ASLOK XXXVII - 2023 RECAP Wood Pics  Scenarios  T-Shirt Artwork Thanks to all ASLOK XXXVII attendees...Particularly those which stayed at the ASLOK hotel which makes ASLOK possible.   Grofaz First Place: Wes Vaughn (6-0) Second Place: Bill Cirillo (5-1) Third Place: George Tournemire (5-0) Fourth Place: Sean Deller (4-1) Fifth Place: Brian Wiersma (4-1) Sixth Place: Joe Steadman (4-1)   USA vs World Cup Overall: World 14 to U.S.A. 8 World MVP: George Tournemire (3-1) US MVP: Kevin Killeen (2-0) Big Game Hunter Big Game Champ: Brian Wiersma Battle for Rock Boy James Taylor & Jim Bishop Wednesday "Mark Nixon" Minis Theme Winner Godzilla King of the Monsters: John McDiarmid Gor-Gor Heretical Variant Mini: Neil Stanhagen Back in the U.S.S.R.: Philippe Briaux Back in the U.S.S.R. #2: John Gorkowski AARP ASLers: Dave Ginnard Rumble in the Jungle: Ken Daughety Candygram!: Jeff Wasserman Candygram! #2: George Tournemire   "Action Burk" Thursday Theme Tourneys Theme Winner Night: Derek Pulhamus Deluxe: Philippe Briaux Pacific: John Stadick It's Like Being There!: Dave Reinking Rumble in the Rubble: Derek Ritter Flame On! Sponsored by Zippo: Cirillo/Wit Journal-istic Integrity: Andy Hershey Tincans & Popguns: Wes Vaughn Tincans & Popguns #2: Steve Pleva   Friday "Mark Nixon" Minis Theme Winner Best of the Best (Grofaz mini): Bill Cirillo Best of 2023 (Grofaz mini): Wes Vaughn The Emperor's Finest: Stan Jackson The Emperor's Finest #2: Wai-Kwong Wong Wittman Sampler: Philippe Briaux Minor Adjustments: Mike Zeimentz Minor Adjustments #2: Ken Mioduski In the Crosshairs: Keith Spurlock Like A Boss: Jay Harms Biggest Loser No More: Jeff Talor   Saturday "Mark Nixon" Minis Theme Winner Bill Sisler Memorial: Mehl/Zeimentz Land War in Asia: Ken Daughety Rain on the Scarecrow: Jeff DeYoung Wrongway's Ready or Revise?: Philippe Briaux Bridge of Sorrows: Kevin Killeen Tommy Can You Hear Me?: Neil Dennis Start Me Up (ASLSK): Mark Zielinski Mini Scenario Lists - List of scenarios for each Mini plus Gor-Gor Special Rules. Personal Information Sheets P.I.S. - Copies of the P.I.S. submitted by each player.

ASL Player Ratings

ASLOK Mini & Grofaz Display Boards

T-Shirt Artwork

A knocked out Type95 HaGo on Tarawa graces the front while the back features the ASLOK XXXVI recap...

TD AAR

Saturday Update:

Stopped by the hotel to drop off plexi and make sure all was well. 2 games going on. Both from the new AP. Philippe vs Big Bad John was the only Cup match. The one, the only Madman Mike McGrath was looking for an opponent.

Dave Ginnard has been offering airport shuttle service to attendees. Philippe was very appreciative and gave him high marks on the ride Friday night.

Overall the new hotel has been well received so far, although it was noted that with no breakfast this morning and tomorrow, there aren't any options that are an easy walk (and the road the hotel is on is not conducive to safe walking being a 4 line state highway with a 45 MPH speed limit) which makes a car, or a friend with a car more valuable. In hindsight I probably should have seen if there was demand and offered to take folks over for breakfast this morning, but...I wasn't that visionary.

The new Action Pack is available at ASLOK now - Wild Bill has a box onsite. Here are the front & back covers.

Sunday Update:

ASLOK has moved into the big ballroom as of this morning. I counted at least 25 in around 10 and I'm sure I'm missing a few in that number. Derek Ritter was setting up and had a lot to sell. Dave Ginnard's picnic starts at 3 today...

When going to drop off your stuff, pull around to the far right on the far side of the annex building for the easiest entry to the main gaming space. Not many folks seemed to be missing the "haunted elevator" when bringing their stuff in for some reason...

I've got 40-something as through the doors as of Sunday morning and/or picnic attendance. Official attendance is at 111 now which matches last year already. Hopefully we can pick up some more walkups over the course of the week. Picnic was good at always - well attended despite the longer drive and very good eats thanks to guest cook Steve Tinsley who supplemented the significant efforts of Dave and Diane. As always their generosity in opening up their house to us ASLers was very appreciated.

Monday Update:

55 through the doors with official attendance up to 113. A post pandemic high already.

World was leading the US forces 3-1 entering today and has picked up at least 2 wins already to make it 5-1 by my count.

62 in already, 115 official. World leads 7-3 currently in a fairly slow year for World Cup action...

Space is at a slight premium but a lot of folks are still kind of spread out and camping while playing elsewhere.

Tuesday Update:

Here's a Tuesday Night live action shot. You can practically feel the excitement and hear the tinkling of the dice...

The room is good sized & we also have access to the pre function space. Lighting in the outside space is so-so at night though...

World Cup is 11-6 World at the moment. The US has stabilized at 3-3 on the day, but has yet to make up any ground. We probably need to make sure all precincts have reported all games that are to count.

I think World Cup ended 13-8 as both sides split Tuesday 5-5. Kevin Killeen is looking to be the runaway US MVP at 2-0. Right now 4 World players are deadlocked at +2: Darryl Lundy & George Tournemire at 3-1; and Derek Ritter and Wai-Kwong Wong at 2-0. We're checking the tape for any missing games and then will need to figure out an elaborate tie-breaker scheme to break the 4 way deadlock based on strength of schedule etc. 17 Americans and 9 World players participated this year in World Cup action...

World Cup & Bonus Minis:

The World has secured the Cup officially yet again with a 14-8 triumph this year. A few World players opted out of Cup play making for a down year in games recorded.

World MVP: George Tournemire (3-1). A 4 way tie at +2 was broken with our complex tie-breaking AI that awarded George the plaque on strength of schedule. George only lost to retired Grofaz Mike McGrath and had wins over Mike Cassaro, David Goldman & Kedge Johnson. Tied at +2 were also Darryl Lundy (3-1), Derek Ritter (2-0) & Wai-Kwong Wong.
U.S. MVP: Kevin Killeen was the only American to finish at +2 with a perfect 2-0 record.

Big Game Hunter bonus mini: Brian Wiersma triumphed in a 4 man mini of day long scenarios.

Wednesday Update:

58 dedicated Grognards awoke at the crack of 8AM to participate in minis. 6 full minis, 1 with 6 in it and then we added a bonus mini with 4 to give us a second run of Candygram! for which I will need to source a plaque at some point...

Brian Wiersma became the first to garner wood at this year's ASLOK by winning "Big Game Hunter" which is an ad hoc mini of folks looking to play large scenarios early in the week. 4 entered this year and Brian emerged victorious.

And in taking care of 2022 business, Stan Jackson triumphed over Jonathan Kay in the "Jungle Love" Friday "Mark Nixon Mini" from last year. And the best news is I get to not carry that plaque around anymore...

Official attendance has snuck up to 123 as we have had several non-pre-registers wander through the door. A post pandemic high and encouraging going forward. Lots of folks grinding out mini finals while others prepare for the all important "Action Burk Thursday Theme" minis which mark the start of the Grofaz. A secret Hitler game might have also broken out in the "gazebo" portion of the pre function room...

Wednesday "Mark Nixon" Mini Results

• Godzilla King of the Monsters - John McDiarmid triumphs over defending champ Brian Wiersma in a giant playtest scenario for Bill Cirillo.
• Rumble in the Jungle - Ken Daughety triumphs over fellow Ken, Mioduski as the Purple Haze couldn't quite hang in the PTO.
• Back in the USSR - Philippe Briaux snags his first wood of the tourney with a triumph over Larry Zoet.
• AARP ASLers - Dave Ginnard wins over Neal Ekengren to take home the AARP mini. With nearly everyone eligible for this mini, some have suggested retiring this theme. One alternative was a non-retired mini for those still in the workforce or maybe we transition to a Medicare mini for those 65+?
• Gor-Gor Heretical Variant Mini - Neil Stanhagen pulls out the win over Wes Vaughn in Steve Pleva's salute to the ASL rules heretics.
• Candygram! - Jeff Wasserman delivers the win over Rodney Callen.
• Back in the USSR #2 - Mike Cassaro and John Gorkowski have yet to settle their differences over the cardboard battlefield as Mike made a Grofaz run.
• Candygram! #2 - George Tournemire triumphs over Jim Mehl in the new AP203 The Walled City as George's sniper compromised the American defenses.

Thursday Update:

Thursday "Action Burk" Thursday Theme Results

• Night - Derek Pulhamus defeats Chuck Payne in the night final to lay claim to being King of the Night.
• Pacific - John Stadick knocks off Ken Daughety for Pacific supremacy and to advance to 3-0 in the Grofaz in a double jeopardy match that also counted for the Best of 2023 Grofaz mini first round.
• Deluxe - Philippe Briaux wins the Deluxe mini in an exciting tie-breaker. They set up dueling Tigers at 6 hexes hull down & gun dueled each shot. James survived 2 shocks, but in the end Philippe prevailed. [Prior update: James Taylor & Philippe Briaux have yet to settle this one across the cardboard battlefield. It may come to a dice off at some point as Mr. Taylor was pre-occupied by a Grofaz run while Philippe has been busy winning other minis.]
• Tincans & Popguns - Wes Vaughn knocked off Ray Woloszyn in AP191 East Wind to claim the plaque and move to 3-0 in the Grofaz.
• Tincans & Popguns #2 - Steve "Gor-Gor" Pleva triumphs in the final over Jim Bishop.
• It's Like Being There! - Dave Reinking knocks off George Tournemire in the finals.
• Rumble in the Rubble - Derek Ritter is king of the rubble with a win over Steve Dennis in the double jeopardy final.
• Flame On! Sponsored by Zippo - Bill Cirillo & Hank Wit have yet to finish this one. Both are still undefeated in the Grofaz, although Hank has been a reluctant participant to get to 3-0 as he's doing another mini on Saturday rather than pursuing Grofaz glory.
• Journal-istic Integrity - Andy Hershey won an exciting dice off with Sean Deller as Sean is still pursuing the Grofaz. First they tied at 6, then Sean chocked with a 12 and Andy calmly rolled the average for a blowout win by 5.

Friday Update:

The Grofaz Big Board makes its first appearance on Friday morning.

Best of 2023 Grofaz Mini:

• John Stadick & Ken Daughety are playing J238 Derrick's Show in a double jeopardy match for the Thursday mini final as well as the right to be 3-0 in the Grofaz. John has the Japanese.
• Derek Ritter & Steve Dennis are dueling in the new AP194 Not Fade Away in another double jeopardy match. Steve has the attacking Americans.
• Wes Vaughn & Ray Woloszyn are playing AP191 East Wind with Ray's Russians on a ski vacation in Russia. Another double jeopardy match to decide a Thursday final and advancing on to greater Grofaz glory.
• Sean Deller & Steve Pleva are playing AP194 as well. Sean has the Americans.

Best of the Best Grofaz Mini:

• Bill Cirillo & Chuck Payne are deadlocked in AP174 Forest Gumm. Chuck has the Americans.
• James Taylor & Trent Dobbs are also playing AP174 in the Battle of Wixom, MI. Trent has the Americans.
• Brian Wiersma & Kevin Killeen are reprising their regular Wednesday VASL match in person playing HF6 Jackpot Jones. Kevin has the Germans.
• Mike Cassaro & Darryl Lundy are also playing AP174. Mike has the Germans.

Grofaz Open Play

• George Tournemire & Tommy Cvetinovich are playing J59 Black Friday. George has the Russians.
• John McDiarmid & Nathan Stapf were playing J236 Deadly Dexter but John's Japanese already triumphed to make John the first 3-0 player of the day.
• John McDiarmid & Hank Wit are poised to start J194 A Real War. Hank has the Japanese.

Friday "Mark Nixon" Mini Results

• Best of the Best (Grofaz) - Bill Cirillo & Brian Wiersma are playing for the right to be 5-0 in the Grofaz. Playing the classic Acts of Defiance (135) - Bill has the Russians.
• Best of 2023 (Grofaz) - Sean Deller & Wes Vaughn meet in the finals to move to 5-0 and are playing the brand new "cover scenario" from the new Action Pack, AP198 Hassle at Hasselt. Wes has the Germans while Sean has the Croc.
• The Emperor's Finest - Stan Jackson reigns supreme in the PTO knocking off Gary Bartlett in the finals.
• In the Crosshairs - Keith Spurlock wins wood over Paul Washington to take home the Sniper title.
• Wittman Sampler - Philippe Briaux overcomes John Gorkowski to take home his 2nd plaque of the week.
• Like A Boss - Jay Harms takes out Jim Manfredi to lay claim to the plaque.
• Minor Adjustments - Mike Zeimentz outlasts Neil Stanhagen to win wood as Neil conceded in a no contest having more fun working the room than a late night final.
• Biggest Loser No More - Jeff Talor takes home his first career wood as he knocks off Neal Ekengren in the finals.
• Minor Adjustments #2 - Ken Mioduski triumphs over Maurizio Grassi for the plaque.
• The Emperor's Finest #2 - Wai-Kwong Wong subdues Mark Devries to end his plaque drought.

Also in Open Grofaz play Joe Steadman and George Tournemire are playing J207 Unhorsed. George has the Americans. Winner moves to 5-0 to give us 3 5-0 players in the Grofaz and then the conundrum of finding just the right spoiler and who draws the spoiler short straw.

Saturday Update:

Official Attendance was 127...

Saturday "Mark Nixon" Mini Results

• Bill Sisler Memorial - Mike Ziementz and Jim Mehl will be looking to play this one next year as they were poised for a dice off, but Mr. Ziementz arrived late Sunday morning and Jim headed out after the designated meeting time had passed.
• Tommy Can You Hear Me? - Neil Dennis triumphed over Chuck Payne in the finale of the Brits mini. Don't tell anyone but they accidentally ended up with Gurkhas since they went off list having played many of the other options earlier in the week...
• Land War in Asia - Ken Daughety doubles up in PTO minis with a finals win over John Garlic.
• Rain on the Scarecrow - Jeff DeYoung Jedi mind tricked Larry Zoet into messing up his creeping barrage and cruising to an easy wood.
• Bridge of Sorrows - Kevin Killeen downs Nathan Stapf to take home the bridge plaque. I believe the final was old school Schwerpunkt, SP2 Holding the Hotton Bridge.
• Wrongway's Ready or Revise? - Philippe Briaux takes home his 4th plaque of the week with a hard fought triumph over Maurizio Grassi. I think the theoretical maximum for plaques is probably 5 - if only Philippe had partaken in the World Cup he might have gotten there this year as IIRC he went 11-2 over the course of the week.
• Start Me Up (ASLSK) - In a grudge match for the ages Mark Zielinski avenged his loss the day before to his son Collin to take home the SK plaque for the year.
• Rock Boy - James Taylor & Jim Bishop prevailed in the Pursuit of Rock Boy over Tommy Cvetinovich and Pete Mudge. Sounded like it went down to the wire, but a German 658 held strong for the win...

Grofaz Updates

Wes Vaughn and Bill Cirillo are playing 180 The T-Patchers for the Grofaz final. Wes has the defending Germans.

Final Grofaz Standings:

1. Wes Vaughn [AR] (6-0)
2. Bill Cirillo [VA] (5-1)
3. George Tournemire [Belgium] (5-0)
4. Sean Deller [NC] (4-1)
5. Brian Wiersma [NY] (4-1)
6. Joe Steadman [GA] (4-1)

• Wes won as the defending Germans in 180 T-Patchers.
• Wes advanced to the finals with a win over Sean Deller in AP198 Hassle at Hasselt. Wes's 75L on Level 2 hammered the attacking Brits complemented by his MMG in the steeple.
• Bill won a hard fought match of 135 Acts of Defiance over Brian Wiersma. Bill's Russians suffered a series of setbacks to start the scenario (e.g. a pair of shiny red cards on the OBA's first 2 pulls), but he managed to get most of the reinforcing troops into the zone which was enough to pull out the W.
• George Tournemire was to be paired with Wes in a semi final match as they were done early in the afternoon and it was obvious the Acts of Defiance game was going to go deep into the evening but George elected not to play.
• George advanced to 5-0 with a win over Joe Steadman in J207 Unhorsed. George had the Americans.
• Sean moved to 4-0 with a win over Derek Ritter AP195 Break In on Rollbahn A. Sean had the defending Americans.

ASLOK XXXVII in Pictures:

• Michael Rodgers' Friday Night Crowd from Gamesquad
• Neal Ekengren's Wide Angle Pics from Gamesquad
• More Neal Ekengren's Pics on Gamesquad