I attended the WBC 2000 and had a great time. I attended the WBC more as a place to play several different games (rather than compete in tournaments) and meet other gamers. Suffice it to say that I achieved my goals. I played in the following tournaments (and other) games:

* Dune - I got slaughtered, but had a great time anyway. Dune is a great game. I drew the Emperor, and unfortunately nearly everyone else drew one of my leaders as a traitor. Of my five leaders, four were chosen as traitorous bastards! We played a very fast-paced game that ended with the Guild, Harkonnen, and Bene Gesserit alliance defeating the alliance of the Emperor, Fremen, and Atreides.

* Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage - It was the first time I played Hannibal. I drew a great opponent - a seasoned veteran of the game who was patient with a newbie - who manouvered craftily with Hannibal to defeat me as Rome. I learned alot while having a great time.

* Paths of Glory - This is a great game and another one that I hadn't played much (only once previously). Again, I drew a gracious opponent and had a great time playing the game. I think he went on to place third overall in the tournament.

* Monsters Ravage America - First time I played and I kicked some monster butt! I earned a spot in the quarter-finals with a crushing victory when I issued
the monster challenge and defeat each one in turn. Unfortunately, with so many other games to play, I never played in the following rounds.

* Saratoga - I didn't play in the tournament, but I sat down with a buddy played this game we each owned but had previously not played. And here's one of the great things about the WBC: while we were playing, the game designer, Mike Miklos, stopped by our table and asked if we had any questions. We ended up talking to Mr. Miklos for a while and he straightened us out on a few points - we even offered up a suggesion for a playaid in future games on the system which Mr. Miklos loved.

* Royal Tank Corps - This is another cool thing about the WBC: I bought this game directly from Ted Racer while at the WBC. Then a friend and I sat down and proceeded to play it straight from the box. When we ran into any ambiguous questions, we just ambled over and asked Ted to clarify. Very cool. Great game too.

* Ra - Late one night I sat down with a group of guys and played my first game of Ra. Very cool game. Typical Reiner - with lots more to it than first appears. Without seeming to be in the running for a victory, I ended up just two points short of victory.

* Battle Cry! - The new Avalon Hill/Hasbro civil war game. I purchased this game at the convention and played it several times. It's a fast-moving and enjoyable "introduction to wargaming" game with great componants and neat miniatures-like system. I played more games, but offhand, I can't remember them. Overall, I had a great experience at the WBC. I played in many more different games than I thought I would. I can't wait until next year! (Andy Joy)