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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 19:36
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Hi Everyone!
I thought it would be fun to find out what the general opinion is on blocking, so here's my poll. Responses should be either YES or NO, and PM'ed to me. Editorial comments, if you wish to make them, should be posted here.
A quick note... blocking is not against the rules, so I won't ask that... you can not like it, and think it unfair, unkind, stupid, unfun, etc but it is NOT CHEATING. No amount of arguing can change the fact the the rules of the game don't mention anything about blocking. Now then, off the to poll.
1. Do you think Blocking is unfair?
2. Do you actively attempt to avoid playing with "blockers"?
3. Have you ever left an unfinished game because you were upset about Blocking?
4. Is Blocking part of your Ticket to Ride playing strategy?
5. Do you feel that taking trains that your opponent obviously needs, or has taken previously, is blocking? (I.e You opponent takes a yellow, so you follow suit and also take a yellow the next time it comes up)
6. Do you think Blocking is necessary to be an effective player?
OK that's it! I look forward to the responses... I'll keep the poll "open" for a week, or until the responses dry up. The statistical analysis to follow should be interesting.
Thanks for participating!
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Sniper
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Senior Member
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Posts: 414
Registered:
May 2004
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 19:50
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1. No
2. No
3. No
4. Yes
5. No
6. Yes
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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 19:56
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One other thing... If someone would like to help me with translating that would be great.. I think I can handle "yes and "no" in any language 
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Rode katers
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Member
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Posts: 80
Registered:
January 2005
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SKMorefield
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Senior Member
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Posts: 620
Registered:
January 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 20:23
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In this game there is nothing more satisfying than a properly executed block, and few things more frustrating than trying to block and not succeeding. I've been on both sides of that coin.
My answers echo Sniper's.
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SMP-bassie
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Senior Member
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Posts: 479
Registered:
January 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 20:37
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wow, Wildfire... never thought you could be THIS boring...  only the people born for Candyland would have an opinion that is different from the answers shown above, apart from question five, but that's merely a question of definition.
just hope I didn't hurt your feelings just like with my last posting 
hope to meet you again soon in a crazy 5-player game...
cu, bas
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erps
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Senior Member
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Posts: 1634
Registered:
July 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 20:46
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Hi
I agree with bassie
But i've some additions:
1. It's not unfair, but sometimes it may be socially unwise
2. I don't like "only blockers". It's sort of one-dimensional. But i don't avoid them.
3. Absolutely No!
4. It is part of my game, but it's not the part with highest priority.
5. I don't do this, but it is not blocking.
6. Yes, but to which degree??
bye, erps
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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 20:55
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| bassie wrote on Thu, 18 August 2005 14:37 |
wow, Wildfire... never thought you could be THIS boring... only the people born for Candyland would have an opinion that is different from the answers shown above, apart from question five, but that's merely a question of definition.
just hope I didn't hurt your feelings just like with my last posting
hope to meet you again soon in a crazy 5-player game...
cu, bas
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You're forgiven, this time
I love those 5 plyers.. if only you crazy Europeans would player later in the American day
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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 20:58
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| SKMorefield wrote on Thu, 18 August 2005 14:23 |
In this game there is nothing more satisfying than a properly executed block, and few things more frustrating than trying to block and not succeeding. I've been on both sides of that coin.
My answers echo Sniper's.
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Says the guy that almost mae we change my mind about blocking with his viciousness today
Keep the answers coming.. and lets here some dissenters.. where are all those people who curse my children's children when I block them? I need your opinion too!
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erps
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Senior Member
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Posts: 1634
Registered:
July 2005
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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 21:11
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Thanks Erps!
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Rolli
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Senior Member
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Posts: 510
Registered:
May 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Thu, 18 August 2005 21:43
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Hi all,
I can write into this or the german forum. I'll do it here.
1. I think it's unfair. If 2 blockers play against each other, they will think, it isn't unfair...
Im good old Germany you would say "Ansichtssache". 
2. No
3.I left a game against a blocker. But when i desided to finish this game. 
4.NEVER
5.This isn't blocking, but I think it's not nice, and i'll never do it.
6.Let me think...
I think people who block wins much more than people they don't. So Blockers are higher in the ranking list...
But I think, the person who doesn't block and wins every match is the best player. 
Greetings
Rolli
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SKMorefield
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Senior Member
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Posts: 620
Registered:
January 2005
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gwen
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Member
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Posts: 80
Registered:
December 2004
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Fri, 19 August 2005 07:59
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Hoi all,
Hope you don't mind to read the opinion of a non blocker.
1. it's not unfair, but that doesn't mean I have to like it;
2. I make no real efforts to avoid them, but I'm not looking for them neither; 95 % of my games are open to anyone who cares to join, so if blockers want to join, they can;
3. no, I never leave games, but sometimes I get kicked out, due to PC problems;
4. no, blocking on purpose is not a part of my strategy; but if I need a track to build my own route, I won't hesitate to take it (if I can that is), even when it's obvious that the other player wants that track too;
5. well that depends, if I need the same colours I will, otherwise no;
6. it's quite obvious that most of the blocking players are the better ranked, so one has to admit that blocking is an effective way to become a "top" player, but since I really don't have the ambition to become a top player my self, I just keep on playing the way I like it the most.
Lots of fun in your games,
Gwen
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Cosmo
Posts: 64
Registered:
October 2004
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Fri, 19 August 2005 08:46
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I'm going to assume that most of the top players are comfortable with blocking, but I wonder at what level of experience that kicks in? Does the typical 1500 elo player employ blocking? 1400? 1300? I don't play enough 2 player to speak for that, but in multiplayer I'd say you're at 1500 before you have any real awareness of what other players are doing is part of your game. (that is, thinking beyond the obvious of your opponents might take a track next to the one they just build) Thoughts?
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Peter de Zeeuw
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Senior Member
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Posts: 434
Registered:
March 2005
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 Blocking... It's Fàààntastic!
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Fri, 19 August 2005 09:54
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Hi Wildfire2099, nice poll!
I also agree with our friend Sniper here, with my only supplementary comment on the 5th question, yes, that is something I do often. If I notice that someone is taking a lot of yellow cards, I'll make sure I have them first (also sacrificing some locos). But I only use this strategy when it benefits my own planned route.
Blocking is great. I like it a lot. Especially when I have crappy ticktes myself. But I do admire the ones that manage to escape my blocking and still complete their ticktet. Especially when I go wild at the East Coast. Airbus, for example, pulled it off yesterday after I almost completely locked up the entire East Coast. Almost... He didn't give in and eventually made the great escape and won the match. Well done.
And also a little compliment to Gwen. I know she really dislikes blocking, but she's still no crybaby about it and she still plays with you if you ask (really, really) nicely. 
Erps, let us know the results on the German forum! I think there will be some interesting feedback from there... 
Greetings,
D.I.S.
[Updated on: Fri, 19 August 2005 09:56]
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OLE sebbo
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Senior Member
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Posts: 428
Registered:
March 2005
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Re:Blocking... It's Fàààntastic!
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Fri, 19 August 2005 11:28
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I agree with Sniper.
And i dont think that there are only germans who dont like blocking. Ive read criticism also from other nationalities, and i think that its just cause of the big fraction of german players here, that most critical voices are german ones.
Chapeau
sebbo
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Rolli
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Senior Member
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Posts: 510
Registered:
May 2005
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Re:Blocking... It's NOT Fàààntastic!
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Fri, 19 August 2005 11:28
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| Peter de Zeeuw schrieb am Fri, 19 August 2005 09:54 |
Erps, let us know the results on the German forum! I think there will be some interesting feedback from there...
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I'm not erps, am I. but i just want to say, untill now there are no feedbacks in the german forum...
I think, you don't like talking about me, Peter. You talked about Sniper, Airbus, Gwen and Erps, but not abour me. Ok, I'm a person who'll never block, like gwen, but gwen is very high in the ranking list.
Do what you want to...
I'll correct my steatment, I don't think, blocking is unfair, but I'll never do it. (@ Jac_, Ich habe dich einmal, und nie wieder geblockt )
Greetings
Rolli
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airbus
Posts: 23
Registered:
December 2004
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Sat, 20 August 2005 17:05
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Hi Everyone
1.: No
2.: No
3.: No
4.: Yes
5.: Yes (not ever but often)
6.: Yes
PS: And Gwen:i know you are blocking (sometimes)- even its normally not a part of your strategy
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Koel Player
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Member
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Posts: 81
Registered:
April 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Sun, 21 August 2005 05:08
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Late response:
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. Absolutely
5. Preventing your adversary to achieve his (her) goals is part of the game. We are playing to win, no? So if you notice your adversary frantically collecting a color, it is good strategy to pick up that same color.
6. Blocking is part of the tools we have to play the game. Not using it handicaps your efficiency.
Thabnks Widlfire for the initiative.
Flint
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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Mon, 22 August 2005 22:45
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I just wanted to give the thread a bump... I would very much like more responses... especially since the results are pretty one-sided so far!
Keep the answers coming!
Thanks!
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Spieler137411
Posts: 1
Registered:
August 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Fri, 26 August 2005 16:59
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Hi Wildfire,
from my general point of view blocking is damned boring. Ok - my answer:
1. YES
2. YES
3. YES
4. NO
5. NO
6. NO
Rgds fm Arne / Upper North Germany
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Dandelion_Wine
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Member
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Posts: 43
Registered:
January 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Fri, 26 August 2005 20:13
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1. No
2. No
3. No
4. Rarely. Usually only if I feel confident that I have the game, it's towards the end of the game, and it'd be the finishing blow.
5. Yes
6. Not necessarily.
Overall, I rarely block unless it's absolutely necessary. Too much blocking takes all the fun out of the game.
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thekid
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Senior Member
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Posts: 910
Registered:
December 2004
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Sat, 27 August 2005 15:16
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1. Hell no.
2. Hell no. One person asked if I minded him blocking me and I said just try and stop me and blew right around him.
3. Hell no. I usally say good job to the person if they stop me.
4. Um, yeah, duh.
5. No, I only take them if I need them too.
6. Of course.
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ajury
Posts: 38
Registered:
November 2004
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 Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Mon, 29 August 2005 07:23
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Interested to see results. Several folks have sent uncomplimentory things to me..... much of it in languages that I do not understand fortunately!
1. No. read the rules, Its just parallel play if you dont mix it up. Do a puzzle if you dont want to play with someone else.
2. No. the only ones I dont like are quitters.
3. No. A few times to wrangle my 2 year old.
4. Yes.
5. Yes.
6. Yes.
I dont however block anyone that knows where I sleep and has easy access to it (hmm wife, spouse), I think that paraphrases a very wise fellow that talked about this subject earlier. Ya got to sleep sometime, gives me a chance to practice other stratagies.
Have fun, Art.
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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Mon, 29 August 2005 20:40
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OK everyone, Last call for you Poll answers!
I will be posting my analysis and such this evening, so this is the last chance to respond!
Thanks to everyone who has posted so far!
-- Wildfire
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thadd
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NC2008 Winner
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Posts: 250
Registered:
December 2004
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Elric - Sancerre
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NC2005 Winner
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Posts: 963
Registered:
May 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Mon, 29 August 2005 23:34
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Hi everyone !
If it's not too late, here are my answers :
1. No.
2. No.
3. No.
4. Yes.
5. Nearly...
6. Yes.
Thanks wildfire for this so interessant poll
cu.
Elric
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erps
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Senior Member
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Posts: 1634
Registered:
July 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Tue, 30 August 2005 12:20
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Hi
There are some interesting contributions from the german thread i like to share
One voter has the opinion, blockers are "loosers in life" (don't know the exact english phrase), so they can't lose in a game...
Another user said: "Try winning YOUR game without destroying the opponents game". Funny. Didn't know T2R is a meta-game
Many users are leaving the game after blocking (a few only after the time-out). One User doesn't understand, why blockers are getting upset, if someone is quitting, because it's an easy win.
There ARE differences between german players and players of other nations...  
bye, erps
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SKMorefield
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Senior Member
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Posts: 620
Registered:
January 2005
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thadd
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NC2008 Winner
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Posts: 250
Registered:
December 2004
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léachris
Posts: 21
Registered:
March 2005
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léachris - Champagne
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Senior Member
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Posts: 1678
Registered:
July 2004
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Tue, 30 August 2005 14:55
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| thadd écrit le Tue, 30 August 2005 14:45 |
| SKMorefield schrieb am Tue, 30 August 2005 07:14 |
I think they lost their cojones after WWII and never grew them back.
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Dear SKM,
I should ignore this, but how could I. Let's see when you get your brains up where it should be...
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I have to agree with thadd, SKM, I thought you were one of the players that would never act "under the belt".
Are you drunk ? sad ? did you lose too many games ?
please be again the real SKM
Eric, you can put the 3 last postings in the off-topics, that's their right place
thanks
léachris
[Updated on: Tue, 30 August 2005 15:59]
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Miriamel
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Member
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Posts: 50
Registered:
January 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Tue, 30 August 2005 15:05
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SKM just two words: SHUT UP
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SKMorefield
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Senior Member
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Posts: 620
Registered:
January 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Tue, 30 August 2005 16:05
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| Miriamel wrote on Tue, 30 August 2005 09:05 |
SKM just two words: SHUT UP
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Yes ma'am... my apologies. Just a bad attempt at humor. Comment withdrawn. 
I do think the German phenomenon is interesting to observe, however, given the fact that so many dislike blocking. Aside from the top Germans (who all block), it seems that a higher percentage of Germans than other nationalities get downright angry at you for blocking.
I think perhaps, after the war, that the German national mindset became overly passive, and undoubtedly for good reason at first, but I wonder if that has anything to do with this way of thinking as it relates to games??
Best,
SKM
[Updated on: Tue, 30 August 2005 16:15]
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Peter de Zeeuw
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Senior Member
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Posts: 434
Registered:
March 2005
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SKMorefield
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Senior Member
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Posts: 620
Registered:
January 2005
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Re:Miriamel
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Tue, 30 August 2005 16:24
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| Peter de Zeeuw wrote on Tue, 30 August 2005 10:11 |
SKMorefield, you know I like you. But there's just something about little Miriamel...
She's like the pain-in-the-butt little sister I always wanted to have.
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Yeah, I have one, and believe me all you can do is just what I did, say 'yes ma'am' and move on. Otherwise she'd tell Mom and Dad and I'd REALLY be in trouble!
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redPEPPER
Posts: 190
Registered:
April 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Tue, 30 August 2005 16:30
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| SKMorefield : |
I think perhaps, after the war, that the German national mindset became overly passive, and undoubtedly for good reason at first, but I wonder if that has anything to do with this way of thinking as it relates to games??
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Is that a polite way to say that they didn't recover from losing their co...
Umm, nevermind.
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léachris - Champagne
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Senior Member
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Posts: 1678
Registered:
July 2004
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Re:Miriamel
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Tue, 30 August 2005 16:32
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| SKMorefield écrit le Tue, 30 August 2005 16:24 |
| Peter de Zeeuw wrote on Tue, 30 August 2005 10:11 |
SKMorefield, you know I like you. But there's just something about little Miriamel...
She's like the pain-in-the-butt little sister I always wanted to have.
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Yeah, I have one, and believe me all you can do is just what I did, say 'yes ma'am' and move on. Otherwise she'd tell Mom and Dad and I'd REALLY be in trouble!
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SKM, when I read your first posting ( the one you erased but that we had time to quote) ,
I really thought it was a peter's posting 
Now I'm sure of it, you're a new peter ( and you can be sure it's not a compliment from me ) 
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OLE sebbo
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Senior Member
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Posts: 428
Registered:
March 2005
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Re:The Great Blocking Poll
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Tue, 30 August 2005 16:35
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| SKMorefield schrieb am Tue, 30 August 2005 16:05 |
I do think, after the war, that the German national mindset became overly passive, and undoubtedly for good reason at first, but I wonder if that has anything to do with this way of thinking as it relates to games.
Best,
SKM
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Please give me an example, where you detect overly passivity.
Germany is one of the worldwide biggest economic powers. Germany has heavy-weight influence in international policy. And no, i will not compare it now to the US, even if it would be an interesting discussion.
My assumption ist this: In germany we read the instructions of the game, there we read, that the goal is, to fullfill your tickets and get as many points with them and your routes as you can. No word of "hinder your opponent from fullfilling his tickets so that he cant take as much points as you!". That was my point of view, months ago. I didnt thought, blocking is unfair or something like that, i just saw the goal of the game from another perspective. Thats it.
The reason why some germans reacts so emotional, i cant see...
Maybe one have to start a social-psychological survey about this topic
Cheers
sebbo
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