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Hey TD! Thanks for the complement sir. Thanks for the link, I think I've tried that program in the past. Its okay but I'm going to stick with my PaintShop Pro, its easy and comfortable for me after years of use. [;)]

This turn, the Soviets realize the error in my improper use of 'The China Card' and decide to show mercy and return it to my hand for use next turn! [:D][:'(] This is an unexpected and nice event to trigger for me. It won't erase the lost opportunities had I had but will help me this round due to my lack of Ops points to use.

Okay...this is a bit confusing. After looking at the world SITREP, I realized that I had missed a Soviet card play in my slides. I don't have a picture of it so here is a screen shot of what had happened the last few turns. Prior to my Mexico fiasco, the Soviets had played a card that weakened Poland but they did some damage control with the Ops points from the card.

I decided to maximize 'The China Card' by focusing in on SE Asia some more. I expended 2 points to break Soviet control of Thailand, then piled on 1 more point to equalize the country. In addition I shored up Burma from any Soviet coup or realignment attempts.

This is probably what I should of done the first time around with 'The China Card'. At this point I believe I felt off on my game play. The Mexico disaster rippled through the rest of the round and possibly the game for me.

Soviets use this turn to unload the 'Europe Scoring Card'. As explained on the slide, this is good and bad for me. Its great that I now have the initiative to do what I want in the world but bad because I missed securing Italy and a few points.

Since the error in my slides crept in, you can't see my card selection. This round was Ops point poor for me than the prior rounds. After looking over the situation, I decided to reinforce Venezuela against any Soviet mischief at the beginning of the next round. In addition, my control over this country give me valuable points if this scoring card comes out soon.

I did consider using the 'Bear Trap' event but at this stage of the round I thought it wouldn't have the desired impact for forcing the Soviet player to discard cards to roll their way out of it.

Soviets have run out of steam it seems this round. They attempt to gain more control over SE Asia by going after the Philippines. Now is a good time to trigger 'Brezhnev Doctrine' to nullify its effects in the later stages of the Cold War. This card is basically the Soviet's 'Containment' event, the one I played as a headline on Round 1.

US response is to go after Thailand and re-secure the Philippines.

Wow, when this card was played, it made me feel like I salvaged the round after the Mexico fiasco. I didn't gain any points in the region but nor did I lose any! For most of the game, SE Asia has been the playground of the Communists. Breaking their hold in the region really bolstered my confidence in what I was doing. I need to tread cautiously in the America's but now I need to break Africa if I can.

On the last turn of the round, I decided that I need to coup a country to gain MilOps points for the end of the round. Colombia was the perfect target because it would strengthen my hold on Venezuela if the Soviets come knocking there next round. The odds are in my favor that I'll be able to do something effective with my die roll.

Round 5 ends with the loss of a single point. Overall I'm satisfied but I could of left myself in a better position if I had not let the passion of the moment overwhelm me and my desire to eliminate the communist control of Mexico.

Howdy all,

For any who care, I'm back at it again! [:'(] Real world swarmed me with lots to do [;)]

Okay, its the start of Round 6. My discombobulation continues from last round, I didn't take a screenshot of the Soviet Headline but the event gave them 1 VP for 'The China Card' in their hand. For my headline I went with 'Junta' to help me break Soviet control of Mexico.

Guatemala was given the 2 influence points to assist on the coup of Mexico, which has the side benefit of degrading the DEFCON level so the Soviets can't coup any country on their first turn! [:)]

The US has zero tolerance for a Communist government in Mexico, after all who hasn't seen Red Dawn by now, we can't make communist infiltration of the US any easier for them! [:D]

Not quite the result I was hoping for but I'll take it!

Soviets trigger a war between Pakistan and India on turn one. This was a very high risk, low payout move for the Soviets since I control almost all the countries in the region.

Since the Soviets lost the initiative, I'll do some preparing for future moves. Mexico is now under control and I expended 2 Ops points to place 1 influence point in Brazil.

The Soviets counter my last turn by expended a 4 Ops point card all in Mexico, breaking my control of the country and piling in the points to make it a race to see who comes out on top there. As I stated before, the US has a zero tolerance policy for Mexico. Last thing I need to hear is "Wolverines" from US high school students [:D]

You might

Once more I failed to get a picture of the Soviets move for the turn. Ivan placed 1 influence in El Salvador and 2 in Uruguay. The US response for the turn is to play 'Grain Sales to Soviets' as an event. The potential benefits I thought were with the risk of losing out on 2 Ops points.

Fortunately for me I get a good card in the 'Nuclear Subs'. The US can now coup wherever I want with no risk of DEFCON escalation.

Soviets on turn 4 strike at Guatemala and decisively take over the country in a coup. This greatly reduces Mexico's security so I'll have to see if I can take measures to counter the Soviets at a later time.

Since I have a open ticket to coup wherever I want, my first act is to coup Brazil. My hand is not filled with many high Ops point cards so I need to pick very carefully where I want to maximize my coups. Brazil is, in my opinion, the keystone of South America so that is why I chose to go after it first.

The America's has become this rounds focal point and the Soviets go after the non key battleground countries. Columbia falls to the Soviets this turn. The Soviets position for the next few rounds coming up is greatly improving. My failure in Brazil created a very bad situation for the US, every coup attempt this round is of the up most importance and each failure is a huge blow.

Since I have the 'Nuclear Subs' in play I must capitalize on it. Again, I go after Brazil with another coup attempt. Anyone remember Mexico?!?!?!? [:'(] This is starting to feel like that situation again, hopefully I can turn the situation around soon.

The Soviets play a card this turn that allows the US to dump some cards if it wishes to do so. This is a good time to unload 'We Will Bury You' card. I had planned on orbiting that card next turn but I'm getting desperate for things to turn around in the America's. I need as many playable cards as possible.

I decided to ditch the South America Scoring card this turn since I unable to capitalize on its potential. I'm not looking for breaking even in the America's, I want to maximize my points in this region.