the philosophy of laying the tiles

[kieran]

Hi, I just got Carcassonne, and my son and I have started playing it, but reading the rules (RGG), one thing confused us:

It states that when the player picks up and tile he shows it to his fellow players (so they can advise him on the "best" placement of the tile)...

What does "best" mean?

What does this imply?
Shouldn't a player decide where to put his tile to his own best advantage? But that's not in the best interests of the others?

Surely there is a conflict of interest here?

Thanks.

[mjharper]

Welcome to the game and the forums!

"Best" is ironic Such advice will always be more of hindrance than a help.

Personally, I never do that. The tile should certainly be clear for all to see, but in games I've played, we've never gone in for such 'good advice'. Except towards the end of the game, perhaps, when there's a large playing field and maybe not many places to play the tile; then several pairs of eyes can be helpful.

As far as the philosophy goes, I'm not to keen on the idea. It can lead to conflicts, especially in multiplayer games when it can feel as if people are ganging up. Better to refrain, I think; but it is in the rules…

[Scott]

Best would usuallly mean the placement with the best scoring opportunity. For example, if someone draws a cloister, it would be better to find a spot that is mostly already surrounded. In most cases, it's a matter of 2-6 pairs of eyes are better than just one. There may be an opportunity that the player doesn't see, but one of the other players does. Most games I've played in, one or two people are offering advice each turn. If you would prefer to stay silent, that is fine; you are not required to give advice.

In some cases, there is no immediate advantage to the player who is placing the tile, so rather than arbitrarily placing it anywhere, you might want to try convincing the person to place it where it will be of advantage to yourself or someone else. It's been my experience that people will know when you're doing this and will ignore your advice if they want.

I suspect that the spirit of the rule is to encourage the more experienced players to help newcomers and/or younger players who are not yet experienced enough to discover all the best placements.

[Joff]

It's interesting that phrase about "best" placement. My son insists on giving me 'sound' advice about where to play my tile... but why is it that if I followed his advice it would end up with him claiming points? 

[kieran]

thanks for the quick replies, and I get the your ideas, it's funny my son and I had kind of assumed that one of the aims was to get a layout that was as 'coherent' as possible whilst still allowing players to compete, so we tried to fill up gaps, and keep from doing moves that would make it impossible to complete cities etc.

[Scott]

Like I said, the placement with the best scoring opportunity. Note that I didn't say who for.  

[Joff]

and keep from doing moves that would make it impossible to complete cities etc.

This is one of the good strategies to employ when you are playing... make it impossible for your opponents to complete their city/road/cloister. In this way you rob them of points and keep their followers tied up for the whole game making their scoring opportunities less... it's even better when an impossible to complete city also includes a cathedral

[Wishmaster]

hmmm... There's always stacks of "Good" advice available from my opponents - Good for them that is!!! 

[kieran]

we played with the 'new' to us method and my son won by a mile  (9 years old  :(