Losing a Card with Prior Knowledge

Russ Wilhelm | August 10, 2007
So...
The subject came up in a concert I played, where a card was at stake, as to why I would play four R1's and one R3 on a level 14 challange. Why not decline the challange and start a new challenge without the trade rule? My explanation edited slightly.

If you've kept up on TC, you'll know that I don't belieive it's worth it if you never put a risk into the fray. With the cards I currently have, I would have to only and always play the "None" play rule to stay afloat. I don't plan on playing that way. I've played against this label before, so I've seen their cards. I knew I couldn't beat them, so the idea is to tie, even though the odds are slim. There are times that I will decline a challenge, but I will also accept those types of challenges every so often.

Had I put my higher level cards into the fray, I believe the outcome would have been the same, and therefore, I would have lost a higher level card. My cards are predominately weak in two critical areas, which means, at present, that all odds are against me. That may change over time, but I'm not going to wait for it. I can always buy more cards, R$ dependent, of course. Or I could go out of business with my strategy.

The idea isn't to lose, really. But to tie would have been a victory in itself.

Any thoughts?

[Edit] So the inquirer asked why not decline and ask for a lower level competition to prevent my opponent from brining his power cards to the table? Honestly I didn't think about that, but it's a very good idea, and falls in line with my philosophy. I'll keep that in mind for future concerts.

Aaron Shurtleff | August 10, 2007
I think, if you have the weakness you speak of (I don't know the label), your best option would be to play the None games, build up your money, and buy the heck out of cards that plug the weakness you have, then move on to the full-on trading games. Of course, if that's not what you're comfortable with, that's up to you. With the higher cards, there is a higher payback for you.

Also, I didn't know you could bring underpowered cards into a concert. I knew you couldn't go over, so I assumed you couldn't go under, either. Interesting...

Scott Hardie | August 10, 2007
Low-level concerts are a great way to play for trade because you don't mind losing so much.

Russ, I commend your belief in the value of risk. I think more players will gradually get comfortable with risking their cards in concert, especially once they have more in their collections.

Russ Wilhelm | August 13, 2007
Sorry, been out of town...

I have to wonder if I'd ever really get comfortable risking cards if I get into the habit of only playing for monetary value. On the other hand how do I judge when to risk cards. My current solution is a dice roll. Somewhere between two and twelve concerts, I will take a risk challenge, or make one. But I'll have to do it on terms I find acceptable. At some point I may switch to a single die, but I may find my comfort level before then, and be able to make that decision myself. We'll see, but right now I think I have to play it safe more often than not.

Suggestion time? (I know, give it a rest Russ):

Now wait a minute! This one is meant to enhance the player experience. The ability to comment in the concerts is the issue. Currently, you have to go into the concert to see if any comments have been made. On my last concert the comments went on after the concert was over. Normally, I wouldn't have gone back except I knew we weren't done talking. Anyway, back to the point............Is there any way to notify players who have commented on a partiular concert that a new comment has been made. Sort of like you do with "Freind Activity" only for concerts you have actually commented on.

The other is more of a future capability request, from my original post above. "Negotiation." When you set up the terms of the challange, give a choice of negotiable or non-negotiable. Then if the challenged player wants different terms, he can type in the comments his request, hit a negotiate button, which shows in the "current status" of the concert challenge. The challenger can accept the request and modify the terms, deny and end the challenge, or keep negotiating.

Amy Austin | August 13, 2007
...Is there any way to notify players who have commented on a partiular concert that a new comment has been made. Sort of like you do with "Freind Activity" only for concerts you have actually commented on.

I made a similar suggestion way back in the opening days of the site reformat -- about comments on individual blogs -- with no response. (Not that I took offense, just figured it wasn't that important -- and actually, it may not even have been seen... since it was made in a blog comment!!! ;-D) An example of this is Lori's recent revisit to her old post on Sailor Moon personality quizzes... all these months later, and she had never read my late remarks. I would like to see this implemented in both of those places, if it isn't too complicated...

The other is more of a future capability request, from my original post above. "Negotiation." When you set up the terms of the challange, give a choice of negotiable or non-negotiable.

I like this idea, too. Now... give it a rest, Russ! (JK!!! ;-[))

Russ Wilhelm | August 13, 2007
I can't help it. I have free time up in the old noggin'. I've already planned my next two record labels...
You know, in case this one goes defunct.

Amy Austin | August 13, 2007
LOL!