# Anyone for a game of Mornington Crescent? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 1, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786 "2011-02-01T15:23:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/101 "2011-05-20T19:43:42Z")
**Bricker’s** spirited defense of International Comity brings to mind the much maligned Wrestlemania-MC Mash-Up at Wrestlemania II 1/2. Understandably, MC doesn’t really translate well to the Squared Circle, but when the Hulkster played that brilliant **Arsenal** Suplex in Move 397-A, it NEARLY brought MC to the Masses. Unfortunately, said move was made during one of the WWF’s interminable commercial breaks, and rather than witnessing history, we got to see the Macho Man chow down on Slim Jim’s. And, as Vince Macmahon was too busy trying to steal Ric Flair away from WCW at that very moment, the tech guys in the truck had fallen asleep at the replay station, and that, well, _muscular_ move was consigned to the rather dry pages of _ **MC International Reports** _. A shame really, as Hogan’s Triumph (as I like to call it) absolutely reduced Rowdy Roddy Piper to silence for one of the few times from 1978 until 1999. Anyway, in memory of the Macho Man - (RIP) - **Arsenal**. OHHHH YEEEEEAH!!! ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/102 "2011-05-21T04:57:16Z")
I’m beginning to regret retracting my play to _Gare du Nord_ as it would have led to a more exciting variation, but I’m delighted to jump in now with **Holloway Road** Yes, this quiet move is hard to understand. I don’t even understand it myself, but my software assures me that it leads to forced MC in 1722 moves against _any_ defence, and at this point that seems a good thing. I’m afraid I can’t guarantee the 1722-move force: I use one of the buggy Pentiums. (It seemed better to hope for future value as a collectible rather than taking the free trade-in.) > [@Bricker](#): > > So I’ll be sitting out this round, and indeed all playing until June 13th. Does the ban allow you to play after the 13th in games started in February? If so, I think you’ll still be able to play in this one. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/103 "2011-05-21T12:31:05Z")
Hmm, looking at the latest world rankings (assuming **Bricker** will still be rated as triple-pi, with a silver collar, when he is reinstated), I think we should do our best to move this game along a little. Not that I am suggesting collusion, you understand - but it would be nice for an underdog to have a chance while the “big guns” are away. In the spirit of the foregoing, **Regent’s Park**. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/104 "2011-05-21T15:25:29Z")
**Wood Lane**. When I was a nipper, that would have pretty much ended the game, but you know how it is these days :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/105 "2011-05-22T12:56:21Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > **Wood Lane**. When I was a nipper, that would have pretty much ended the game, but you know how it is these days :rolleyes: Still, a good move. I’m going to go all out with **West Brompton**. Be sure not to fall asleep on the Circle Line! Always good advice, but particularly apposite at this moment, for reasons that will become clear. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/106 "2011-05-22T14:53:21Z")
Apologies, the crumpet took longer than expected, must be the age. Time for a run on the blue chips Bank ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/107 "2011-05-24T10:29:55Z")
**Neasden** is the traditional reply. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/108 "2011-05-24T10:44:02Z")
Farringdon ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/109 "2011-05-24T14:50:46Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I just wanted to stop by and wish everyone the best. > > As some of you know, there was a spot of unpleasantness in March at the Wheeling Regionals. For those that did not know, I was one of the participants in the … er… spirited discussion that followed, and was one of the eight that received a three-month suspension for impugning the name of… well, no need to rehash details everyone has already read. > > So I’ll be sitting out this round, and indeed all playing until June 13th. Wow – I DID miss a lot during March. I had qualified for Wheeling on an open card, but had to decline due to my schedule. The month or so before Pesach is always rough for me, so I couldn’t commit to ranked MC play. And it’s a good thing too. Had I been there, there might have been a ninth suspension. When in doubt, control the center. **Charing Cross** , no-trump. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/110 "2011-05-24T15:05:21Z")
I’ll toss my Oyster Card in, and go with **East Acton**. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/111 "2011-05-24T17:35:06Z")
I swore I wouldn’t play again until **Bricker** ’s completely illegal and unfair banishment had been lifted, but this game has gotten lively, and I’m feeling like M. Jackson watching the Sedleigh house games. I need my fix. I’ll pick up **Wargamer** ’s oyster card, and call blue tokens. **Tottenham Court Road** ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/112 "2011-05-24T18:44:03Z")
**Maus** , you do realize that as a colonial from south of the Mason-Dixon line blue tokens + **Tottenham Court Road** can force MC in 142, unless someone calls stirrups and flags? To forestall that calamity, I will sacrifice both the early mid-game, and the mid-early mid-game and jump to **Stepney Green** , with the necessary stirrups and flags. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/113 "2011-05-24T19:57:14Z")
I’m going with **South Ealing** , which should marginalize the District Line from the Acton Fiefdom all the way to **Bow Road** (but NOT **Bow Church**!) Any player who forgets to take proper protective measures will receive the usual letter of censure from the GNMMCFPC (Greater North Malden Mornington Crescent Fair Play Commission). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/114 "2011-05-24T21:29:28Z")
At one time I would’ve gone to **Elephant and Castle i** n this situation, but that would just reopen all the unpleasantness of the '67 convention and raise questions better left buried for now. With that in mind, I’ll choose **St. Pancras.** ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/115 "2011-05-25T01:51:58Z")
I think we need some clarification on stirrups calls. Under Hufferington game play, Wargamer, based on his syntax, would now be doubling up on a stirrups call. Given that he is toes down in his riding boots, so to say, and also given his rash oyster card strategy, that puts him in dire straits if we gallop off down the Northern. I can’t see him faring well if he gets pitched during an interchange. The interpretation could be tricky as Hufferington is a side genus of the familia of the ruleset in which we play and this whole double stirrups largly comes down to a " sportsman call" (walferton etc, you know the citations) Ordinarilly I would play the Bakerloo line, being the genial person that I am, however I cannot help but sense an insiduous purpose behind the repeated delays, hence the velvet mittens are off. Waterloo May the devil take us where he may. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/116 "2011-05-25T12:11:39Z")
Are you referring to the original 1968 rules or the revised (but widely despised for its inclusion of the decimal system) 1971 edition? It makes a big difference. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/117 "2011-05-25T12:58:08Z")
Well, whichever way this decision goes, I think I can still play **East Finchley** without too many problems. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/118 "2011-05-25T14:14:42Z")
Are the Mornington Crescent Semi-Finals being held in the same venue this year? ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/119 "2011-05-25T14:15:30Z")
I need a ruling on Tapioca Dextrin’s question. If Precambrianmollusc’s move is adjudicated under the 1971 decimalization, I can play **Tower Gateway** to block. But if it’s predecimalization, **Preston Road** transitioning to the Silica Opening. ETA @ **Hypno-Toad** : Which semifinals? The World MC League, the International MC Federation (sorry, I can’t do the proper French name), or the Amateur Association of MC Players (sorry, I can’t do the proper Welsh name)? Of course, I’m assuming you’re referring to one of the major international organizations, not any particular regional group let alone the minor international groups. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786/120 "2011-05-25T14:56:28Z")
I am referring to The Peoples International Associated Fraternal Order of Mornington Crescent League (which just hasn’t been the same since Yul Brynner died). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-for-a-game-of-mornington-crescent/569786.md?page=7)