Subject: All-time 12X0 streak tied - jinx test

Date: Fri Oct 6 04:11:27 2006
User: TNmountainman
Message:
If anyone out there is interested, I just tied the all-time 12X0 streak of 58, and by posting this, am setting up a future jinx test as I at some point go for the new record. I was tempted to post this before I tried for 58, but just didn't want to push my "luck" that far.......

Date: Fri Oct 6 05:27:11 2006
User: olblue
Message:
Congratulations and good luck!

Date: Fri Oct 6 08:41:19 2006
User: EZ-Ed5-LAnseMI
Message:
Congratulations, mountainman from the wonderful state of Tennessee. By tying the record you share it in my book. There might not be a jinx. I did the same thing with the last two all-time bests I got (although under other variations of EZ-Ed). When I got within a few I went into chat. Both times I had friends in there and announced what I was up to to them. And I got both Netcell records. Remember mrbuck was there the first time and Ann13 the second. (Then again, 12x0 has a lot more unwinnable games than 5x10 and 7x5.) And who can forget The.400.Club when he became the first to do 400 in 8x4 in a day. We had a running dialog going with him in chat -- how he felt, etc. We watched him get the record (then in the mid-200s) and run it to 400. That was exciting. He has since run the record to 470 after Poncho took it away from him at 401. Anyway, best of luck, mountainman. Send the 12x0 Netcell record into the 100s. And again, congratulations.

Date: Sat Oct 7 06:47:56 2006
User: Klepp
Message:
I've noticed and respected your superb proficiency on a number of variants (particularly the 6 X 6; 96%? First rate!). Take that record when you're pefectly ready, no sharing necessary (no offense diederik). By the way--are you also tbirdie98TNmtn.man? One for serious play and one for other times?

Date: Sat Oct 7 10:24:44 2006
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Yes, that's me, too, of course, but not really for that reason. (And thanks for noticing.) When I first found this site, I had no idea there were lists, etc. (I just didn't explore it enough initially.) So, playing as TNmountainman, I didn't take it as seriously (at first), and thus lost games I wouldn't have had I known 'records' were being kept. So I created the other nic to be a little more serious player from the start (but in fewer variants for now). The immediate impetus, however, was that I was stuck on a game that I thought was winnable, and didn't want to give up on yet. The only ways to play in that situation were to be anonymous, or create another nic, which is what I chose. I know EZ Ed has done similarly, but of course has gone way beyond what my purposes would be. I think I do an OK job of being near the top in percentage wins in many of the variants I play. And Ed, I did happen to be playing some that day when "The.400.Club" did his "called shot", which I think is every bit as noteworthy as the Babe's original version of same. Truly remarkable. But I can't imagine this record getting into "the 100s" - as you say just too many unwinnable games. I suspect I'm very near the end at this point, statistically-speaking.

Date: Sat Oct 7 13:56:10 2006
User: EZ-Ed5-LAnseMI
Message:
Those variants like 12x0 with lots of unwinnable games can be totally frustrating, TN. Because of that, my hat is off to you all the more. About two months ago I decided to give 7x3 a whirl. Cavegirl had run the all-time streak record to 32. So I knew this variant was loaded with unwinnable games. I decided to be more patient than usual. So I cranked down my turtle-like speed into a lower gear and just sat and stared at the beginning of every deal, not making a move until I had the game practically figured out. I was opening each game with 30 to 50 moves at once. Was playing quite well. Ran my streak to 22, which was fifth best ever. Then I was dealt a game that had one move. I could move one card once. And that was it. Knew almost immediately this game was unwinnable. But I stood there and stared at it for some time anyway -- just in case. Tried about a half-dozen more streaks in 7x3 after that. Could not get past 10 before I was dealt an unwinnable game. So I used all my luck up front. Frustrating, isn't it, TN. That's the reason I am such an 8x4 fan. I know any hand I will be dealt in a streak is winnable. My success or failure in 8x4 is 100 percent in my hands.

Date: Mon Oct 9 18:18:59 2006
User: Top-100-of-all-variants
Message:
Seeing this thread I decided to make a run at my current 12xo streak (I usually stop once I hit the Top 100) and won a few games on Friday until I too got a deal that had literally one move and then done. Unwinnable. End of streak. However, I did manage to win two in a row of the 10x0 that same Friday, so all in all, not a bad day.

Date: Thu Jan 25 14:49:00 2007
User: TNmountainman
Message:
After waiting 111 days, I went for it, resisting the urge to post here ahead of time, and got it (new all-time record for 12X0).

Date: Thu Jan 25 16:45:01 2007
User: EZ-Ed8-LAnseMI
Message:
Congratulations, TNmountainman. Enjoy your record.

Date: Thu Jan 25 19:25:32 2007
User: +-Sandy-+
Message:
Congratulations! That is quite an accomplishment!