From: "The Meads" <mead@mdc.net>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 13:52:12 -0500
Subject: Re: Consensus Game #1, Turn #2
Message-id: <199801171928.OAA24418@netway1.mdc.net>

First, it's a pleasure to be taking part in the first consensus game of its kind, one in which we have the benefit of the wisdom of others before making our final opt. I liked the riskier format of the Weissman-Frank-Ballard-Geary games, with everyone's selections made independently, and the possibility of some gross embarrassments. But I also feel that there is much to be learned from the current format--such as, how persuadable am I, or how rigidly will I stick to my first selection, and how willingly will I admit the greater depth of thought that others bring to the keyboard and table.

My first reaction on seeing the position was to choose FEODS. Points are points, and LT is a decent leave, better balanced than LST after FEOD, and opponent must hook BOGS to score well--failed to consider the underlapping plays (QAT, ZAP) mentioned in a post I have since deleted. OFT gets me closer to the first bingo, though, and ten points now is less likely to bring me the win than that bingo will. My thinking is not yet at the point where I can appreciate what makes FLYTED tick, except that one thing I have learned from practicing for the WSCs is, as Joel says, there's always another E coming. OTB, my style would probably be to play FEODS; I'd like to think that soon I'll be making more plays like OFT. (Fact is, I don't play oft enough--see below.)

--Jere Mead, 1971 since mid-July, opts for OFT.