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Larry Welborn
United States
Anderson
South Carolina
Way to go, Bubba.
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An odd week in which we play a good bit, but no Friday Night gaming as the kids had soccer practice.
No gaming on Monday or Tuesday but we finally got a chance to play on Wednesday night. The kids wanted to play Rummikub, a game which they had learned the week before.
The kids like the game, but haven't quite got the hang of it yet. As such, it became a 2 player race between Melissa and me. After two of our scheduled three rounds, we had each won one game and the score was Larry 53, Melissa 46, with the two kids in the negative. I was able to go out in the final round to clinch the victory.
Final Scores: Larry 119, Melissa 39, Daughter -70, Son -88.
Thursday night gave me an opportunity to introduce the family to a new game, Spy.
Spy is a game I picked up years ago really cheaply but it had never made it to the table. I took another look at it recently and thought it might be a good game to play with the kids.
The game is a typical Knizia, math with no real theme but some real decision-making. Everyone picked up how to play quickly and the first game was a close one which saw me pull out the win.
Final Scores: Larry 0, Everyone else 2.
The kids wanted a rematch so we immediately played again. This time both my son and daughter jumped out to an early lead and held on to it. At the end, my son was able to go out one turn sooner.
Final Scores: Son 0, Daughter 1, Melissa and Larry 3.
After two games of Spy, it was time to bring out something else and my wife requested Qwirkle.
This game ultimately turned out to be our closest game ever as all four of us had a chance to win. Late in the game, I was leading Melissa by 2 points and both kids by 7. I ran out of gas at that point. Both children got a "Qwirkle" on their next turn while I managed a 4 and Melissa a 6. My daughter then proceeded to get another Qwirkle to seal the win.
Final Scores: Daughter 125, Son 117, Larry 107, Melissa 105.
That was a great game with lots of laughter, cheering, and groans. A great way to end the night.
Soccer practice and a late dinner prevented any gaming on Friday night but we were back at the table Saturday afternoon.
Melissa's mother drove down from Tennessee to visit. While they went shopping, the kids and I played a game of Space Hulk: Death Angel - The Card Game.
We had previously won a 3 player game and had high hopes of another victory. We lost two of our twelve marines at the start location and was down to only six by the time we reached our penultimate locale. Unfortunately, genestealer movement left us with two giant groups. We then picked a bad time for the dice to turn against us as 8 straight attacks missed. We staggered into the final location with only two marines and they were overwhelmed during the first turn there.
Final: Loss.
By this time Melissa and her mom, Joyce, had returned and wanted to play. I wanted to pick an easy game the would handle 5, so I chose Winner's Circle.
The kids had played this a couple of years ago but didn't remember the game. I quickly explained the game to everyone. We used hidden bets with the 0. The first race saw Othello cross the finish line first which gave me the early lead in money won. Race two saw Earl Grey run to victory and I had a comfortable lead but the money was doubled in the final round. Race three saw Earl Grey grab the victory again. I had a bet on him but my son and daughter had a double bet down so it was going to be close.
Final Scores: Larry $2,200, Son $2,100, Daughter $2,000, Melissa $1,850, Joyce $1,400.
A good close game that was enjoyed by all.
We then took a break to grill steaks and enjoy a nice relaxing dinner. Afterwards everyone wanted to play some more and my wife suggested Liar's Dice.
This is a family favorite and we quickly taught Joyce how to play.
The first game saw the ladies of the house eliminated while my son had all 5 dice left and I had 4. He and I battled down to one die each before I finally defeated him for the win.
The next game played out almost the same as the first, with my Son and I left to duel for the win. This time I had a 4-2 advantage and quickly eliminated him.
The final game saw my son get knocked out first, followed quickly by Melissa and my Daughter. Joyce soon held a 4-2 lead on me and was poised for the victory when she made a mistake in her bid, bidding 3 ones when she meant 3 twos. This mistake evened us up and I soon knocked her out for a win I didn't deserve.
Final: Larry 3 wins.
Sunday evening saw the introduction of a new game, Jericho.
This was another card game that I picked up cheaply a couple of years ago but had never played. There was a bit of initial confusion by the family as to the rules but after the first round, everyone understood how to play. Of course, that doesn't mean that everyone played well. Going into the third scoring round it was a two player race between my Son and Melissa. My son gained 8 red cards and that proved the difference.
Final Scores: Son 22, Melissa 17, Daughter and Larry 7.
Everyone wanted to play again and I saw this as an opportunity for redemption. Yeah, that's what is was. Melissa destroyed my Daughters white wall and she became obsessed in getting her mother back. Unfortunately this cause her to make some sub-optimal plays which ultimately cost her. My wife was able to play a blue card on her last turn and capture a fist full of cards.
Final Scores: Melissa 21, Larry 11, Son 9, Daughter 8.
We finished the week with another family favorite, Pickomino.
This game was never in doubt as I captured the 34 and 32 tiles early and never looked back. My daughter struggled as she would win a tile only to have it stolen or lose it the very next turn. My son made a bit of a run but had three tiles stolen late which knocked him out of the game.
Final Scores: Larry 10 worms, Melissa 5 worms, Son 2 worms, Daughter 0.
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