Diplomacy Games Diplomacy Games.com - Kaner and Amby

The guys discuss their latest face to face tournament, the Melbourne Open and have an around the card table discussion with many great players. Plus Ken's shoe story. Enjoy!
Intro
The guys open the show discussing their drinks, Gavin's incredible rustiness and a little about the tournament (0 mins 15 secs)
They mention DBN is having a chat also coming up blow by blow about the tournament  (9 mins secs)
Card table chat around Melbourne Open and player experiences
The guys introduce the card table chat with various players from the Melbourne Open and Ken teases the tale of two shoes. Bear in mind that occassionally with so many people speaking it can be confusing briefly (9 mins 30 secs)
The chat begins with Karthik Konath (USA), Craig Percell (New Zealand), Ken, Steve (Melboune), Peter (Melbourne), Jamal (Canberra), Goffy (Melbourne) and Robert (Melbourne via London), meanwhile Gavin discusses a skit in Aunty Donna and his poor consistent games at the end of day one (10 mins)
They begin a debrief on their round 1 and 2 games and observations from the first day (14 mins)
Sascha (Thailand via Germany) joins the chat and they discuss the international player's views on why they came to an Australian tournament and what they like about Australia from their visit so far (19 mins)
They talk about the prospects of a WDC in Australia is a few years (26 mins 30 secs)
Australian stereotypes (32 mins 35 secs)
They eventually move on to each discuss their first day at the tournament (38 mins 45 secs)
They move onto how things will change in their gameplay for day two and the additional role to the TD in supporting wellbeing (1 hr 23 mins 45 secs)
The discussion wraps up (1 hr 53 mins)
Airport Tournament wrap-up (BONUS shoe story)
The guys give their recollections of the chat (1 hr 53 mins 30 secs)
They discuss their trip back from Andrew Goff's to their apartment and Ken's Ned the "Shoe Man" Kelly story (1 hr 57 mins)
Ken announces he came third in the tournament (2 hrs 3 mins)
Ken flags to watch his second round Turkey game when it airs on DBN (2 hrs 7 mins 30 secs)
Gavin talks about his first round Italy getting an Italian army in Sevastapol in fall 1902 (2 hrs 9 mins)
They discuss upcoming tournaments including the Hung Parliament Handicap in Canberra, getting a Canetoad Classic in Brisbane happening in August and another Melbourne tournament in October (2 hrs 14 mins)
Gavin flags that our scheduling has been thrown out a bit before wrapping up (2 hours 16 mins)
Venue: The Taphouse (Melbourne Airport) and Andrew Goff's place, Melbourne
Drinks of choice:
Ken:  Stomping Ground red ale by the Taphouse and so, so many
Gavin: Stomping Ground pale ale zero alcohol and many, many more
Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment... or buy the guys a drink, you can also donate at Patreon, plus you get extra podcast episodes!
Lastly, don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest Diplomacy Games episodes straight to your phone.
Thanks as always to Dr Dan aka "The General" for his rockin' intro tune.
 

The guys interview Zach Moore about all things NADF. Plus we talk our online games.
Intro
The guys open the show talking about some recent off topic discussions (0 mins 15 secs)
They discuss their drinks and initial venue  (1 mins 30 secs)
Loser's round stuff (3 mins 30 secs)
Interview with Zach Moore about NADF
The guys start introducing their interview with Zach, current NADF President who gives us a tour of his car (6 mins 30 secs)
Zach explains how he took over the presidency of NADF from Siobhan Nolen, and his purpose in the role and the Code of Conduct (9 mins)
He discusses the more proactive measures he'd like to see to get ahead of behaviours that cause problems and how the NADF Board is assisting (13 mins)
They discuss improving diversity in the game (16 mins)
Zach talks about this year's DipCon in Vancouver and his experience, including his game with Jamal Blakkarly (20 mins 30 secs)
Gavin asks about why non North Americans didn't perform as well at DipCon (28 mins)
They discuss how play style changes in a tournament where there is no top board (34 mins 30 secs)
Zach talks about how Covid killed the local Minnesota club (37 mins 30 secs)
Zach asks about the Australian "Snake Pit" virtual league on Discord (39 mins 15 secs)
They talk about the concept of an International Diplomacy Federation (41 mins)
Zach puts on the record about him winning his DBNI first round and top board, and how it'll happen (46 mins)
They wrap up the interview (48 mins 20 secs)
Around the grounds
They move bars to the Dark Red Wine Bar and discuss their new drinks as a mid-game (55 mins)
The guys talk about a "Big Hitters" game staring to form at vDiplomacy, currently planned on a Haven map (1 hr 1 mins)
They talk about heading off to the Melbourne Open this weekend (1 hr 5 mins)
They wrap up the show (1 hr 9 mins)
Venue: The Prince Regent & the Dark Red Wine Bar, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Ken:  Young Henry's XPA and Moretti Lager (from Italy)
Gavin: Balter XPA and a Primitovo from Apulgia, Italy
Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment... or buy the guys a drink, you can also donate at Patreon, plus you get extra podcast episodes!
Lastly, don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest Diplomacy Games episodes straight to your phone.
Thanks as always to Dr Dan aka "The General" for his rockin' intro tune.

The guys interview Chris Brand about the upcoming 2024 DipCon/Cascadia Open in Vancouver. Plus we talk upcoming tournaments and our online games.
Intro
The guys open the show about Gavin's wife's recent interest in Ticket to Ride and talk about a number of other board games (0 mins 15 secs)
They discuss their drinks and initial venue which they last visited in episode 2 (4 mins 20 secs)
Ken's been brewing beer (6 mins 20 secs)
Interview with Chris Brand
The guys start introducing their interview with Chris Brand, WDC winner and tournament organiser for this year's DipCon/Cascadia Open in Vancouver (10 mins 15 secs)
Gavin asks about the tournament from 3rd to 4th February 2024 and how it'll be different being run as a DipCon (12 mins 30 secs)
They talk about the scoring system and player's from different locations' playing style versus the West Coast style (15 mins 30 secs)
They go onto discuss responsibilities in organising the tournament (20 mins 40 secs)
Chris talks about the rounds and the impact of online players increasingly attending face to face tournaments (23 mins)
Gavin asks about Chris' drink (26 mins)
Ken asks about how did the idea of combining DipCon and Cascadia come about (27 mins 40 secs)
He then asks about the logistics of getting to the tournament (30 mins 30 secs)
They talk about the social aspect of the tournament (32 mins 15 secs)
Gavin asks Chris about whether he'll attend WDC in Milan (34 mins)
Ken asks about how to register and get advice on getting to the tournament (35 mins 40 secs)
They start wrapping up the interview before moving onto discussing the interview (38 mins)
Ken gets up to some maple syrup smuggling (47 mins 30 secs)
Diplomacy chat
The guys discuss the two upcoming tournaments in Australia: the Melbourne Open hosted by Andrew Goff in the first weekend of March and the Hung Parliament Handicap in Canberra hosted by Jamal Blakkarly on 12-14 April (48 mins 30 secs)
The guys give their take on Renaissance Italy (57 mins)
They discuss having a tournament in Brisbane during August called the "Canetoad Classic" and get into the trophy (1 hr 1 min)
The guys move onto a new venue, moving to Rothwells and discuss their mid-game drinks (1 hr 7 mins)
Around the grounds
Gavin talks about the last episode where the guys agreed to play the new South of Sahara variant, but Ken then CD'ed and left the game (1 hr 14 mins)
They move onto Gavin's Europa Renovatio game as Portugal (1 hr 18 mins)
Ken flags he hasn't got around to any Big Stick Diplomacy variant updates. They then talk about a few games broadly (1 hr 26 mins)
Ken talks about how to flag in a gunboat how to flag to get on with it and draw (1 hr 29 mins 30 secs)
The guys start wrapping up the episode (1 hr 32 mins 45 secs)
Venue: The Gresham & Rothwell's, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Ken:  Cooper's Sparkling Ale from South Australia and Wilder gluten free pale ale
Gavin: Capa Sigle Tempranillo from Castilla la Mancha in Spain and a 2018 Bordeaux
Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment... or buy the guys a drink, you can also donate at Patreon, plus you get extra podcast episodes!
Lastly, don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest Diplomacy Games episodes straight to your phone.
Thanks as always to Dr Dan aka "The General" for his rockin' intro tune.

After almost 4 years the guys bring back creator and publisher of the Diplomacy Briefing, Umbletheheap, to see where the weekly email newsletter is at and where it's going. Plus we award the end of year Best Player award between each other, the new South of Sahara variant and progress on the Big Stick Diplomacy variant.
Intro
The guys open the show and discuss their drinks and initial venue which they last visited in episode 14. They discuss why Russia doesn't open Warsaw to Silesia more often. (0 mins 15 secs)
Interview with Umbletheheap
The guys start introducing their interview with Umbletheheap, creator and publisher of the Diplomacy Briefing (6 mins 15 secs)
Umble gives a quick overview about what the Diplomacy Briefing is and its initial beginning (8 mins)
He discusses the increasing role of many other great people contributing to the Briefing (10 mins 15 secs)
Gavin asks about the professionalisation of the newsletter (14 mins 10 secs)
Umble discusses his role in Ministry as a pastor yet being someone who loves the game Diplomacy which has a certain reputation (17 mins 45 secs)
They discuss the role of AI when assisting the Briefing (26 mins)
Gavin gives a shout out for anyone listening to the show who wants to step up, give back to the community and be recognised for their work re-using podcast conten in other areas eg Youtube (31 mins)
Umble shares two secrets, one on starting the Briefing and getting Captainmeme back into the game (32 mins)
He discusses winding things back a bit, while still ensuring the Briefing will keep on going (39 mins)
Umble discusses old Diplomacy zines and how in the past it impacted on relationships (44 mins)
He finishes up by discussing their Diplomacy awards coming up (47 mins)
The guys return - this time in a new venue - and discuss the interview (52 mins)
Diplomacy chat
They discuss the new venue - an 80's rock bar called Alice - and their drinks (57 mins 30 secs)
Some 80's pop culture banter (59 mins)
Ken awards the trophy between the two of them on who is The Better vDip player, with Ken still beating Gavin (1 hr 0 mins 40 secs)
New variant - South of Sahara
The guys discuss the latest new variant on vDip "South of Sahara", created by David E Cohen and brought to vDip by Enriador and Tobias Florin (1 hr 3 mins 30 secs)
They discuss this new 5 player variant. Gavin shares a conversation with David about the variant and some of his new upcoming variants (1 hr 5 mins)
Ken shares a story about transforming units in Known World 901 and they agree to playing a South of Sahara game together (1 hr 12 mins 30 secs)
Due to the very dark lighting they decide to switch drinking venues (1 hr 15 mins)
Variant development update: Big Stick Diplomacy
The guys have moved to Red Queen Gin and begin planning further their Big Stick Diplomacy variant (1 hr 15 mins 45 secs)
Ken gives Gavin a geographic history lesson (1 hr 41 mins)
Henry Kissinger update
The freaky Henry Kissinger moment (1 hr 47 mins)
Bronze Age Diplomacy play testing
Gavin bought into this variant being play tested. You can view the game at vDiplomacy with the opening positions viewed on the variant page (1 hr 54 mins 30 secs)
He goes on to discuss what he felt coming towards the end game and why as a variant creator he felt the need to stab his long term ally (1 hr 57 mins 15 secs)
The guys start wrappin up the show, but have a mea culpa for our Patreon supporters. Gavin's slightly misplaced the recording from last episode and is looking for it. It'll come out soon (2 hrs 7 mins)
Venue: Embassy Hotel, Alice and Red Queen Gin, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Ken:  Black Haze stout infused with egg nog, Sundance Surprise, Ritual and CeremoniesGavin: Black Hops Goat hazy IPA, Buffalo Trace on the rocks, barrel aged Negroni
Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment... or buy the guys a drink, you can also donate at Patreon, plu

The guys interview Sascha Heylmann who they met and played at WDC. Plus we address the myth of Diplomacy being the favorite game of Henry Kissinger... unfortunately surprisingly timely.
Intro
The guys open the show and discuss the venue and their drinks before they introduce their interview with Sascha Heylmann, one of the behind the scenes organisers at WDC in Bangkok (0 mins 15 secs
Interview with Sascha Heylmann
The interview with Sascha begins (2 mins 45 secs)
How Sascha got into Diplomacy: both in Europe and in Bangkok. He discusses recent organising of games in Bangkok (4 mins 30 secs)
They talk about the challenge of getting local players instead of ex-pats and more women involved into the game (9 mins)
The guys talk about the challenge of playing a pre-dominantly a game communicating in English vs Thai, culture in the ex-pat and Thai communities and improving diversity in the game (15 mins)
Sascha talks about upcoming steps in Diplomacy coming up for Bangkok and more broadly for southeast Asia (26 mins 45 secs)
Ken asks about Sascha's takeaway thoughts on what went well and what could've been done differently for future tournaments (31 mins 30 secs)
They talk about long term thinking for a tournament circuit concept. Sascha reflects on this in the southeast Asian context with the idea of it being somewhere like Denang in Vietnam in August 2024 (36 mins 30 secs)
If you want to find out more and join Sascha's Whatsapp group for the New Years or Southeast Asian championship, use our contact us link and we'll hook you up! Or private message Vaultboy on vDiplomacy (45 mins 30 secs)
The guys wrap up the interview (52 mins)
The guys return and give their thoughts on the interview (52 mins 50 secs)
Ken and Gavin move bars to the Press Club (54 mins 50 secs)
Diplomacy news and chat
Brother Bored’s Diplomacy Dojo podcast is back after a bit of a hiatus (56 mins)
They discuss PlayDip recently being hacked and give their thoughts about the massive amount of gambling advertising on the site (58 mins)
Ken announces that we’re going to be part of trying to get a face to face scene happening on the Gold Coast (about an hour south of Brisbane) (1 hr 2 mins)
Gavin announces a small development in the urban legend about Diplomacy being the favourite game of Henry Kissinger. Note: this was recorded prior to the announcement of Henry Kissinger’s death (1 hr 6 mins 30 secs)
The guys turn to their new proposed variant across multiple theaters of war at the end of the 19th Century and have an update for listeners (1 hr 20 mins 15 secs)
Gavin resets expectations on a Christmas extravaganza for the next episode (1 hr 37 mins)
He goes onto discuss a suggested title for this variant (1 hr 39 mins 15 secs)
They talk about a name for the variant and coalesce on "Big Stick Diplomacy" (1 hr 47 mins 30 secs)
The guys begin wrapping up the episode (1 hr 49 mins)
Venue: Press Club, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Ken:  Valley Hops hazy IPAGavin: The house cabernet sauvignon.
Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment... or buy the guys a drink, you can also donate at Patreon, plus you get extra podcast episodes!
Lastly, don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest Diplomacy Games episodes straight to your phone.
Thanks as always to Dr Dan aka "The General" for his rockin' intro tune.

The guys interview Bradley Grace about his love of Diplomacy. Plus they discuss a great new variant devised on a mini bus in rural Thailand and their online games.
Intro
The guys introduce themselves, the bar and their drinks for the evening (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss what life's like now back in Australia, instead of their super chill selves in Thailand. Ken talks about some of the places he visited in Thailand after Kanchanaburi (4 mins 30 secs)
Interview with Bradley Grace
They start introducting the interview for today's episode with Bradley Grace. Gavin flags they had tech issues recording the interview, so apologies there's a small break and then another 30 mins of the interview didn't record for some reason (8 mins 45 secs)
Ken begins the interview and asks Bradley about how did he come to WDC. Bradley also discusses how he first got into Diplomacy (11 mins 30 secs)
For some reason Zoom crapped itself so soon in the interview, but then we come back (14 mins 15 secs)
Bradley talks about his virtual Diplomacy championship top board experience and his stories on gameplay (16 mins 45 secs)
He talks about his main lesson: be 10% less aggressive (21 mins 30 secs)
Bradley and Ken talk about their discussions from watching the WDC shadow top board. They discuss Diplomacy as a spectator sport (23 mins 30 secs)
Bradley talks about the repechage round which determined whether he or Edi Birsan made the top board. He then gives his views on how he would've done on the top board as Germany (26 mins)
He asks Gavin why he built an army as Turkey in winter 1901 rather than a fleet (29 mins)
Ken asks if Bradley had a favorite game he played at WDC (30 mins)
As flagged the 2nd part of the interview wasn't recorded (sorry - you just missed half an hour of gold). Gavin flags our next Patreon episode has a great WDC discussion recorded involving Chris Brand, Jamal and Bradley (37 mins)
A great new variant?
On the way back from Erawan Falls in Thailand on a mini bus, Gavin and Ken came up with the idea for a fantastic new variant, an alternate history variant set during the Spanish-American War, where a broader war occurs including Britain, France, Holland and Portugal. The variant involves conflict across 4 diffent theaters of war and different power dynamics across the quadrants to create balance across the board (43 mins 15 secs)
Around the grounds
Ken discusses a couple of the few games he's in at the moment (1 hr 4 mins)
Gavin talks about two games he drew in - an Ancient Mediterranean game and an Imperial game (1 hr 6 mins)
He then discusses an American Conflict game he was eliminated in (1 hr 12 mins 30 secs)
They talk about trying to get a face to face game happening locally. Ken discusses the new 6 player Greek city states map he purchased at WDC (1 hr 13 mins 30 secs)
They begin wrapping up the show (1 hr 15 mins)
Venue: Antico, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Ken:  Stone & Wood pale aleGavin: A glass of Italian montepulciano (missed the name of the vineyard when ordering)
Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment... or buy the guys a drink, you can also donate at Patreon, plus you get extra podcast episodes!
Lastly, don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest Diplomacy Games episodes straight to your phone.
Thanks as always to Dr Dan aka "The General" for his rockin' intro tune.