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Revision as of 16:49:12, 27 February 2025 by Lboland
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Revision as of 16:50:27, 27 February 2025 by Lboland
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[Diagram of a 5 x 5 grid of diamonds representing a tableau of cards. # chips are depicted among them. One labelled 'A' and two laballed 'B'. See text.]
[Diagram of a 5 x 5 grid of diamonds representing a tableau of cards. # chips are depicted among them. One labelled 'A' and two laballed 'B'. See text.]


We played his game <u>ZODIAC ZOO</u>, which is a   <br>
We played his game <u>ZODIAC ZOO</u>, which is a
redo of his <u>THE AMERICAN WAY</u>. (Incidentally <br>
redo of his <u>THE AMERICAN WAY</u>. (Incidentally
he received a very brusque letter in answer <br>
he received a very brusque letter in answer
to his to Nixon on this.) There are 25 cards <br>
to his to Nixon on this.) There are 25 cards
which are placed at random in the pattern <br>
which are placed at random in the pattern
as shown. There are 60 spots for placing chips, <br>
as shown. There are 60 spots for placing chips,
20 on the outside (A) and 40 on the inside <br>
20 on the outside (A) and 40 on the inside
(B). Each player has 30 chips, 6 each of 5   <br>
(B). Each player has 30 chips, 6 each of 5
different colors, worth 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1.  <br>
different colors, worth 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1.  <br>
The cards are divided into twelve different pairs of animals <br>
The cards are divided into twelve different pairs of animals
for the Chinese astrological sequence. These are valued from <br>
for the Chinese astrological sequence. These are valued from
1 to 12. (that is there are 2 no. 1s, 2 no. 2s, etc.). The 25th <br>
1 to 12. (that is there are 2 no. 1s, 2 no. 2s, etc.). The 25th
card is the "panda" which has no value on it. Instead it is <br>
card is the "panda" which has no value on it. Instead it is
valued the total of the four chips played on it.  <br>
valued the total of the four chips played on it.  <br>
The players in turn place one of their chips in a spot. He <br>
The players in turn place one of their chips in a spot. He
can place any value of any chip and in any position, except that <br>
can place any value of any chip and in any position, except that
a player cannot play on the same animal (even if the other <br>
a player cannot play on the same animal (even if the other
of a pair) two turns in a row. A chip placed on one of the <br>
of a pair) two turns in a row. A chip placed on one of the
outside spots (A) is worth one point more than its regular value.  <br>
outside spots (A) is worth one point more than its regular value.  <br>
When all the spots around a card are filled the player with <br>
When all the spots around a card are filled the player with
the higher value of chips wins the card and places a marker on <br>
the higher value of chips wins the card and places a marker on
it. In case of a tie a neutral marker is placed. After all cards <br>
it. In case of a tie a neutral marker is placed. After all cards
are surrounded, each player scores the point value for each card <br>
are surrounded, each player scores the point value for each card
captured. Also a 5 point bonus for capturing the two cards of any pair.  <br>
captured. Also a 5 point bonus for capturing the two cards of any pair.  <br>
The game played quite well, except that it was quite difficult  <br>
The game played quite well, except that it was quite difficult  <br>
to see. I made the following suggestions : - Play <br>
to see. I made the following suggestions : - Play
with 16 cards in a 4 x 4 arrangement - each player having 20 <br>
with 16 cards in a 4 x 4 arrangement - each player having 20
chips, 5 each of 4 values. There are 8 pairs and no   <br>
chips, 5 each of 4 values. There are 8 pairs and no
panda. (Later thought of having 7 pairs and 2 pandas, 1   <br>
panda. (Later thought of having 7 pairs and 2 pandas, 1
"good" and 1 "bad" which scores the same way, but against  <br>
"good" and 1 "bad" which scores the same way, but against  <br>
(cont. 3/27)
(cont. 3/27)