-
Gary Heidenreich
United States
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
-
March 8th
We knew going into the evening that there would only be three of us. It was Timm, Chris and myself. Timm, as normal, was the early one so we discussed a variety of different things while having beers before Chris arrived. One of the things discussed was what game we were going to play with three. It really felt nothing was jumping out begging to be played. Ultimately we decided on Chicago Express (and as always, the Chicago Express: Narrow Gauge & Erie Railroad Company expansion. Chris arrived and he agreed on the choice as it is a quick, fun game.
Play started with the auctions where Chris and Timm each got two initials shares and I didn't have any. My goal was to get things cheap. It worked to a point. I bought into the red rail and Timm jumped in and overbought on the third, basically killing any motivation to grow that rail. It died in the mountains. Chris had a majority of shares in blue and Timm had a majority in yellow and both were growing the chains. I had one share in blue and being able to, I kept it from getting to Chicago. With his advantage, it would have benefit him the most if it made it. I was still running on the cheap. Then, I managed to get a share in yellow and do the same thing, I built to purposly sabotage it's chances of making it to Chicago. Near the end of the game, two more yellow shares were auctioned off and Timm overbid on those (Chris and Timm bid them up). After those two shares went, Timm made his second error...he could have auctioned off a green share to end the round to ensure two payoffs before the end of the game, but he didn't see that and increased yellows value. Chris ended the game by auctioning off the Erie. I snagged it for cost as I couldn't let Chris have it for free. We added up the money and I ended with 52, Chris had 50, and Timm was at 46. This game, to me, keeps getting better and better. I really enjoy how you can, if you want, force the tempo and try to end it quick.
Before we even had a chance to breath, Timm suggested Macao and Chris agreed to give it a second shot. We ran through the rules for Chris (a lot smoother now that Timm and I have played probably about 10 games of this) and we were on our way. I think the game took about 100 minutes this time. Much quicker than Chris' first game which took over 3 hours with four (three newbies and I had played once before). Chris found an interesting strategy with some of the 'gain a cube' cards which really pulled him out ahead. He also had a nice card for paying less for city quarters which he used every single turn. Ultimately, I suck at the game. I think that is just it. I really, really like the game, but just stink at it. Chris killed us by scoring 101 (he had a great combo of cards that worked well together). Timm had 62 and I had 54 with cards that barely worked well and I also got slammed with punishment points (that's a paddlin'!) at the end (too many cards left on the board). Ug. Still, love the game and really enjoy it now as it doesn't take long at all.
#126
|
|
