#90 Seldom Practical

[daveramsey]

Want to watch me roll 500 dice? Want to see a tricky scenario from St Mare Eglise? Want to know where Martin's going on holiday?

You've come to the right place!

 

[JoeArthur]

Hey Dave,

And you accused me of having too much time

I do not think that everyone is trying to cheat me with the dice Dave. It was one player and he might have been:

• trying gameplay - maybe he does it to annoy his opponents?
• maybe he is kidding himself like the casino players that you mentioned?
• maybe it works with his dice tower and he can move the curve?

For me not enjoying that game I just went to the backgammon tourny rules. I think that those rules might be there in part just to keep the backgammon players happy. I suspect that the dice drive them nuts as they do us. Interestingly I think that they complain about not rolling high enough

Dice cup with a lip and dice tower are the gold standard.

I've gotten used to a dice cup now - I can give them a good shake so at least I get some exercise whilst playing. That and picking up the rulebook.........

I'll continue to ask people and if they say no, as you did, I'll still play - maybe.

And thanks to this conversation all you buggers are now going to say no and place your dice on the dice tower baffles - thanks for nothing Dave I'll look forward to the next tourny in Blackpool

Many thanks for another fun episode gents

 

[Tuomo]

"Cheating? Naw, you've got me all wrong! I was just acquiring me some AGENCY"

Dave. For Shame!

 

[daveramsey]

I do not think that everyone is trying to cheat me with the dice Dave.

Sorry if I gave that impression - I hoped I was clear in making that point, but if it didn't come across well enough there, I'll echo that you were clear it was one (nameless) individual when we played. Apologies if that came across incorrectly.

Here's an example of the craps stuff. There's definitely a feeling that they can influence the dice via a throw. Maybe Vegas should invest in some dice towers instead?

 

[lightspeed]

Dave and Martin,

Thank you for another enjoyable episode...also, it was fab to see the crew at Double One.

Regarding SM02, I was defending and had my first line at the top of the screen where
Martin's second line started...that way, the US couldn't strip concealment easily on Turn 1.

Rob (Oler) was the US and had a very tough go...he conceded on Turn 4 when he was
close to the CVP cap but nowhere near the hill.

It's the only scenario I've played out of SME that has left me scratching my head.
Martin is correct: I'd like to give this a try as the US to see if I can find a way past
the Germans.

Those gaps can be quite a pain. I was surprised by some tricky LOS through said
gaps. I hope you and Martin enjoy the rest of your outings in Normandy.

Dave,

I'm not surprised at the outcome of your experiment. I do find it curious that you
were running experiments to prove someone was wrong. Surely the burden of proof
is on the person making a statement to provide evidence for it.

For the record, I think that dice (into a dice tower) can be manipulated, but I also believe
that the required level of dexterity is not standard amongst ASL players, the same way I
am skeptical that most ASL players cannot conjure doves into their bare hands.

I think your experiments were really well done, and show that a dice cup likely makes
zero difference to reality (for someone who is not trying to manipulate results...anyone
who is trying to manipulate the DR is, of course, cheating). It might, however, make a
difference to one's perception of reality.

indy

 

[Vinnie]

Just played this one in the vasl league. I didn't find it pro either side but the first turn matters hugely.
In our game, Felipe couldn't roll under 9 in the first turn and , although I was circumspect in my movement, I suffered from only 1 broken half squad and reached the wall and bocage in two spots.
This I believe swung the game in my favour.
It is seldom I've seen a scenario where turn 1 defensive fire makes such a difference. The German needs to set up an up front defence and really hammer the US Forces. If they break while ADJACENT they are likely to surrender and 3 squads doing that wins you the game. Every rout route needs covered by fire to force the surrender.
With 22 concealment counters, recon by prep fire is pointless and you have to risk movement and that may include assault moving and merely throwing smoke to allow other units to go forwards.
Knowing that you can "scout" hexes by claiming Wall advantage and seeing if the defender denies this is important.

 

[daveramsey]

If they break while ADJACENT they are likely to surrender and 3 squads doing that wins you the game. Every rout route needs covered by fire to force the surrender.

Surrendered units don't count for VPs in this one.

 

[Vinnie]

Surrendered units don't count for VPs in this one.

True, but surrendered units font rally and come back!