Re:Going OOP
DougOrleans (#24023),
That Calavaras variant is still a variant, but some "coins" are going to be included in the game. I have reigned in the coin count a bit to be 3 coins per partnership.
I've waffled on putting it into the final game. 3 coins per player was far too many, and the current value is about right---it gives you just enough to make it fairly tricky to decide when you desperately need some bit of information.
That said, the reason it is still a variant is that:
1. Only after you've played a couple of games do you really understand enough of what is going on to make use of the coins.
2. I actually like the uncertainty of the normal game, which makes your plays more angst-ridden.
It does bring out the deduction aspects of the game, and it definitely doesn't detract from the game---just makes it a bit different. Sounds like what a variant is supposed to be.
Moo
Frank