CHIPPENHAM BOARDGAMES CLUB – 19/05/2011

1.       In addition to 10 members we had a couple of guests this evening. Tony and Sue Balecke from Melksham came along to demonstrate their family board game “GB RACERS”. With Tony explaining the rules 6 players contested a series of races in which movement is as a result of throwing 2 dice and applying the outcome to their 2 cars. By using throws strategically players can land on various ‘bonus’ squares on the track, which grant either grant extra movement to the current player, or by some quirky mechanism to the car that is currently in last place, or the chance to throw the 20-sided “GB” dice to increase movement. There are some tactics to consider as to how to allocate your dice throws and a race seems to take around 30 minutes, sometimes quicker if someone threw a couple of 20’s on the GB dice. Once 3 cars have crossed the finish line points are awarded for all the cards and they are recorded on a score sheet. Further races take place until one player has amassed a total of 77 points and after the final race has been completed the player with the most points is declared the winner. The club members didn’t like the 20-sided dice, feeling that is had to much of an effect, there were some issues with the colours of the squares, but overall not a bad family game. As usual Lucy demonstrated her ability to win most games she plays and was declared the victor.

2.       Tony and Sue Balecke were introduced to some of our games, starting with “ABER BITTE MIT SAHNE” the game about slicing up a cake which was reviewed last week. Both enjoyed the experience, especially as Sue emerged as the winner !

3.       Whilst all the new stuff was being actioned on the other table Table 2 played a 5-player game of the popular share-trading game “SHARK”. Most players thought they were in with a chance of winning until Jerry caused a market crash of shares held by other players, which didn’t affect him and he duly won the game.

4.       Table 2 then played “NAVEGADOR”, with Mike explaining it to 3 others who had not played it. We were time-boxed to complete the full game so we ended it early but most of the stages had been completed. In a close finish there was a tie between Alister and Roger, with the latter winning by being in passion of the ‘Navegador’ tile. Paul didn’t really take to the game and expressed his dismay. Alister was luke-warm at first but accepted that there was some logic to the sequence of play. However Mike loved the game, even though he came last again…just goes to show you can’t please all the people all the time,and that is why we all have favourites and games that we just don’t like.

5.       Table 1 ended their session with “CARCASONNE”, the ever-popular tile-laying game about building a city with surrounding farms and monasteries. Kevin was the eventual winner.

Games played and Winners were:

GB Racers Lucy Newbury;

Piece of Cake Sue Balecke ;

Shark Jerry Jabelman;

Navegador Roger Skull;

Carcasonne Kevin Ward.