*used to be able to afford*

if you just care about points, don't join 1000 point games. presumably the other players are skilled if that's the bet. so not only is there a risk of being wiped out since you're betting all your points, but it's a high risk since your competitors are likely quite skilled. but big deal, most games are under 100 , so you should be able to get your points back up if you're playing live games.

I've lost every single game since then though, that's the problem.
So it appears I must have lost my touch, for obviously I was able to get to 1000 before.

Well, since your asking and I'm up- sure there's better sources, so hopefully others chime in.

Strong showing to be sure in the beginning: I was watching this game and was impressed with your opening.

The mid-game though.... Why did you get involved with the E-G conflict? A 6 center E has a lot more power potential than a center G. E was in a position to hold against Russia with one unit while throwing the remaining 5 at Germany. Double support to Bel from North? E would not have predicted this so all this did was piss of G with no material gain for you. If G had built a Fleet in 03, he would have been a much harder nut for England to break and, if you did decide to hit him, easier for you (I would have hit E). The following season- no reason to double support Bel which let Germany break into Burgundy. One would do. Also, later on you convoy out of England. Why? He's coming for you. Let him force the disband of your army- making him work rather than convoy it back. Mainly- it looks like you pissed a lot of your neighbors off- having both G and I suicide on you is not a good sign. At this level of play, you really have to try and play the board dynamics. You had enough growth, flexibility and freedom from conflict (until you picked) them to do this.

Play with more vets. Participate (or start) end of game threads (for both YOUR games and OTHER games). Learn what other people did in a variety of games... what worked, what didn't, and why on both (because what didn't work MAY work under conditions for a game you may be in and vice versa).

There are a lot of good articles to read. Usually the issue is mid-game for vets, not the start. But if you don't know your starts and traditional alliances and such, check out http://www.diplom.org/Online/Openings/

Mid game is all about negotiation. Read books on negotiation (like... business negotiation). Learn to present your ideas as something your ally (or victim) will see as positive to them without giving much as to how it will be positive to you (ie: give them a few SCs and take the scraps for a turn or two). Don't throw fits (unless it is a desperation tactic). Be willing to make organized retreats. Don't leave yourself open to attack, even with the most loyal ally. If you are hit hard, be willing to negotiate with the enemy: give them an SC so they can grow, but with the promise that they won't eliminate you. Get into a position to help them turn on their ally and provide them with an explanation on how they can grow larger and faster through that route.

And last, but not least, never stop talking to ANYONE. Don't stop talking to the country you are attacking. Don't stop talking to your enemy that's beating you down. Keep talking. Keep it friendly. It is easier to turn your friend than your mortal enemy.

Gobbledy, just looking at your past few games you often make the mistake of attacking too many people at once. In your last gunboat, you were fighting Italy, had just taken Munich, and decided to stab England for a single center. Generally, when you're a six or seven center country, fighting three people at once and stabbing for a single center with no means of supporting your attack is a recipe for disaster. Keep the scope of your fighting in mind.

And last, but not least, never stop talking to ANYONE. Don't stop talking to the country you are attacking. Don't stop talking to your enemy that's beating you down. Keep talking. Keep it friendly. It is easier to turn your friend than your mortal enemy.

What do I say to someone I'm attacking? I never got that bit. My war plan is to wipe him off the board, what do I have to say to him?

"Hello. My name is Gobbledydook. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

...

What about let's make an invitational so that I can learn a bit?

@Gobble: "What do I say to someone I'm attacking? I never got that bit. My war plan is to wipe him off the board, what do I have to say to him?"

I can see an error in your questions. Why is your war plan to wipe him off the board?
I find that someone at death's grip (me being death) is a most reliable resource. The fact that you stop someone from extinction in a game makes for a very loyal ally.

Why not say something like "The only reason I'm attacking is that it is the path of least resistance. If you can find another way, I'd love to work with you."

Or "I'm attacking you because you refuse to DMZ that province (like english channel) that I've asked about over and over. I can't feel secure with your armies that close. It looks like you were prepared to stab, so I just stabbed faster."

Try and start a dialog. You don't have to be friendly, I just feel it is the easiest way to talk to someone you are attacking.

Also realize that gunboat and diplomacy are two very different games. You should learn to master one or the other, not both at once. I'm very anti-gunboat biased, so you'll know which one I prefer.

If you want to play a game with me, as long as the turns are at least 48 hours, I'm in.

@Gobble, I'm looking for another full press to join, if you need players.

@fort, agreed entirely. Always keep the conversation going. You never know what new ally or information you may gather.

FK and Barn3tt are giving you really solid advice. I think the "always talk" thing has a little more flexibility than FK, but the general idea is right (sometimes controlled silence can be used to control a person's moves better than trying to argue for a move). I haven't looked at all your games, just this recent big pot one. In that it looks like you made two mistakes: you didn't see that the board drastically changed at the end of 1903 and after getting Germany out of your home, you joined in an attack against him.

All those support holds in Bulgaria with the move to Smy, Russia being locked out of the North, and Germany continuing to build armies. These things tell you volumes about what is about to happen in the next few years. Turkey feels secure and Austria is willing to work with him. Russia is going to be out very shortly. England has what he needs to change direction and Germany can't hold him off. You NEED Italy, even if it means giving up a SC, because he is the only one who can really threaten Austria or Turkey.

As for the German issue, here is another case of needing a buffer. You needed to tell England you would join the fight later while getting yourself some units ready to deal with England. It would have been a good situation to full on support Germany, even if it meant taking on England before fully prepared. England was vulnerable on the western side. A quick fleet move from MAO to NAO, especially with another fleet in MAO to provide convoy assistance is devastating to England in that situation. You could have been taking English home centers while Germany fought the real war and likely been wrapping things up just as Italy was collapsing (Italy can hold out a surprisingly long time when played well). You shift into stalemate position on the south and Germany locks the north and you 4-way.

Gobble, you gonna set up a game to learn from?

Gobble, please count me in, I have a long way to go.

@Zarathustra

so when you say he needed italy, do you mean he shouldn't have taken tunis in that game, or that he should have taken it but somehow helped italy stay alive?
my analysis was that if he felt too weak to take on england, then he should have taken over italy completely since he had already taken tunis, so why only go in halfway. also i thought austria/turkey were too busy with themselves to seriously threaten him.

ok, let's set up a WTA anon full-press. Will 5 bet do?

Gobbledydook
fortknox
dubmdell

I'd join if that is acceptable

ok, let's set up a WTA anon full-press. Will 5 bet do?

Gobbledydook
fortknox
dubmdell
NikeFlash

3 more!
Thanks for the advice, keep it coming! I'm sure we can all learn from it.

^ above

I'll have a go if you want me.

ok, let's set up a WTA anon full-press. Will 5 bet do?

Gobbledydook
fortknox
dubmdell
NikeFlash
Haert

2 more!
Thanks for the advice, keep it coming! I'm sure we can all learn from it.

oops missed DILK


Gobbledydook
fortknox
dubmdell
NikeFlash
Haert
DILK

just 1 more!

48 hour turns are preferred for me.

what happened to zarathustra. all that thoughtful composition for nothing.

bumpity bump 1 more!

I'd like to join

I'm in. Pretty much a noob at Diplomacy, but would like to get into it on a regular basis and could use the tips.