Round 1 of the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates

 

Here we go, the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates starts today.

This is an information post which shows the overall draw and the detailed draw for Round 1 which was made on the latest episode of the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast. The overall draw is above, Round 1 below

I will add each vote to here when it is live and the result when it's finished

RULES

Each vote will appear on the Yarkshire Gamer FB page and the Yarkshire Gamers Reet Big Facebook Group. I will not share the votes elsewhere on FB, but feel free to share onwards if you think there is interest.

Each match up will have its own vote and one vote will be started each day, I can't guarantee a start time due to work but I will try and set them off between midday and 6pm Yorkshire Time. 

There will be an explanation of the organisers meaning included on each of the votes as some definitions have had to be considerably shortened to fit on the graphics below. 

Each vote will last 72 hours, the hate with the most votes will proceed to the next round. Any draws (yes it has happened) will be subject to a 1 hour penalty shoot out vote at a time TBD but prior to the start of the next round.

Please enjoy the World Cup, we've had some great fun over the years doing this. Let's have loads of comments and interaction but please be polite with each other. Some will no doubt fail to see the humour in this and that's fine, but it is fun and Yarkshire Gamer might not be for you 😄

This was always designed to be those little things that maybe are unique to you and was inspired by the Wargames Room 101 feature from the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast, a perfect example would be Giles Allison's entry "Unpainted Flag Edges" it's a small thing but for some reason it sends my blood pressure into space, the bad thing is that now I've mentioned it, you won't be able to not see it again.

Team Round Dice for the win, from your none biased organiser 👍

Thanks for joining in and I'll see you at the start line later today

Regards Ken 

Yarkshire Gamer 

#wargames #tabletopgames #tabletopgaming

VOTE LINKS

Round 1 Match Up 1

Rivet Counters are those who are obsessive about detail and point out the one Panzer IV F that's out of place on a 72 ft table with 200 tanks on, or the colour on your imaginations Fusilier Battalion cuffs.

Slow Players are those who take 2 hours to set up for a 3 hour game or just take forever to do anything, they aren't indecisive they are just slow 

This vote is over Rivet Counters won by 326 votes to 172 and will meet Unpainted Flag Edges in Round 2

Round 1 Match Up 2

Round 1 Match Up 2 is Up for voting, who is going to go through to the next round, do you hate rules with no index or do those really thick bases push your buttons, get voting now, we've got 3 days to decide.

This vote is over Rules with no index won 352 votes to 110 and will meet Round Dice in Round 2

Round 1 Match Up 3

Potentially a straight forward choice but you never know, this is a World Cup of Pet Hates after all, everyone hates cheats but a pile of different Counters behind a unit, that can drive you mad.

Cheats - those who break every rule possible to win, they use weighted dice (the dice in the toilet story on the Yarkshire Gamer Podcast is a classic) they use modified tape measures, argue about rules and then bend them the next move, it's not big and it's not clever.

Excessive Game Counters - often associated more with board games but it creeps into our hobby, X Wing is a classic none Historical example, hit, sheild, power, targeting etc etc markers piled up to the depth of the death star behind your ships. But its a thing in Historical Wargames too, multiple casualty Counters, next to an order and a charge marker, maybe a disorder marker it makes a beautifully sculpted set of terrain (with hills) look like a game of backgammon. Maybe just maybe it tips yoir scscales

This vote is over with Cheats winning by 439 votes to Excessive Game Counters with 44, Cheats will meet Competition Games in the next round.

Round 1 : Match Up 4

Match Up 4 is up and running, do Unpainted #Miniatures pull your strings more than Maxing Out Points Lists (which the kids tell me is how one wins with DaOrcaBusterChopperCopterCannon in 40k)

This vote is over with Unpainted Miniatures on the table winning against Maxing out Points Lists by 337 to 163

Round 1 : Match Up 5

We are over the hump in Round 1 and on the downhill run, it seems true hate is over ruling Pet Hates in the voting so far but I can only take the horse to the water 🤣

So which of these have you encountered and which drives you mad

Overly Competitive Wargamers - that person who just goes over the top whatever the situation, roll a double 6 and they are on the table shouting, "In your face, looser !) or they roll a double 1 and flip the table. Maybe a bit of serious sledging prior to the start of the game or the game face that never cracks a smile. 

Those who criticise but don't do - I struggled for a short version of this and Armchair Quarterback (a bit American) came to mind later. That person who comes on social media and tells you your stuff is wrong, you ask for a pic of theirs and it never comes, they criticise your game organisation but never organise a game themselves. 

I've met loads of Armchair QBs but very few OCWs so that's where my vote goes but OCWs was a huge winner in the Preliminary Round 

Voting link here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EwyDconRV/

Round 1 : Match Up 6

Today's show down sees an annoyance up against a travesty of justice

Rules Lawyers - now there's nothing wrong with knowing the rules but when you use them solely to win and rather than use Historical Tactics or have, dare I say fun you make that extra mm move to get a plus one it starts to be annoying 

Basing Tanks - is of course an absolute disgrace (now quiet down tank basers you've been knocked out already 😄) Lovely tank models lumbering across the table carrying 3 acres of muck with them and its the same muck, on a road, in a field, across a fjord, is just wrong. Tanks should be free to roam unchained from the shackles of a base.

Get voting now, only 2 more votes left in this round. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KoixLX8x1/

Round 1 : Match Up 7

Not long to go in Round 1 as we have Match Up 7 today, early start so I can post some results later as the first 4 votes will be over. Today's match sees,

Display Games Ignoring the Public - we've all seen it, the Display Game at a show (UK) where the people are just using the show as an excuse to have a game with their mates and they refuse to engage with the public, "What's the rule system ?" you ask, a grunt comes back, "the're nice figures who makes them ?" you manage to get in before they hurry off to the other end of the table. Nearly as bad as people sitting down and chatting with their mates (Podcast joke 😁)

Smelly Gamers - have you ever been to an event, enjoying the day and the gaming when suddenly a odour so pungent even the flies are going away from it reaches your nose. Its not big, its not clever but its great for breeding maggots.

Vote link is https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19xNLduHh4/

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast 71 - Company of Makers - Veterans & Wargaming

 

Hello everyone and welcome once again to the Yarkshire Gamer Reet Big Wargames Podcast.

Today for the 71st episode I have three guests, Steve Bomford who runs the Company of Makers (CoM) Organisation which helps Veterans adapt to civilian life post service. Nick Denning who is a former British Army Infantry Officer who is developing a near future Wargame with the assistance of CoM and Conrad Steele - Benny, a 30 plus year RAF Veteran who is heavily involved in the organisation of CoM events.

The episode is available on all major Podcast hosts or via the link below

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-71-company-of-makers-veterans-and-wargaming/

Between us we discuss their individual careers and involvement in Wargaming before moving on to discuss the work that The Company of Makers does. At the end of the show we widen out the discussion to cover the link between Veterans and Wargaming, the benefits it can bring and how we, as individuals can help.

It was an interesting and often thought provoking discussion which I hope you will enjoy.

If you would like to know more about the Company of Makers their website is here

Company of Makers – Podcasts | Talks | Workshops

My next episode will be with The Posties Rejects, Ray and Big Lee when we will be having a chat around their channels and blogs as well as a review of the recent Salute Show in that there London.

Until next time, Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer 

The previous episode is available on the Utubes below

World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates - Preliminary Round Results

 

Over the last 7 days the voting has been going on for the Preliminary Round of Wargaming Pet Hates and its time to announce the qualifiers who go through to the 1st Round Proper.

These 16 "teams" will be drawn into 8 knock out ties, the draw will occur during the recording of the Brews in the Binyard Summer Special Podcast on 6th June, my intention is to set the match ups off on the 9th June, more details to follow

The winners of the 8 first round match ups will progress through to Round 2 where they meet the seeds, 8 pet hates chosen for no other reason that they are the 8 things I hate the most.

1. Competition Games

2. Round Dice

3. Points Battles

4. Painting Portaloo 

5. Dice with unclear faces

6. Unpainted Flag Edges

7. Factions

8. Sabot Bases

The draw for the second round will take place on the Brews recording as well. There is no seeding within the seeds, the draw order of Round 2 will determine the remaining ties (QF,SF and Final)

Those who just missed out are 

And for those who are interested here are the also rans

There have been just shy of 3,000 votes, thanks to everyone who has voted, thanks to everyone who has joined in and commented, especially the ones who have told me that my definitions in my poll on my page were incorrect 🤣

See you all for Round 1 soon

Monthy Wargames Update - May 2025

 

After recent chats with a number of people I've decided to try and give the blog a bit more time and effort, for the last couple of years with visitor numbers dropping I lost interest and moved to other formats. I still think there are scope for blog posts so here we go again.

One of the most popular formats on the YouTube is the Monthly Update so I thought I'd see if it translates here, please leave a comment if you get the chance

NEW UNITS 

First up is a unit of 32 x 28mm Elite Miniatures representing a Battalion of French Young Guard Voltigeurs from the Napoleonic Wars. A proper old school style unit with 8 figures on a 60 x 60 base.

The flag is from GMB and is massive for a Big Fanion, but I love Big Fanions and I can't deny it.

The other new unit this month is this Florentine Heavy Cavalry unit for the Italian Wars, 28mm Perry plastics with Petes Flags. 

I also went a bit crazy with the buildings, making and painting 12 Charlie Foxtrot Models New World ones for a AWI Germantown game at Partizan 

TWERK IN PROGRESS 

I always include a short piece on the latest twerk in progress, mostly to keep me motivated to finish it for the next month. On the bench at the moment are some 28mm Perry Prussian Landwehr for my Napoleonic Project. 24 done, 8 to finish

HOW MUCH

Purchases this month started with the Charlie Foxtrot buildings you can see above but I also managed to sneek in a cheeky Steel Fist Purchase picking up some of the New Swiss Front rankers.

FROM THE FRONT LINE

I attended the Partizan 2025 show and took along the 28mm AWI Germantown game which included the newly finished buildings mentioned above. 

This is a game we put on at FIASCO a couple of years ago as a memorial to my friend Dave Parrott who passed away. He left all his figures to me including his lovely American AWI collection, which was featured in this game against my Brits.

We used British Grenadier and really cracked on through the day with the American centre collapsing in the late afternoon.

I always spend my time talking to people around the table, making sure that we don't ignore people and that allows the other guys to play the game and keeps the figures moving. It's not perfect but I get to chat to most interested people on the day whilst the game is played as opposed to a static display.

Down club we've had a few weeks of 28mm Ancients, using my Republican Romans against Harry and Andys Greeks.

I've been asked to help playtest a new set of rules, we did that for two weeks and we are now playing through again using MeG. I have had Mortem et Gloriam since Covid times and it kind of got lost in the lack of gaming

YARKSHIRE GAMER PODCAST AND OTHER STUFF 

There have been a couple of New Podcasts, the first with Ray and Lee of Posties Rejects where we chat about their Wargaming as well as an in depth coverage of the Salute Show 

The second show was a short update from Paul Thompson about the investigation into the WW2 Raid on the St Lawrence Radar Station on the Isle of Wight in 1943, with some pretty exciting discoveries.

Both shows are avaliable on all major Podcast hosts, simply search for Yarkshire Gamer you'll find it.

Also on the Utubes is a Troops on Parade feature on the Papal French Forces I built up for the Mentana Game.

So there you have it, a busy month, if you do read this far leave a comment and see what you think about the "reading" version of the monthly Update, if you prefer moving pictures I've included the Utubes version at the bottom of the page.

Until next time, Sithee 

Regards Ken 

The Yarkshire Gamer 

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast Episode 70 - Jared Fishman - 20 Sided Gamified

 

Welcome to Episode 70 of the show and today I sit down with fellow gamer and podcaster Jared Fishman.

Jared runs the US based 20 Sided Gamified show and its a Wargaming show with a broad topic base which has a slant towards the educational value of our hobby in a wider context.

The episode is avaliable via the link below or on any major Podcast Host 

https://kenrtai.podbean.com/e/episode-70-jared-fishman-20-sided-gamified-podcast/

My guest is a teacher and has used gaming in his lessons as a great teaching tool, something I'm sure all of us would have enjoyed when we were at school.

As you would expect with two podcasters we rattle on a bit so it might be a two or three sittings to get through the show, or you might be hard core and get some painting done in a oner !

My next guest is one of a number who are trying to make their minds up on when they can do a recording, so I'll be back in a couple of weeks with someone !

20 Sided Gamified is available on all major podcast hosts, here is the Apple link

20 Sided Gamified Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

And on the Utubes

Introduction to the 20 Sided Gamified Podcast. Welcome to the Fold!

Hopefully see you at Salute

Until next time, Sithee

Regards Ken

The Yarkshire Gamer

Previous episode is now on Utubes 

World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates - Preliminary Round

After two years of World Cups and neaely 40,000 votes we know your favourite rules and figure manufacturers, now its time to find out what you really dont like ! 

This is the Preliminary Round of the Yarkshire Gamers World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates.What drives you nuts in the hobby ? 

No matter how tolerant you are there will be something and now is the chance to get it off your chest.

Wargames Room 101 has been a regular feature on the Yarkshire Gamers Reet Big Wargames Podcast.

RULES 

Vote for no more than 5 choices

If you don't see your personal pet hate, first check its not one of the 8 seeds (Competition Games, Round Dice, Points Battles, Painting Portaloo, Dice with unclear faces, Unpainted Flag Edges, Factions, Sabot Bases)If it isn't there DONT ADD IT YOURSELF, please comment on the post starting with "I nominate" and only nominate one subject per post.

The top 16 pet hates will go through to the 1st Round Proper (the draw for which will be on the Summer Brews Podcast on the 6th June). Each pair of hates will then play off against each other in a knock out cup format, the winners of the 1st round will meet the seeds in Round 2 and then its a straight knock out until we have a winner.Ties (yes we have had one) will be settled by a live one hour penalty shoot out.

Get voting and share far and wide

Voting is on the Yarkshire Gamers Facebook Reet Big Wargames Group 

VOTING LINK https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ARB3LNusA/

Apologies to those not on FB but after 3 years of doing this there are no other viable alternatives that reach such a wide audience.

Regards Ken 

The Yarkshire Gamer

UPDATE 29TH MAY

Here is the voting to date in the Preliminary Round of the Yarkshire Gamer World Cup of Wargaming Pet Hates. 

Some clear leaders with Overly Competitive Wargamers, Rules Lawyers and Cheats well out in front of the pack.

But also some surprises, who thought rebasing was popular 😄 and less people despised Fantasy History Cross Over Games than Hex Based Tiles 😆 The qualification race is pretty tight around the 16 cut off point.

A gentle reminder that this is fun, I've seen some "robust conversations" but only one 🛎🔚 so far on TMP (which is below current projections)

Poll open till Monday, top 16 go through to Rd1, there is still time to vote (or even change your votes) those topics which have been nominated after the start are often missed by those who vote early, so if you hate one of the newer nominations more than your orginal selection feel free to change.

Voting is on the Yarkshire Gamer Reet Big Wargames Group (Link above)

UPDATE WITH 24 HOURS TO GO

The voting in the Preliminary Round of the World Cup of Wargames Pet Hates ends tomorrow and here are the latest standings.

Little movement since the last update and as expected voting has dropped off since the initial surge, looks like there will be around 3,000 when it closes tomorrow.

Top six remaining same and we'll ahead, Display Games ignoring the public has been creeping upwards. The excitement is around the cut off point for the Preliminary Round, remember only the top 16 progress. 

Currently Basing Tanks and Excessive Game Counters are joint 15th and just in the qualification spots with 45 votes. Primary School Blue Rivers and Tank Parks are the main contenders to knick a spot in Round 1.

Nominations are now closed, there is no chance anything getting anywhere near, there's some good stuff on page 2 and couple with no votes, which is one of my Pet Hates, if you nominate something, I have to type it in, at least you could vote for it FFS 🤣

Anyway this js your 24 hour notice to vote, or change your vote before it closes and the "I can't believe x didn't get through" window opens

Regards Ken 

Yarkshire Gamer 

#tabletopgaming #tabletopgames #hobby #wargames #wargaming

Get voting now !

#tabletopgaming #Wargames #tabletopgames #Wargaming 

Troops on Parade - Papal / French Army for Mentana 1867

 

I've put together a video covering the 28mm Army I put together for the Papal French Forces at the Battle of Mentana in 1867 available now on the Utubes 

I've used figures from Wargames Foundry, Perry Miniatures and Gringo40s to put the army together and had to go to various ranges outside of the Risorgimento to get the figures I needed. A lot of them have been released by Shako64 since which is a real pain !

The French are from the Perry Miniatures Franco Prussian War range, part plastic part metal.

The Papal Zouaves were made from Perry ACW plastic Zouaves with Steve Barber head swaps

I used figures from The Perrys Triple Alliance to represent The OIC of the Papal French General Kanzler

I'll do a similar thing with the Garibaldi next week

Germantown 1777 and 2025 at Partizan

 

A few pics and a bit of chat from the Germantown game at Partizan yesterday, I haven't done a proper blog post for a while so here goes.

Firstly thanks very much to Andy, Steve, Steve and Geoff from Leeds Wargames Club  for running the game and keeping the figures moving whilst I did my usual front of house. Above is a pic of the table at the start of the show.

I ended up feeling a bit ropey first thing and spent most of the day sat down, I still managed to speak to loads of people however and had a great time. It was lovely to see loads of friends and have people come up and say how much they enjoy the Podcast, I even had a donation of "snow" to the Narvik Project, thank you very much for that.

I can't mention or even remember everyone but I want to say it was wonderful to see brother Ken Hanning and Charlie Walker looking well. I had a lovely chat with Dave Tuck planning a Podcast, the Brews boys Iain McDonald and Alex Sotheran came over. Henry Hyde stopped by a couple of times and it was wonderful to see him looking happy and enjoying the day.

We raised a bit of awareness for Dogs Trust the chosen charity of my friend Dave Parrott, and it was lovely to have his figures (all the Americans) out on the table again. Dogs Trust supplied us with some bunting and flyers for the table.

The game looked great, my Chew House really stood out as a centre piece, even if you couldn't see all the subtle plank shading, I'd picked up quite a few Charlie Foxtrot Models from their New World Range a couple of weeks before the game and managed to get them all finished in time. i'd been down the DIY Store as well and as only wargamers can do I saw an Arris Rail, and rather than thinking "that's a good addition to my fence" I though that would make a good Game Title Board added something and the bunting from Dogs Trust looked good.

I used the plans from the British Grenadier 2nd Scenario Book with a few minor alterations, mostly to get more figures on the table and we used the British Grenadier rules which we are familiar with. Lots of people commented at the table that the rules are 'a bitbslow" but we absolutely cracked through the game even with public engagement.

The figures where all sculpted by the Perrys. Most of the British had been painted by me and were from the Perry Miniatures Range, mostly metal (these were started before the plastics came out) although there are a few plastic units.

The Americans are from the Collection of Dave who left them to me when he passed away. I've done the odd bit of rebating and adding flags but they are all painted by him. The collection is entirely metal and mostly the Perry Wargames Foundry sculpts, Dave was a huge fan of that company.

As for the game itself, the lads really cracked on even with the "slow" British Grenadier rules and the Americans were really Agressive pushing the British back from Chew House towards Germantown but the Firepower of the Brits told and Greenes column broke at the end of the day.

Pendants Corner - in the excitement of the game some of the British flags have ended up their ongoing way round, I shall chastise those who are responsible in due course.

Regards Ken