Space Base Surpasses Century Number In Debut At WBC!

The inaugural Space Base Tournament was an event filled with uncertainty. The second Saturday time slot meant that there existed the possibility for the event to draw huge numbers of players or alternatively the 9am start could keep players away. The number of players that entered was at a manageable 100. Two thirds played in the first heat, while the second heat drew just over 30 players of which 26 were new.

Shortly after the 9am the initial 76 players blasted off on the first game. Each table played two games with the winners of each game advancing to the next round. The second heat as mentioned previously drew fewer players but the competition was just as fierce. At the conclusion of the second heat 40 players had won at least one game and thereby qualified for the next round. Of the 40 who advanced 34 returned to play in the single elimination rounds. Emerging out of this round were the favored eight. These eight players were divided into two table of four players each with the top two players at each table advancing to the finals. Fifth and Sixth place were awarded to the next two highest scoring players in this instance fifth place was awarded to Paul Klayder and 6th to Marc Gibbens.

After all the space dust had settled and the after burners had cooled the following four players; Lisa Gutermuth, Jim McFarland, Lucas Heinz, and Mike Swinson, had emerged as the finalist in this first year of Space Base. In the final each finalist pursued their own path to victory each trying to maximize on their scores on their opponents rolls. Jim opted for the strategy of moving his cards from less desirable quadrants to the more optimal spaces on his board. Ultimately this proved to be a winning strategy as at games end Jim edge Lucas 50 to 49 in points to secure the first Space Base Plaque. Lucas Hienz finished second, Lisa finished third with 33 points and Mike rounded out the top four with 25 points.