Babycon XIV

Photos from Babycon XIV.

Babycon XIII

Photos from Babycon XIII.

Babycon XII

Photos from Babycon XII.

Babycon 12 was held over Memorial Day Weekend, at the Jones’ house in Germantown, Maryland. Attendance was up from Babycon 11 with 23 players. We had several first timers to Babycon, Jason’s friend, Paul Bartholomew, Scott Percival, our good friend from the local GCOM sessions, and Ken Cline’s wife, Vasoula Hatzigeorgalis. With six children running around, we definitely had a full house.

For Friday night’s dinner, nearly everyone went to the local Hard Times Café for an all-you-can-eat chili buffet. This particular Hard Times has two huge recreation rooms with pool tables, darts, miniature golf, a wall of TVs and more. As part of the package, we had three pool tables to ourselves and played many games. There was (typically) some screwup on the restaurant’s part and we didn’t get the choice seating we had reserved, but we worked it out and everyone had a good time.

After dinner, we returned to the house and began our weekend of gaming. As usual, everyone started out with fifteen Babycon bucks. One buck was anted each game and the winner took all.

After last year’s complete domination, Alex Ruvinsky had an average year. High scorers on the Tote Board were Paul Czarnota with 42, Dan Korn with 38, Bill Ruvinsky with 28 and myself with 23. I guess it was the year of the “approaching middle-age” guys.

On Friday night, we committed to playing the new edition of Twilight Imperium. TI is an epic space civilization game where you expand your empire, conduct diplomacy, invest in research and battle it out with other empires. More people wanted to play than the game could support so we drew lots to see who would play. When the game ended on Saturday morning, they had played for about eight hours! The “winners” of the drawing certainly got their money’s worth.

The most played games of the weekend were Spinball, Einfach Genial, Lost Cities, Ticket to Ride: Europe, Octi, and Diamant. All told, 79 games were played.

Thanks to everyone who attended. Special thanks to everyone who brought food, helped cook, and helped to keep things running smoothly. Hope to see you at Babycon 13!

• St. Petersburg John, Joe, Rachel J
• Blokus Marvin, Eric, Bob, Kimberly
• Manitou Joe, Eric, Bob, John
• Twilight Imperium Jason, Paul B, Dave, Eric, Scott, Alex
• Einfach Genial Vasoula, Noreen, Stephanie R, Kimberly
• Santiago Bill, Glenn, Marvin, Bob, John
• Wiz War Carol, Joe, Ken
• Wiz War Ken, Joe, Carol
• Blokus Kimberly, Noreen, Vasoula, Stephanie R
• Munchkin Glenn, Marvin, Kimberly
• Munchkin Paul C, Glenn, Marvin, Kimberly
• Louis XIV Bob, Carol, Rachel J, John
• Medici Bob, Glenn, Paul C, Marvin, Rachel J, Kimberly
• Attika Paul C, Glenn, Bob, Rachel J
• Fibonacci Eric, Marvin
• Diamant Dan K, Dave, Marvin, Eric, Bob
• For Sale Dan K, Dave, Marvin, Eric, Bob
• Boomtown Marvin, Dave, Eric, Rachel J, Dan K
• Einfach Genial Paul C, Noreen, Bob, Kimberly
• Spinball Bob, Rachel J
• Goldland Bob, Ken, Dave, Rachel J
• Spinball Rachel J, Ken
• Spinball Dave, Bob
• Taj Mahal Dan K, Paul C, Marvin, Eric, John
• Ticket to Ride: Europe Carol, Andrew, Noreen, Vasoula, Kimberly
• Metro Bill, Noreen, Eric, Alex, Jason, Stephanie R
• Spinball Jason, Eric
• Octi Jason, Eric
• Einfach Genial Paul C, Alex, Bill, Stephanie R
• Octi Eric, Jason
• Lost Cities Kimberly, Carol
• Das Zepter von Zavandor Dave, Ken, Marvin, Vasoula, Bob, John
• Fibonacci Eric, Jason
• Octi Jason, Stephanie R
• Around the World in 80 Days Alex, Joe, Paul C, Noreen, Eric
• Metro Rachel J, Carol, Bill, Rachel R, Kimberly
• Blokus Jason, Stephanie R
• Around the World in 80 Days Paul C, Joe, Noreen, Carol, Kimberly
• Dragon Delta Marvin, Joe, Ken, Rachel J, Kimberly
• Ticket to Ride: Europe Bill, Eric, Alex, Jason, Stephanie R
• Show Manager Carol, Paul C, Dave, Vasoula, Bob, John
• Octi Eric, Marvin
• Metro Eric, Ken, Marvin
• Bohnanza Paul C, Eric, Bob, Carol, Rachel J, John
• Lost Cities Eric, Paul C
• Lost Cities Paul C, Eric
• Lost Cities Eric, Paul C
• Diamant Bob, Joe, Paul C, Marvin, Eric, Carol, Rachel J, Kimberly
• Royal Turf Dan K, Joe, Carol, Kimberly
• Lost Cities Stephanie R, Dave
• Amun-Re Paul C, Marvin, Eric, Bob, Rachel J
• Manila Bob, Ken, Dave, Vasoula, Rachel J
• Maharaja Dan K, Noreen, Dave, Eric, Bill, Kimberly
• Ticket to Ride: Europe Marvin, Paul C, Carol, Scott, Stephanie R
• Traumfabrik Paul C, Bob, Carol, Rachel J, Stephanie R
• Diamant Jason, Eric, Dan K, Alex, Bill, Kimberly
• Power Grid Marvin, Ken, Dave, Vasoula, Scott
• Spinball Eric, Alex
• Spinball Rachel J, Rachel R
• Lost Cities Alex, Stephanie R
• Spinball Jason, Alex
• Einfach Genial Dan K, Noreen, Eric, Bill
• Quo Vadis? Dan K, Noreen, Eric, Bill
• Lost Cities Alex, Paul C
• Amazonas Dave, Carol, Scott, Kimberly
• Patrons of Venice Ken, Marvin, Vasoula, John
• Niagara Paul C, Bob, Alex, Jason, Stephanie R
• Einfach Genial Rachel J, Ken, Vasoula, Stephanie R
• Traumfabrik John, Paul C, Eric, Jason R, Kimberly
• Einfach Genial Kimberly, Joe, Vasoula, Jason
• El Grande Alex, Dave, Marvin, Bob, Carol
• Ra John, Ken, Eric, Rachel J
• Diamant Eric, Marvin, Bob, Carol, Jason, Kimberly, John
• Hansa Bob, Marvin, Eric, Jason
• Wings of War Eric, Dave, Noreen, Bob
• Tikal Bill, Carol, Rachel J, Stephanie R
• Einfach Genial Bill, Noreen, Carol, Rachel J
• Rheinländer Dave, Paul C, Bob, Stephanie R
• Ticket to Ride: Europe Paul C, Bob, Carol, Rachel J, Jason

Babycon XI

Photos from Babycon XI

For the first time ever, turnout was down from the previous year, but this was expected because of the spectacle that was Babycon X. Still, we had twenty gamers and a bunch of kids attending. First timers to Babycon were Dave, Noreen, Andrew and Corwin Fair.

On Friday night, a large group of us descended on a local Indian restaurant, India Palace, for a very good meal. Okay, so they gave Joe Bloch the wrong dinner, it was still very good. Afterwards, we returned to the house and began gaming in earnest.

As usual, everyone started out with fifteen Babycon bucks. One buck was anted each game and the winner took all.

How to summarize Babycon 11? It was the year of Alex Ruvinsky. After losing his first four games in a row, Alex started winning and kept winning the entire weekend. He won 12 out of 21 games played and finished with 46 Babycon bucks, an unparalleled achievement and a Babycon record that’s unlikely to be broken soon. Well done, Alex. Marvin Gersho also did very well with a score, 29, that most years would be the highest.

Also of note was the mysterious stranger who showed up at our backdoor at around 1AM Sunday. We were playing games (what else?) when a knocking at the back door in the basement startled us. Lo and behold, Paul Czarnota, who wasn’t going to be able to attend, had finished his commitments, hopped in his car and driven 10 hours to join us! It was definitely the coolest Babycon entrance ever.

Thanks to everyone who attended. We hope everyone can make it to Babycon 12.

• Streetcar Carol, Eric, Bob, Royal, Stephanie W
• Union Pacific Marvin, Joe, Dan K, Alex, Jason, Kimberly
• Web of Power Bob, Joe, Marvin, Alex
• Traumfabrik Carol, Eric, Kimberly, Stephanie W
• San Juan Stephanie W, Bob, Alex
• MarraCash Marvin, Eric, Carol, Kimberly
• Medici Eric, Marvin, Bob, Alex, Kimberly, Stephanie W
• Ticket to Ride Alex, Dave, Noreen, Bob, Stephanie W
• Puerto Rico Eric, Joe, Marvin, Carol, Kimberly
• Finstere Flure Alex, Dave, Noreen, Bob, Stephanie R, John, Stephanie W
• Crokinole Eric, Joe
• Crokinole Eric, Alex
• Top Secret Spies Marvin, Joe, Dave, Eric, Kimberly, John, Stephanie W
• Citadels Alex, Noreen, Bob, Carol, Bill, Stephanie R
• Africa Alex, Joe, Andrew, Bill, Rachel R
• Ra Kimberly, Dave, Marvin, Eric, Royal
• Mermaid Rain John, Bob, Rachel J, Stephanie R
• Crokinole Alex, Stephanie R
• LOTR: The Confrontation Rachel J, Alex
• Crokinole Bill, Stephanie R
• Kids of Catan Becca, Royal, Sammy
• Schrille Stille Joe, Marvin, Carol, Kimberly, John
• Mystery Rummy Stephanie R, Bill, Stephanie W
• La Città Dave, Noreen, Eric, Bob, Alex
• Cartagena Joe, Marvin, Rachel J, Bill, Rachel R
• Crokinole Joe, Marvin
• Power Grid John, Jason, Kimberly
• Mystery Rummy Carol, Stephanie W Game not completed.
• Bang! Joe, Carol, Stephanie W, Marvin, Eric, Bob, Rachel J
• Traumfabrik John, Paul, Marvin, Bob, Jason
• Evo Eric, Carol, Rachel J, Kimberly
• Finstere Flure Kimberly, Paul, Eric, Bob, Carol, Rachel J, Jason
• High Society Rachel J, Paul, Eric, Bob, Jason
• Crokinole Royal, Rachel J
• Wiz War Royal, Marvin, Eric, Bob, Rachel J, Stephanie W
• Feudal Paul, Bill, Stephanie R
• Crokinole Royal, Rachel J
• New England Jason, Carol, Kimberly, Stephanie W
• Santiago Marvin, Dave, Noreen, Eric, Bob
• Quinto Paul, Stepanie W
• Clue: The Card Game Rachel J, Paul, Stephanie R
• Cartegena Alex, Paul, Bill, Stephanie R, John
• Yahtzee Paul, Rachel J
• Hansa Bob, Dave, Eric, John
• Settlers of Catan Alex, Paul, Noreen, Bill, Jason
• Crokinole Stephanie R, Rachel J
• Ticket to Ride Marvin, Carol, Kimberly, Royal, Stephanie W
• Lost Cities Stephanie R, John
• Crokinole Eric, Dave
• Guillotine Noreen, Carol, Royal
• Modern Art Bill, Dave, Eric, Rachel J, Jason
• Octi Eric, Dave
• Octi Jason, Eric
• Octi Bill, Jason
• Octi Jason, Bill
• Lost Cities Noreen, Carol
• Attika Marvin, Bob, John
• Ticket to Ride Alex, Paul, Stephanie R, Kimberly, Stephanie W
• Elfenland Bob, Alex, Paul, Rachel J, Kimberly, Stephanie W
• Princes of Florence John, Marvin, Eric, Carol, Jason
• Guillotine Kimberly, Paul, Stephanie W
• Crokinole Alex, Rachel J
• Traumfabrik Paul, Carol, Stephanie W
• Show Manager Jason, Bob, Rachel J, Alex, John
• Medieval Merchant Marvin, Eric, Kimberly
• Lost Cities Alex, Rachel J
• Guillotine Paul, Stephanie W, Carol
• San Juan Carol, Marvin, Eric
• New England Bob, Rachel J, Alex, Stephanie W
• High Society Alex, Eric, Bill, Jason, Stephanie R
• Epic Duels Bob, Rachel J, Kimberly, Stephanie W, Paul, Eric, Carol, Royal
• Elixir Stephanie W, Bob, Carol, Rachel J, Kimberly, Royal

Rank	Name	Bucks won	Games played	Bucks per game	Games won	win ratio
1	Alex	46	21	1.476	12	57%
2	Marvin	29	19	0.737	7	37%
3	John	20	12	0.417	4	33%
4	Joe	19.3	10	0.430	4	40%
5	Royal	15	9	0.000	2	22%
5	Jason	15	15	0.000	5	33%
7	Andrew	14	1	-1.000	0	0%
7	Dan K	14	1	-1.000	0	0%
9	Kimberly	13	19	-0.105	4	21%
10	Noreen	12	8	-0.375	2	25%
10	Bill	12	12	-0.250	2	17%
10	Eric	12	26	-0.115	7	27%
10	Rachel R	12	3	-1.000	0	0%
14	Paul	11.5	15	-0.233	5	33%
15	Carol	10.3	20	-0.235	4	20%
16	Dave	10	10	-0.500	1	10%
16	Bob	10	22	-0.227	5	23%
18	Stephanie R	9	13	-0.462	3	23%
19	Stephanie W	8.8	22	-0.282	5	23%
20	Rachel J	7	20	-0.400	4	20%

Babycon X

Babycon X was held over Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 to May 26, 2003, at the Jones house in Germantown, Maryland. We had a huge turnout, with 25 players and a host of children in attendance. Every year someone comes to Babycon for the first time and this year was no exception. John Weber, a coworker of mine and an active organizer in the Games Club of Maryland, came to play on Saturday and Sunday. John introduced our group to several new games, including Emerald and Traumfabrik. For that, we are very grateful.

Special thanks go out to Kimberly Stern and Royal and Stephanie White. They worked hard to produce Babycon X souvenirs, including t-shirts and scrapbooks filled with color photos of everyone who has attended Babycon, nicknames, quotes, favorite games, and a host of statistics from Babycons 1-9. Many people bought a t-shirt and each person attending was given a scrapbook.

We started early this year, at 1PM on Friday, to get in another five hours of gaming. On Friday evening, we dined at a local Mexican restaurant, Mi Rancho, and returned for a packed weekend of gaming.

Since this was the tenth Babycon, we had several special events to commemorate the occasion. The biggest event was a huge Epic Duels tournament with eight teams of three players each. We also ran full group games throughout the weekend. More on all of this later.

As usual, each person started out with 15 unique Babycon Bucks one of which was antied at the start of every game. At the end of the weekend, those with the most Bucks were Paul Czarnota and myself, Alex Ruvinsky and Steve Bramer. See the Master Tote Board for full results.

Some weeks ago, Joe Bloch set up a Babycon group at Yahoo! We sent out invitations to join but I’m not sure they all got through. The group is a place to share information and Babycon news. If you haven’t yet, check it out here. We’ve posted many Babycon X pictures there in their full glory.

My thanks to everyone who attended. After the huge preparations for Babycon X, we’re making Babycon 11 a much more low-key, informal affair. We hope everyone can make it.


The most successful event of the weekend was the Epic Duels Team Tournament. Eight teams of three players each fought it out over two days in a single elimination tournament. At the start of each match, the teams were randomally assigned either to dark or light side (of the Force, of course) and were given some time to pick their characters. Battle was then joined in a fight to the death! The prize? Bragging rights, plus a custom made Yoda Trophy for each member of the winning team.

Special thanks go to Brady Severns whose unique contributions made this event especially unusual and interesting. Brady enlarged the Epic Duels boards to accommodate the 3" Star Wars action figures. Using the huge boards with the large figures added a great deal to the game. Also thanks to Jeff Spencer for bringing many of his Star Wars figures to round out the character ranks.

One testament to the success of the tournament, after numerous games over many hours, several people continued to play Epic Duels. Many players playtested Brady’s custom-made decks and figures which included Star Wars characters not included in the official game!

Haggle was the big game for the weekend, starting on Friday night after dinner and running until Sunday at noon. In Haggle, each player started with 10 randomly distributed “treasures”, plastic pieces (pineapples, trees, shells, fish) and glass stones of various colors. At the end of the game, the treasures were valued following a set of 25 rules. In addition to the ten treasures, each player started out with two of the rules. The goal of the game is to trade rules and treasures, figuring out the value of each treasure, and turn in the set of treasures worth the highest value.

While not everyone participated, many players engaged in active trading of both rules and treasures. Jeff Spencer, Zoe Spencer, and Rachel Jones worked together to gather as many rules as they could. Dan Korn began spreading false rules around to throw other players off the track.

In the end, Royal White turned in the highest valued set for the win.

Haggle Scores:

* Royal White - 74
* Alex Ruvinsky - 64
* Jason Ruvinsky - 61
* Rachel Jones - 49
* Dan Korn - 42
* Jeff Spencer - 36
* Marvin Gersho - 36
* Ken Cline - 35
* Zoe Spencer - 34
* Karen Bloch - 33
* Stephanie Ruvinsky - 32
* Brady Severns - 30
* Eric Haas - 28
* Glenn Bramer - 27
* Carol Jones - 8
* Bill Ruvinsky - 4

The 25 Valuation Rules for Haggle

1. The Crystal Gem has the highest value and is twice the value of the Pink Gem.
2. The Pink Gem is worth 4 points which is also the value of the Pink Clamshell plus the Rose Shell.
3. The value of each Blue Sea treasure is one quarter the value of the Crystal Gem.
4. The value of the Blue Gem is twice the value of each Rose Sea treasure and one third the value of each Stone.
5. The value of each Stone is equal to the value of each Green Island treasure plus the value of each Pink Sea treasure.
6. The value of the Green Gem is half the value of each Crystal Island treasure.
7. The value of each Yellow Island treasure equals the value of the Blue Shell minus the value of the Blue Gem.
8. Each set of a Green Tree and a Green Pineapple will cost you six points.
9. Each set of all four color Gems is worth bonus points equal to the value of each Stone.
10. If all your Gems are one color, you receive a bonus worth the value of the Crystal Gem.
11. The pineapple with the red dot on the bottom is worth fifteen bonus points.
12. The value of the Blue Stone is six points, which is also the value of the Crystal Tree plus the value of the Pink Gem.
13. Each set of four of any one color Gem is worth seven bonus points.
14. The difference between the number of Fish and Starfish will cost you one point per piece.
15. Having no Gems or no Stones will cost you points equal to five times the value of each Green Island treasure.
16. Having the number of Fish equal to the value of the Blue Gem in each of the three Sea treasure colors is worth ten bonus points.
17. Having more than three Crystal Gems will cost you twenty-four points, which is also the value of the Pink Starfish multiplied by the value of the Crystal Gem.
18. Having at least one of each Sea treasure is worth a bonus of twenty points.
19. Each set of a Yellow Pineapple and a Yellow Tree is worth six points.
20. Having the most Pineapples (no ties) is worth the value of two Crystal Gems.
21. Each complete set of Pink Sea treasures will cost you four points.
22. Each complete set of Blue Sea treasures is worth three bonus points.
23. Each complete set of Rose Sea treasures is worth one bonus point.
24. You lose five points for each treasure you turn in beyond fifteen treasures.
25. The value of the Blue Stone is six points, which is also the value of the Crystal Tree plus the Pink Gem.

Tote Board
Acquire Steve, Joe, Glenn, Ken
Adel Verpflichtet Bob, Ken, Rachel J, Jason, John
Adel Verpflichtet Brady, Marvin, Bob, Jason, Zoe
Epic Duels Alex, Kimberly
Epic Duels Alex, Kimberly
Epic Duels Stephanie W, Brady
Epic Duels Stephanie W, Brady
Epic Duels Marvin, Ken
Epic Duels Marvin, Ken
Amun-Re Jeff, Glenn, Eric, Bob, Carol
Amun-Re Dan K, Eric, Bill, John
Babel Marvin, Royal
Battle Cry Brady, Glenn
Bohnanza Paul, Joe, Karen, Dan K, Brady, Rachel S, Kimberly
Carcassonne Paul, Brady, Zoe, Kimberly
Cartagena Paul, Rachel J, Brady, Rachel S, Zoe, Kimberly
Cartagena Alex, Rachel J, Dan K, Stephanie R
Cartagena Paul, Bill, Jason
Cartagena Paul, Bill
Cave Troll Carol, Jeff, Kimberly
Chess Paul, Bill
Citadels Dan K, Karen, Paul, Eric, Bill, John
Daytona 500 Glenn, Steve, Eric, Jason
Delta V Dan K, Ken
Delta V Dan K, Bob, Rachel S, Jeff
Dragon Delta Jeff, Joe, Rachel J, Zoe

Babycon IX

We need a bigger house. Only our second year in the new house and we had the biggest Babycon attendance ever. A whopping 24 people played at least one game at the event. If you count attendees (kids and spouses who didn’t play), we saw 31 people during the weekend.

First time attendees were George Lewis, Zoe Spencer, Dan Korn and, Rachel Silber (and their children, Zachary and Rebecca), and the entire Ruvinsky family (Bill, Stephanie, Jason, Alex, Rachel and, Rebecca). Yikes! We pretty much set up a full day care center in the family room!



We had planned Friday night’s kick off dinner at the new Red Robin hamburger restaurant in Germantown. Unfortunately, Red Robin ignored our twice-confirmed reservations for twenty-five people and forced us to make an on-the-fly change. We ended up at our old favorite, Old Shanghai, which accommodated all of us quite nicely. Despite the confusion, dinner was great.

One highlight of the weekend was the 18 player team Robo Rally using two boards in different rooms! When your robot stepped into a teleport space, you immediately appeared in the other room on the other board, not knowing what would be awaiting you. It was wild, loud and, chaotic but, a lot of fun. Much of the action took place in the board in the main room as the board layout made it rather difficult to get onto the teleporter to go back to the other board. The team that won (see the Master Tote Board) leapt to an early lead by killing off most of the other team. However, a small group (Steve, Glenn and, Alex) remained alive to rally and nearly won, making it an exciting finish.

Thanks to Royal and Eric, who provided most of the pictures. Also, thanks to Glenn who contributed to the prize bin and Mark who donated a couple of good games to Bob’s Ultimate Game Room for the enjoyment of all. Thanks to everyone who donated food and drink.

As always, everyone started with 15 Babycon coins and had to ante one per game. Jeff Spencer had a good year, winning the most coins with Bob close behind, followed by Royal.

Babycon 10 is looking to be the biggest Babycon ever. We are already deep in preperations. Thanks to Glenn, we now have a web domain. Go to www.babycon.org (now defunct) for all the details on Babycon 10, full color pictures, and a look at past Babycons. We hope to see everyone in May, 2003!

Babycon VIII

Babycon 8 is history. From May 25 to 28, upwards of 16 players attended at the Jones house in Germantown, MD. Our thanks to everyone who attended. Carol and I had a great time.

Bob will endeavor to produce a Babycon report quicker than last year’s report. At first blush, it looks like the theme for B8 was “Oh, no. C-c-c-carol and K-k-k-ken are c-c-coming to k-k-kill me!”. Both Carol and Ken cleaned up.

We learned several new games including Princes of Florence, Plague and Pestilence, Dune, Cities and Knights, and Carcassonne. All were big hits.

Thanks to those who donated games we had an ample prize chest this year. And special thanks to those who came in from out of town, Brady, Marvin, and Joe and Karen (and Samantha). We hope to see you at future Babycons.

Brady took a bunch of pictures. Some of them will go into the report. If you’d like Bob to forward the actual images to you, let him know. See you next year.

Babycon VII

A funny thing happened after Babycon last year. I was really excited about doing the annual report and vowed to get on it. Then, we put our house up for sale and things went haywire. We moved in July and somehow I misplaced the Master Tote Board. Then Carol dropped our printer and scanner so I couldn’t scan in any Babycon pictures. Well, a few weeks ago I unearthed the Tote Board and realized it was time to get the Babycon Eight invitations out, so here we are.

Erik and Paul arrived early, so we got a few games in on Friday afternoon before the main group arrived. Friday night, we dined at Old Shanghai, a local Japanese-Chinese restaurant. Some had Chinese while others had sushi, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Happily, Dan brought his fiancee, Becky, whom most of us had never met.

As decorations, I had taken game bits (cards, tokens, tiles, etc.), scanned them, blew them up to monstrous size, mounted and displayed them upon the walls. Upon arrival and before departure, each guest was asked to identify which game each bit came from. Eric Haas won handily on Friday, correctly guessing 23 of 25. The post-Babycon contest found Glenn the winner with 17 of 23 identified.

Our third annual Team Robo-Rally game was a bloodbath. After the valiant sacrifice of his entire team, except for Carol who drove herself into a pit, Bob got the enemy flag to within three squares of his home base before Dan killed him. Afterwards, it was Bob against most of the other team who quickly crushed him and won the game.



On Sunday morning, we played a small fleet encounter (16 ships) of Wooden Ships and Iron Men prepared by Glenn. The French (!) handily beat the British in a quick and bloody encounter.

As you can see by the enclosed information, it was the year of Paul Czarnota. Paul set new records in every category by winning the most games at any Babycon, having the longest winning streak, and accumulating the most points. Happily, Paul is unable to attend this year. (Just kidding about the happily part. We want revenge and won’t get it.)

This was the last Babycon at Teakwood Circle. Our townhouse served us well for seven Babycons and we will miss it. We hope that our new house will do as well and that you will join us for Babycon Eight.

Thanks to everyone who attended.

Bob

Babycon VI

We got together Friday night for dinner at Cafe Mileto and then most of us went to the 10:30 showing of The Phantom Menace. Although reviews of the movie were mixed, it was a good time. Afterwards we returned and played Eric’s new game Gangland! (incorrectly).

For most of the weekend, there were ten people in attendance. Paul Czarnota was expected Friday night but due to work didn’t show up in DC until Monday evening. Jay Thomas popped in and out a couple of times on Sunday.

The only out of towner was Jeff Spencer who flew in on Saturday morning and stayed till the end. We missed the usual group of out of towners, Mark Van Loon, Joe Bloch and Erik Light.

We played a massive game of Team Robo-Rally on Saturday night (five players to a team) and ran a somewhat shortened Formula Dé tournament. Ken Cline, who died in every FD race he ran last year won his first two races, only to be passed near the end in the final race by Royal White, who is the new Formula Dé champion. He won an autographed copy of Titan: the Arena.



We played several new games including Samurai, Ra, and Durch die Wüste, all by Reiner Knizia. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to play some new games like El Grande and El Caballero. We were so tired that we didn’t even play a single game on Monday morning.



Each attendee received a Button Man from Cheapass Games and numerous one-on-one matches were held throughout the weekend. In the end, Glenn Bramer proved to be the top Button Man, beating Jeff Spencer in a tense finale, and won a copy of Knightmare Chess.

And we all had to face the not-so-phantom menace of Stephanie White, who pretty much cleaned everyone’s clock.

Babycon V

Usually Babycon starts at noon on Saturday. This year, we opened on Friday night when six of us went to the local seafood restaurant, Pelican Pete’s, and porked out big time. We then returned for some late night gaming.

At Babycon we always try to learn a couple of new games. This year, both Euphrates & Tigris and Air Baron were big hits. Also, please see the results of our Formula Dé championship and Team Robo-Rally.



One thing we did differently this year was to offer a few prizes to the winners of individual games. After a group had set up to play a game, we randomly determined whether or not that game would be for a prize. We also had a grand prize for the Formula Dé champ. The prizes and their winners were:

• Pass the Pigs - Bob
• Wizard - Eric
• Kill Dr. Lucky - Paul
• Give Me the Brain - Eric
• Before I Kill You, Mr. Bond - Erik
• Alibi - Bob (ceded to second place finisher, Eric)
  

See more photos of Babycon V here.

Babycon IV

Saturday through Monday, Memorial Day Weekend



See more photos from Babycon IV here.

Babycon III

Saturday through Monday, Memorial Day Weekend



See more photos from Babycon III here.

Babycon II

Saturday through Monday, Memorial Day Weekend

Babycon I

Saturday through Monday, Memorial Day Weekend