Actually, spyman, you couldn't be more wrong:

"Luck plays no part in Diplomacy..."-Diplomacy Rule Book, Avalon Hill

I stand corrected :-)

Not no part, but certainly very small.

@AgentK - as you know I think you are an exceptionally gifted player. But I do think that erasing a period in time when you maybe weren't so good is wrong.

If the mods do erase his history, could you also do me a favour? (I know you are all powerful) You see I am an excellent poker player and should be playing in and winning the world series by now. Could you please erase my playing history to date, including all the times I have gone bankrupt. Cheers.

I think abgemact was joking. Luck is certainly a part of diplomacy. If two players of a given skill level, for example, one good and the other very good, then the very good player will come out ahead over time. But in a small sample of games the weaker player could come out ahead. This is more likely in Diplomacy than Chess. Too expect to either win or draw all of your games is not a realistic goal in diplomacy. Even Madmarx or Rait have games where things go badly from the start.

@maniac: the all-powerful former mod says 'Sure thing' - the new 'world series' will be held in a small bar in south dublin... can't wait to see you there :)

@ maniac. Im not arguing that my past history should be erased. Im just saying that when a player comes back and plays clean, i dont think their new reputation should be based on what happened a long time ago. Look at Kobe Bryant, he was in a rape scandal in colorado, but currently everyone loves him

Maniac +1 - and mods, while you are at it, can you please get me back any money I ever lost in a cash game while letting me keep my winnings? That should get me 10 or 15 grand and cover my buyin and trip to next year's WSOP.

@Draug - Hall Monitor Ratings do not exist in the game, Diplomacy. Neither do points.

Try being a purist.....or keep wanking. Your choice.

But, that isn't luck. Luck refers to a random event. Like, rolling dice, or dealing cards. If a weaker player wins in diplomacy, it's because the stronger players spent more time worrying about eachother. That isn't luck; it's a decision that they made.

"Look at Kobe Bryant, he was in a rape scandal in colorado, but currently everyone loves him"

That's the best example you could come up with?

There is an element of luck when it comes to those 50/50 guess moves and in the opening moves of a gunboat when you have no prior moves to read for clues to intent.

And yet Pete Rose is banned from baseball for life and can't even get in the hall of fame when he never bet on a game his team was playing in.

Bryant's rape case was dismissed. In other words, there was not enough evidence and the girl's credibility was impeachable (as opposed to unimpeachable). Agent K and others, on the other hand, were convicted and banned (like Pete Rose). Try comparing at least like fruit and not fruit to mineral next time.

last time i checked though, im not currently banned

roflmao @ implying you're the Kobe Bryant of webdip

What else would the K stand for : )

Draug, bringing up gunboat is completely invalid; that isn't Diplomacy. But, you do have a good point. there are those rare occasions when there's the 50/50 move, which I guess would have to be considered luck.

@Maniac: AgentK (Austria) Dillinger (france) a case study in how anonymous gunboat should be played. They draw 17/17 – Dillinger could have won easily but (rightly) rewarded his telepathic partner with a well earned draw.

brilliant

- the last player eliminated by the dynamic duo

Once a cheater, always a cheater. There is no honor amongst thieves or cheats.

Draugnar, you are pretending to be a cold person that supposedly embodies righteousness. Everyone deserves a second chance - addicts, thieves, killers. I'm not trying to condone Agent K (seeing as there is apparently some doubt over his second account's honesty) but I'm tired of listening to your gospel.

Then don't frequent the forum. This is a public forum and I'll say what I want provided it doesn't break any forum rules.

I bow down before your supremeness. Your argument has not only satisfied me, but it has convinced me that I am at fault. Boy don't you feel good now...

moron

You really need to stop signing your messages that way. Have a little more self-respect and pride. You are an idiot, but not a moron.

Draugnar

Ooohhh...this is heating up. Gonna get some popcorn

OH SHIT Somebody call teh BURN ward!

If Draugnar wants to divert attention from the point, I have no problem with that. I wish I could post your troubled messages from the kill killer game that was canceled, when Draugnar wet his pants every time he failed to guess who France was correctly.

abgemacht +1

Oh, that game where you got hold of exact quotes PMd between myself and another player. Yeah, you metagamed and I was pissed, but I never said it was an illegal meta, just a dirty one.

To clarify since people have been emailing:
Agent's previous account was investigated by me in early January: I reached no verdict. Someone else then banned it.
This account was investigated by Ghost back in April and found not guilty.
Therefore, I have been investigating actions occuring since then, and must say he doesn't look to have cheated.

If you are clearing him of any and all wrongdoing, then I formally apologize to Agent K and will happily play him should the opportunity arise in the future.