h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've been wondering about this for a while - even since I read one of teh last interviews with Mrs Trellis where she reluctantly told about a commented series of games she'd followed in her youth and offhandedly remarked how inspiring that had been for her early career.

Why not take up that gauntlet?

I suggest a format in which the play is announced, followed by a line with a few dashes and then the enlightning comments. And please, keep to comments - we are in no way suggesting breaking the number one rule of not explaining this the most honourable of all games.

So, referring to the house list of variants and rules in play, I would like to open with:

Hackney Central
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Both a homage to the eraly origins of the game itself AND staying within both Euston and Victoria clauses.

Well, hackney cabs may well be a bit hackneyed and the East London Line may be past its sell-by but this does seem to be something of a cracking idea - a bit like the points on the Jubilee Line, I hear.

I think the O'Reilly Origins of the game are less disputed, myself but Reverse-Badgering may yet fail to avoid violation of Rule 221b. That being the case, and as you've already gone Overground, despite the poor punctuation: Gallions Reach.

(Gosh, my attention span needs some repair work...)

Gant's Hill

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Whilst being neither Gant nor Hill, does bring us into line with the pre-war austerity rules and a stark reminder that those days are behind us now and should stay that way.

Old Street

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Standard rule book play

Finchley Road and Frognal

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Emerging from austerity toward utility

Russell Square

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The rules for measuring austerity do not necessarily apply, particularly in light of the Osmonds ruling of 1975. Though this does need an extra blue chip played.

Mile End

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Central Stations also allowed under austerity - as well as under War Provision Rationing Rules, which I call now.

*places Central Line Red chip next to the blue one*

White City

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Ah now, red chips I can do!

Bank!

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Definitely no Worple Financial Index after that. I quite fancy some chips, though.

Holborn

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Not to be in nid...

Dalston Kingsland

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With a hey and a ho and a hey-nonny-no...

Dollis Hill

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And I'm very much afraid I'll have to take issue with issuing hey-nonny-nos without a by-your-leave. I'd find the appropriate ruling to quote but I'm sure you know the one I mean.

Hammersmtih

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Prett standard inversion.
I have the, ummm, 13th edition of Stovold's, I'm sure there is indeed something about inappropriate hey-nonny-nos in there somewhere...

South Kenton

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Yes, quite right. Stovolds has it. Always worth a try though eh?

Queensway

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Not to be mixed up with Queensbury. The rules are very different. And Queensbury sales aren't the same.

Waterloo
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Just feeling like an amble along the South Bank

Kew Gardens

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A vertical shunt; confirmed legal by the Osmonds ruling of 1975
(and nice to take a walk and a look at the flowers there, btw )

Wimbledon Park

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Whilst there have been some recent variations introduced that may affect how the fifteenth Victoria clause is interpreted, a careful shunting manoeuvre can still be effective.

Wembley Central

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Even Stovolds leaves some room for creativity