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Who's the more foolish? The fool or fool that plays after the fool?
United States
DURHAM
North Carolina
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With 5 of us again, and no particular new game we wanted to play, the call came for Modern Art. Mike had a massive opening season, he acquired 6 paintings and got a $140,000 pay-out. I made a bad play that helped him acquire quite so much, as I dropped out of bidding on a pair of Krypto's knowing I could end the round if I wanted (and if I didn't get the paintings, I could leave the Kryptos worth less than they bought for): but in not getting the paintings, ending the round made no sense for me. So a mis-play and Mike profited. He continued to do so with a double auction, forcing Rick into playing a Yoko painting or miss his turn. He looked quite set at the halfway stage, with the rest of the game apparently a victory parade.
But no, for he had painted a target on himself and we conspired to undercut his sales and devalue his buys. The first two seasons had little problem evaluating paintings as there were 3 artists (2 in the 2nd season), but both 3rd and 4th seasons saw 4 artists out. Mike made a play to push Lite Metal - usually a pretty good bet, especially after 2 seasons where no one had sold any - but that made Lite Metal the unwanted artist. Cristin P and Karl Gitter and Yoko were all pushed up, Yoko eventually the top artist in season 3 and most of us made some good money there. In the final season, I had a couple of double auctions to play and it looked like had rescued my position some. Rick and Tom were both acquiring and selling well and, quietly, J sold without buying all season. A double Karl Gitter from Rick was bought by me and that was my second double auction, so I stood to profit tremendously, but J played her Karl painting right before me (selling it for a good sum) so I couldn't play a double without ending the game. So I played the single double auction, inviting someone to join me ... or let me have it for free. To my chagrin, Mike took the offer, ended the game (and locking a price on his paintings already acquired). But in truth, he miscalculated for his Yoko was now worthless as they were in 4th place and instead of $70,000 for that, he got $20,000 for 2 Lite Metals.
When Mike announced his total I was shocked how much we had destroyed him: he had only $181,000. The rest of us were quite close. Tom edged ahead of me, Rick ahead of him. But it is the quiet one you should watch out for, J took the game with $395,000.
Tom: $363,000
Mike: $181,000
Rick: $380,000
J: $395,000
Me: $346,000
I think I understand this game, but any strategy needs to adapt to the group you are playing with. That seems to be my main problem. It is a facet that makes it a fascinating and yet frustrating game for me. I like it but don't seem to be able to do better at it.
My conclusion is that I still suck at this game and am frustrated with myself for not pushing my bids when I knew I should. But at least now I am seeing my mistakes. Maybe I will even win it one day? Well, let's try for 3rd at least.
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