[PenultimateManStanding]

Did you ever play the game called Diplomacy? It's based on WW1. It's got a fascinating premise: you negotiate with the other players in one-on-one meetings to discuss your intentions and ideas and then commit yourself to deployment moves which everyone reveals at the same time. It's like the Prisoner's Dilemma of Game Theory fame. You can be sneaky and double crossing if you wish, or you can play it straight. I played it in College and the only thing I remember besides the generalities of the game is how I influenced another player by my choice to be honest in my negotiations. Everybody tried deceit thinking that's how you win.

[lateStarter]

Try to find a game called 'Cathedral'. 2 player, kinda-like chess, only doesn't take as long. You can make your own. Just need a 10x10 square board and the proper piece shapes (Abbey, Tavern, etc...). Can be intense or just quick and fun. Extremely portable. Nice for around the campfire....

[PenultimateManStanding]

John Nash's game Hex is pretty good. A simple idea with complex results. Connect Four is also a favorite of mine.

[Narz]

Ah yes, boardgamegeek is great, thanks for reminding me Shanny.

My fave multi-player games (so far) are Risk & Settlers of Catan (Settlers of the Stone Age is a decnet spinoff too). I used to play Axis & Allies w/ my older brother as a kid but the game just takes too long & IMO, it's not a very balanced game (for anyone who's played think Heavy Bombers vs. Super Subs). I know there's a new version but I haven't tried it yet (probably wouldn't buy it, these days I prefer games w/ more broad appeal like Settlers which even many non-board game types can get into easily).

[RonMN]

PMS Wrote:
You can be sneaky and double crossing if you wish, or you can play it straight.

I don't play Monopoly to win or have fun...I play Monopoly to completely & utterly CRUSH people

I can usually get atleast one to cry as I laugh when they leave the game bankrupt & I tell them to enjoy the poor house & making "ka-ching" sounds when they land on my property.

I don't play any other game this way...my neices & nephews always want to play because they want to beat me & rub my nose in it (has yet to happen).

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RonMN', '[')b]PMS Wrote:
You can be sneaky and double crossing if you wish, or you can play it straight.

I don't play Monopoly to win or have fun...I play Monopoly to completely & utterly CRUSH people

[RonMN]

Yup...games are a blast! Or atleast the interaction between players is what makes it so fun.

The last time I played my mom a few games of chess, she got so tired of losing that she replaced her king with a pepper mill about 20 X the size of her king (an effort to intimidate me)

[lys3rg0]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_Game

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RonMN', '
')The last time I played my mom a few games of chess, she got so tired of losing that she replaced her king with a pepper mill about 20 X the size of her king (an effort to intimidate me)

[RonMN]

A lively sence of humor & a wooden spoon (which she calls a magic wand..."because it turns bad little boys, into good little boys")

And I'm 42 years old

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RonMN', ' ')
And I'm 42 years old

[Ang]

Off topic, although my kids and I really enjoy games together, but the "magic wand" is sheer brilliance!! The cooking spoon is an integral part in quelling any mutinies around here, I'm going to have to add that to my routine!!

RonMN, let me know where to send your mom's royalty checks!

[RonMN]

Thanks Ang,
I just emailed what you wrote to my mom...that should be sufficient royalties