I think you’re reading a little too much into this, Lightnin’.
When do you think we get smacked down for having the entire front page of MPSIMS be Diplomacy threads?
That’s most excellent, Wikkit, but as I see that you’ve lucked into Austria from the start I recommend that you reserve most of your smack for me, a non-participant, for now. Since you’re going to need all of your sycophantic skillz to keep your neighbors from ripping you to shreds as a matter of course.
(Who’s the twisted sadist that let the (only?) newbie in the game draw Austria?)
It was Lightnings, cat.
Is his name Schroedinger, by any chance?
Thanks, Shibb, it does look to be interesting. Barely a day in and I’m trying to figure out how trust is supposed to work.
Abe, you should post you opening press here. I thought it was amusing, and I’m sure the the people who haven’t played against you would as well.
Is it a coincidence that tjblack is playing Germany, or a sign?
This was my first communication to each of the six other players.
Hmmmm… Russia, eh? Eeeeexcellent…
DIAS: 5:8
France: Abe Babe 4:1
England: Omniscient 7:1
Russia: BiblioVore 12:1
Germany: tjblack 30:1
Turkey: Jonathan Chance 125:1
Italy: ppg_shg 225:1
Austria: Wikkit 500:1
There are also some interesting side bets available, if anyone is interested (first stab, first alliance, round when WhiteLightning screws up an adjudication, first one out, second out, number of countries involved in event of a DIAS, etc).
Oh, you’ll pay for that, Shibb. You’ll pay.
Or am I downgraded because I’m surrounded by rookies?
Oh…
Look, everyone! Abe’s the favorite!
30:1? See I’m not a threat. Can’t we all just get along?
Actually, DIAS is the favorite. But at least you’re now looking at it from the proper perspective. I wasn’t certain whether Russia was also a rookie, in which case that would positively influence your odds. Of course Russia and Austria could just decide that they’re afraid of you and make it their life’s work to take you out.
I also wasn’t sure about zee German’s experience. If he’s a (Dip) newbie his odds go way up. I’ll try to update these after every round so that we can track your progress.
So then why do I…the single most experienced player on the SDMB…get 125-1!!!
Explain yourself, foul Ohioan.
Well, I was trying to help you by focusing all of the attention on France and England, but if you insist on standing here yelling “Look at me! I’m the one you should fear!” then by all means go right ahead. Plus they are experienced and start with a stronger position. When the book starts getting some action I’m guessing that 125:1 is going to look like a steal. I’d be surprised if it didn’t drop down below 50:1 by Friday.
Ah, maybe I’m still bitter.
Or testy.
Or bidding on ebay.
Or something.
It’s a good thing you didn’t say “single best” or we might have had words, mountain boy! 
Is there a website for our game? It would be really useful if we could all be looking at the same map somewhere to keep track of all the moves and starting positions…
Odds favorite?!?!?
Who are you kidding? I’m a moron. I have the Diplomatic finesse of Chamberlain. Ask anybody who knows me.
Biblio there will almost certainly be a web page set up, most likely with the history of this game. Just wait for it. In the meantime, for a starting map, try some of the links in Omni’s noob game. They have several varieties of starting maps. If you still need one by tonight, send me an email and I can send an opening map to you.
Who knows, I might even make it accurate.
Yes, this is true. But you have the cunning of Rommel and the disposition of Sherman.
I’m not sure if I should be complimented or offended by that post.