Search found 121 matches

by Matt Rutherford
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:25 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co:Brum 2024
Replies: 2
Views: 178

Re: Goat/Co:Brum 2024

Yup, what I definitely didn't do here was copy-paste timings from the Rugby page. I didn't do that at all in any way shape or form

(Amendments incoming!)
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 147
Views: 13364

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

Draws worth a try at Brum if people are conducive to it. I know Scrabble registers them at 0.5 a win. On a separate note about smaller events. They should count, in full. It's still a CoEvent. I'm going to relay an exchange I overheard in the chess club at work... CHILD A-'I got a draw against *Defe...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co:Brum 2024
Replies: 2
Views: 178

Goat/Co:Brum 2024

Sod the South Coast, and there's no need to jet off to the Azores-it's time for FOCAL's summer holiday jaunt to the Midlands. Goat/Co Brum back for a double-header. 'Tis I, MSR (the not-yet-ordained Vicar of Dudley), and others will be bringing the fun for you-this time out in Birmingham's Eastern F...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

Have amended-cheers for pointing it out :D
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

CO RUGBY Finals Played Wins Points 1 Jack Hurst W 8 8 575 2 Tom Stevenson L 8 6 518 3 Dylan Taylor 8 6 490 4 Eeshan Malhotra 8 6 428 5 Zohaib Rehan 6 6 422 6 Jonathan Wynn 8 5 487 7 Tom Cappleman 8 5 477 8 Matt O'Connor 8 5 470 9 George Armstrong 8 5 466 10 Dan Byrom 8 5 458 11 Thomas Carey 8 5 457 ...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

GOAT RUGBY 1 Zohaib Rehan W 4 4 291 2 Jack Hurst L 4 4 252 3 George Armstrong 4 3 260 4 Adam Latchford 4 3 256 5 Adam Dexter 4 3 233 6 Dan Byrom 4 3 222 7 Eeshan Malhotra 4 3 207 8 Stephen Read 4 2 265 9 Tim Hebbes 4 2 248 10 Dylan Taylor 4 2 246 11 Thomas Carey 4 2 244 12 Eddy Byrne 4 2 225 13 Dave...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

So thank you all for coming for what was a very enjoyable two days. You are all lovely, and it was sublime to see you all. Thanks must go to Beachy and Rach, without whom this would have been a ballache of cosmic proportions. Congrats to Zohaib and Jack for their respective victories-watch this spac...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:45 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

Not quite :D (Ta for pointing out tho!)

I'd bunged George money for a hotel room-he appeared in the list, and you can tell I virtually copy-pasted
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

How's it going with setting the Goatnundrums? If it helps, I could provide a script that runs locally on your machine to batch check a set of potential goatnundrums and highlight invalid ones. I need to check this more often! Have got Goatundrums, that have been checked, written (any errors that sl...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:47 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: FOCAL Belts
Replies: 18
Views: 588

Re: FOCAL Belts

Bald/Balding would provide some stiff competition
by Matt Rutherford
Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

If you are with kids at a football match (be it your own or others) and you drink alcohol in any quantity, that is irresponsible and shitty. In addition, pubs should not serve booze to any group of people with kids regardless of how much. Be a proper parent and leave the booze for fucks sake (Posted...
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:59 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: What’s the best three-word phrase formed from the conundrum answers on consecutive days?
Replies: 13
Views: 1412

Re: What’s the best three-word phrase formed from the conundrum answers on consecutive days?

Andy McGurn wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:18 pm My run included PETROLEUM ABANDONED BLOODBATH which sounds like some kind of disaster
Was that the week sponsored by BP's PR team?
by Matt Rutherford
Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:54 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 147
Views: 13364

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

Always use the letters packs that Callum made. The ones taken from various copies of the board game all have very bad (and inconsistent) distributions, which make it less fun for most. They used to. Adam 'awesome' Beach has gone through the packs and standardised them all, so everyone from COLIN on...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:27 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 147
Views: 13364

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

Is you had 4 players on 4 wins after 2 rounds of games how would you want the tables to be for rd3? Zurich pots -Separate them out depending on who won 2, who won 1, who won none in Rd 2. Draw from the pots. Geneva wins -Three of the four on 4 wins play each other. The other 4 winner plays two who ...
by Matt Rutherford
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:35 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 147
Views: 13364

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

Different event formats probably fall short on different combinations of those principles. We're talking about the Colin format here then I think variety of opponent is the main drawback for me. I can't speak for everybody, but my own experience over the past couple of seasons has been very repetit...
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:41 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The most boring OFF-topic poll
Replies: 12
Views: 2283

Re: The most boring OFF-topic poll

Twiglets are glorious, equally so for Marmite. I can eat that shit neat from the jar. Marmite is nice in a sandwich with jam (Maus has eaten worse), and also goes very well on Digestive biscuits with cheese. The pasta thing is going on the list to try. It doesn't make peanut butter any less vile, ho...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Jan 07, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 147
Views: 13364

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

The Pot Draw Method This has come from running a chess club in a school, but how it runs at a Co-event would be interesting. Not saying it's perfect, but would be interested to see people's ideas on it. It's similar(ish) to some of what has been mentioned before. For context, there are three games ...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Dec 26, 2023 12:59 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Could a Countdown World Championships be a feasible event
Replies: 6
Views: 1909

Re: Could a Countdown World Championships be a feasible event

Uhhh, no.

If former countdown champions wanted to go to an event, there is a plethora of options.

Think this has been said before (forgive me if not), but if you are thinking of running a CoEvent, go to a few first to get a taste for what is like
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:11 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-event lunch arrangements
Replies: 20
Views: 3225

Re: Co-event lunch arrangements

Do you think if there were prize pots it would be more popular? Absolutely not. No, no, no, no Cash prizes mean that Scrabble events cost way more than FOCAL events to enter, and aren't as much fun in comparison. Cash prizes for FOCAL would make things worse, near infinitely. Reducing cash prizes (...
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

I would suspect the Tories of the last few years being so massively incompetent contributes heavily towards this! OT, but it would just be nice to have (at least) two decent options when it comes to elections, as bad option versus bad option inevitably leads to bad outcome (see Trump vs Clinton and...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Dec 06, 2023 10:39 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

- Tax here is too high, and actually given that high earners have already paid a lot of tax the marginal rates should be inverted: earnings over 125k should be taxed at 20%, whereas up to 50k should be more like 40% You've changed Not directed specifically at CT, but across the population the older...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Dec 05, 2023 6:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Sod the hand sanitizer, can I please have some mind Harpic pronto-much appreciated.

(Just wash your sodding hands people xD)
by Matt Rutherford
Fri Dec 01, 2023 7:13 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Whilst I'm here, some more I dreamt up -Love Island is dangerous and encourages deeply unhealthy relationships. -TikTok is also dangerous-the further reduction of attention spans combined with an addictive algorithm is not a good mix. -Despite the massive upheaval it is currently causing, and the fa...
by Matt Rutherford
Fri Dec 01, 2023 7:02 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

It seems impossible to enforce any limit that controls or restricts people's reproductive capacities wiothout being actively murderous. So any opinion along those lines isn't going to find any popularity with me. Education of responsibilities and ethics is all good though. Largely agree with all th...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:40 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 248
Views: 30644

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

OK, time to join the fun... -It would be better for people to save having sex until after marriage (not that I will judge anyone who does not) -Cursive handwriting should not be taught in schools. Once kids have got writing, they should focus on typing skills. In addition, much more of education sho...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:21 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 147
Views: 13364

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

Maybe a weekend tournament with a variety of different ganes like 9 rounders 15 rounders Numbers only Letters only Scrabble /Countdown crossovers Scrabble with vowel and consonant bags to pick frim but OED dictionary Or even a two day event with say saturday Countdown and Sunday Scrabble or vice ve...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 22, 2023 3:12 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140916

Re: Religion

As you well know, I have a lot of respect for you as an individual and anything said here is purely for debate purposes as opposed to me trying to disrespect you in any way :) Likewise, you hexagonal heathen :P In terms of ‘meaningfulness of life’, people do find meaning in many things. I can see w...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 22, 2023 1:04 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140916

Re: Religion

So there is a lot I’ll try to address from a Christian perspective. I’m not an expert, nor do I suspect my answers will convince or entirely satisfy-but I hope it adds some clarity/context to thinking. I’m happy to take questions on it-and my thanks to you for giving me some theological practice-it’...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Can you be pro-Palestinian without being anti-semetic?
Replies: 14
Views: 1990

Re: Can you be pro-Palestinian without being anti-semetic?

Adam, those insights are valuable. Thank you for sharing-has helped my understanding on the matter a lot!
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:06 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Re: Goat/Co Rugby 2024

Was informed PayPal link was broken. Have edited it accordingly-if there are still any issues, let me know!
by Matt Rutherford
Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:33 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co:Rugby logo thing
Replies: 2
Views: 2270

Re: Co:Rugby logo thing

Ooooooh

Looking swish. Will consult with Mr Mayhem when he's back from making Tokyo cry. But that's excellent-many thanks!
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Oct 11, 2023 10:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Absolutely terrible claims to fame/celebrity spots
Replies: 74
Views: 28045

Re: Absolutely terrible claims to fame/celebrity spots

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Rawson That man is my grandfather. This being 'absolutely terrible' because that's the kind of person he was (he did at least have the courtesy to die before I was born) If I ever come into possession of the medals, and you want 'em cheap, let me know before I ha...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 01, 2023 4:57 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co Rugby 2024
Replies: 16
Views: 4834

Goat/Co Rugby 2024

And it's back to Rugby we go! MSR (and others) bring FOCAL to the Midlands-and the first location of 2024 that doesn't start with 'L'. For this, there is a double-header of Goat and Co. Format -Lincoln style/at tables for both (further details below) When -Friday 22nd-23rd March 2024. On the Friday,...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 01, 2023 4:12 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Setting Conundrums at Co Events
Replies: 15
Views: 2961

Re: Setting Conundrums at Co Events

Further to that... Initial Writing -Make them like the show (i.e, some semblance of words in the scramble rather than just random). Makes things better. -When looking for words, I check with Lexplorer that they are good. Some escape, but do check all as much as possible. Often go through conundrum a...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Oct 01, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Setting Conundrums at Co Events
Replies: 15
Views: 2961

Re: Setting Conundrums at Co Events

I'll add my own thoughts below, but I'm going to bung this post from Graeme in the 'How To Host An Event For Dummies' thread. It is utterly brilliant and where I started when writing cons for Brum 2022 My thoughts on conundrums, and setting them. Some of you may have heard these from me in person, p...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:01 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CoRugby 2023
Replies: 31
Views: 13775

Re: CoRugby 2023

They're on an old laptop of mine that has a currently flat battery and no charger. I will send them across once I've got it working again
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:53 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 630
Views: 275485

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

Mark James wrote: Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:19 pm 90% of gambling addicts stop just before they're about to win big.
How much more effective gambling helplines would be if every fifth caller was a winner
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Jun 08, 2023 7:14 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co:Brum 2023
Replies: 15
Views: 9403

Re: Goat/Co:Brum 2023

News! Mr Adam Beach is still coming, don't worry, but he's going to be pulling host duty (draw generation, results input, murdering my enemies, etc) and I'll be leaping into play. All cash still comes to me, but it does mean the added risk of having to put up with my shit puns should I end up on you...
by Matt Rutherford
Mon May 08, 2023 7:44 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?
Replies: 66
Views: 4294

Re: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?

Having had time to digest being triggered by the 'Not my King' brigade I think it's because Charles has always been an environmentalist, promotes healthy eating and my daughter benefitted from The Princes Trust and his declaration to serve and not be served is a nice touch. The late Queen didn't ge...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun May 07, 2023 10:48 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?
Replies: 66
Views: 4294

Re: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?

Is the UK really majority atheist? I'm not sure it is. Less than half said they were Christian in the census , but no religion was only 37.2%. It can depend on how the question is asked though. Some people identify as the religion of their parents without necessarily actually believing the actual t...
by Matt Rutherford
Fri Apr 14, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 683708

Re: Ask Graeme?

What are the chances of a 'Golden Game', on Apto or elsewhere? Standard 15-player finds a nine in each round, along with all numbers, and the con. This hypothetical game would have a score of 230. Statisically, what are the chances? I imagine there's not a lot, but is there anything the player could...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Apr 04, 2023 2:58 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Finals Brackets
Replies: 2
Views: 533

Finals Brackets

This is more one for curiosity. It's a decision I've had to mull over for other, non-CD tournaments I run. But which kind of finals brackets would work best, in general, in your view? Does it vary from game to game? Would CD be better with random? From my view, seeded allows people to plot permutati...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Apr 04, 2023 10:35 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1604
Views: 1652003

Re: Politics in General

She’d always been a floating voter but it’s disappointing to see Carol Vorderman lurch to far-left conspiracies on her Twitter feed. I can recommend a look at that Twitter feed, actually. Pointing out a conspicuous lack of party promotion in Twitter bios by Conservative MPs. In addition, it points ...
by Matt Rutherford
Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:23 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Goat/Co:Brum 2023
Replies: 15
Views: 9403

Goat/Co:Brum 2023

Brum is back, baby! Bigger than before. Some slightly miffed train drivers may have dented the numbers for Birmingham’s 2022 return to the FOCAL calendar, but it didn’t stop us having a rather spiffing time. ‘Tis I, MSR (the one who looks like a Victorian preacher was dragged through a hedge backwar...
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Jan 26, 2023 11:35 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Event Safeguarding (DBS and others)
Replies: 1
Views: 1021

Event Safeguarding (DBS and others)

Following from some discussions here (http://www.c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=204444#p204444) DISCLAIMER-I have seen that discussions on this topic can get fervent and I know there are divergent views within the community. It needs discussing-whatever your view, a calm and measured approach is ...
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Jan 26, 2023 10:22 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Safeguarding at and around co-events
Replies: 68
Views: 7871

Re: Countdowners in the news

A while ago, one suggestion that got floated around was to require a Basic DBS check for all FOCAL event organisers. Then, it seemed like unnecessary extra costs and paperwork. Now it's looking more like a sensible precaution to protect FOCAL and to reassure eventgoers, especially newbies who hardl...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Jan 25, 2023 6:13 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CoRugby 2023
Replies: 31
Views: 13775

Re: CoRugby 2023

For anyone en route to Lincoln who fancies joining us in Rugby, both Latchford and I are happy to take cash there if you'd prefer :)
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Jan 24, 2023 9:18 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Broadstairs for a Co event?
Replies: 6
Views: 1581

Re: Broadstairs for a Co event?

Aside from plunging hands into bowels, there could be potential...However, some caution! -Having been to both, there is a notably different atmosphere-I enjoy both, but I don't know how that would apply elsewhere. It's jokey and cordial at CoEvents, whereas Scrabble is notably more serious. At one S...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Dec 25, 2022 8:34 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Merry Xmas C4C! 2022
Replies: 15
Views: 2493

Re: Merry Xmas C4C! 2022

'God rest ye merry Aptofolk, let nothing you dismay, for Jesus Christ our saviour was born on Christmas day! To help us all to spot our 9s when we were gone astray' (My skills of re-writing Christmas carols leave much to be desired, I know. Edit as approriate to your preferred Christmas tune :P ) He...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Why don't you like Tournament Scrabble
Replies: 12
Views: 5811

Re: Why don't you like Tournament Scrabble

Bumping this as I spent Sunday at the Ilford Scrabble tournament and have got myself signed up for a two-day affair in Hinckley at the end of December. I'd recommend Aptofolk to give at least one Scrabble jaunt a go. YAY-This one was run by our own James Burley, run very well. People were very frien...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Do you keep a personal diary?
Replies: 16
Views: 1215

Re: Do you keep a personal diary?

Use Microsoft Word as a ranting chamber about the day's events-have done since June 2019. It helps to be reflective, see what things have been like-would be boring to the average soul, but it's handy for me. The most entertaining thing is that Microsoft words tells me I've used the word 'fuck' in th...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Do you keep a personal diary?
Replies: 16
Views: 1215

Re: Do you keep a personal diary?

Use Microsoft Word as a ranting chamber about the day's events-have done since June 2019. It helps to be reflective, see what things have been like-would be boring to the average soul, but it's handy for me. The most entertaining thing is that Microsoft words tells me I've used the word 'fuck' in th...
by Matt Rutherford
Fri Nov 04, 2022 7:42 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CoRugby 2023
Replies: 31
Views: 13775

CoRugby 2023

FOCAL’s jovialities comes to back to the Midlands as we take a jaunt to Rugby. Hosted by Adam Latchford (S83 victor) and MSR (the one with the shit beard). DATE-Saturday 18th March 2023, 10:30 am start ADDRESS-Rugby West Indian Association, 102 Railway Terrace, Rugby, CV21 3HE. It’s a short walk fro...
by Matt Rutherford
Thu Oct 06, 2022 9:41 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Lost letters packs
Replies: 10
Views: 2309

Re: Lost letters packs

If I didn't laugh, I'd cry Robbo has messaged me informing me that Parcel Force has sent him a letter saying a parcel is waiting for him at the local depot, and he's not expecting anything else...After we'd got eight loads made and ready to send off. So hopefully they've been found. So the phrase 'g...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Oct 04, 2022 1:45 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: How autistic are you?
Replies: 125
Views: 18606

Re: How autistic are you?

I have never considered being autistic as a challenge. And that's my point - many autistic people face real challenges every single day; some or all of living independently, difficulty communicating, organising daily life, tolerating sound and light, movement and balance etc etc... So if you're not...
by Matt Rutherford
Tue Oct 04, 2022 10:15 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Lost letters packs
Replies: 10
Views: 2309

Lost letters packs

Hello all I need to inform you of a situation that has developed over the past week. I sent letters packs that were used for CoBrum to James for CoEdi on Friday 02nd September. I received a message from him on Wednesday 28th September stating that they had not arrived. Having made phone calls and qu...
by Matt Rutherford
Sun Sep 18, 2022 3:15 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Republican Atheists
Replies: 10
Views: 893

Re: Republican Atheists

More generally, there are lots of seemingly unconnected things that have a "left" and a "right" position - high/low taxes, nationalisation/privatisation, abortion, capital punishment, social justice things etc. Atheism and republicanism would both be "left" broadly spe...
by Matt Rutherford
Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Settlers of Catan
Replies: 17
Views: 1353

Re: Settlers of Catan

Separately, if you want a two player version, I've played with the following rules numerous times, and it's worked well... -Both players roll twice per turn (if Dave/robber is activated, then that is sorted out before second roll) -12 VPs to win rather than 10 -Each player starts with three settleme...
by Matt Rutherford
Mon Aug 29, 2022 6:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Settlers of Catan
Replies: 17
Views: 1353

Re: Settlers of Catan

Firstly, the robber is called Dave. You swiftly learn to hate him. Secondly, the various resources have different values. It goes (from most to least valuable) brick, iron/ore, wheat, wood, and sheep. Explained in far more detail here (https://www.alexcates.com/post/board-game-breakdown-catan-resour...