Power Play

We had several fun games last week.  One  moment in particular sticks out in my mind.  I was Russia.  Gabe was China.  Sarah was Japan.  Em was the US.  (unusual for her, Sarah beat her to Japan).

Sarah (Japan) was all belligerent and aggressive.  I had a big oil company in Sumatra.  She invaded there and seized it!  “What could I do about it?” was her response to my protests.

Next, she was threatening to invade N Manchuria (another of my companies) and Korea (A big US company).  What to do?!  I can’t compete with the Japanese navy while I’m defending against an always present Chinese threat.

I carefully studied the Japanese economy.  1 grain in the Philippines.  3 huge oil companies in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Sumatra.  Hmmmmmm…..

I worked a deal with China to demilitarize our boarders.  With this ‘excuse’ I moved my forces off the boarder to Caucasus.  Well, they’ve got to go somewhere right?  Yep, you guessed it.  Next turn I conquered Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia!

I didn’t even have to say a word.  Sarah immediately offered to evacuate Sumatra and give me my company back.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen her be so friendly and cooperative before!

Did I seize her companies?  Nope.  Why should I?  I already had a far better situation.  A completely passive and compliant Japan.  My puppet.  Maybe a Japan I could focus in the direction I wanted them to go…    Maybe east towards the US?

Never underestimate the power of the cards.