MARTIN

“It was a nice treat having Australia off the draw, but it was no easy treat pulling off this win. I hate to say it, but pink was really earning the 'W' for the bulk of the game, but its collapse after my concession from the Iceland battle was certainly a pivotal moment in the game. Yellow and myself (grey), put up a hell of a defensive showing in that round and then everything started turning up Milhous - er, Marty. It feels good, this result, so I will savour the moment as long as it lasts.”

“Out of Africa. At the beginning of this three-player affair, all I really wanted was to not be in the middle of the board. The cards had other plans. I almost had Africa off the draw, so what could I do? I worked very hard to secure it with both Marty and Ron policing me. Of course, Marty was not policed in Australia but I was blamed for that, even though my energy had to be constantly expended retaking North Africa or Egypt or East Africa. Once I finally had it, though, I had established myself in the Americas as well. After repelling Marty in Iceland, things went downhill. I reminded Ron to take his three armies after it was clear he was going to take a page out of Marty's playbook and not fight anyone and take a card. However, I still had plenty of men to take out Ron, get his cards and dig that foul grey mass out of Australia. Alas, the dice deserted me, as they seem to do from time to time. It would have been a very satisfying and well-deserved win, but once again, the three-person game goes to the guy who wasn't attacked, albeit in different circumstances. To get the full sense of my despair, you must know that I got Ron down to one army and my one-on-one failed. So if I hadn't reminded him about the extra three guys...or if he had attacked someone on that turn to take either himself of Marty down...but really, I should have rolled something other than ones, twos and threes against fives and sixes. My time is coming. On a positive note, I watched 'Nothin' But Eggs', 'The Irritant' and half of 'Habegar & Vansinne: Swedish for Greed and Insanity'. If only I had seen 'In the Absence of a Salt Lick', I think I would have rolled better and been able to prevail. Note to self: facilitate digitizing as soon as possible.”

“The board was against me from the get go.... Both my adversaries were dealt continents.... Marty secured himself in Australia, while Devin used his first turn to take a second continent! What the fuck is this bullshit? I tried some policing...but forgot to count my territories every turn, so missed out on probably 15 armies.... Oh well, I've never been able to win at home. I expected different tonight...BAH!!!”