Games against Robz888 were really exciting! I actually was so nervous that I keep telling myself not to make any mistakes... But the games were really interesting and although the strategies are kind of similar, slight differences in some decisions decided the fate of the outcome.
Game 1
http://www.gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20140412/log.514cd37de4b0fe3236619906.1397320082750.txtThis had different strategies, with Robz888 going for straight silvers whereas I went for caravan/silver. His decision allowed him to get 1 earlier witch before my shuffles, and I did feel like I might lose out to him in the curse split. Nonetheless, I stayed on my decision and eventually got 1 witch on the 2nd shuffle. He then went on to get 3 witches while I stayed on 2 witches, hoping that my caravans can compensate by increasing the shuffling of my deck. Surprised that the curse split was 5-5 in the end! After dishing out the curses, the next was to find a good time to get masterpiece. Robz888 got masterpiece the moment he had more than 5 coins while I chose to wait for a big turn. Luckily, it came with me getting 11 coins and getting 8 extra silvers on my deck. It then went smoothly after the purchase. Interesting game indeed...
Smartie 1: Robz888 0
Game 2
http://www.gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20140412/log.514cd37de4b0fe3236619906.1397321389586.txtThis game focuses on the ability to focus on trashing to get King's court to function more efficiently. Hence, we got urchin and cut-purse, hopefully to get mercenary. It worked out for the both of us. We then got tactician to get the big turn to get King's Court. While we did get King's, I thought that my relatively trashed deck should enable me to get all my cards every turn with Hunting Party. I was totally wrong.... Robz888 made the more appropriate decision to get 2 tacticians which enabled him to use mercenary every turn! With 3 cards in my hand, I didnt manage to draw my cards even though I had more hunting party. Smooth victory for him at the end..
Smartie 1: Robz888 1
Game 3
http://www.gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20140412/log.514cd37de4b0fe3236619906.1397322129822.txtThis game clearly shows that my naive mind thinking that doctor can clear faster than salvager and loan.. I think the good thing about salvager is that it still can net gold, which enabled him to get more labs, more bridges and villages. Outright victory for Robz888.
Smartie 1: Robz888 2
Game 4
http://www.gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20140412/log.514cd37de4b0fe3236619906.1397323470980.txtAt this point, I was determined to win this game. Turned out to be really tough. This game focused on engine, with some buys with fishing village as the only +action card. We both got similar FVs and ~3 Journeyman, and one merchant guild. I think I was on the lead as I purchased my guild much earlier than his, allowing more tokens. However, my luck at 11 totally went out with no journeyman draws. I was depressed. What depressed me further was turn 12 where I completely got no journeyman again! And there were only 3 provinces left... Suddenly, I realized he didnt trigger his shuffle, which means that he will not get the journeyman too! I then took the risk of buying 1 province with all my tokens. Sure enough, my calculation worked, and the next turn I got the last 2 provinces, clinching a narrow victory. I was happy at my decision
Smartie 2: Robz888 2
Game 5
http://www.gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20140412/log.514cd37de4b0fe3236619906.1397324143237.txtThis game we used similar strategies using FV, masquerade and iron-monger. However, I predicted that besides FVs, ironmonger can also provide another source of +action. Hence I bought 2 masquerades while he just had 1. I think that allowed me to win marginally!
Smartie 3: Robz888 2
Game 6
http://www.gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?20140412/log.514cd37de4b0fe3236619906.1397324951680.txtFinal game! JoaT on the board, so clearly it is a must have. Now, should we get hamlet or silver? I chose silver while he chose hamlet. That move from him was actually a smarter choice as the hamlet allowed him to discard coppers and cycle his deck faster. He then got vault, which got me certainly surprised. While vault can allow him to get 6 coins at least, this also allowed me to discard cards that I do not want! With 1 plaza, I took the risk to get another JoaT which certainly paid off, allowing me to have more silvers and better economy when I was getting VPs. I think if he had chosen another JoaT instead of vault, he would have won me quite easily. That way, I was lucky
Smartie 4: Robz888 2.
I really enjoyed playing with Robz888 as he is really nice and certainly a top-notch player. All the best! Just saw you got married, congrats!