Ealing Broadway

Errrmm...You can't just start like that! We need to establish which rules we are playing by first.

Rules of Mornington Crescent

In an bid to keep the game moving can I suggest:

Lord Grosvenor’s Original Metropolitan Rules
This version was devised during his influential period as Minister of Tourism and the emphasis is very much on scenic routes. National monuments score double, and players must keep to zones 1 and 2 only.

In which case my reply to your Ealing Broadway is St Paul's (Central Line, scoring double)

(I believe this puts the next player in spoon under the 1995 Helskini Convention rules)

If we're going to use Lord Grosvenor's rules, may I suggest the Clarence House variant, which makes main line stations wild?

If so, Paddington. If not.....er.....Paddington.

Chesham.

Oh, hang on, if we're sticking just to zones 1 and 2, I can't have Chesham. In which case, Covent Garden.

In which case I'm discarding a green token into the pot to enable me to move to...

Barbican (circle line , not metropolitan though)

That puts you in an offside position, so I can move 4 to Baker's Street.

West Kensington

YAY! I declare 221b rules! (all other rules now void)

and move swiftly to Bond St avoiding the diagonal

Angel

Ah, but that's your second parallel move in a row so moreton's second parallel comes into play. This reinstates rule 7 blocking the direct approach, so I'll retreat to Enbankment.

Ah shucks...which leaves me with just one possible move

Mill Hill East to avoid a retrograde Inversion

And leaving the way clear for me:

Mornington Crescent

Canny...very canny. I think I'll go to Kings Cross to avoid your pincer movement.


Damn. Didn't spot that one. Very clever. So that's 1 round to you. Is Samantha keeping score?

Of course.

Another game???

Let's stick with the 221B rules we had earlier and go

Baker St even though it puts me in Nid for a round

Tottenham Court Road to keep my options open

Phew!!! Thank goodness I'm in Nid!

Chalfont and Latimer (keeping it local).

Hot the heck do you play this game?

Elephant and Castle - doing it in style!

Ermmmm .....The Nid Rule

"A player is in Nid if they make a move that puts them in Nid, in which case they miss their next turn unless the previous player is in Nid then they become un-Nidded by default so making a play to avoid a follow on Nid.
Should three players be in Nid then the remaining player must carry on play until all players are out of Nid, if all players are in Nid, then play should continue for a full round until the first available player is out of Nid.
A get out of Nid Free Card can only be played once during a game.
If the 221b rule is invoked during a Nid game then all players must use Reverse Loop moves to avoid a DoubleNid (this is a simplified version of the rules)

In which case I claim I am now out of Nid and play...

Camden Town (Mill Hill platform)

???

Marble Arch

Cannon Street

OK, then using a parallel transitionary stance move, I'm opting for Stockwell. (Or Saint Ockwell as some people would say).

Ooh, get Amber and her fancy parallel transitionary stance moves!

Cockfosters.

Ermm, pot calling kettle black methinks Deborah!

I'm surprised Cockfosters didnt get censored out...

However it's a bit of a dodgy move, but I think that we should allow it. I'm going to have to go to St. James Park in attempt to make a Reverse Ottoman to Blackfriars. Simple, but useful at this point in the game.

*exchanges 3 red counters for a mauve one*

Ok, time to get radical.

Bank

Ouch! I wasn't expecting that. Think, think, come on brain...

AHA!!! Green Park!

<looks smug>

Thank you janexxx - Mornington Crescent!

Oh, well done Deborah!

I should learn how to play this game some time.

Oh no....... I'd got it all planned out. Just not quick enough. KJ your move to Bank was inspired, if you don't mind my saying so.

I'll give you a few starter lessons tomorrow.


Amber, thanks

D'oh!!! I should've seen that one, but I was a bit boxed so I think Green Park was the only move (sorry katyjay, I just let her in there)

Thanks..... going to be a busy day....

It requires a blend of right and left brain functioning. Would others agree?

We had a training game for Nicki a while back, but since the boards went funny I can't seem to find it. Might be useful for you to have a look at that if it's still around

Absolutely. Or any brain functioning really.



Here it is.

That's the problem with Board Games!
OK, groan, I know.

I'll get me coat......!

Useful resources

Here

I think the Paynes edition of the map is clearer though Janexxx, particularly when it comes to playing at intermediate level and beyond.

I have my own map, covered with little notes to remind me of moves which might be could in each circumstance.

As do all of us regular players I bet. I update mine after each game if I've learnt some more good moves. I actually keep quite a few in a fat folder marked up for different variants, saves you getting caught out and (for example) getting boxed when you thought you were going for a triangulation, which can happen if you get confused which variation you are playing.

Also of course you need to be aware of the day of the week etc

Well duh. I once got beaten in 3 moves, when someone went straight down the metropolitan, so I tend to play a bit cautiously now.

How about an original Harry Beck 1933 version one day??

1933 map

Old skool

Oh no, not the infamous "fools hooper's manouevre" from the hooper’s mainline variation.

"A rather spiteful version with a passing resemblance to Association Croquet. Should one player manage an identical call to that of the previous player, he or she becomes entitled to an extra move. The better the extra move, the further they can force (or Welly) their unfortunate opponent outside the Central Metropolitan Area."

Remind me - which set of rules prohibits backward shunting on a Tuesday?



Amongst the piles of stuff around Monsalvat is a 1920s map of the Metropolitan Railway (note, not line), whose stations include "Wembley Central (alight here for the British Empire Exhibition)". There are a few other period gems on there as well, but unfortunately I can't find the map at present to share them with you.