Auction (Collector, High Bid) the out of print game of acquisition saw its participation level drop by 20% from 2005 . (Down 6 from 36 to 30) The game is only an hour long and each year had to be revoted in by its die hard following . Sort of the 1776 of the Eurogame world. Not any more ... since the BPA Board granted it legacy status last year. Four such games were thus bestowed freedom from the vote last year and three of them promptly celebrated by declining attendance. Methinks this bears watching.

Four boards of 4 were played in the mulligan round . Walking away with a pass to the Semis were Bruce Reiff, Jonathon Lockwood, George Sauer (GM) and Andy Joy. The latter advanced in his game over runner-up Nate Hoam as Nate as rolled THREE "bank refuses to pay" and drew the imitation card on four of his sales. Sometimes it's just not your year. On the other hand, sometimes it is. Bruce benefited from three "bank refuses to pay" for Kate Taillon on his board, with all of those being refused fitting nicely into his hand.

Five boards of 4 were played in the first round. Taking away the Advance tickets were Andy Gardner, Matt Calkins, Tom Browne, Arthur Field and Ken Guttermuth. Ken rolled the $200 bonus on his last sale to give him exactly enough money to purchase jewelries off the board to complete a set to win. In the Calkin victory, four Buyers cards were drawn in succession to be auctioned off together. Debbie Guttermuth made the purchase for $2300 but finished last. The game came down to the last card with Calkin winning the auction and the game.

The Semi-Finals saw the nine winners and Kate Taillon, Nate Home and Davyd Field advance based on their performances in the prior rounds. Bruce Reiff, despite three "bank refuses to pay" slammed down a Rare Miscellany set for a quick victory over Andy Joy, Kate Taillon and Jonathon Lockwood. For the third year in the a row, three former champions were randomly matched on the same board with George Sauer, Arthur Field, and Ken Guttermuth showing Tome Browne the ropes. George was dealt the best two Rare Miscellanies and the best Jewelry and was treated by both Rich Collectors coming out and buying them off in the first two sales. He finished off the game by winning with Miniatures and Books. Nate Hoam used his second life as an alternate to eliminate Matt Calkins, Davyd Field and Andy Gardner in their game to advance.

The three victors—all CABBIES—were joined by the closest runner-up, Davyd Field in the Final. No quarter would be asked or given among the three Cabbies, so Davyd was installed as the pre-game favorite. Alas, in life some people are just plain good and some are just plain lucky. It's truly sad when a really good gamer is really lucky. Bruce Reiff is that person. Declaring for the victory and coming up short by $20 in the count, Bruce had all but thrown his chances for victory away. Showing his hand and cash position informed all of his opponents what he held and how much he could bid. Picking up his hand and proceeding with the game in the next auction a sale was made and each player inherited a card. Of course, Bruce inherited THE card, a Sterling, to fill his set, akin to filling an inside straight, to win the game and his second plaque by Wednesday afternoon. Don Greenwood's cries of anguish could be heard throughout Lancaster Host.

All in all, each of the four rounds took only an hour and only 13 games were played. The game is quick to play, easy to learn and difficult to master.