The number of people who Can't Stop is growing each year. The event is now firmly entrenched as a late night staple at WBC.	These young ladies have been equipped with one of the deluxe versions which appear to only see the light of day at WBC.

In most WBC tournaments, kibitzing about a game in progress is not only frowned upon, it will get you asked to leave. Can't Stop isn't a member of that fraternity. Like Slapshot and many of its other late night brethren, the peanut gallery plays a big role in the festivities and the crowd can become downright raucous in its exhortations to influence players to dismiss their own judgement and keep challenging fate by continuing their turn at the cost of ever increasing risks of position gained. It's all meant in good fun and part of the charm of this otherwise extremely simple game. So simple in fact, that it serves well as a late night closer for hundreds of players not constrained by the need to know any rules other than the basic laws of probability. And as such, it is a common denominator shared by all the gamers present, be they wargamers, Euro enthusiasts, rail or sports fans. Its a way for everyone to let their hair down and bond with a shared experience. As such, it may come as somewhat of a shock to introverts used to more cerebral fare accustomed to thinking about their moves in peace and quiet. If that describes you, perhaps you should give it and the other 11 PM slots a wide berth and opt for an early bedtime instead since not one laurelist has ever repeated in this event. It's the WBC equivalent of the lottery with enhanced sound effects.

In keeping with the "loose" atmosphere, we kept it fast and simple, seating players "Slapshot style" - which means everyone can sit with their friends or join a group fewer than four players and just start addictively rolling the dice. This year 178 "crazies" competed in the midnight madness. Participants played four fast-paced raucous rounds before the field was narrowed to three finalists. The contenders were Mary Ellen Powers a.k.a. "Kitty", Marco DeLaurentis, and Elaine Pearson. It took several rounds before each player was ensconced on the board in safe positions. This trio truly embraced what it means to play Can't Stop ... each wiping their slate clean several times before surrendering the dice to the next player - doubtlessly influenced in their foolhardy bravado by the taunts of the crowd. Consequently, the Final game took nearly 45 minutes. It was a round robin of closing columns. First to score was Marco who closed out the 9's, followed by Kitty taking the 7's, and Marco scoring again with the 5's. Elaine was last to score but took both the 6's and 8's, before Kitty got her second column and drew even with the 4's. The next column closed would win the game. Elaine did it with 12's no less to win the title.

Once again thanks to all of the assistant GM's ­ your help is very much appreciated, it always makes the event run smoother. And a special shout out to all of you who brought copies of the games (especially those who brought multiple copies)!

Wednesday must be Yellow day in the Mafia but I still haven't figred out why they drive 600 miles to hold their meetings in Lancaster.	Yes, it's true, my arch-nemesis Lisa conned me into playing Can't Stop with the evil dookeys but the Terrapins triumphed in the end.