Nice dice roller, Justin - one would think you've played some Kingmaker before.	Most of the usual suspects inhabit the Final despite a large influx of new players.

We had only ten player's at the first heat and it was looking dire for Kingmaker on Friday morning. Those two games were hard fought and generated the best sole king victory and the best two-king score. Myself and Henry Russell wre the first heat victors..

The second heat was run after a one-hour Demo on Friday night. I was very surprised to find 20 folks crowded around the table to see the demo. At least half of them came directly to the following heat where 22 players participated with 18 being new players! Yes! We had the 7pm time slot that saved Kingmaker. We had three 6-player games and one 4-player game composed of late comers. Charles Ward took a sole-king victory but declined the opportunity to advance. The other games were decided by points, with a former Caesar Nick Benedict and defending laurelist Scott Smith advancing. Bill Powers, a former GM and multi-laurelist had a low 2-king score and would have to play in the third heat if he were to qualify.

The third heat was Saturday morning at 9am which proved tough for folks to make their wake-up calls. We had 10 players start with many others showing up 20-45 minutes late. We had already started so I couldn't just add them! Bill Powers attempted to win his table so he could return to the Final after a two year absence. It wasn't to be as frequent laurelist Stanley Buck coasted into the Final. The last person to advance would be the 2005 champion, Jordan Halberstadt. The stage was now set for the second and last round.

The Final was a game of the have's and have not's. It was clear from the beginning that Nick Benedict was the force to be reckoned with. His first card draw from the crown deck was Percy! He marched throughout England taking heirs at will. Somehow Henry and Richard of York escaped his grasp. Henry got called away and Jordan snatched him. I was never really in it but for a brief moment I laid siege to capture Richard. I won the siege but lost my best noble doing it - sending me scurrying into the castle for protection. Alas, Nick was close by and ready to crush me. I cut a deal and handed Richard over for my life. It was then a very low action Final with the big Parliament putting everything into the crown deck. Jordan ran and Nick stayed on the coast with the rest of us doing little to advance our cause. In the end Nick won and Jordan finished second. The finishing order was:

Nick Benedict 119
Jordan Halberstadt 107
Scott Smith 77
Justin Thompson 22
Stanley Buck -7
Henry Russell -17

I want to thank all who took the time to play the classic War of the Rose's game KINGMAKER! 33 players in 2007! We look forward to seeing all of you again in 2008!