# A friendly game of Mornington Crescent **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [December 29, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179 "2020-12-29T14:45:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/321 "2025-07-30T19:34:39Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Holy shit, I just realized that autocorrect screwed up my play. What do the rules say? My move might be invalid! But that error puts this in play: Crouch End ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/322 "2025-07-30T19:46:05Z")
I still have one terminus option left. May as well use it….. **Heathrow Terminal 4** ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/323 "2025-07-30T19:47:11Z")
Uggh. I feel like such an idiot. At least my fumble might make it into **Ms Marypop’s Floppiest Flops** … Feel like all I’ve got is to limp in with the Vicar’s Last Chance: **Debden** ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/324 "2025-07-30T20:19:03Z")
Don’t feel too badly. Even before the 1978 _St. Pancras Misstep,_ back when play was still called out verbally to a central plotter, Grandmaster level players like Stolle or Whitmore would occasionally default. Stolle in the 1948 London semifinals famously called out “Cannon” as he sneezed. The plotter, acting as he thought best, moved the indicator to Cannon Street. His opponent, Norton, immediately called “Arsenal”. The plotter had already moved the indicator when Stolle jumped out of his seat and approached the judge’s box to complain that he intended “Canon’s Park”. As play had already proceeded, the judges ruled Stolle defaulted and Cannon Street stood as the official move. (Stolle, unshaken, went on to defeat Norton twelve moves later and eventually won the tournament that year). As Debden is on the central line, play is back to me. Therefore…….. **Leytonstone** ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/325 "2025-07-30T22:32:36Z")
One does feel a little icky continuing after such a calamitous misfortune. A warning for all and a searing memory for a self-proclaimed newbie. But if the caravan moves on, que sera sera. With play on the central line then **Hainault** with the bonus of trousering a significant stash of red tokens. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/326 "2025-07-31T11:47:00Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Stolle, unshaken, went on to defeat Norton twelve moves later and eventually won the tournament that year Norton was never the same after that incident; he lost his job, his marriage broke down and he took his own life 2 years later aged just 56. Very sad. Let’s hope this current situation has a happier ending. Anyway … **Grange Hill** ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/327 "2025-07-31T12:12:25Z")
I am modeling my career on the great Hobbins, and I’m determined to avoid Norton’s downfall. **High Street Kensington** ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/328 "2025-07-31T12:29:28Z")
What goes around comes around: **South Kensington** ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/329 "2025-07-31T13:00:35Z")
And indeed around. There is a temptation to take the minimalist option of Sloan Square or even Hammersmith, but in these fraught times a safer option is to collect my quota of gold tokens and jolley out to **Acton Town** ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/330 "2025-07-31T13:33:42Z")
Three possible moves. Hmmm….. **London Bridge**. Also, I’m declaring Nibs. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/331 "2025-07-31T14:17:20Z")
It has to be noted that Norton’s troubles went deeper than his “misplay” in 1978. He had been called out thrice before, in 1976 at the Shropshire Regional, in 1974 at the York Grandmaster, and (most infamously) at his debut at the Melbourne International in 1967. Each time he claimed he had sneezed, leading to a brief mandatory Benozil injection before professional matches. Thankfully, that ended after too many plays were followed up by a three hour nap. **Limehouse** ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/332 "2025-07-31T14:52:39Z")
And IIRC, Hobbins’ generosity of spirit towards Norton in '76 prompted the creation of the Hobmedal, since awarded each year to the most gracious tournament player. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/333 "2025-08-01T12:19:28Z")
Can’t get off this line fast enough to suit me. **Stratford.** Please someone take us away. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/334 "2025-08-01T13:24:59Z")
Ok, I’ll make it easy… **Colindale** MC in 3, if I’m very much mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/335 "2025-08-01T13:37:32Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > MC in 3, if I’m very much mistaken. Methinks not unless Nibs is revoked. **Croxley** ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/336 "2025-08-01T14:43:08Z")
According to Bassington-Bassington’s 2001 memoirs, **That Pleasant Morning, A Life Lived on the Northern Line** , Nibs cannot be revoked until all tokens have been collected by the third player whose birthday is in an odd month. The rules of this game are quite simple, people. **Euston** ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/337 "2025-08-01T15:07:45Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > The rules of this game are quite simple, people. Said the gentleman who just attempted before our very eyes to switch directly from the Met to a Northern Victoria line on a day of the week (Friday) with two syllables. Oh, the irony. Next I suppose you’re going to tell us you’d ‘forgotten’ about Sections 2 through 4 of the 2019 Pryce Amendments. In any case, that leaves **Harrow** (note the double consonants) wide open. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/338 "2025-08-01T15:21:01Z")
Pryce herself has said on many occasions that Sections 2 - 7 should have never been written. She has been caught at least seven times since, vandalizing copies of her Amendments at various libraries and bookstores. I’ve personally seen her go for the throat of one player at the 2021 Timsbury Regionals. (During Lockdown, no less!) I have forgotten nothing. I just fear the wrath of Pryce. Seeing as how you did not differentiate between **Harrow & Wealdstone** and **Harrow-on-the-Hill** , I’ll just claim your tokens, thank you. **Preston Road** ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/339 "2025-08-01T15:28:17Z")
Curse you **Maus\_Magill**! You might be able get away with a sophomore move like that this time, but the next moment anyone puts us beyond zone 4 you already KNOW what’s going to happen!…. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/340 "2025-08-01T15:46:09Z")
…Pryce? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179.md?page=18)