Mornington Crescent

Maguari

Maguari

Never could get the hang of Thursdays.
15+ year member
Premium Member
I've got a long afternoon at home ahead, so I wonder if anyone fancies a round of the superlative parlour game, Mornington Crescent?

The famous tube station-based game is fun for all the family. For those unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with the authentic antidote to panel games, Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Wikipedia is your friend - but I strongly recommend just coming along for the ride - you'll soon pick up the incredibly straightforward rules.

Just before I start, I should let you all know that I've received a ZooChat PM from a Mrs Trellis of North Wales. She writes:

Dear ZooChat,

I write to wish you all the best, it's high time there was a zoo in Chat.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs Trellis, North Wales


Strange woman.

Anyhow, on with the game - as we may have beginners I propose we play according to the First Modification of the modern rules - so laterals count double, stations west of the third vertical approach are out of play until the 8th move and if any player is caught in nip he or she will need to sacrifice Seven Sisters.

I'll go for a classic opener to get the ball rolling:



BOND STREET

(this of course leaves me open to attack from a reverse angle, but it strengthens my position if there are any late entries)
 
I'm assuming that we're playing the old classic rules.
So I think the old classic move is

Monument (for Bank)

Alan
 
I like it, aggressive but not forceful. Good play. Gives me pause for thought.



Oh, I know!

Stepney Green
 
I would like to announce that I am resisting the temptation to cheat by looking at an Underground map (or to put it another way, I can't find an old diary or my A to Z, and I'm too lazy to Google for one).

So if my mental image of the map is correct, I think I can stymie your clockwise rotation by a leap to the north

Arnos Grove!

Alan
 
By the way, I think it's pretty clear that Maguari and I are enthusiastic amateurs. A late entry would have a fair chance of beating us.

Alan
 
gentle lemur said:
I would like to announce that I am resisting the temptation to cheat by looking at an Underground map (or to put it another way, I can't find an old diary or my A to Z, and I'm too lazy to Google for one).

So if my mental image of the map is correct, I think I can stymie your clockwise rotation by a leap to the north

Arnos Grove!

Alan
Click to expand...

Ah, but I've planned for such an eventuality - I can execute a reverse half-Trafalgar to land in the neutral territory of:

Dagenham East
 
gentle lemur said:
By the way, I think it's pretty clear that Maguari and I are enthusiastic amateurs. A late entry would have a fair chance of beating us.

Alan
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm afraid it would be all too easy for a third player to best us, and there's plenty of opening for them to come in. Even now, I realise I've left the Bakerloo line dangerously undefended (there's no use my hiding it, even the most casual player could see it!).
 
Did you forget that your half Trafalgar allows me to counter with a reverse full Trafalgar (with line change)

Victoria

Alan
 
Hmmm. You were lucky there. I didn't take into account that Covent Garden is no longer restricted access on Saturday afternoons. Now I'm really on the back foot, but I hope I can salvage a bit of ground with:

Aldgate
 
I'm getting worried, this is too easy. Are you trying to sucker me into a mistake?
The gap is so obvious that I can't help thinking it's a trap, so I'm staying clear of Oxford Circus and Victoria. But I think I can put you under pressure with

Warren Street

Alan
 
Oh, that's a curveball, OrangePerson! But playing safe doesn't always pay off, Alan...

Turnham Green


Take that!


EDIT: Aargh, just saw where OrangePerson can play now! That'll leave Mornington Crescent in less than 6 moves if she spots it.
 
This is getting complicated, going so far west is taking me into less familiar territory.

Kew

Alan
 
A bit unchivalrous but I'm going to invoke the Reykjavik Convention to pre-empt OrangePerson and play:

White City
 
I've suddenly realised that I have to revoke. I'm deeply ashamed that I have got a station's name wrong. I should have said Kew Gardens :o
So I have to concede the game.

Alan
 
I can't resist throwing in a googly -

South Wimbledon

Apologies if I am out of order , I have been playing Monopoly recently and tend to get some of the rules of the 2 games mixed .

I have been researching may family tree recently and suspect a link with Mrs Trellis on my mother's side , going back 4 generations .
 
Bele said:
I can't resist throwing in a googly -

South Wimbledon

Apologies if I am out of order , I have been playing Monopoly recently and tend to get some of the rules of the 2 games mixed .
Click to expand...

Actually, sometimes being a little mixed-up helps.

Bele said:
I have been researching may family tree recently and suspect a link with Mrs Trellis on my mother's side , going back 4 generations .
Click to expand...

Now that is impressive.


Let's tighten up the laterals a little:


Tottenham Court Road
 
I'll play a double Nidd-spinny with Euston Station (as both a mainline and underground). Hope this fits the basic rules, I get the versions muddled sometimes.
 
I'm going to invoke the Convict Colonies Clause and give you:

Circular Quay

That should set my quoll amongst your pigeons.
 
Interestingly, not at all an illegal move in these rules, as the boundary limitations were not imposed until the Sixth Modification.

Makes it tricky though, you devil! I think, however, I've found a loophole in the Anderson ruling that I can exploit to execute a quick about-turn to move to:

Potsdamer Platz


(That's also a lateral, of course, so double points. I'm rather pleased with that.)
 
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