# Isn't it time for Mornington Crescent? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 20, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786 "2008-10-20T20:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/141 "2008-10-27T16:11:05Z")
> [@EristicKallistic](#): > > I’ll re-redouble on the slant-lines and take advantage of the Pedestrian Scramble at Pudding Mill Lane to sneak across to the Fourth Quadrant. From there I can play **Ravenscourt Park** and ride it to MC in three-and-a-half. > > My favorite anecdote about this type of play comes from the 1878 Burmese Invitational (Burma at that time being part of the British Raj). Lord Locke was down 16 tokens and in the knip, but managed to get to Shaftesbury Road (as Ravenscourt was known at that time) through a cunning use of a straddle-cross, a Pedestrian Scramble, three transfers and a well-timed rickshaw collision. There are two things I applaud the British for attempting: the shift to decimal money in February 1971, making ha’pence and tup’ence a thing of the past, and the London Passenger Transport Board move to standardization of MC station usage in sanctioned competitive play, which made the raft of precedent for rickshaws, hacks, and the like obsolete. I could never follow that stuff. I will, however, gently suggest to **EristicKallistic** that it’s extremely optimistic to see MC in under ten from Ravenscourt Park when we can all plainly recall that Cockfosters has been played in doubleoughts. And to drive home the point: my play is **Bayswater** , with two red tokens down and covered. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/142 "2008-10-27T16:17:49Z")
But don’t you all see it? It’s right in front of your noses: **Bakerloo** , lads, **Bakerloo!** Need I say more? ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/143 "2008-10-27T16:46:41Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > But don’t you all see it? It’s right in front of your noses: > > **Bakerloo** , lads, **Bakerloo!** > > Need I say more? Well… yes. Say more. I can’t see why on Earth you’d play that, as doubtless you were aware that red tokens are now in force, and Bus Passes are valid for jump-straddles. ---
**Author:** ![EristicKallistic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@EristicKallistic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EristicKallistic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/144 "2008-10-27T17:21:36Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > There are two things I applaud the British for attempting: the shift to decimal money in February 1971, making ha’pence and tup’ence a thing of the past, and the London Passenger Transport Board move to standardization of MC station usage in sanctioned competitive play, which made the raft of precedent for rickshaws, hacks, and the like obsolete. I could never follow that stuff. > > I will, however, gently suggest to **EristicKallistic** that it’s extremely optimistic to see MC in under ten from Ravenscourt Park when we can all plainly recall that Cockfosters has been played in doubleoughts. > > And to drive home the point: my play is **Bayswater** , with two red tokens down and covered. Hmm. I was under the assumption that Cockfosters had been neutralized by a redoubled Goodge. Surely you’re not thinking of the Yokihama Exemption, as that was ruled out of order once knackers have come out. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/145 "2008-10-27T17:34:39Z")
> [@EristicKallistic](#): > > Hmm. I was under the assumption that Cockfosters had been neutralized by a redoubled Goodge. Surely you’re not thinking of the Yokihama Exemption, as that was ruled out of order once knackers have come out. Well, since we’re still under a Docklands Digression, knackers are out of play until Bidding Phase 5. An obscure ruling, but still valid under the Oslo Concordance of '63. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/146 "2008-10-27T18:52:48Z")
> [@EristicKallistic](#): > > Hmm. I was under the assumption that Cockfosters had been neutralized by a redoubled Goodge. Surely you’re not thinking of the Yokihama Exemption, as that was ruled out of order once knackers have come out. No, I agree that the Yokihama Exemption is inapplicable here. (Although not for the reason you surmise, but an unintended side-effect of the Imphal Gambit play (see the _Indian Reports of 1946_ for details)). No, the problem is more basic: Cockfosters is in Travelcard Zone 5, and there are only seven stations before Finsbury Park, all of which are in play. The Docklands Digression is the problem; see the Oslo Concordance of 1963 or the Lisbon Trilateral Reports of 1971 _et seq_. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/147 "2008-10-27T19:22:29Z")
So to close the Docklands Digression, we need a play from a non-Tokened player off the Jubilee Line, coupled with a British Light Rail Pass Play. Simple, what? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/148 "2008-10-27T20:25:00Z")
> [@Wargamer](#): > > So to close the Docklands Digression, we need a play from a non-Tokened player off the Jubilee Line, coupled with a British Light Rail Pass Play. Simple, what? Precisely. And that player is vulnerable in oughts and doubleoughts across half of the Central and all of the Jubilee line stations. So who’s willing? ---
**Author:** ![laughingboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@laughingboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laughingboy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/149 "2008-10-27T22:49:15Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So who’s willing? OK, but just remember, you asked for it. **Dollis Hill** ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/150 "2008-10-27T22:52:18Z")
OK, I’ll make the sacrifice - red tokens for a Parallel Rails claim, which frees up all station on Central and District. Takes me out of the game, but I am keen to see what you lot do with it: **Holborn**. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/151 "2008-10-28T00:14:00Z")
Uh oh. Dollis Hill to Holborn to… Dollis Hill. ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/152 "2008-10-28T00:56:35Z")
Sorry guys. **Holborn.** ---
**Author:** ![laughingboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@laughingboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laughingboy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/153 "2008-10-28T01:21:26Z")
**Dollis Hill** (forced, with subsequent loss of tempo) ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/154 "2008-10-28T02:16:36Z")
**Holborn** But I can, thanks to the closing the Docklands, sacrifice a Yellow Pass (although it PAINS me to do so), which allows **Bricker** , if he’s up on his _Hollandsworth’s Basic Plays_, to end the \*\*Dollis Hill \*\* Loop. So, **Bricker** , ARE you up on your Hollandsworth? ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/155 "2008-10-28T02:32:21Z")
_Please_,\*\* Bricker\*\*! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/156 "2008-10-28T02:57:00Z")
Oh, this is beautiful. I’m going to scoop Bricker so bad he’ll feel like a scoop that got scooped. You fools. I’ve been WAITING for the Dollis Hill loop. God, this is beautiful. **Neasden.** BWAAA HA HA HA HAAAAA. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/157 "2008-10-28T03:33:20Z")
Hmm, that MIGHT work…but only if combined with a secondary Straddle-Shunt. And since I am currently sans Pass, I’ll have to stand aside. ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/158 "2008-10-28T03:55:27Z")
Brilliant play, **RickJay**. Nothing I can do. ---
**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:** [October 28, 2008, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/159 "2008-10-28T13:27:19Z")
I’ll bite. **Amersham** looks like a useful four-pointer to me. ETA: **RickJay** seems to be under the impression we are using Queasby’s Straddle. But my interpretation of the latest MC rules committee’s minutes (21/9/08, or 9/21/08 for you Merkins) is that this is invalid for games longer than 100 moves. Let’s see what you make of it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786/160 "2008-10-28T13:40:35Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Oh, this is beautiful. I’m going to scoop Bricker so bad he’ll feel like a scoop that got scooped. You fools. I’ve been WAITING for the Dollis Hill loop. > > God, this is beautiful. > > **Neasden.** There’s no shame in losing to brilliance. I salute you, **RickJay**. (Although you should be down on your knees thanking **Antinoro1** , whose invocation of the backtrack rule when he played **Moorgate** made your move possible…) But of course, you were the one to put the pieces together and I salute you. Well played indeed. I’ll play **Ludgate Circus** from Amersham, but I readily acknowledge that I’m going nowhere fast, absent a miracle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-mornington-crescent/468786.md?page=9)