accomplishment

In my new board games gang, there are a few people who are what i like to call game gurus. They usually win at games they play and are masters at literally all games.

I consider myself a reasonably smart kid and had a good run at the start when i joined this group. Then one day, i found myself at a table with all gurus.

It was traumatizing.

I'm usually not someone who cares too much about winning at all when it comes to casual events, and board games with friends definitely falls under that. (Yes yes, i get ridiculously competitive at actual competitions so those who have felt my tongue during those cases don't snigger, i'm referring to casual events.) So usually i don't care whether i win or lose as long as its fun for everyone.

But that game was traumatizing. Every tiny mistake or tell i gave was seized upon, analyzed and destroyed. People who know me know that i talk alot in games. Alot.
I was silent for the 2nd half of the game after a particularly big mistake was called out. I fancied myself as a decent or even good player, but that was among newbs. And i realized i am a noob. That day i realized that in that group, i should only try not to be last place. Because those guys are all better than me.

Since that experience, I almost always play with more relaxing tables because i'm there to relax afterall, but occasionally i find myself a glutton for punishment and play with the pros. In those games, i usually find myself in the middle but never close to winning.

Today, i played the longest game i ever played, wealth of nations. Its an economic game with trading and negotiation and emphasizes alot of supply and demand. I ended the game with 80 pts and 2nd to 5th were all in the 50s. It was a great feeling of satisfaction. I wouldn't call it exactly fun, but it was satisfying. Maybe in the end i'm a party games kinda guy. I just wanna laugh!!

But satisfaction or not, i dunno if i would ever subject myself to that again (saying that, i probably would, but i'm just tired now from that game.) Those guys are hardcore. All know exactly how to win, and all take the right steps to win. There are no openings. You want an opening, you create it. I don't think i would win again (certainly not by that margin) but i'm okay with that. But its just so intense!!! Need to think every step of the game. Definitely not for the faint of heart.