Playing super advanced forces me to stay focused and concentrate even more. And enjoying more options to go along with everything else. Challenge yourself and don’t get discouraged.
Bob, thanks for the house rules explanation. I’m enjoying watching your late ‘70s post-season replays. I’m 56 and started playing SOM in 1975, so those ‘70s ball players are the ones imprinted on my brain. Keep it going.
Sports Man Z I agree. To me the game was fully segregated by the 70’s, so the best was playing the best. From ‘94 forward the morph into pitch counts, endless pitching changes and an end result of walk, strikeout or HR has left the game bland and one dimensional. When players change, the PGA adjusts the course to keep it as balanced and competitive as it can. In MLB it’s just the same small ballparks and every team hitting 200 HR. Similar problem in the NBA and the 3 point shot. They need to make it challenging and a gamble again or settle for the fact that it doesn’t pay to shoot a 2 outside of the paint. Sports have to continually evolve to be entertaining.
I replayed ‘75 post-season recently and it went alternate world. The A’s beat the Red Sox in four. The Pirates swept the Reds (wouldn’t have ever bet on that happening) and the A’s won the World Series in five games. I’m a Red Sox fan and all I really wanted to see was Jim Rice in the ‘75 World Series but SOM had other ideas and that’s why you play the games.
Jack Hanlon Sounds like a fun replay ! Pirates had a darn good team in ‘75. Well pretty much every year in the 70’s ! Just imagine if the A’s had kept Catfish in ‘75. I think a 4th in a row would have been a real possibility.
2012MCTG Having Hunter in 1975 probably would’ve put them over the top. Their lineup was not easy to get through. In my replay, Gene Tenace was injured in his first at bat and missed the ALCS. Joe Rudi got hurt at the end of game 2 and missed games 3 and 4. And with all that they still beat the Red Sox in four. They were a great team.
Bob, thanks for the video. You and everyone should play Strat however you want to play. I play a hybrid of Advanced with some Super Advanced. I enjoy it that way rather than one or the other. We are all brothers in Baseball gaming. The community of people who play Strat and the other baseball games are great individuals.
Thanks SMZ. Enjoy Your Strat Games and Your Dedication to The TTBB Community. In Stratomatic, The First Level of Play is Referred to as Basic Play. I Just Can't get used to Calling it Elementary...LOL. I Totally Agee with you on House Rules. Anyone who Has Played Years of Any TT Baseball Game I'm Sure has Came up with Certain House Rules to Spice up the Game they Play. I Enjoy Basic Play, But Play Advance 90% of the Time Now with a Combined Set of Rules that also takes in some Basic Parts. My Main House Rule is NO DH. Take Care and Roll On.
Z - I do something similar to determine the field of play on base hits to the OF. I roll a D7 with: 1 = LF line; 2 = LF; 3 = LCF; 4 = CF; 5 = RCF; 6 = RF; 7 = RF line.
Ok,I got it that "your train's not running on time anymore"! As long as it still "leaves the station or doesn't completely get derailed" is the main thing! As long as "the conductor" is not "out to lunch",we'll deal with it!
I'm new to your videos and wanted to let you know I enjoy listening to your opinions and strategies! I just ordered the game again after been away from it for roughly 30 years. I, too, play the Basic rules. I'm sure this isn't new to anyone who has played for any amount of time, but I decided when a player strikes out, on my scorecard, if the strikeout occurs on the batters card, it's a proper "K", but if it's on the pitchers card, I put a backwards "K".
Tim Baden Yes, I’ve also gotten back into Strat after about a 20 year break. Played Diamond Mind during that period and it is a great game, however there are times I like to see the game engine at work. I also got into PC Replay baseball, which along with Strat and Diamond Mind, I consider the top 3 PC games. Replay BB has the visual engine and I like the fact that the result comes off of a combination of the batter and pitcher cards, which is a complaint made by some SOM gamers. (i.e I brought my HOF closer in and he blew the save because there were 3 roles on the hitters card). Not a valid argument over the course of a season imo, but nonetheless a complaint gamers make about SOM.
A suggestion for a house rule to help incorporate L/R factors, which in some late inning situations are a big difference maker would be to play Basic with the starting pitchers and RH relievers. Then when you have a crucial L/L matchup involving a reliever in a close game, switch to the advanced side of the cards for those plate appearances. In the 70’s and 80’s it wouldn’t be as overwhelming to do as there weren’t 10 pitchers pitching in every game like today. The usual L/R big decisions are L on L and having to remove someone like a Lowenstein for a PH. Other than that L/R isn’t too necessary for the most part. RH platoon players like Roenicke could usually hold their own against RHP IRL.
Just ordered the board game.....special 1962 edition. Last time I played the board game? 1969...with the 1968 cards. Tried the computer version, and could not get into it (and I work in IT).
There is really no reason to play more than Basic. I have played all three levels. Basic is quicker, easier, more seductive... Oh, sorry, that was my Yoda popping through.
Bob, enjoy your posts and enthusiasm for the game, particularly baseball. QUESTION: regarding runner advancement in BASIC baseball, I'm confused by your interpretation on RUNNER ADVANCEMENT as rule 2.0-2.22 do not discriminate outfielders handling a SINGLE or DOUBLE w/o asterisks included and only use the batter's runner rating for advancement... What am I missing, dear friend?
My preferred style of play is Advanced with one Super Advanced rule (ball park effect). For me personally it's the most enjoyable and still very realistic though I do admit at 69 years of age I need to concentrate a little more than I used to. My wife and I often play together and find that by pushing ourselves a little it has helped keeping our minds sharp. That said there are enough versions and hybrid combinations you can use to make it enjoyable for everyone. After all it's supposed to be fun and if there's anything that's sapping your enjoyment it's simple enough to make an adjustment.
That is my version I use as well John. The only added thing I do is the clutch hitting. I call it the Super Advanced pre 1990. Cause my first season I bought was 1988 and they added those 2 things.
Hi Bob.. I am 20 years your senior and I've been playing stratamatics since it basically came out in 1962. I also only play the basic version. Just wanted to run this by you.. I understand about the throwing arms and turning the card around to find the throwing on. But what do you do if you have all of the original cards that don't have any throwing arms on the backs and are just plain white? Keep up the good work with the videos, as I do enjoy them immensely. Thanks very much Bob.... Jack
I haven’t seen your videos with the playing field, so I can’t be sure it’s what you’re talking about, but it sure SOUNDS like something you can get from Inked Gaming. They make playmates (among other things) like the one you described where you send them an image an they make it custom.
I prefer the elementary as well. Mostly because I like the old timer teams and they don’t have the advanced metrics. The decision making is still as important minus the lefty righty stuff that really doesn’t matter that much. DO I steal here? Hit and run? Pitch to or walk him? Hold the runner? Is my pitcher tired, do I bring in a reliever? Pinch hit? Thats where the fun is........
Hi, Sports Man Z! This is interesting video! Write please - what do you think about my automatic baserunner hold system in SOMB Basic game? If runner at first has stealing rating B or better - roll 1d6: for B - hold on 1, for A - hold on 1-3, for AA - hold on 1-5. Other runners are not held.
Sports Man Z enjoy the videos. However; I play superadvanced on the computer and even it doesn't go quite far enough for full realism. No pickoff errors and bunt errors that happen as often as they should in real life.
So, if a runner is on 1st and a single with nothing after it is hit, but I decide I want to try and send the runner to third. I now use the outfielder's arm, but do I use the 1st to 2nd steal number for runner, or 2nd to 3rd on the steal chart?
If you're talking about advancing on a hit an extra base, you don't use the stealing at all. You simply look at the runners "running rating" (ie: 1-15) and then factor in the outfielder's arm. So, if the runner is a 1-15 running and the outfielder has a -1 arm, the runner advances an extra base on 1-14 (15-20 he's out).
Advanced is not that hard after playing it for a while , super advanced looks like a lot more work. I would not want to have to remember all those extra rules
Playing super advanced forces me to stay focused and concentrate even more. And enjoying more options to go along with everything else. Challenge yourself and don’t get discouraged.
Bob, thanks for the house rules explanation. I’m enjoying watching your late ‘70s post-season replays. I’m 56 and started playing SOM in 1975, so those ‘70s ball players are the ones imprinted on my brain. Keep it going.
Thanks. Yeah, I loved this time period in baseball. I remember it fondly.
Sports Man Z
I agree. To me the game was fully segregated by the 70’s, so the best was playing the best. From ‘94 forward the morph into pitch counts, endless pitching changes and an end result of walk, strikeout or HR has left the game bland and one dimensional.
When players change, the PGA adjusts the course to keep it as balanced and competitive as it can. In MLB it’s just the same small ballparks and every team hitting 200 HR.
Similar problem in the NBA and the 3 point shot. They need to make it challenging and a gamble again or settle for the fact that it doesn’t pay to shoot a 2 outside of the paint.
Sports have to continually evolve to be entertaining.
I replayed ‘75 post-season recently and it went alternate world. The A’s beat the Red Sox in four. The Pirates swept the Reds (wouldn’t have ever bet on that happening) and the A’s won the World Series in five games. I’m a Red Sox fan and all I really wanted to see was Jim Rice in the ‘75 World Series but SOM had other ideas and that’s why you play the games.
Jack Hanlon
Sounds like a fun replay ! Pirates had a darn good team in ‘75. Well pretty much every year in the 70’s !
Just imagine if the A’s had kept Catfish in ‘75. I think a 4th in a row would have been a real possibility.
2012MCTG Having Hunter in 1975 probably would’ve put them over the top. Their lineup was not easy to get through. In my replay, Gene Tenace was injured in his first at bat and missed the ALCS. Joe Rudi got hurt at the end of game 2 and missed games 3 and 4. And with all that they still beat the Red Sox in four. They were a great team.
Great video buddy. Keep up the good work
Very good. I have loved and played the Basic Version for 60 years. Look forward to hearing other ideas.
Bob, thanks for the video. You and everyone should play Strat however you want to play. I play a hybrid of Advanced with some Super Advanced. I enjoy it that way rather than one or the other. We are all brothers in Baseball gaming. The community of people who play Strat and the other baseball games are great individuals.
I agree. Play however you want. The only issues arise when you play against someone who plays it differently. But you work those out.
Thanks SMZ. Enjoy Your Strat Games and Your Dedication to The TTBB Community. In Stratomatic, The First Level of Play is Referred to as Basic Play. I Just Can't get used to Calling it Elementary...LOL. I Totally Agee with you on House Rules. Anyone who Has Played Years of Any TT Baseball Game I'm Sure has Came up with Certain House Rules to Spice up the Game they Play. I Enjoy Basic Play, But Play Advance 90% of the Time Now with a Combined Set of Rules that also takes in some Basic Parts. My Main House Rule is NO DH. Take Care and Roll On.
Keep up the good work. Enjoy your videos
Thank you. I fully intend to. I'm glad you like the content.
Could not agree more - might have been because I started so young. But I always preferred the front of the cards and have always played 99% that way
Great videos Bob! I like your explanations. You have a new subscriber. Cheers!
Thank you very much!
Z - I do something similar to determine the field of play on base hits to the OF. I roll a D7 with:
1 = LF line; 2 = LF; 3 = LCF; 4 = CF; 5 = RCF; 6 = RF; 7 = RF line.
Ok,I got it that "your train's not running on time anymore"! As
long as it still "leaves the station
or doesn't completely get derailed"
is the main thing!
As long as "the conductor" is not "out to lunch",we'll deal with it!
I agree. Started playing the “basic” game with house rules in early 70s and I still prefer that way to do day
I'm new to your videos and wanted to let you know I enjoy listening to your opinions and strategies! I just ordered the game again after been away from it for roughly 30 years. I, too, play the Basic rules. I'm sure this isn't new to anyone who has played for any amount of time, but I decided when a player strikes out, on my scorecard, if the strikeout occurs on the batters card, it's a proper "K", but if it's on the pitchers card, I put a backwards "K".
Tim Baden
Yes, I’ve also gotten back into Strat after about a 20 year break. Played Diamond Mind during that period and it is a great game, however there are times I like to see the game engine at work.
I also got into PC Replay baseball, which along with Strat and Diamond Mind, I consider the top 3 PC games. Replay BB has the visual engine and I like the fact that the result comes off of a combination of the batter and pitcher cards, which is a complaint made by some SOM gamers. (i.e I brought my HOF closer in and he blew the save because there were 3 roles on the hitters card). Not a valid argument over the course of a season imo, but nonetheless a complaint gamers make about SOM.
A suggestion for a house rule to help incorporate L/R factors, which in some late inning situations are a big difference maker would be to play Basic with the starting pitchers and RH relievers. Then when you have a crucial L/L matchup involving a reliever in a close game, switch to the advanced side of the cards for those plate appearances.
In the 70’s and 80’s it wouldn’t be as overwhelming to do as there weren’t 10 pitchers pitching in every game like today.
The usual L/R big decisions are L on L and having to remove someone like a Lowenstein for a PH. Other than that L/R isn’t too necessary for the most part. RH platoon players like Roenicke could usually hold their own against RHP IRL.
Just ordered the board game.....special 1962 edition. Last time I played the board game? 1969...with the 1968 cards. Tried the computer version, and could not get into it (and I work in IT).
Nothing like Rolling the dice and the feel of the cards in your hand. So relaxing
AAA rating how do you subtract numbers for these stealers?
Started playing with the 1976 set, always played basic game and averaged the three throwing arms. I think I like your method better.
I just started playing. I think I’m sticking with mostly basic mode.
There is really no reason to play more than Basic. I have played all three levels. Basic is quicker, easier, more seductive... Oh, sorry, that was my Yoda popping through.
I’m going to start using some advanced rules myself.
Bob, enjoy your posts and enthusiasm for the game, particularly baseball. QUESTION: regarding runner advancement in BASIC baseball, I'm confused by your interpretation on RUNNER ADVANCEMENT as rule 2.0-2.22 do not discriminate outfielders handling a SINGLE or DOUBLE w/o asterisks included and only use the batter's runner rating for advancement... What am I missing, dear friend?
My preferred style of play is Advanced with one Super Advanced rule (ball park effect). For me personally it's the most enjoyable and still very realistic though I do admit at 69 years of age I need to concentrate a little more than I used to. My wife and I often play together and find that by pushing ourselves a little it has helped keeping our minds sharp. That said there are enough versions and hybrid combinations you can use to make it enjoyable for everyone. After all it's supposed to be fun and if there's anything that's sapping your enjoyment it's simple enough to make an adjustment.
That is my version I use as well John. The only added thing I do is the clutch hitting. I call it the Super Advanced pre 1990. Cause my first season I bought was 1988 and they added those 2 things.
Hate the 50-50 split when glenn beckert will strike out 50 times a year. I always used to re roll for k's.
doing great spors man Z leta play2!
Hi Bob.. I am 20 years your senior and I've been playing stratamatics since it basically came out in 1962. I also only play the basic version. Just wanted to run this by you.. I understand about the throwing arms and turning the card around to find the throwing on. But what do you do if you have all of the original cards that don't have any throwing arms on the backs and are just plain white? Keep up the good work with the videos, as I do enjoy them immensely. Thanks very much Bob.... Jack
I play the basic version. I am 70 yrs old. It is much easier than the advance version.
I'm with you on that, Gene. That's why I prefer it, myself.
What is your favorite house rules. Do you add to the rare play results?
I haven’t seen your videos with the playing field, so I can’t be sure it’s what you’re talking about, but it sure SOUNDS like something you can get from Inked Gaming. They make playmates (among other things) like the one you described where you send them an image an they make it custom.
I prefer the elementary as well. Mostly because I like the old timer teams and they don’t have the advanced metrics. The decision making is still as important minus the lefty righty stuff that really doesn’t matter that much. DO I steal here? Hit and run? Pitch to or walk him? Hold the runner? Is my pitcher tired, do I bring in a reliever? Pinch hit? Thats where the fun is........
Advanced isn’t too hard to play c & d, but imo super advanced is better off on the pc due to the likelihood of misreading the symbols and charts.
Hi, Sports Man Z! This is interesting video!
Write please - what do you think about my automatic baserunner hold system in SOMB Basic game?
If runner at first has stealing rating B or better - roll 1d6:
for B - hold on 1,
for A - hold on 1-3,
for AA - hold on 1-5.
Other runners are not held.
g;lfh fghjkl;' That seems like it would be a reasonable system. Does it seem to be realistic as you’ve used it?
Sports Man Z enjoy the videos. However; I play superadvanced on the computer and even it doesn't go quite far enough for full realism. No pickoff errors and bunt errors that happen as often as they should in real life.
So, if a runner is on 1st and a single with nothing after it is hit, but I decide I want to try and send the runner to third. I now use the outfielder's arm, but do I use the 1st to 2nd steal number for runner, or 2nd to 3rd on the steal chart?
If you're talking about advancing on a hit an extra base, you don't use the stealing at all. You simply look at the runners "running rating" (ie: 1-15) and then factor in the outfielder's arm. So, if the runner is a 1-15 running and the outfielder has a -1 arm, the runner advances an extra base on 1-14 (15-20 he's out).
Bob. Where and how do you get a schedule for a season when you want to replay the whole season.
Google the team you want to replay. Then look for baseball reference. com. On their website look for schedule/results
I hope you are all right! It sounds like you might have had some mild strokes! Take care and God bless you!
Advanced is not that hard after playing it for a while , super advanced looks like a lot more work. I would not want to have to remember all those extra rules
That’s pretty sad .. basic vs advanced .. advanced is so easy and obviously more strategic and realistic