Tsk, tsk... DJBent, you know better than to comment on ongoing games. :-)

I guess it's OK though, when you comment is "hellalt was right, (I) suck".

By the way, here is how Austria should be played.

gameID=31194

hummm....that more like a game shouldn't be played, Draugnar... NMR's everywhere... :P

As far as I'm concerned, the first rule of success in diplomacy is not to play Austria

Yeah, unfortunately. I'm actively pursuing it getting cancelled or drawn when Germany CDs just because I don't think it is a fair game, despite my doing so well so far in it.

No choice in thematter, Ghost. :-)

TheGhostmaker: What are you talking about? A-H is awesome to play!

I thought hellalt said:

"games with [djbent] are rather complicated. I have to think more than against other opponents just to end up losing anyway :P"

Aus is lovely.
Its France I hate

France is my least favorite, too. I always die instantly.

Austria is a wonderful place to visit (been there) but I'd much rather play as France.

In 3 out of 4 of my last gunboat games, I've gotten stuck with Austria and Italy attacked me from the get-go in all 3. It's always lovely getting stuck between a Juggernaut and a short-sighted Italian. I hate A-H.

A-H sucks for gunboat more than for regular games. You can't indicate your desire to ally with Italy beofre the first moves so you always get attacked.

Its the short-sighted Italian that's the problem in that one. A good AH is a very potent alliance, especially in gunboat because unlike most alliances they don't get in each others way.

Actually, here's how A/I should be played in gunboat:

http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=29340

Well, if you're Austria in that game, why those convoy orders?

Very interesting, my two favorites are France and Austria while I hate Italy and Turkey, though I suppose I'm not a big fan of Russia either...

@Drag
That game is win.

@ava
That game is also win.

@Ursa - I'd rather you didn't initiate discussion on a game in progres!

i think it depends who you're playing really.
If you're up against high standard competition, Austria's very good, and Turkey rubbish as its harder to form alliances with anyone.
In lower standard/live games, Turkey's really good as he can capitalize on general confusion and short term greed.

+1 great analysis

hmm I just noticed I mentioned here.
After a short look at my stats I found out Austria is my 4th most successful power to play after Russia England and Italy.
I have to agree with Dave Bishop. In high profile games a juggernaut is almost out of the question so it's up to a communicative Austria to determine if Russia or Turkey goes down.
Attacking Italy won't work for me and I prefer the hard A/T alliance against Russia.
Generally speaking I think playing Austria gives you a good chance to get included in a final draw.
My biggest trouble remain how to play Turkey and Germany...

In turkey the secret is to grab bla and surrounding centres and then get Italy and Austria to fight. There are other ways but I have found this to be the best. Most of my solos were with turkey going anti Russian first and then stabbing Austria.

Also I want to point out a great play by Austria in this game where the country was controlled by spitfire

gameID=32485

Which is exactly why, as austria or italy, I always try to get the other to have an unbreakable pact.

EXCUSES ARE FOR THE WEAK

lol