Thought I'd share a few thoughts with the newer players regarding games that aren't going well or need to be finished early.

In theory games could, after all, be ended with only two players. In practice, even most veteran players are often content with a three-way draw. If nothing else, including a third-party in the draw serves as a check against one player attempting a coup.

Then there are the four-way draws. Call me sentimental, but there are sometimes situations where an additional player has "earned" a place in the draw. I usually won't object to this. After all, on what grounds can I recommend my own candidate for third-place over another contender?

Five-way draws are entirely unacceptable. If you sit down to play, it should be with the expectation that you are going to eliminate at least three parties. This might take three hours. It might even take four. Regardless, if the thought of booting someone out of a game for no other reason than preservation of game quality makes you squeamish, then you are in my mind unfit for the fine sport of Diplomacy.