Jan. 27-30, 2011
Holiday Inn Timonium, Timonium, MD

On Thursday, January 27 through Sunday, January 30, 2011 in Timonium, MD, the BPA will again be hosting the annual Winter Activation Meeting (WAM IX) during the calm before the storm which is the week before the Super Bowl. The focus of this four-day event is to provide a gaming miniconvention for the two-player historical "card-driven" boardgaming community.

This year we will be offering the following titles as fully sanctioned BPA tournaments with full laurels to be won: Twilight Struggle, Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage, Combat Commander and Washington's War. These are the only official tournaments that will be run and all four tournaments will have a set schedule (see below). However, there will undoubtedly be informal tournaments run during the weekend (such as the annual March Madness Tourney). Participants are also welcome to open game to their heart's content, so bring your other CDG titles along.

New for 2011:
Besides the addition of Washington's War as an official tournament (replacing Paths of Glory), there are no significant changes this year. Once again Thursday will be devoted to "open" first rounds and nothing will be formally scheduled on that day. Upon arrival, attendees may seek out the GMs and have a Round 1 opponent assigned for any tournament (this would NOT be a Mulligan). On Friday and Saturday each of the tournaments will have formal rounds scheduled (including Round 1). Anybody who played a Round 1 game on Thursday would be exempted from playing in the scheduled Round 1 for that tournament.

While it will be possible to play in all four tournaments, scheduling conflicts would probably preclude one person from being able to win all four tournaments, so everyone should plan their schedule accordingly. Any player who has ambitions of winning more than one tournament would be well advised to play at least two Round 1 games on Thursday, as the following schedules are constructed under the assumption that players will do that.

SCHEDULE

	Open Round 1: Thursday Round 1: Friday, 9 AM Round 2: Friday, 6 PM Round 3: Saturday, 3 PM Round 4: Saturday, 9 PM Round 5 (if necessary): Sunday, 8 AM
	Open Round 1: Thursday Round 1: Friday, 9 AM Round 2: Friday, 12 PM Round 3: Saturday, 9 AM Round 4: Saturday, 6 PM Round 5 (if necessary): Sunday, 8 AM
	Open Round 1: Thursday Round 1: Friday, 9 aM Round 2: Friday, 9 PM Round 3: Saturday, 3 PM Round 4: Saturday, 9 PM Round 5 (if necessary): Sunday, 8 AM
	Open Round 1: Thursday Round 1: Friday, 9 AM Round 2: Friday, 3 PM Round 3: Saturday, 12 PM Round 4: Saturday, 9 PM Round 5 (if necessary): Sunday, 8 AM
Open Gaming/Unofficial Tournaments: We have the space from Thursday, 2 PM to Sunday, 6 PM. Participants may open game as space permits.

General Tournament Formats:
Swiss Open/Five Rounds: Each event will run for four or five rounds (allowing drop-ins for any round). If you want a top finish, you must participate in all rounds of an event. First Round Seeding: Events will be seeded for the first round (matching players of similar skills when possible). GMs will use a combination of previous WBC tournament finishes and AREA ratings for establishing these first-round matchups. Newcomers to an event usually will not be matched against experienced tournament players for the first round. After the first round, players with similar records continue to match off (much like a single elimination tournament as long as you win).

Specific Game Formats:

• Twilight Struggle (GM ­ T. Coleman): We will use the Second Edition rules/cards and the clarifications current on the GMT Games website as well as Boardgamegeek and Consimworld websites. Players will bid IPs (to be given to the US at the start) to play the USSR. Use of the Deluxe game rules will be optional if both players agree.

• Hannibal: Rome v. Carthage (GM ­ P. Gaberson): Either the Avalon Hill or Valley Games versions may be played (Second Edition rules for AH). Players will bid PC markers for sides. A 9-9 tie after nine turns will count as a victory for Carthage.

• Combat Commander (GM ­ J. Terry): Combat Commander Europe will be the default game. There will be a scenario recommended for each round but if both players agree any scenario from Europe, Med or Pacific (or the Random Scenario Generator) may be played instead.

• Washington's War (GM ­ K. Wixson): Sides will be random in Rounds 1 and 5. In Rounds 2-4 the GM will pair players such that everyone plays both sides an even number of times through the first four rounds.

Rules and Regulations: All of the rules and regulations for attending the annual WBC convention will also be in effect at WAM. 

What happens in case of a BIG turnout?
We will be contracting for a fixed amount of table space. Consequently, we are emphasizing pre-registration in order to be able to provide enough table space.

Prizes:
The top finisher in each official tournament will receive an official BPA plaque. The plaques will not be available at WAM, however, as we are now ordering them after the fact in an effort to control costs. All WAM plaques will be available for pick up at the 2011 WBC or will be mailed after WBC for those unavailable to attend WBC. Additionally, the top six places in each will receive laurels. An event is eligible only if it draws 16 or more participants.

Rules and Regulations:
All of the rules and regulations for attending the annual WBC convention will also be in effect at WAM.

Who is the target audience for the convention?
Experienced, competitive, fun, two-player, historical card-based strategic boardgamers. Who else would commit to playing a game for 16 hours per day, for five rounds, over three days? Not many. Of course, we encourage any interested boardgamers to attend the convention and give the games a shot. However, it is expected that players will have a thorough understanding of the rules for each game that they choose to play. The GMs are likely to be playing in their own events.

Why these games?
These games were selected due to interest expressed in the general gaming community and those that we enjoy hosting and playing. Obviously, participants, as always, will need to make choices. After losing a game, some players will choose to move to a new event, while others will continue to play for the experience. Of course, winning an event championship is likely to require wins in every round.

Why this time?
Face it, we are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal from our wonderful experience at WBC in August. We realize that there are many events in the winter and spring. We have no desire to detract from them. However, we wanted to run something over the winter close to Baltimore's major airport (for ease of travel for both drivers and fliers) that would appeal to the WBC "card-shark" gang without the distraction of competing events. Late January during the lull before the Super Bowl seems to fit the bill.

Pre-Registration:
All participants are STRONGLY encouraged to pre-register ($40 for BPA 2010 or 2011 members, $50 for non-members, received by January 15); those not pre-registering will pay $50 at the door regardless of BPA affiliation. The price jump reflects our desire to strongly encourage pre-registration. Please send a pre-registration check, payable to BPA, 7766 Valley View Court, Hickory, NC 28602. We will post the names of pre-registrants on the WAM web site.

Refunds: The WAM pre-registration fee is a discounted rate extended in exchange for a guarantee to attend. As such, no refunds are allowed.

• GMT Games: publishes Combat Commander, Twilight Struggle and Washington's War: gmtgames.com
• Valley Games publishes Hannibal; Rome vs Carthage: valleygames.ca
• BPA: The Boardgame Players Association, which is sponsoring the event: boardgamers.org
• Consimworld: The website that hosts the primary discussion boards for these games: consimworld.com
• ACTS: The site where hundreds of these card games are currently being played: acts.warhorsesim.com

For the most recent updated info on WAM, see wamconvention.com.

LODGING: BPA has obtained a very favorable group room rate of $99 per night plus applicable state and local taxes (currently 13%). To obtain this rate you must identify your affiliation with the BPA's WAM gaming conference and make your reservation before January 8th, 2011 (or when our roomblock sells out, whichever occurs first) at 410-560-1000 weekdays between 8 AM and 7 PM EST. After January 8th, reservations will be accepted on a space or rate available basis. Alternately, you may contact Holiday Inn, 9615 Deereco Rd, Timonium, MD 21093. Be sure to identify your affiliation with our group - both to get the best rate for yourself and to credit our group with your stay. Room options include one king or two queen size beds. King rate is an additional $10/night. Chili's restaurant is attached to the hotel and open for lunch and dinner.