Overheard a couple arguing about Catan at a coffee shop last week

Guy was dead serious saying whoever rolls the dice should get extra resources for 'having the touch.' I realized half the fun in games like that is people making up their own rules on the spot to feel special. Anyone else notice how table arguments always boil down to someone wanting an edge they didn't earn?

3 comments

3 Comments

williamhenderson5d ago

Nah, I gotta push back a little on that, @stellat46. The "no attacking last place" rule isn't always about controlling luck, sometimes it's just people trying to keep the game close so they can still win without a fair fight. But hey, you're right that half the fun is the chaos, just gotta laugh when the dice screw you over.

cole_murphy6d ago

That line about "having the touch" is hilarious. I mean, yeah, sure, the dice gods might favor you for a hot streak, but that's random chance, not some magical skill you're paying a tax on. So your question is basically, do people make up these rules because they actually believe it or just to distract from bad strategy? I've seen guys get super into house rules that only benefit them, like "no trading with the winner" only after they're losing hard. Do you think these people would still want that rule if they were the one ahead?

stellat466d ago

People get way too worked up over board game luck. Seen a guy try to enforce a "no attacking the person in last place" rule only after he was ahead by a mile. The rule flip flopping is just people trying to control things they can't, like dice rolls. If the game is that stressful maybe it's time for a different hobby. Half the fun is the chaos anyway. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather just roll with it and laugh than keep a rulebook on who can trade with who.