On a beautiful, sunny, spring, bank holiday Monday in Somerset, around 60 people gathered at the sign of the Dolphin in Wincanton to witness the first ever Thud Tournament.
Thirty-six individuals took up the challenge, with only a few having played the game before and most of them only once or twice. After registration we moved into the gaming room where 18 boards had been set up. We were ushered to our allotted tables and told the rules. It would be a game of quick Thud with each player having only 30 moves in each round. Each player was given 15 seconds thinking time and then 5 seconds to make their move.
Scoring was based on the difference in points between the winner of the round and the loser and were marked on the score cards. If one player had 4 Trolls (16 points) and the other had 3 Dwarfs (3 points) the Troll player scored 13 points and the Dwarf player scored -13 points.
There was a great sense of anticipation, excitement and nervousness as each player waited for the start. Once the game commenced we settled down into the rhythm of the game. After the first round we took a short break, reset the boards and started the second half.
Once the first game had been completed, the scores were tallied and a timeout was called for lunch. After meeting various Discworld fans and fellow Thud players I had missed my opportunity for a pub lunch but did manage to get a quick drink in before games resumed at 2pm. Luckily I was able to stave off hunger by gorging myself on the copious amounts of chocolate eggs that Bernard had arranged.
On returning to the game room we had been allocated new opponents and settled down to the second game (after waiting for Dave Hodges to return). Now that everyone in the room had played at least one game the atmosphere was more relaxed and everyone seamed to be enjoying themselves. After the second game Terry had arrived as was busily signing anything people could place in front of him. At this point all thirty six players were given certificates signed by Bernard and Trevor (the games designer) and many took the opportunity to get Terry to sign them too.
On entering the games room for the third and final time, it became obvious (after Dave Hodges turned up... again) that people were beginning to take things more seriously. I personally found the third game very tiring (the level of concentration required is quite demanding) and also found it quite off-putting having Terry watching over you as you made your moves and quite often ghastly mistakes. After what seemed like a very long hour the games were all over. The cards were collected and the scores counted.
We were treated to some light entertainment by Bernard and Terry until the scores were announced in the form of the ancient and time honoured tradition of 'Maudlin Monday' where Terry gave chocolate money to the poor and needy (naturally after three games of Thud we all felt we qualified).
First a special prize was allocated to Monica Foster for being the person that gave away the most points. Then the serious prizes were handed out. In fourth place was I, your esteemed Editor, in third place Jonathon Simons, second Alex Carlton and in first place was Becky Larking who admitted to having quite a lot more experience with Thud than most.
The fourth place prize was a copy of Eric on audio book. The prizes for third and second places was a Dwarf on a stand and a copy of the audio book Eric, whilst the first prize was a Troll on a stand and copies of Eric and The Fifth Elephant also on ISIS audio books.
Once the formalities were over and the photos were taken the crowds dispersed on a highly enjoyable and hugely successful day. The first Discworld board game had Thudded home.
Jason Anthony, Editor
Discworld Monthly
Participate in upcoming Thud tournaments by going here.
