Newbie question

In article <m3pshlm7v8.fsf.RemoveThis@home.sweet.home>,
Myriam Abramson <mabramson.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:

>While I have still to play a game, I would like to know if it is
>possible to "bluff" in Diplomacy as in Poker? I know you can deceive
>and break an alliance. Thanks,

I would say that when you argue "If you don't give me Rumania,
next year Italy will support me into Greece and you'll be in
real trouble"--when, in fact, Italy hates your guts and is
most unlikely to do any such thing--you are bluffing, just as in
poker.

It's hard to bluff about your own units since they are all clearly
visible on the table. But you can bluff about your future plans.
"If you stab me for Greece, I will pull all of my forces off the
Italian border, even if it costs me the game, and ram them into
your home centers. I'll lose, but I'll make sure you go down with
me." It's a bluff if you don't actually intend to do that,
but are just trying to intimidate your negotiation partner.

(Experienced players fairly often respond to a stab by allying with
the stabber; but you never want to let on in advance that you're
willing to do that!)

Mary Kuhner mkkuhner.RemoveThis@eskimo.com
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