# Has it been that long since our last Mornington Crescent? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 9, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615 "2009-12-09T19:15:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/141 "2009-12-17T04:53:35Z")
I’m following along with my copy of Stibbins’ _Mornington Crescent for the Colonial Player_, which I inherited from my grandfather. He was apparently a player of some repute before he and his wife emigrated suddenly to Saskatchewan in '28, and the book is filled with notes. However, the expansion of the network in recent decades is making it hard to follow. Is **Kew Gardens** really allowable at this point, or are we still in overage with respect to the East London Line? The closure of that line is not addressed at all in my references. With that said, I think there may be some truth to Faversham’s contention that MC facility has a genentic component. I therefore invoke Colonial Privilege with respect to the Disctrict Line and play **Kensington (Olympia)**. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/142 "2009-12-17T05:16:40Z")
**Kew Gardens** is indeed allowable through the Nostridge Cloture at this point (trust me, I checked), uncoventional but quite brilliant given **RickJay’s** deft blockage of any of the holiday routes and **Wargamer’s** brute force opening of the southbound green. Seeing as I appear to trapped in an unwinnable position, I’ll fittingly play… **Waterloo**! ETA: Walter Stibbins Senior or Junior? If the former, the first edition is a treasure, both literally and figuratively. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/143 "2009-12-17T13:26:01Z")
**Victoria** MC in 17 (16 if playing the International Dateline Set). ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/144 "2009-12-17T14:50:52Z")
**Royal Oak** ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/145 "2009-12-17T15:11:56Z")
**Heathrow Terminal 5** ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@Red\_Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/146 "2009-12-17T16:33:22Z")
**Heathrow 1,2,3** and I close Mornington Crescent to all international travelers without diplomatic clearance or awards for special services for 20 goes. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/147 "2009-12-17T17:23:07Z")
I once heard a story from my great-grandmother, who, during the mid-60’s travelled to England and met C.S. Forrester at a small bookshop/cafe in Leicester. Forrester was working on his latest Horatio Hornblower story, _Hornblower During the Crisis_, and having a bit of a time with Writer’s Block. Being the bookish sort, my great-g’mom asked if she could help out. Well, Forrester told her the problem was that Hornblower had gone to Spain posing as a manservant to a secret agent carrying forged orders from Napoleon to Admiral Villeneuve. It seems that Villeneuve was suspicious of the agent, and was doubting the authenticity of the forged orders. Forrester had to figure out a way to get Villeneuve to accept the orders without blowing Hornblower and the agent’s cover as spies, which was styming him. My g-g’mom suggested that perhaps Napoleon and his admiral were playing an 1805 version of _Mornington Crescent_ by mail, and that Hornblower could figure out the correct move to Villeneuve’s last play of **Heathrow 1,2,3**. Forrester, an avid MC player himself lept at the idea and was going to include the _Villeneuve Gambit_ in the novel. Unfortunately, his untimely death three weeks later prevented my great-g’mom from seeing Hornblower correctly suggest **Temple** as the answer, Villeneuve accept the validity of the forged orders, and Nelson triumphing at Trafalgar three days later. So in tribute to all nautical fiction everywhere: **Temple** ---
**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:** [December 17, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/148 "2009-12-17T18:01:19Z")
Whether I can reply to **Wargamer** depends on whether the US Mornington Crescent League (USMCL) requires tokens on a smart card (Oyster Card in the British leagues) to continue. I know USMCL - NorthEast conference has required smart cards since 2005 to travel from Zone 1 to outlying stations, but USMCL - Confederacy conference only started recommending them this year. And I’m in between the two conferences’ jurisdictions. So based on USMCL-C, I move **Harrow-on-the-Hill**. The call of “MC in 31” back in #129 was highly optimistic, and I belive thoroughly disproven by now. ---
**Author:** ![Kingspades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecae2f/32.png) [@Kingspades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kingspades)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/149 "2009-12-17T23:20:06Z")
I truly don’t know why I’m straying in here, what with Cres closed to us Yanks and all. Nonetheless I was just unpacking an old box the other day looking for my high school yearbooks and came across a Sixth Edition turquoise cover I’d found at a basement sale back when I was a student. Flipping through the pages I found a note I’d made one evening that, believe it or not, actually applies! Since nobody’s yet decompiled the Jubilee Line (and how did that happen, anyway?), I can divert directly to **Seven Sisters** and do the decompile myself. Even if I can’t win, it’s always fun to be a spoiler. That’ll teach you to shut down customs, **Skeezix** , and in a non-sanctioned game no less. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/150 "2009-12-18T01:05:05Z")
**Kingspades** , are you _sure_ that’s 6th ed. turquoise, and not a faded royal blue? Because if it is the version with the royal blue, you can’t do the decompile yourself – the 7th ed. errata on 6th ed (royal blue) made that clear. I double checked the game thread, and I’m somewhat concerned about **Wargamer** ’s #143. I’m pretty sure that under current USMCL rules, all conferences, we’re not in a certain-MC situation - but I’m not up to date on the Pacific Islands conference. So it’d be good for us to all stop him. I went to check the USMCL’s archives, as I’m pretty sure a similar situation was discussed during the 2003 playoffs, but the entire playoffs archive is down for maintenance ATM. So I’ll have to lash out blindly: **Morden** and pick up a free transfer. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/151 "2009-12-18T02:55:34Z")
I don’t know how you can play Morden after Seven Sisters. We’re not in a turnip or playing with brass tokens. Geez, I hate Continental rules. Anyway, doesn’t matter. I play \*\*Gospel Oak \*\*and the endgame has begun! ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/152 "2009-12-18T03:18:34Z")
Dirty pool, sir, dirty pool. **Russell Square** and chips in. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/153 "2009-12-18T13:38:48Z")
Circle Line open with **Cannon Street**! I’ll take **pravnik** ’s chips and distribute them to **Rick Jay**. This allows me to declare _Tudor Court Rules (Elizabeth Regina ed)_, which closes Customs and lets all us colonials back in the game. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/154 "2009-12-18T14:09:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I don’t know how you can play Morden after Seven Sisters. We’re not in a turnip or playing with brass tokens. Geez, I hate Continental rules. Ah, that explains it. I’m using a Colonial ruleset, not the Continental set. But since **Wargamer** invoked the Tudor Court rules, I am no longer bound by the American decisions. So in the spirit of the 3rd round of the 2002 New England - Olde England 15-18 ladies’ scrum (Bond St to Dollis Hill to Elm Park and draw a card), I play **Upney** and trade 2 tokens for a card. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/155 "2009-12-18T14:50:34Z")
**Scuba Ben** , forgive me, but before I can play I need to know your marital status, as I _did_ invoke ER Tudor Rules (aka Virgin Queen Rules). I’d certainly hate to make an Anne Boylen move at this point, as you can certainly understand. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/156 "2009-12-18T15:16:07Z")
You’re willing to throw away your entire play waiting for me to answer? Suit yourself. _double checks the ER Tudor rules_ Aw bugger. The corporate web blocker is blocking the Tudor rules. I’ll have to get back to you on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/157 "2009-12-18T15:45:30Z")
I rolled a 13, which puts me back at **St. Pancras**. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/158 "2009-12-18T23:10:11Z")
Ah, but that lets me play a Scurry. **Swiss Cottage** , and no laterals until the sorting office closes - not normally much of a restriction, but don’t forget Last Posting For Christmas applies now! ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/159 "2009-12-19T00:15:52Z")
Well played. Especially since **Smeghead** ’s play neutralizes Tudor (and indeed most European Dynastic Line-) rules, but allows full token extension on Viceroy and Grand Empress-variants. I shall follow a rather unorthodox route, though, with a 1968 Championnais de Paris (Nouveau Jeu)- inspired improvisation: **Bank**. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/160 "2009-12-19T04:53:23Z")
Well, since Smeghead’s play knocking out Tudor Court ensures that I won’t lose my head, I’ll play **High Street Kensington**. Too bad **Scuba Ben** delayed with his marital status, we could have stolen a tempo there on the rest of the field. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615.md?page=9)