Board Game Arena

Suoivax wrote: ↑02 March 2026, 03:37

ampfaff wrote: ↑01 March 2026, 19:36 I totally agree. The goal of the game is to get the most points, but the goal of me playing the game is for me to have fun. Playing with one of those players is no fun at all, so while they aren't actually cheating, they are not really playing in the spirit of the game either. I will block someone if the opportunity arises and I can also use that route, or if I have multiple ways to get somewhere I will choose the one most likely to block the other player, but for the most part I am still just trying to make my own routes. Unfortunately there is no way to really choose or enforce what "type" of player you want to play with other that the red thumb. I have been on this platform for over a year and play this game a lot, and haven't really encountered one of those players in many months. I don't think there are many people that play that way so I think I've already red thumbed pretty much all of them.

So... Just let you win because that's more fun for you?

My whole point is that I can have fun without winning. Playing the game itself is fun. Winning can make it more fun, but isn't strictly necessary. Playing with someone who isn't even trying to make their routes and is solely trying to block you is not fun, even if I end up beating them.

Jellby wrote: ↑02 March 2026, 10:45

ampfaff wrote: ↑01 March 2026, 19:36 they are not really playing in the spirit of the game

For a game where each segment can only be claimed by one player, it seems to me the "spirit of the game" is clearly blocking. What is the spirit of tic-tac-toe?

In my opinion the spirit of the game is to attempt to build your own routes. Sure there can be blocking along the way, but when someone clearly has no intention of building their own routes and their only strategy is to block you, while taking the 3 lowest point routes they were offered so that their negative points will be fewer than yours, it's really annoying and no fun. Like I said, it's not technically against the rules, so I guess have at it if that's your style, but I don't hesitate to red thumb anyone with that strategy. Fortunately there don't seem to be many players with that strategy despite the number of people who seem to defend it

ampfaff wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 14:20
Fortunately there don't seem to be many players with that strategy despite the number of people who seem to defend it

Because it's not really viable a lot of times. I don't use it unless my choice of routes at the beginning are all bad. Without the blocking strategy my only option is to both lose AND not have fun.

If someone employs this strategy against you, look at it as a challenge and see if you can beat it. It's not impossible. Think outside the box a bit, rather than sticking yourself inside said box.

Suoivax wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 15:21

ampfaff wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 14:20
Fortunately there don't seem to be many players with that strategy despite the number of people who seem to defend it

Because it's not really viable a lot of times. I don't use it unless my choice of routes at the beginning are all bad. Without the blocking strategy my only option is to both lose AND not have fun.

If someone employs this strategy against you, look at it as a challenge and see if you can beat it. It's not impossible. Think outside the box a bit, rather than sticking yourself inside said box.

I do try to beat that strategy and have succeeded, but like I said, it's just no fun to play that way even if I win. Maybe you need to think outside the box because it's actually possible to win with a bad initial draw without employing that strategy.

ampfaff wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 16:44

Suoivax wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 15:21

ampfaff wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 14:20
Fortunately there don't seem to be many players with that strategy despite the number of people who seem to defend it

Because it's not really viable a lot of times. I don't use it unless my choice of routes at the beginning are all bad. Without the blocking strategy my only option is to both lose AND not have fun.

If someone employs this strategy against you, look at it as a challenge and see if you can beat it. It's not impossible. Think outside the box a bit, rather than sticking yourself inside said box.

I do try to beat that strategy and have succeeded, but like I said, it's just no fun to play that way even if I win. Maybe you need to think outside the box because it's actually possible to win with a bad initial draw without employing that strategy.

Go fishing for tickets? Trust me, I've tried that box. Those are horrible odds. Blocking has a much better chance of working than fishing does.

How about two people working together, one doing nothing but blocking and the other building a very long route with ease because their 'buddy' is keeping the third player occupied with constant blocks? I just played with one of these pairs, both with 230ish ELO points and, presumably, taking turns winning by a massive score while the other gets not many points due to their constant blocking. Such teamwork is cheating, right?

ampfaff wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 14:14

Suoivax wrote: ↑02 March 2026, 03:37

ampfaff wrote: ↑01 March 2026, 19:36 I totally agree. The goal of the game is to get the most points, but the goal of me playing the game is for me to have fun. Playing with one of those players is no fun at all, so while they aren't actually cheating, they are not really playing in the spirit of the game either. I will block someone if the opportunity arises and I can also use that route, or if I have multiple ways to get somewhere I will choose the one most likely to block the other player, but for the most part I am still just trying to make my own routes. Unfortunately there is no way to really choose or enforce what "type" of player you want to play with other that the red thumb. I have been on this platform for over a year and play this game a lot, and haven't really encountered one of those players in many months. I don't think there are many people that play that way so I think I've already red thumbed pretty much all of them.

So... Just let you win because that's more fun for you?

My whole point is that I can have fun without winning. Playing the game itself is fun. Winning can make it more fun, but isn't strictly necessary. Playing with someone who isn't even trying to make their routes and is solely trying to block you is not fun, even if I end up beating them.

Blocking is part the game though. They are doing what you are supposed to do. What do you think competitive games are for if not to compete to win?

There are cooperative games, like Arkham Horror. Or in video games, you have visual novels and walking simulators. They don't have that competition aspect.

I just find it weird that someone would say they don't care about winning, but they get upset when someone plays the game like it's supposed to be played.

For me, if it's a competitive game, I care about winning. That is literally the point of playing those kinds of games. Why would you play to lose? You gain nothing by losing, other than to hopefully win the next time. Winning is the goal. I wish people wouldn't deny that.

Archisian wrote: ↑04 March 2026, 02:38 For me, if it's a competitive game, I care about winning. That is literally the point of playing those kinds of games. Why would you play to lose? You gain nothing by losing, other than to hopefully win the next time. Winning is the goal. I wish people wouldn't deny that.

I never said I play to lose I said that the point of me playing the game is to have fun. Winning is part of that, sure, but there are a lot of other factors as well. Why would anyone play games like this if not for fun? And if you're only able to enjoy it if you win, that's pretty sad. The point *of the game* is to get the most points. The reason *I'm playing* the game is because I enjoy it. And I know blocking is part of the game. But it's miserable and annoying when someone's entire strategy is to block without even attempting to make their routes. Why would I want to play with someone who employs a strategy that sucks all the fun out of it? Are they allowed to? Yes. Do I have to play with them? Nope. It's a completely valid reason to red thumb someone.

ampfaff wrote: ↑03 March 2026, 14:20

Jellby wrote: ↑02 March 2026, 10:45

ampfaff wrote: ↑01 March 2026, 19:36 they are not really playing in the spirit of the game

For a game where each segment can only be claimed by one player, it seems to me the "spirit of the game" is clearly blocking. What is the spirit of tic-tac-toe?

In my opinion the spirit of the game is to attempt to build your own routes. Sure there can be blocking along the way, but when someone clearly has no intention of building their own routes and their only strategy is to block you, while taking the 3 lowest point routes they were offered so that their negative points will be fewer than yours, it's really annoying and no fun. Like I said, it's not technically against the rules, so I guess have at it if that's your style, but I don't hesitate to red thumb anyone with that strategy.

I feel sorry for you, being so stressed out about a player just playing the game. Trying to make up a spirit of the game just to impose your will on how others play is just... sad, and very unsportsmanlike.

Fortunately there don't seem to be many players with that strategy despite the number of people who seem to defend it

You obviously did not think this through. There are so many flaws here, but I'll keep my focus on this aspect.

Players don't come to Ticket to Ride with just one plan as some one size fits all. They're just playing the hand they're dealt. If they're dealt low-scoring tickets then that's what they'll play to. They might quickly make them and hold up defense if your route looks too threatening. If they drew tickets that just didn't match up well, they may even just trash some/all of them depending on circumstances. But if they drew high value tickets, they can play accordingly, looking to complete their tickets with an efficient route, etc. The player who completes all of their tickets and takes the longest route can be the same player that trashes their destroys and destroys your routes. You playing a game where they didn't destroy your routes doesn't mean they aren't a player that does that, the situation may not have warranted it this time, and in a future game they may be perfectly happy tearing your routes to shreds under new circumstances. Quite the wonderful perk of Ticket to Ride.

ampfaff wrote: ↑04 March 2026, 05:01 I never said I play to lose I said that the point of me playing the game is to have fun. Winning is part of that, sure, but there are a lot of other factors as well.

What other factors are there in a competitive game? If you say mechanics, those mechanics are designed to do one thing: maximize your points in order for you to win. For one to say that they only like the mechanics is like saying the main enjoyment they get at a slot machine is by mindlessly watching the reels spin, not the amount of money that they win, which makes me question why they are even playing in the first place. For example, I like Blackjack. I don't like Blackjack because of how the game plays. I like that it's easy to understand and I can have a good chance to win if I hit or stand at the right moments. When those mechanics cause me to fail and I lose money on a bet, I don't enjoy that. Because I'm not playing just to look at the cards. I'm playing to win.

ampfaff wrote: ↑04 March 2026, 05:01 Why would anyone play games like this if not for fun? And if you're only able to enjoy it if you win, that's pretty sad.

Okay, let's try this example. I hate fighting games. I hate fighting games because, no matter how hard I try or practice, I am terrible at them and will never get better at them. I like some of the characters and the moves that they do. But why would I continue to waste my time constantly losing and getting nowhere? What am I missing here by refusing to play fighting games because I always lose?

If you say, "Well, someone else might like doing that.", I literally cannot understand how someone can find enjoyment in such a scenario. Saying that all enjoyment is subjective isn't going to increase my understanding nor shift my judgment that I find it to be weird.

ampfaff wrote: ↑04 March 2026, 05:01 The point *of the game* is to get the most points. The reason *I'm playing* the game is because I enjoy it.

You can say you enjoy it, but as mentioned, it doesn't increase my understanding of how you can get upset when other people are also enjoying the game the way they want to and is within the rules. You are suggesting that their enjoyment is, somehow, inferior to yours and that you have the "right way" to enjoy the game. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made this post.

ampfaff wrote: ↑04 March 2026, 05:01 And I know blocking is part of the game. But it's miserable and annoying when someone's entire strategy is to block without even attempting to make their routes. Why would I want to play with someone who employs a strategy that sucks all the fun out of it?

Again, why is your definition of fun in Ticket to Ride superior to the player who blocks routes as a part of them enjoying the game?