Sentinel, and has cast 1 copy of Glimpse of Nature this turn.
They then play an Elvish Visionary, and in response I do nothing.
The stack starts to resolve and ...
2
votes
2answers
112 views
Can people win at Diplomacy using a “Qin strategy?”
The Qin was one of seven (yes, seven) "warring states" in China several hundred years B.C. During its rise to power, it often followed a policy of "ally with the three far states against the three ...
6
votes
3answers
113 views
How can we remember to score points for claimed routes?
When we play Ticket to Ride we sometimes forget to score the points and move the score markers. You know; you're playing not only to get points, but to enjoy the game. And when someone realises they ...
2
votes
2answers
682 views
Does the first spell from Possibility Storm go on the stack before being exiled?
I'm staring at the gate Possibility Storm coming out of Dragon's Gate and thinking about cards such as Hive Mind that would add some additional chaos. The wording on Possibility Storm says
...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Do Untap triggers still trigger when the creature is untapped?
I control an untapped Goblin Sharpshooter, My opponent controls a 3/3 Beast Token, I Cast Lightning Bolt on the Beast, to kill it. Do I have to tap my Sharpshooter before the beast dies to get the ...
20
votes
7answers
997 views
Catan: when to buy development cards?
I never buy development cards in the beginning: the Knights are fairly useless, the Largest Army bonus is not a priority, and it's too risky to gamble on drawing a Road Building card.
When is the ...
10
votes
5answers
235 views
“Ticket to Ride: Europe”: how to accommodate differences in players' strength?
I play "Ticket to Ride: Europe" with my kids (age 8 and 12) and I win too often. They do not want me to let them win: there's no fun in winning if you know the opponent didn't play to their full ...
0
votes
3answers
197 views
Where can I find price-lists for Star Trek CCG cards?
I have some Star Trek CCG cards from the Decipher game in the 1990s. I'm looking to discover if any of these cards have economic value.
I've tried looking at starcitygames.com and tcgplayer.com, but ...
6
votes
1answer
144 views
What are the other games in this series?
A few weeks back me and my friends were remembering our childhood games, and it turned out all four of us had at least one of these themed board game collection books. The link has pictures of the ...
2
votes
1answer
259 views
Storage Wars: MtG Black Lotus, others, actual worth?
Storage Wars had an episode in 2012 where Daryl Sheets finds a bunch of MtG cards, some loose, some bindered. They sell the entire lot at Frank and Sons Collectible Show for $700, basically the price ...
4
votes
1answer
80 views
Do any successful draft formats exist for Android: Netrunner?
It's still early enough in Android: Netrunner's lifecycle that using the full cardlist to build decks isn't too overwhelming, but as time goes on, it could well be, and archetypes will become ...
7
votes
2answers
140 views
How does casting a card for its miracle cost interact with cost modifying abilities?
If I reveal and cast a miracle like Temporal Mastery, Bonfire of the Damned or Entreat the Angels, When I am choosing a value for X, must it take into account effects like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
How do Steam Vent and Esper Dash interact?
When Bal-Bas-Beta and Setsuki Hiruki are playing against each other, the moves Steam Vent and Esper Dash have directly conflicting actions.
Steam Vent:
Start of your turn: Push an opponent from a ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Analyzing bidding sequence
My left opponent opened 1S - Right-side opponent responded 2H (I understood: 11+, 4+ card heart suit, shortness in spades) - L.O. responded 2S - R.O. responded 3D (has shortness of spades).
R.O. : 4 ...
12
votes
1answer
902 views
In Monopoly, Does It Make Sense NOT to Buy a “Second” Property in a Color Group?
Most Monopoly players would want to buy at least ONE property in a color group, for defensive purposes. Money is usually tight though, so it often pays to "cut corners" somewhere.
Could this ...
18
votes
11answers
15k views
How much would it cost to get started with Magic: The Gathering?
I've heard a lot (of good things) about this game and I'm interested in exploring it; however, I'm slightly worried about the initial cash investment involved.
About how much would it cost to get ...
