One of my favorite things about playing board games in real life is it reveals so much about who your friends are. Online does not quite have the same satisfaction. When things get competitive and the game is on the line, you start to see people's true colors. The quite friend who brought cookies and is really nice? She's the one who will be yelling at you about rules violations. The really nerdy guy who acts like a know it all? He'll crumble under the pressure of Trivial Pursuit. With all this in mind, here are a list of gamers I've experienced in my life.
THE PURIST
This is the guy who plays Monopoly by the actual rules. He is willing to sit there forever, and he will often drag the rest of the party with him, in order to insure that the rules are being adhered to.
He can be your best friend if someone is trying to pull a fast one, but he can also be the stingy guy who just can't let it slide. Someone will say "How about we play to 8 points instead of 10..." before the words even exit their mouth, The Pursuit springs to life, "BLASPHEMY!!!" And the room breaks into an uproar.
THE ARROGANT GUY
This guy knows the game. In fact, he's played it a million times before. Just ask him. He is usually the guy who brings a new game to the party because it will be fun, but in reality he plans on decimating everyone with his experienced advantage.
Every group needs an Arrogant Guy. He is the ideal antagonist. Sure, winning is a pursuit in itself, but when you are responsible for defeating the guy in the room who has been telling all night how he is going to kick your ass? That's the best feeling.
THE QUIET ONE
Always look out for the quiet one. They're the one who rarely speaks up or let on what they're strategy is. They sit quietly, holding their cards, waiting for their turn to strike. In poker, they have the best poker face.
They're also the one that comes out of the woodwork at the end and crush you. Even worse, you never saw it coming. They are a silent assassin. Keep an eye out for the quiet one at the table. Just as the Arrogant Guy is built to fall, the quiet one is built to rise.
THE GAMBLER OR DRINKER
This person can often be found flying Coach on their way back from Las Vegas. He is the one trying to figure out a way to change the game so there is money involved. Even if there isn't money involved, he'll be the first one to say, "Hey, can we turn this into a drinking game?"
Be careful sitting next to this guy, or you'll be the one conned into plenty of, "I bet so-and-so attacks Kamchatka on their next turn..." Even if you don't say a word in response, they will still remind you for weeks that you owe them $10 for that bet.
THE QUITTER
This person sucks. They are the person who realizes they have no chance, so they bail. Worse yet, they love to make a scene about it.
Everyone could be having a great time, and then the Quitter chimes in with, "This is stupid." The Quitter will almost always try to coral others into quitting too. Suck it up people. You win some, you lose some. They often do not get along with The Purist.
There are several other permutations of gamers in this world, and I encourage you to go find them out. Everyone has their quirks when things get competitive, and it's one of the greatest things in the world to discover them.
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