Hi,
I played a game on this board:
Beggar, Lookout, Ironmonger, JackOfAllTrades, Sea Hag, Highway, Market, Saboteur, Trading Post, Upgrade
Log of the game:
http://gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20141220/log.51279b11e4b03ef870c8e38e.1419070745227.txtMy opponent opened Jack of all Trades/Lookout while I went for Sea Hag/Lookout.
(Did you know that Councilroom's ranking of openings suggests that Jack of all Trades/Lookout (+4)<Sea Hag/Lookout (+5)?)
I believe on this board JoaT/Lookout is the strongest 4/3 opening. (I change my mind^^ maybe Ironmonger/Lookout was very strong here because I think
it stresses the engine more and is not playing in the hands of JoaT/Lookout)
And after the game I had the feeling my opponent somehow translated this opening advantage into win.
Why did I open Sea Hag/Lookout? With Sea Hag I opened the battle for the minority of the curse pile. With Lookout I
address the issue that this is an engine board and engines love early trashing.
This is probably the first reason why JoaT was the superior choice. He can trash. My opponent also following the logic
of early trashing with another Lookout on turn 3.
In order to get access to cards costing $5 I have to buy a Silver.
The second reason why JoaT was superior. He gets the Silver for my opponent without wasting his or her buys.
The third reason I believe JoaT was superior is, that it is difficult to get an reliable (whole deck drawing engine)
out of this board. Therefore the Silvers hurt less, than they normally do in an engine and with for example Upgrade and
his or hers two Lookouts he has good control of the amount of Silver in the deck even with the presence of JoaT.
After that I add a Market and at any given opportunity Highways or Ironmongers.
Please look at both decks after turn 10. Are the decks even or has someone already the upper hand?
(The differences I realize are that I have an Ironmonger more while he has 2 Silvers and an Upgrade)
Turn 11: My opponent buys a Province (Would you do the same?)
On turn 13 I return the favour and also buy a Province (Right or wrong?)
Do you think it was correct to catch up with provinces on turn 17? (Would you buy Silver instead of Beggar here?
Although Beggar did a nice job allowing me to buy 2 Provinces on turn 18)
If you notice something that I can improve, please tell me. I appreciate it.
Thanks for help