Friday, March 9, 2012

St Petersburg (2) Jambo (2)

St. Petersburg



HB was able to give St. Petersburg a try with 3 and 4 players. Over the last week, HB played 3 games, one with 3 players, then 4, and then 3 again. The first game doesn't really count because it was a learning game that HB won very easily. The second was very competitive because everyone knew how to play, and it was everyone's first time playing 4 players. I think HB's slightly more advanced knowledge of the game shined through. The last game is the one I want to focus one. HB ended up finishing second out of three. In this game, HB and HL teamed up to play against our friends. It was mostly HB playing, HL just subbed for about a round and half. In this game, debtor's prison really shined. This card was used to pull many distinct aristocrats out of the discard and the winner ended up with a 55 point bonus for have 10+ distinct aristocrats. That was pretty much the difference in the game. The next time we play, I'm sure that card will be a hot commodity. HB made the mistake of having a little too much money at the end and not using his hand well enough. I take back what I said about this game not having tough decisions. I've come to realize that this game is filled with a lot of semi-tough decisions that add up in the end rather than big deal breaker decisions. The player that retains the most focus (minimal mistakes) through all these small decisions will probably come out on top. This is especially true since it's very hard to block other player's strategy and tactics in this game. I'm looking forward to playing this game more.

Game two Jambo (2)



Here's another edition of HB and HL's Jambo rivalry. Remember the last time HB won by like 40? This time was much different. HB's starting hand had a lot of ware cards so he decided to go big market. He bought two market expanders. HL decided to get one too. (she foolishly paid the 6 gold price). This game was close throughout with HB leading most of the way. Dancer was a big card this game, both players used it to get rid of wares for decent payouts. Once again the player who got and used the best utilities won the game. I think the crocodile is going to play a bigger role in future games. The Boat, Leopard, Throne, and Weapons utility cards have been dictating play and the Croc is probably the only way to throw a wrench in this assembly line approach. Near the end HL was able to pull ahead with a 56 to 53 lead, trying to be savvy, HB allowed HL to get to 60 first, but on her final turn she was able to get up to 66 even though she started with only 1 ware. She did so by using a traveling merchant and a wise man from afar. Monster last turn. HB was only set up to get up to 64 on his final turn. Only a lucky draw would save him now. It was not to be, he tried drawing a couple extra times, but nothing good came and he ended up with 63.

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