Session Report - A night with the Portland Gamers

Ken Rude and I traveled to Kevin's house for our first gaming session with the Portland Gamers. Kevin is the gracious host for this group, and Jeff had gamed a few times before with Kevin.  Doug, Mimi, Ken, and I were all newcomers to the group.  Thanks to Kevin for hosting - I think everyone had a great time.

Attendees: Chris Brooks, Ken Rude, Jeff Fisher, Doug Walker, Mimi Walker, Kevin Graham

Games Played: Zendo, Dragon Delta, Fist of Dragonstones, Condottiere, Bohnanza

Zendo

Played By: Chris B. Ken R. Jeff F. Doug W. Mimi W. Kevin G.

Game Length: 45 min.

We played Zendo as an opener while we awaited possible late arrivals. Nobody turned up, but we had fun teaching Doug, Mimi, and Ken this Zen game with Icehouse pieces.

Winner(s):

Finish: Chris B. Ken R. Jeff F. Doug W. Mimi W. Kevin G.

Dragon Delta

Played By: Chris B. Ken R. Jeff F. Doug W. Mimi W. Kevin G.

Game Length: 60 min.

Chris brought this game of Chinese youths competing to lay planks to cross the delta. Everyone enjoyed this game, though we realized part way that I've been playing wrong: all players turn over their cards for the current round before the first player takes their action. This could certainly affect choices made when placing planks, removing planks, etc.

Winner(s): Chris B.

Fist of Dragonstones

Played By: Chris B. Ken R. Jeff F. Doug W. Mimi W. Kevin G.

Game Length: 60 min.

This is a game worth playing once, but possibly not more frequently. It has a nice theme, and interesting bits, but the blind bidding frustrates people. Poor Doug was frequently just barely on the losing end, which is most annoying. We only played to 2 victory points to cut the game short.

Winner(s): Ken R.

Condottiere

Played By: Chris B. Ken R. Jeff F. Doug W. Mimi W. Kevin G.

Game Length: 60 min.

Kevin introduced this game - Doug and Mimi had played before, but the rest of us haven't. This is a much more pleasant bidding and bluffing game than Fist of Dragonstones, and one I might consider adding to my collection. There does appear to be a strong luck element in the draw.

Winner(s): Ken R.

Bohnanza

Played By: Chris B. Ken R. Jeff F. Doug W. Mimi W. Kevin G.

Game Length: 60 min.

I requested this for a closer since I've heard so much about it but have never played. Definitely a light game, but I think my kids might enjoy it. One thing I like is that there is very little downtime with all of the trading going on.

Winner(s): Mimi W.

Session Report generated by GameTracker (©Goldraven 2002)