Playing Time

[Krieghund]

How long is your average Battle of the Bulge game taking to play? If you would, please also indicate how many games you've played to give me an idea of your experience with the game. Thanks!

[johnnyonthespot]

I voted 3.5-4 hours. I'm not really sure, but the game does take a lot longer than you'd think just looking at the small number of pieces on the board during set up.

I take a long time planning my attacks and (especially) reinforcements. I also try to make sure the front line marker is "just so."

So far I have played 12 games (all German victories, with only one close call).:mad:

[JimM]

I also voted the 3.5-4 hr range. I have not played a lot of times, but I don't think the avg. will go down, or up because of it. BUT, those are the times I am "averaging". I played 3 games with another person and 3 SOLO (Do SOLOs really count?). The Allies have won twice 1 SOLO and 1 with the other player. No "special" stratagies. I played the Allies each time. I like the challenge ;)

Jim

[boersma8]

I voted 3.5 to 4 hours. I've played 4 times so far. I also take a long time planning reinforcements and such ( although my most frequent opponent usually even takes a lot longer...) I do think playing time might drop to 2.5 to 3 hours or so....

[Thoes426]

5 hours for me, but that's due to learning the game as I played.
I could see it taking just over 3 if I had the rules memorized.
It's fun and a welcome change from the other A&A variants.
I hope Larry continues to produce more games in the "battle specific" line.
Thoes426

[TrimChris]

After 7 plays, about 4 hours for a game with tough Allies. I think this will drop as my opponents become more experienced. I haven't played against a single opponent more than twice.

Of course, if its one of the games where the Axis roll over the Allies you can end the game in under 2 hours.

[frimmel]

As the Allies find their strategy the games are taking longer. We had one come in at about an hour and half but that was a turn four Axis win. We have about 9 games in.

[kirk]

Depending on the opponent (I tend to play fairly quickly, though I haven't won a game yet as either side, but close) about 4-5 hours. Some reduction may occur as we take short cuts (leaving out the front line markers, shortcuts in assigning hits by not using the pull out boards, etc.) but probably not under 3 without one side smashing the other.

[mzungu]

So far out of eight games only two have ended in under 3.5 hours. In both these games it was a run away for the Germans and ended on turn 5. Some close games have gone to the end of turn seven and one game all the way to the end of turn eight.

[Cruelsader]

I am not sure what you are asking. Are you asking the length of the game in average? (i.e. hours spent on all games divided by number of games) Or do you mean what is the average length of a full (8 turns) game? Or do you ask what is the length of a game that I consider average?

In my limited experience, four-five hours appears to be a good estimate for a full 8 turn game. However, Germans have an edge in the game and thus games in average (and an average game) may last much less than 8 turns.

I have played only three games so far. Two allied vitcories were, by definition, 8 turn games and lasted 5 hours. One was German victory in turn 5 and the game lasted for 2,5 hours. So, my average full game is 5 hours. The length of my games in average is about 4 hours. I have not played enough to say what is the length of an average game in my opinion, however, I think it will be probably less than 4 hours.

[Krieghund]

I am not sure what you are asking. Are you asking the length of the game in average? (i.e. hours spent on all games divided by number of games) Or do you mean what is the average length of a full (8 turns) game? Or do you ask what is the length of a game that I consider average?
The length of the game on average, but this is a good point.

Thanks for the responses, everyone! I am now posting a follow-up poll on average length of an 8-turn game.

[JimM]

I also voted the 3.5-4 hr range. I have not played a lot of times, but I don't think the avg. will go down, or up because of it. BUT, those are the times I am "averaging". I played 3 games with another person and 3 SOLO (Do SOLOs really count?). The Allies have won twice 1 SOLO and 1 with the other player. No "special" stratagies. I played the Allies each time. I like the challenge ;)

Jim

The above is from an earlier post I had made, and now that the subject of the "FULL 8 TURNS" has come up, I have only made it through the FULL 8 turns once. (Like I said, I haven't played alot.) That was the ONLY time the Allies won too. The other games were the 3-3.5 hr range, and the FULL game was more like 4-4.5 hours.... so that is why I said 3.5-4 hr range. I will vote in the other poll once I have played a few more times. (Hopefully, I will be able to get all 8 turns in.) :)

Jim