# Mornington Crescent **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [November 29, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294 "2018-11-29T19:50:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darkon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@Darkon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/1 "2018-11-29T19:50:05Z")
Here’s how to play (from Wikipedia, but adapted for us): "The game consists of each [poster] in turn announcing a…tube station on the London Underground system. The aim is to be the first to announce “Mornington Crescent”, a station on the Northern line. Interspersed with the turns is humorous discussion amongst the [posters]…regarding the rules and legality of each move, as well as the strategy the [posters] are using. Despite appearances, however, there are no rules to the game, and both the naming of stations and the specification of “rules” are based on stream-of-consciousness association and improvisation. Thus the game is intentionally incomprehensible." Though the game is incomprehensible, you should still have a map of the [London Underground](http://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf) to get the names right. I’ll start off with “London City Airport” which is handicap accessible and allows me (according to the 2013 Whitman’s Rules and Strategies) to jump ahead two stops. This puts me at “West Silvertown”. Your move… ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/2 "2018-11-29T20:17:12Z")
Och, me wee doch and dorries, I shall never forget, don’tcher know. Watcher, bub, you got a match? Diddle the heath, it’s but a bumpy sojourn, I must say and don’tcher know. Was that our stop? No matter, It’s\*\* Canning Town\*\* comin’ up I s’pose. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/3 "2018-11-29T21:10:50Z")
I have never played this game nor visited a heath before so I think I am allowed as a newbie to say Crystal Palace with no loss of standing. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/4 "2018-11-29T21:30:10Z")
Right so from there the Expedited Lyttelton Gambit blocks the obvious path south, bugger. So Harrow & Wealdstone it is. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/5 "2018-11-29T22:12:55Z")
Cor, guv’nor, got a penny? Any, any penny? We’re all stuck down here, y’see, just like in a Neil Gaiman novel, and there’s nout a one of us shall e’er see the light o’ day again, don’tcher know? Look at that, there goes Wembley Central. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/6 "2018-11-29T23:08:41Z")
Well if you are going to invoke the 1922 Committee Regulations then I need to proceed conservatively, damm you … so, Sudbury Town. ---
**Author:** ![Darkon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@Darkon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/7 "2018-11-29T23:52:21Z")
Not conservatively enough, thule, you fell right into the Professor’s trap. Now you may not pass Go nor collect £200. I think I’ll just slide over to **Bow Road**. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/8 "2018-11-30T00:38:45Z")
Yes, but the Prof was being more devious than that; his Bertie Wooster routine was trying to force one of us to nominate Horsted Keynes and lose. But now with the umlatt loosened for the next two turns I’ll play Hackney Wick. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/9 "2018-11-30T02:00:48Z")
**Sydenham** for two as well. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/10 "2018-11-30T02:22:56Z")
[cricket clap] Well played Sir![/cricket clap] So next I’ll apply the 1975 Eunoia provisions for minimum 5 vowels, ignore the bleedingly obvious South Ealing and go \*\*Tooting Broadway \*\* for 6 (Y not inclusive) and collect my bonus point. [how ya like dem apples?] ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/11 "2018-11-30T13:49:02Z")
Is it stop #11 already? If I recall correctly, that means we’ve got to go with a special fare station outside a regular zone: let’s go with **Watford Junction**. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/12 "2018-11-30T13:53:52Z")
Hmm, somehow I’ve made my way to the Emirates Royal Docks and now an officious looking gentleman is asking for my letters of transit. It appears that I will be out for the next round in order to sort this out. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/13 "2018-11-30T15:23:56Z")
Gyaaar, what am I doing back on my way to Canning Town? Who turned this ‘ere piece around, anyway? I’m not paying a double fare, not with this ferret sittin’ here with a gottle of gin and a sharp razor sittin’ next to me. Not 'arf. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/14 "2018-11-30T16:30:33Z")
I began this turn on **Sydenham** having left **Crystal Palace** previously. Today, November 30, is the 82nd anniversary of the [The 1936 Crystal Palace Fire](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crystal_Palace&ved=2ahUKEwiR0ru5wfzeAhUFrlkKHXtFBmAQFjAWegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw2WDQzkEbCU4V966S7RqATo) that was viewed by thousands from **Sydenham** Hill. Churchill was there. Churchill was also born on November 30th. I believe that triples my Historical Events advantage and surely makes **Penge West** the correct follow-up play. Good luck topping that coup! Not bad for a beginner, right? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/15 "2018-11-30T19:50:58Z")
You neglected to give a penny for the Old Guy. All your play belong us now. Back to **Eastcote** with you. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/16 "2018-11-30T20:25:42Z")
I didn’t want to go so early but the Piccadilly Exclusion Provisions prohibit a more expansive play. So all the way up the end of the line for **Cockfosters** and I’ll cash in my innuendo card. ---
**Author:** ![Darkon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@Darkon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/17 "2018-11-30T23:21:04Z")
Damn! I was just about to whip mine out. Sadly (for you), something or other Gladiator somehow stumbled over to the Emirates Royal Docks which means, according to the Piccadilly Exclusion Provisions; revision six (I think you must have referenced revision five) you may only go as far as East India on the DLR line. Of course, this also means you must sit out two turns. And, happily (for me), I can use that time to sneak past and arrive at **Westferry**. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/18 "2018-12-02T06:23:37Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > You neglected to give a penny for the Old Guy. All your play belong us now. Back to **Eastcote** with you. Curses! **Rayners Lane** and the penny token to the next player. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/19 "2018-12-02T09:21:27Z")
> [@Darkon](#): > > … Interspersed with the turns is humorous discussion amongst the [posters]…regarding the rules and legality of each move, as well as the strategy the [posters] are using. > > Despite appearances, however, there are no rules to the game, and both the naming of stations and the specification of “rules” are based on stream-of-consciousness association and improvisation. Thus the game is intentionally incomprehensible." This view of the rules is what’s incomprehensible, sir. Do you _laugh_ when a player gets his rooks forked in a chess game? Is it “humorous” when a football quarterback is sacked for a safety? Entire Master’s theses have been written on the rules that you imply are non-existent. Far from being non-existent, there are multiple contradicting sets of rules, so for definiteness I shall assume we are using the 1936 edition of _Bethlem Hospital: Recreations for the Patient_. Aldwych is a legal stop on the Picadilly tube, but not Down Street or Brompton Road. As to the current game: I can’t remember a game opening with such reckless abandon! Where’s the fire? I’ll try **Wemblay Park** , a slow move which may be our last chance to transpose into a more-studied variation. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294/20 "2018-12-02T12:40:36Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > I didn’t want to go so early but the Piccadilly Exclusion Provisions prohibit a more expansive play. So all the way up the end of the line for **Cockfosters** and I’ll cash in my innuendo card. > [@Darkon](#): > > Damn! I was just about to whip mine out. Sadly (for you), something or other Gladiator somehow stumbled over to the Emirates Royal Docks which means, according to the Piccadilly Exclusion Provisions; revision six (I think you must have referenced revision five) you may only go as far as East India on the DLR line. Of course, this also means you must sit out two turns. And, happily (for me), I can use that time to sneak past and arrive at **Westferry**. If I may kibbitz, I believe in this situation, revision six, only in the event of an unplayed innuendo card, would still have allowed travel on the DLR as far as **Mudchute**. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mornington-crescent/825294.md?page=2)