We continued the old game theme by bringing out El Grande to the table. Another game that has sadly been ignored by the Cult of the Newists. It seems like that was one of the first area control games that I have been introduced to way back when. But, perhaps my nostalgia is affecting my memories. And it hasn’t lost anything from its old age, either. There is still a lot of tough choices that you are forced to make in the battle for royal favor.
But we cannot forget Tichu either. Mike was willing to play once again so Jon and myself took advantage of the opportunity. The heroic team jumped out to an early lead. But we learned to not count the opposing team out. They were able to claw their way back into the lead and race to the finish for the win. The luck just left us and we were unable to score any points to get us the win. Above is one of my two Tichu hands.
And here is what happened: I was able to play my 5, King, and Ace. I then lead my loosing full house. Jon plays over it with Jacks-full. I bomb with my 9s. Jon responds with an over-bomb of 10s. Mike over-bombs again to wrest control away from Jon. Mike had passed me the Phoenix and I was left with two cards (the other being the Dragon). Mike had two choices to lead next and he correctly chose the single card. John then wakes up and over Tichus me! I play the Dragon and then Phoenix to go out first.
| GT/T | Team #1 | GT/T | GT/T | Team #2 | GT/T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarkH & MikeCh | Jon & John | ||||
| 45 |
55
|
||||
|
240
|
T+ | 60 | |||
|
320
|
T+ | 180 | |||
| T+ |
505
|
95 | T- | ||
|
560
|
T+ | 240 | |||
| T+ |
760
|
240 | |||
| 800 | T+ |
400
|
|||
| 840 |
460
|
||||
| 825 |
575
|
||||
|
905
|
T+ | 695 | |||
| 930 | GT+ |
970
|
|||
| 905 |
1195
|
T+ |
Mike likes to sing songs in a stream of conscienceness. Because of this, people call him Mike-Pod. So, in an effort to quiet him, I challenged him to sing a song that contains the word “chocolate”. Mike could not think of a song. But John could:
Laughing gas these hazmats, fast cats,
Lining them up like ass cracks,
Ladies, homies, at the track
It’s my chocolate attack
Shit, I’m stepping in the heart of this here
Care bear bumping in the heart of this here
Watch me as I gravitate,
Yo, we gonna go ghost town,
This motown,
With yo sound
You’re in the place
You gonna bite the dust
Can’t fight with us
With yo sound
You kill the Inc.
So dont stop, get it, get it
Until you’re cheddar header
Yo, watch the way I navigate,The Gorillas, Feel Good Inc.
Mike still claims that there is no song that contains the word chocolate…