Valere
Hey,
you can't be chivalrous all the time.
A
dice game for those of us who know what a game should be like,
and
when it should not be very much like a game at all.
Good olde fashioned rowdy fun.
The Story
Now usually you ride a horse, but today I was letting my horse ride. I was letting a whole lot ride actually. I was five ahead with an early lead and a late night. Wits were suffering by the wee hours and my opponents had few to begin with. I, on the other hand, thought it was high time I blew out of this crossroads town and some money in my pocket would mean I leave tonight.I swung through the doors of this ramshackle tavern many hours ago when the moon was barely out of bed. She's way up in the sky now, watching with feigned amusement from her perch in the balcony window. She fights with the crude oil lanterns to light the table on which my dice lie holding my future.
Three dice cupped beneath dirty hands as worn as the slab table they sit on, four men intent on the petty fortunes that lay before all, seconds ticking by like hours, and spots, everywhere I saw spots.
No matter. If this round is mine, then the game is mine and the pot is mine and this town falls to nothing but a slight smudge in the back of my mind. I will pack up my mare and find my Mary. That's if these dice play out. But why shouldn't they? If good fortune didn't follow me into this town then why shouldn't I at least take her out?
Slowly, I lifted my hands from the table and showed my dice. Two fours for six points. It will bring me to nineteen. And bring me a small pile of treasure, on top of which my horse sits waiting, as I wait, to see my opponents revealed.
Help me with this story --I've hit writer's block. Maybe I've been putting too much creative juice into my dulcimer. Help!
Story will be continued...
Greg, Todd, read the directions and see if you understand them enough to play. Let me know what you think and what is not clear or what needs to be added. Also check for typos.
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Objective |
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The object of the game is to win. Possibly money. Definitely fame and glory. |
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Game Play |
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Each round all players roll three dice, keeping them hidden from their opponents. They must choose two to be the sum they play with, the sum dice, and the other will be the points they play for, the point die. When all players have settled their hands (and their bets) the dice are shown. |
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Winning a Round |
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The round is won by the player with the greatest sum found by adding his two sum dice. He wins only the points shown on his selected point die, which is then added to his running total. |
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The Tie |
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If two players have the same sum, they each receive the other's point die score. If more than two players show the same sum, points transfer in a clockwise manner. |
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Winning the Game |
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The game (and pot) is won by the first player to reach a score of 18. This ensures a minimum of three rounds per game. |
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Wagering |
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Valere lends itself to the gambling type. Often bets are placed and raised at the beginning of each round as players vie to reach 18. Also common is to ante into a game pot and place side bets, after the dice are rolled, to be decided each round. The bluff then becomes a very important tool, as players must fold if they can't meet the wager. |
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Some Parting Words |
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This game is an original creation. It's roots are as ancient as dice themselves, when Luck first gave herself to Chance. But as a good game must, it moves beyond mere probabilities. To win and win successfully, one must read his opponents and know when to favor points over the sum. You have to be wise, my friend, and not bet the horse when the walk is long. So with those parting words, I say good day and good raucous to you. |
Valere
Hey,
you can't be chivalrous all the time.
A
Small Post Script:
While
this game is offered for your enjoyment, all publication and sale
rights are retained and protected.
If
you enjoy Valere, drop me a note;
I love to hear others' adventures.
www.mathprose.com
