By Miguel “ Balbo” Ferres

There will come a time in every gamer’s life when you will encounter defeat. How one deals with such outragious fortune can reflect on you badly or mark you out as someone who people gravitate towards. We discuss your options using last night’s Dice Studz boardgame meet….

😌 1. The Graceful Sport

Smiles and says, “Good game!” Compliments the winner’s strategy asks for a rematch

Typical line: “Wow, that was a smart move. I didn’t see that coming!”

Rarity: very rare in Cardiff. More usual is “ it was a bad match up” or “ well those rules are broken!”

Game onewas Castellnuovo that places you as the massively outnumbered Spanish defender. Think the Flashing Blade’s Larochelle- all tumbling walls and crashing masonry. you are expected to lose!

🤔 2. The Analyst

Replays the entire game move by move identifies “the turning point” Starts planning a better strategy for next time

Typical line: “If I had played that card two turns earlier…”

Rarity: oh Lord, not the post match analysis!

😂 3. The Laugh-It-Off Player

Laughs at their own mistakes Makes jokes about their bad luck Blames imaginary curses

Typical line: “Clearly the dice hate me.”

Rarity: to be fair most Dice Studz can take a loss although, it must be said that threats to post dried dogmess through letterboxes are also an unpleasant addition to concession!

😤 4. The Competitive Reactor

Gets visibly frustrated, blames luck, dice, or randomness Needs a short cool-down moment

Typical line: “This game is all luck anyway!”

Rarity- banned in Cardiff! Both players roll dice, all players suffer from “ bad” dice! Give your opponent some credit!

😈 5. The Revenge Planner

Calm… maybe too calm? Immediately demands a rematch Becomes laser-focused next round

Typical line: “Run it back

Rarity: guilty! I immediately demanded a game of Pandemic: Fall of Rome! Friendly cooperation with a slight aftertaste!

 6. The Excuse Maker

Blames hunger, distractions, or “not knowing the rules” Claims they “weren’t really trying”

Typical line: “I wasn’t even paying attention.”

Rarity: frequent. All clubs have someone who has a ptsd stare that comes over them after losing. Our player is called John. Often made worse by walking away from table of defeat and refusing to help tidy up!

7. The Dramatic Performer

Fake gasps Over-the-top despair Collapses onto the table theatrically

Typical line: “I have been betrayed!”

Rarity: guilty as charged. The walls collapsed, my army was shattered and Mike “ el kebabi” Lane’s victory celebration was just too much!

So there you have, a great night’s gaming,as always, but I’m not sure Castelnuevo one sided play is for everyone. I know comparison is made with the Alamo and “ victory in defeat” but my defense was pretty poor I must admit! Both board games were so brilliantly designed though and testament to the modern game makers craft.

Friday 27th we return to the green tabletop with SAGA Freya’s Day. See you there?