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Wildfire2099
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Senior Member
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Posts: 654
Registered:
June 2005
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Blocking Poll Results
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Wed, 31 August 2005 04:02
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And now, the results....
First off, some demographics...
61% of respondents were German, 21% American, and the rest were various other countries
the Average Rating of respondents was 1511.25, while the median was 1542. 27% of respondents were rated 1400 or less..33% were over 1600.. This suggests a very top heavy response (which is not that suprising)
Now, the answers...
1. Do you think Blocking is unfair?
Yes: 18% No: 82%
Every respondent that said yes was German... and half were rated less than 1300
2. Do you actively attempt to avoid playing with "blockers"?
Yes: 15% No: 85%
not suprisingly, every person how said yes to #2, also said yes to #1
3. Have you ever left an unfinished game because you were upset about Blocking?
Yes: 15% No: 85%
There was 1 outlier here (that is a respondent that answered yes here, but no to the 1st two), but the others were the same as from 1 and 2.
I wrote these three questions basically as a way to gauge the degree to which people dislike blocking... I was suprised to see that the answers were basically the same. I expected alot higher amount saying yes to #1. I was not suprised that the average rating of those who thought Blocking was unfair was lower than those who accept it as a strategy.
4. Is Blocking part of your Ticket to Ride playing strategy?
Yes: 64% No: 36%
Only 10% of those who said no here are rated over 1500, and of those, I know at least one of them has blocked me personally before, so I wonder about their answer. Interestingly, 81% of those saying No (all buy 1 one which was rated under 1500) felt blocking was not necessary to do well.
Similarly to the 1st questions, all but 1 of those stating they do not block were German.
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)
Yes: 30% No: 70%
I found it interesting that the majority don't consider this blocking, since the aim (attempting to cause harm to your opponent instead of helping yourself) is the same.. I guess since its not so tangible, many don't think about it. I found the responses on the whole less positive than even 30% sounds, since several of the yes respondents did so conditionally.
6. Do you think Blocking is necessary to be an effective player?
Yes: 73% No: 27%
The answers here did not overlap those that said blocking was unfair much, which was suprising... in fact, 70% of those answering no didn't thing blocking was unfair (apparently just ineffective).. Also, only two thirds of the respondents were rated under 1500, so the nos are not just sour grapes.
NOTE: I Did not include my personal answers in the poll, but they are no,no,no,yes,yes,yes
Overall, I was suprised there were not more anti-blocking responses.. I suspect that is due to the fact the many who read the forum are top players, who since they're top players, block. I also would have liked more responses, but I think the patterned were pretty clear considering the pool of respondents.
Thanks for all that responded 
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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:Blocking Poll Results
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Wed, 31 August 2005 20:29
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Wildfire - thanks for conducting the poll. One important fact that you should add though in your post is the # of respondents.
Thanks!
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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:Blocking Poll Results
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Thu, 01 September 2005 04:48
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Ask and you shall receive....
There were 34 respondents
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