Politicians are like 16 year old boys. Played Risk last night with a four 16 year olds. They made these blatently faux pacts all the while planning how to break the deal. Was actually quite humorous as they perceived me as the threat. Admittedly, I used to play Risk against the computer quite a bit. Even at the highest A.I. level the computer struggled to take me.

True to form, they were intimidated and let me take Australia during the first turn. I just about had Africa when one of them decided to give up South America and Kamakazi me to sufficiently reduce his threat and allow another player to eliminate him get his 4 cards. The irony is the guy that eliminated him already had North America secured. 5 armies for NA… 2 armies for SA… 15 armies in the bag for being forced to turn in cards.

Guess my 9 years advantage and my quick acquisition of Australia made them turn their attention to me. That gambit was only successful because I made good rolls. My luck turned sour. With rarely good rolls nothing can save you.

The irony is the guy that took North America was the one arguing that I was not a real threat. The other 3 spent too much time wheeling and dealing these obviously false pacts: “If you move your armies out of the way and let me take that territory, then I will not attack you here. Also I will attack your enemy to wear him down so you can attack him.” Once the dealer got his territory he would attack the ally.