# Haggle - a game of trading and secrets **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 22, 2007, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136 "2007-05-22T21:01:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/421 "2007-05-31T17:27:59Z")
[QUOTE=sachertorte] sachertorte’s not really an offer offer but it’s in blue so it must really be an offer: I will sell the letter ‘J’ to Hal for 5 points and sell the letter ‘D’ to nesta for 5 points and Hal will compensate nesta for jumping the queue by showing her a rule that she has not seen (nor holds). Offer valid on the condition that both Hal and nesta accept the offer. [/QUOTE] I’ll agree to those conditions – I’ll take the J card in exchange for five points, and show **nesta** Rule #6 (the only one I hold that he hasn’t seen). ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/422 "2007-05-31T17:30:33Z")
[QUOTE=Hal Briston] I’ll agree to those conditions – I’ll take the J card in exchange for five points, and show **nesta** Rule #6 (the only one I hold that he hasn’t seen). [/QUOTE] alright, waiting for **nesta** ’s signoff. ---
**Author:** ![nesta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a4c791/32.png) [@nesta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nesta)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/423 "2007-05-31T17:38:11Z")
[QUOTE=sachertorte] sachertorte’s not really an offer offer but it’s in blue so it must really be an offer: I will sell the letter ‘J’ to Hal for 5 points and sell the letter ‘D’ to nesta for 5 points and Hal will compensate nesta for jumping the queue by showing her a rule that she has not seen (nor holds). Offer valid on the condition that both Hal and nesta accept the offer. [/QUOTE] I’ll accept this if **Hal** agrees. BTW **sachertorte** , I have to say I respect the way you’ve gone about this, instead of just disappearing from the thread. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/424 "2007-05-31T18:03:57Z")
[QUOTE=Doctor Who] I accept NAF’s partnership agreement (as revised by chrisk) assuming NAF agrees to the proposed changes. [/QUOTE] Chrisk and I are just ironing out a detail. In all likleyhood I will accept the changes as written, I just had a couple of questions. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/425 "2007-05-31T18:04:26Z")
[QUOTE=nesta] I’ll accept this if **Hal** agrees. BTW **sachertorte** , I have to say I respect the way you’ve gone about this, instead of just disappearing from the thread. [/QUOTE] PM sent. **billyb0b** Holds rules: 3, 8, 13, 17 Has seen rules: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 16 And holds these cards: A (3), B, D, P, Q, R, U **Doctor Who** Holds rules: 1, 12, 16 Has seen rules: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20 And holds these cards: N (2), A, D, E, F, L, M, O, P, R, S **Dragoness** Holds rules: 4, 5, 13, 18 Has seen rules: 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 19, 20 And holds these cards: B (2), D, F, H, M, O, R, S, T, W, X, Y owes **sachertorte** 9 points. **Hal Briston** Holds rules: 1, 5, 6, 11, 14, 15 Has seen rules: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20 And holds these cards: L (2), A, B, D, E, G, J, N, O, R, T, U owes **sachertorte** 16 points. **MadTheSwine** Holds rules: 1, 9, 12, 19 Has seen rules: 4, 5, 10, 20 And holds these cards: S (3), E (2), H (2), C, F, K, V **NAF1138** Holds rules: 3, 8, 9, 15 Has seen rules: 1, 2, 4, 5, 19, 20 And holds these cards: A, B, C, D, G, J, K, O, R, U, W **nesta** Holds rules: 1, 10, 11, 17, 20 Has seen rules: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 And holds these cards: A (3), D (2), I (2), B, E, H, M, W, X, Z owes **sachertorte** 16 points. **percypercy** Holds rules: 3, 6, 14, 18 Has seen rules: 13, 15 And holds these cards: D (2), E, F, G, H, I, K, O, Q, U **Priceguy** Holds rules: 2, 7, 13, 16 Has seen rules: 4, 5, 10, 11, 14 And holds these cards: F (2), P (2), C, E, G, M, N, O, R, Y **sachertorte** Holds rules: NONE. Has seen rules: 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 20 And holds these cards: NONE. is owed 16 points by **nesta**. is owed 16 points by **Hal Briston**. is owed 9 points by **Dragoness**. is owed 14 points by **Uncommon Sense**. is owed 41 points by **USCDiver**. **Uncommon Sense** Holds rules: 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17 Has seen rules: 1, 13, 20 And holds these cards: L (2), M (2), C, F, G, I, J, N, T, Z owes **sachertorte** 14 points. **USCDiver** Holds rules: 2, 15, 19, 20 Has seen rules: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18 And holds these cards: A, C, D, E, G, I, J, K, O, P, Q, T, V, Y owes **sachertorte** 41 points. btw… I’m using a simple database program to keep track of all this, and you’ve made me tweak it around three times now **sach** - tracking fixed point IOUs, listing a player with no rules, and now listing a player with no asset cards. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/426 "2007-05-31T18:09:37Z")
Mad #4- Show Rule 6 and give me one letter card of your choice to see rules 1 9 12 and 19 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/427 "2007-05-31T18:13:03Z")
[QUOTE=NAF1138] Chrisk and I are just ironing out a detail. In all likleyhood I will accept the changes as written, I just had a couple of questions. [/QUOTE] Of course, of course. I’m just anxious to get our “Doctor 1138 Corporation” business cards printed up. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/428 "2007-05-31T18:14:15Z")
[QUOTE=Doctor Who] Of course, of course. I’m just anxious to get our “Doctor 1138 Corporation” business cards printed up. 😉 [/QUOTE] Ohhh, I like the sound of that! Chrisk, hurry up an PM me back so we can get this show rolling! ---
**Author:** ![Dragoness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@Dragoness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragoness)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/429 "2007-05-31T18:36:43Z")
Wow, lots of interesting stuff going on this game that I didn’t expect. Cool. I have to say, I think that “Doctor 1138 Corporation” is gonna absolutely run away with this race, even with the points split like that. Which is fine- I thought I was gonna absolutely run away with it, if I had managed to get my hands on that V ☹ Let me desperately try to re-strategize and throw out some offers… Is anyone interested in trading away an N, A, or P for anything I might have? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/430 "2007-05-31T18:42:34Z")
[QUOTE=NAF1138] Ohhh, I like the sound of that! Chrisk, hurry up an PM me back so we can get this show rolling! [/QUOTE] Screw it, I will accept as written. I am tired of waiting and the detail was nitpicky anyhow. Lets roll Doc! ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/431 "2007-05-31T18:51:10Z")
Weeeee! I have no letters and no rule slips. Doesn’t anyone want to clue me in on the rules of the game? I can’t \*\*do \*\*anything about it now. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/432 "2007-05-31T18:53:48Z")
[QUOTE=Dragoness] Let me desperately try to re-strategize and throw out some offers… Is anyone interested in trading away an N, A, or P for anything I might have? [/QUOTE] How about this…Hal Offer #13 for **Dragoness** : I will give you an N Card and a look at Rule Slip #6 in exchange for a look at Rule Slip #18 and (your choice) either an S, X or Y Card. And withdraw Hal Offer #12. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/433 "2007-05-31T19:18:36Z")
So Chrisk, wispers are not allowed, but with the new partnership agreement can I tell the doc about the rules that I have seen, but he hasn’t? And are the Doc and I allowed to dicuss privatly at all or is everything on the boards? I am sure I know the answers to these questions, but I want to make sure I explore all avenues that the rules will allow. ---
**Author:** ![Dragoness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@Dragoness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragoness)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/434 "2007-05-31T19:19:12Z")
[QUOTE=Hal Briston] How about this…Hal Offer #13 for **Dragoness** : I will give you an N Card and a look at Rule Slip #6 in exchange for a look at Rule Slip #18 and (your choice) either an S, X or Y Card. [/color] [/QUOTE] Ooooh hard decisions, hard decisions… ooh, my head hurts. Rule 18 is pretty valuable, and I think you’ll admit that both the X and the Y are pretty valuable… I’ll do #16A: look at Rule 18 and the X for a look at rule 6, and an N and an A or 16B: a look at rule 18 and an H, B, or T card (your choice) for a look at rule 6 and an N ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/435 "2007-05-31T19:31:45Z")
Well, then. Doctor 1138 Corporation is ready for business. Let’s do this thing: Doctor 1138 Corporation Offer #1: MadTheSwine - I will give you (not show) a rule card in exchange for an S. Doctor 1138 Corporation Offer #2: Dragoness - I will give you an N in exchange for your T. [color=Black]I think it is fairly obvious (knowing what we know) that this would benefit both of us relatively equally. Doctor 1138 Corporation Offer #3: USCDiver - I will give you an R in exchange for a T. Again, as I mentioned in offer #2, I think the mutual benefits are obvious. Doctor 1138 Corporation Offer #4: I will give anyone a rule card (give, not show) in exchange for an E. Offer open to only one taker. Doctor 1138 Corporation Offer #5: MadTheSwine, I will show you two rule cards of your choice in exchange for an H. Alternatively, please see offer #6. Doctor 1138 Corporation Offer #6: MadTheSwine, I will show you ALL of my rules - every single one I possess AND give you a K, in exchange for both H’s and an S. [/COLOR] ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/436 "2007-05-31T19:54:47Z")
[QUOTE=Dragoness] or 16B: a look at rule 18 and an H, B, or T card (your choice) for a look at rule 6 and an N [/QUOTE] Okieefine…I’ll accept offer 16B – I’ll get a look at Rule #18 and a T Card in exchange for a look at Rule #6 and an N Card. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/437 "2007-05-31T20:46:24Z")
[QUOTE=NAF1138] So Chrisk, wispers are not allowed, but with the new partnership agreement can I tell the doc about the rules that I have seen, but he hasn’t? And are the Doc and I allowed to dicuss privatly at all or is everything on the boards? I am sure I know the answers to these questions, but I want to make sure I explore all avenues that the rules will allow. [/QUOTE] In order: Nope, although you can announce that rule (I think just one) publicly on the thread, so that everyone knows. You can pretty much talk about the weather privately, and that’s it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/438 "2007-05-31T20:49:57Z")
Up to you Doc, you want I should announce rule #5? ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/439 "2007-05-31T20:53:24Z")
BTW, there’s been a bit of a crackdown on ‘non work related web browsing’ in my department, so I will be able to exercise my moderating duties less often during the daytime. Will try to get on for two 15-minute breaks, and that’ll be just about it. **billyb0b** Holds rules: 3, 8, 13, 17 Has seen rules: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 16 And holds these cards: A (3), B, D, P, Q, R, U **Doctor Who** Holds rules: 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16 Has seen rules: 2, 4, 6, 10, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20 And holds these cards: A (2), D (2), N (2), O (2), R (2), B, C, E, F, G, J, K, L, M, P, S, U, W Most give 49% to **NAF1138** **Dragoness** Holds rules: 4, 5, 13, 18 Has seen rules: 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 19, 20 And holds these cards: B (2), D, F, H, M, N, O, R, S, W, X, Y owes **sachertorte** 9 points. **Hal Briston** Holds rules: 1, 5, 6, 11, 14, 15 Has seen rules: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 And holds these cards: L (2), T (2), A, B, D, E, G, J, O, R, U owes **sachertorte** 16 points. **MadTheSwine** Holds rules: 1, 9, 12, 19 Has seen rules: 4, 5, 10, 20 And holds these cards: S (3), E (2), H (2), C, F, K, V **NAF1138** Holds rules: NONE Has seen rules: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 19, 20 And holds these cards: NONE. Gets 49% from **Doctor Who** **nesta** Holds rules: 1, 10, 11, 17, 20 Has seen rules: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 And holds these cards: A (3), D (2), I (2), B, E, H, M, W, X, Z owes **sachertorte** 16 points. **percypercy** Holds rules: 3, 6, 14, 18 Has seen rules: 13, 15 And holds these cards: D (2), E, F, G, H, I, K, O, Q, U **Priceguy** Holds rules: 2, 7, 13, 16 Has seen rules: 4, 5, 10, 11, 14 And holds these cards: F (2), P (2), C, E, G, M, N, O, R, Y **sachertorte** Holds rules: NONE. Has seen rules: 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 20 And holds these cards: NONE. is owed 16 points by **nesta**. is owed 16 points by **Hal Briston**. is owed 9 points by **Dragoness**. is owed 14 points by **Uncommon Sense**. is owed 41 points by **USCDiver**. **Uncommon Sense** Holds rules: 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17 Has seen rules: 1, 13, 20 And holds these cards: L (2), M (2), C, F, G, I, J, N, T, Z owes **sachertorte** 14 points. **USCDiver** Holds rules: 2, 15, 19, 20 Has seen rules: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18 And holds these cards: A, C, D, E, G, I, J, K, O, P, Q, T, V, Y owes **sachertorte** 41 points. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136/440 "2007-05-31T21:13:51Z")
Hal Offer #14, for **MadTheSwine** : I would like to acquire your H and S Cards, and a look at Rule #12. How about a look at Rules #6, #11, #14 and #15 and your choice of either a G or L Card? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haggle-a-game-of-trading-and-secrets/405136.md?page=23)