I think that given the HN audience, we should really be playing the Atlantic version. Not only is the spelling partially reversed, but the Perridale Variation is reduced to a single direction. Forfeiture rules are therefore irrelevant. It's significantly simpler, but it's more engaging for a beginner audience.
Forfeiture may be technically irrelevant in the so-called "classic Atlantic" game, but there are several West Coast extensions that make the situation hazier. They allow a limited influence of bi-directional Perridale (some go further still, completely eliminating rulings aroung trackage limits, though at this point they remain quite fringe).
The Seattle extension, in particular, is seen as the current favorite. This years's NACMCC saw more past champions registering in the Seattle division than any other.
For this reason, I highly recommend players brush up on their awareness of forfeiture rules. All of the top British strategy guides include a relevant appendix in their latest editions, I'm particularly partial to Banks, et. al.
I find that people west of the Atlantic have a rather unsentimental way of playing. Brits may nitpick and selectively enforce rules but you know at the end of the day it’s just a bit of fun.
Banks et al. was historical curiosity. But over the duckpond it seems to be canon! Meanwhile Carruthers vol 6 is openly disregarded.
Carruthers is a nice overview, sure, though I've always felt it to be far too imprecise where it really matters. I guess I see what you're saying about the cultural differences!
> some go further still, completely eliminating rulings aroung trackage limits, though at this point they remain quite fringe.
The elimination of trackage limits when influenced by bi-directional Perridale has been pretty mainstream now for a couple of years. I’d hardly call them “fringe” anymore.
Agree on the need for sufficient awareness of forfeiture rules in general though.
Personally I’m warming towards the proposed Eton’s Lisp amendment which does seem to improve some of the issues with deadlocked rounds, especially with larger numbers of players.
