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"Pawn endings are to Chess what putting is to golf" (Cecil Purdy)
Vanilla 1.1.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.
Introduction:
This is Simultaneous Connect Four. It is simultaneous, because both players select their moves simulatenously, then resolve.
The origins of this game came out of a project to develop a way to play abstract strategy games with large numbers of people playing in a crowd. Connect 4 was selected as the base game to get the massive multiplayer framework to work. The end result is an interesting take on Connect Four that turns what it seen as a simple children's game into a game that is a bit of war of nerves with additional depth, eventhough it stops being a pure abstract strategy game in the process.
Equipment:
* Standard Connect Four Set.
* Two sets of cards (numbered 1-7), each number having one of these numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. An 8 sided die may be used, with 8 being no option, or 6 sided. Each player would have one.
* Two sets of stickers to mark each column 1-7.
* Initiative token. This token is used for tie-breaking purposes in the event both players select the same column. An item that stands out and is small enough to pass from player to player, can be used.
Preparation of Equipment for Play:
* Each side has stickers placed on it, either Each column is marked on both sides with the same number on both sides for each column. One side has numbers go from left to right from 1 to 7 incrementally by 1, while the other side goes from left to right 7 to 1, decrementally by 1.
Set Up:
1. Separate piles of cards 1-7 into two even piles. Give each set of cards to each player. These cards are used to select moves.
2. Determine which player will start with the initiative token. This can be done randomly or by some other method.
Rules:
1. Players at the same time select which column they want to drop a checker into. This process is done simultaneously and is hidden. If using cards, one suggestion is to put the selection at the bottom of the hand of cards players have.
2. Players then reveal which column they selected.
3. If the players selected different columns then players drop their checkers into their own column, and go onto next turn.
4. If players both select the same column, then the player who has the initiative token would place their checker first, and their opponent would then place after them, and the initiative token is then passed to the opponent, who then now has the initiative token.
5. If, when players simultaneously pick the same column, and the first player places their checker in the last open space in a column, then the second player forfeits the ability to place a checker during that turn. However, eventhough they forfeited the chance to place a checker, they still gain control of the initiative token. Win conditions are checked BEFORE the initiative token switches sides.
Winning the Game:
1. First player to get four in a row wins the game. In the case that both players win at the same time, the player with the initiative token wins.
Variants:
1. As an intro game, use only columns 1-6. Block off column 7. This gives people a good feel for the game before playing the full way. This version is proposed so that players can get used to the game, and also eliminate the middle column advantage found in the normal game. This is how the game was originally intended to be played, but people felt that the simultaneous element eliminated the first player advantage that is gained by playing in column 4. Also, you can play this version using six sided dice as selectors.
2. Dice may be used instead of cards, if this is what players have available. Six or 8 sided are recommended. Players would conceal what they select as their move, and the put the facing representing the column they want to select, and then reveal.
3. In the case that both players win at same time, the player who DOESN'T have the initiative token wins the game. This is a flipping of the normal conditions to resolve simultaneous wins.
For those who are interested, this game is stand alone on Boardgame Geek as Simultaneous Captain's Mistress:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41491
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