# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/161 "2009-12-19T16:18:51Z")
I’m not sure I have recovered from the last game. And of course, there are both advantages and disadvantages from entering so late. I cannot, for example, lose any tokens on an initial move, but I can’t play a number of otherwise classic opening gambits: Knightsbridge (thanks to pravnik), Moorgate (RickJay’s play and Wargamer’s chip collusion), etc etc. But one tiny comfort from an entering move at this stage in the game in response to High Street Kensington: **Belsize Park**. And in case it’s not achingly obvious WHY: remember that it’s within three stops of Golders Green. And I don’t mean to be a jerk about it, but I will NOT waive rebounds , Sunday entry exceptions, or Freedom of the Graveyard. Rules are there for a reason, after all. ---
**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 20, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/162 "2009-12-20T16:08:39Z")
> [@Wargamer](#): > > 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. Ah, but I’m blocking your tempo. I think that with decent play, MC is at least another 20 moves out. Welcome in, **Bricker**. We’re too far in for your options to be “opening gambits,” especially as the Detroit 2010 Scrim considers Knightsbridge a good reply to Tudor rules. So: **Knightsbridge** and offer a double. (For British Leagues: Detroit Scrims are always held late in the year, and take the next year’s number.) ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/163 "2009-12-20T22:20:41Z")
**Mornin** … oh, wait. Clever! In that case, I’ll take your double and “ambush” you… **Becontree**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/164 "2009-12-21T00:11:16Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > **Mornin** … oh, wait. Clever! In that case, I’ll take your double and “ambush” you… **Becontree**. 🙂 Heh. I hate to do this, but you know? I’m snowed in, so I have nothing but time. Dollis Hill. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/165 "2009-12-21T05:38:42Z")
Oh, crap. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Salt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@Bacon\_Salt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Salt)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/166 "2009-12-21T06:47:38Z")
Okay, I’m lost. This is my first time playing. So, I have two brown tokens, stirrups have been re-declared, and we’re no longer playing with Tudor rules. So, um… **Queensbury**? Wait, no, that’ll force a Mumbai reversal! **Watford**! ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/167 "2009-12-21T11:29:21Z")
> [@Bacon\_Salt](#): > > Okay, I’m lost. This is my first time playing. So, I have two brown tokens, stirrups have been re-declared, and we’re no longer playing with Tudor rules. > > So, um… **Queensbury**? > > Wait, no, that’ll force a Mumbai reversal! **Watford**! Mumbai? Never heard of it. You must mean the Bombay Reversal, which is best countered with a Madras Switchback. Like, say, playing **Northolt**. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/168 "2009-12-21T12:59:54Z")
Nice. Unfortunately: **Dollis Hill** _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/169 "2009-12-21T15:59:57Z")
**Baker Street** And the Northern Line Stations are now closed per the _Summersby Trap_, as made popular by Gladwell in his epic e-mail bout with Simmons in '04. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/170 "2009-12-21T16:05:39Z")
**Finsbury Park** One of those rare occasions where explanation would be superfluous, I feel. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/171 "2009-12-21T17:22:22Z")
I’m going to continue to hold my secondary Nativity Wheedle in abeyance, and decline my move. ---
**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 21, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/172 "2009-12-21T17:26:25Z")
> [@amrussell](#): > > **Finsbury Park** Due to winter storms, I invoke the Inclement Weather Rule, restricting all moves for 24 hours to not go past the next major station. **Highbury & Islington** ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/173 "2009-12-21T17:40:00Z")
Unfortunately, it’s [“the wrong type of snow”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_wrong_type_of_snow), therefore any request for such relief under the rules (Revised Standard Version, that is) cannot be allowed. At least that’s my understanding, although I’m certain a prefect will be by shortly to clarify the matter if it is not the case. It will be merely unfortunate if it leaves you **Barking** , but this sort of thing simply can’t be helped. And, in the name of all that’s holy, will you PLEASE remove those Morris Dancer bells? Much obliged. ---
**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 21, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/174 "2009-12-21T17:51:05Z")
Jolly good counter, **ElvisL1ves**. I know the Inclement Weather rule has been used ever since Londinium v. Eboracum in 210; I had completely forgotten to check for the type of snow. I think I’m justified in playing **London City Airport** and threatening to promote to Gold General. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/175 "2009-12-21T18:52:52Z")
Happily, the wrong kind of snow and **Canada Water** being deknipped means I can play **Westminster** even though it’s not a sitting day. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/176 "2009-12-21T18:53:35Z")
Well **Bank** should stop Gold General, as I declare Silver Tinsel Times, in conjunction with a Double Nativity Wheedle. ---
**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 21, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/177 "2009-12-21T18:55:35Z")
The Nativity Wheedle knocks this non-Xian out of the game for a while. Bugger. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/178 "2009-12-21T20:05:58Z")
Should’ve coughed up the Marital Status when you had the chance… ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/179 "2009-12-21T20:55:42Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > The Nativity Wheedle knocks this non-Xian out of the game for a while. Bugger. ☹ Keep in mind that if you’re a virgin, you can still convert for a three-day period. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/180 "2009-12-21T21:48:25Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Keep in mind that if you’re a virgin, you can still convert for a three-day period. Only during Lent however. I will show my card-carrying United Methodist credentials and play **Aldsgate** , and find my heart ‘strangely warmed.’ (See - Wesley knew a good MC move when he saw one). PS - What’s the difference between a Baptist and a Methodist? A - A Methodist will say ‘Hello.’ to you in the liquor store if he sees you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615.md?page=10)