One of the many reasons I have yet to win a game, my unwillingness to stab allies and my inability to not give away my plans. Ask Otto, Denis, Doofman, or Dave Bishop. I've played a number of games with them and I tell them straight up what I intend to do

It has been my downfall many times as well. I just don't like stabbing.

Iceray DON'T do that its stupid \.
If i am attacked I immediatly talk to the attacker not not potential allies because if I can offer a few of my SC's in exchange for help elsewhere that is better than dying bitterly and getting defeated

get used to stabbing but don't get carried away

I know Denis but I look at my games, I dont stab my allies and I dont lie to anyone about what I'm going to do. I tell you I'm like "Mother fucker you gonna die!"

why I will stab a person then use his position to my advantage a few times with some stabs mixed in and then he's dead. as long as you have an efetive stab you should be able to cripple a person to the point where they are happy to work with you.
My last game where you wer germany and I was france thats excatly what I did

Ehh at that point I was just trying to pull a survival, which I did. If Russia had offered me the same I would have been more then happy to give you some payback.

exactly Iceray0 got you down to a point where all you want is a survival and then you will be dead in no time

Yea but I over extended myself, It was something I did and thought about but decided to do it anyways.

I rarely stab too, but I try not to put myself in a position where I could be stabbed. Eventually you need to, but a dependable alliance for the time being can be very helpful. It's one less nutjob out there to worry about.

Of course, the cooperation has to be really mutually beneficial for this to work. I've been screwed and screwed people over with phony alliances many time.

Be flexible.
When you've been stabbed, try to talk the other person into er...un-stabbing you.
When you stab, see if you can use it to your advantage.
Never let that keyboard cool down.
Honestly, talk, talk, talk.
I feel like such a hypocrite. T.T

Hm, I wonder. In an alliance, how does it feel when it is pointed out to you by your ally how easy it would be to stab them?

Anybody want to play a live game....
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=16546

I initially had some hesitation in regards to stabbing, but I realized two things: 1. it is not only encouraged, but also built into the game; thus it works when applied correctly and 2. It is just a game. I do not expect any hard feelings on my part or my opponents.

I think it is good to talk to your enemies - in fact I usually congratulate them when they take an SC from me. My goal here is to eventually convert the enemy to an ally (or to at least have that as an option).
With regards to what do you to say to them: you certainly don't have to give away your secrets, but you can share your thoughts with them about the direction the game is going in the hope to gently steering them towards your line of thinking.
Sometimes I'll message a player every turn even though I get nothing back. This paid off for me though in a recent game. I was vying for a solo with another player, and I need this uncommunicative player's help to tip the balance of power in my favour. He became communicative because the chips were down (that is my messages had become relevant to him). I like to think that my earlier communications with him helped pave the way to a successful diplomacy.

I usually only stab if I can get the win within the year. If they open up, I just move in position to take as many SCs in one go as possible.

I send neutral parties advice for how to get maximum gains all the time, and warn them of potential stabs. Sort of a reward for not kicking my ass.

Some folks like an extra set of eyes watching their back. :P

There are times I don't talk to someone. But often I'll talk to my enemies. If they are trying to get me to consider how I might be stabbed or how I can stab someone, I'll say that I'm considering it, because indeed I'm considering every option every move. And sometimes I consider it enough to do it.

The key though is that later on when you get stabbed, if you've built up some friendliness in spite of your fighting, then they will more likely be willing to work with you against the other, rather than work with the other against you.

It's always a good idea to keep talking to everyone if you can. If you don't then you have little chance of getting on with them later and may miss a golden opportunity. In diplomacy there are no enemies or allies, just fellow competitors...

@figlesquidge + 1
If you think of someone as an enemy you are off to a really bad start.
Alliance flips as the game balance of power change, you can get an SC from someone on a turn and give back the other year because you need him to fight another biggest treat.
Also, if someone stab me, I don´t see as an enemy too, as if it was a successfull stab I was playing bad and deserve it and if it wasn´t successful I can use it to my favour. If you fear a stab, keep telling your ally the reasons to not stab you, and if the reason don´t see very good be prepared :-)
Of course, you don´t need to tell all your important moves to no one (even your allies), tell just what they need to now, but also don´t tell lies, just be unespecific when you don´t want to risk your movements.

"Talking to your enemies won't help you." Spoken like a true newcomer to Diplomacy.

If you aren't constantly trying to make deals with everyone you can, even those who are currently you're "enemy," you will be out maneuvered by someone who will.

Sure you may have stabbed me 3 turns ago but if there is a mutually beneficial move we can help each other make, or if there is a bigger enemy we want to work together against, then I'm going to at least consider your offer. If you never make the offer you may lose out.

I've managed to survived many a game where all hope seemed lost because I was able to make myself useful to a player who had taken many of my SC's, i've even seen people come back from near losses to win or finish strongly because they were willing to work with, and talk to, their "enemies."

Not to mention the possibility of lying to and thus taking advantage of your "enemies."

I pulled a 2 SC to a strong second off in a Gunboat once, but then that sort of negates the whole talking point... Nevermind...

@Draugnar

Lol.

...that is all.

@Draugnar - Ha! That being said it might have been even easier in a talking game!

So you guys are arguing that once in a while talking to your enemies may actually do something for you? That may be true. But not talking could be better for you in other situations.

I love stabbing.

It's all psychology I guess. Like figle says, there are no 'friends' or 'enemies', just fellow competitors. A player who is attacking you you may view as an enemy but this blocks communication and blocks possibilities of him turning around or you yourself offering him something of use (which is also useful for yourself). This way you lessen possibilities in a game.

In my view the only rule in Diplomacy is: you can trust others to think in their own benefit

The whole art is ofcourse getting people to think in their best interest while supporting your interests. :)

Merir...: Well think of it the other way. If you don't talk to me for half the game, then suddenly you're in danger of being wiped out, your key ally has stabbed you and then you start talking to me, how likely am I to take up your offer?

"I find people on this site insist others to talk to everyone a lot. Even enemies. But this seems a little silly. Talking to your enemies won't help you. And there are certain situations where someone has sent you a question and you are doing something which they don't want. Do you answer truthfully and give away your intentions? Or do you lie and show yourself to be untrustworthy?" imafool

Incorrect. You should send messages to every single player on every single turn - especially in the early game. Sending messages is not the same as giving away important information. You maintain communication, even if it's not strictly and immediately necessary, so that, when the time comes, the channel is open and you can readily ask for help, support, or information.

And remember, in this game of DIPLOMACY, silence always equals hostility.

Interesting, I would never try and set such strict 'rules' to things.
The key to diplomacy is not to be predictable!