kib·itz (kbts)
intr.v. kib·itzed, kib·itz·ing, kib·itz·es Informal
1. To look on and offer unwanted, usually meddlesome advice to others.
2. To chat; converse.
buttinsky
butt·in·sky or butt·in·ski (bt-nsk)
n. pl. butt·in·skies also butt·in·skys or butt·in·skis Slang
One who is prone to butting in; a meddler.
You may have seen him in your FLGS. He is the champion of all things rules and FAQ. He is the deliverer of justice. The knower of all He is the bad movie that your significant other makes you go with her to see. He is the singular most irritating thing in your gaming experience. One man, many comments, all unsolicited. He is the Kibitzer! Hello Mr. twinlinkmastercraftedrendingmeltademolishercannon!
While playing one of your favorite game with friends, a stranger comes up to your table, sheepish grin, sweaty palms, and nary a hello to you. Your Wolf Lord is on the hunt for prey, you send him through some woods, making your difficult terrain tests, his hunt is interrupted by..."Hey he's got to take a dangerous terrain test. Cavalry always take dangerous terrain tests."
But wait! There's more! Dante rolls his cc attacks against the "traitor" guardsmen. Dante rolls 6 attacks missing only one. Before the player gets a chance to react, another bit of unwanted advice is given...."that's master crafted".
I don't understand this behavior. No matter what State I played in, it's always the same. D.C., MD, VA, IL All the same. Maybe the person(s) in most cases mean well, they want to feel like they are part of the game since maybe they are waiting for an opponent or a table to free up? Maybe they just can't help themselves. I am guilty of Kibitzing but only in certain circumstances.
- I am asked a question
- A new player is being abused by a "vet" player (I'll expand on this below)
- If the parties are practicing for a tournament or some other event to work out kinks, rules, and other bugs, to fine tune their lists.
I like to help new players play with "missions" and objectives rather than just do annihilation, so that they can grow as a player, learn tactics and so forth. I explain rules to them and actions as I do them so they better understand the game. The kibitzer is most active during these times though. You'd better explain every single internet net-deck-list-Bols-Stelek-Dakka Dakka strategy you can find or you're going to get kibitzed!
These guys don't get it. You tell them you are explaining the game first, lists and what to buy comes later. Advance Tau tactica is not needed when the guy has a Devilfish, 12 Kroot, 12 Fire Warriors and a Crisis HQ! Sheesh! I have seen many types of kibitzers in my time Here are a few types to look out for.
- The Lurker - He is an odd one. They are usually adults. We had one in particular in Illinois when I used to frequent the Chicago Battle Bunker. We called him Lobot due to the ginormous blue tooth device he wore on his ear. He would never be seen with models or ever playing any games. He'd sit at your table and question every move you make. "Why'd you do that?" "Aren't you going to disembark? "Do they really have double melta guns?" "Are you sure?"
- The Whisperer - He is usually friends with one of the players. He gives unsolicited advice by leaning over, ever-so-gently, and telling you what to do. Slight finger pointing gestures are noticeable.
- The Fall Guy - He will blurt out rules, strategies, sometimes just plain bad information, and usually gravitates to whoever he perceives is losing the game. When confronted about his Kibitzing habits, or the tide of battle changes due to his interference, he is often heard saying something like "That's on me guys sorry." Or "My bad!"
- The Blowhard - Absolutely unequivocally the worst one of them all. Is often loud and mostly wrong, he knows everything! (not) Cannot be reasoned with, argues rules with no shred of evidence to back up the claims. Is often found making up his own rules. When confronted with the truth of the rulebook and pertinent FAQ, his obstinance will not allow it to permeate his thick skull. No fun to play with or around!
- The Actuarial - Generally not bad guy. Knows the rules in and out. Very helpful with tactics and strategies. Actually likes to be called upon to answer questions. Knows when to not butt in. A mild Kibitzer not bad at all. Not very many of these guys. They usually get run off by the Blowhard.
It seems that every year I go into a rant about the Kibitzing that goes on. Maybe I'm just too grouchy? How do you deal? I know I am a bit hot tempered. I need to check that. I have very little patience which some of my closer friends have either seen or heard me get angry. So I tend to just breathe in then ask the person(s) to not comment on "our" game that we are playing. Sometimes they don't get it. A simple Go Away! Is a bit harsh but sometimes is necessary.
A bud of mine once created a sign that stated "NO KIBITZING" "Do not offer your advice on our game" Bunker staff made him take it down. Lol!
Anyone have experiences to share?
Yeah, we've got one (that I know of) at the local store. Played him once, we did not mesh at all, no interest in repeating the experience.
ReplyDeleteOften butts into other people's games. When they're checking on what they need for something (like a pen roll, ld check, etc.) will tell them, "Roll a d6. OK, that pens. Roll again. Stunned. Extra armor? No, still stunned. Can't move or shoot next turn" or butts in at the end of a match to demand a run down of units killed or to check out objectives to tell them who won. Dude, back the hell off and let people play their own damn games.
I've enjoyed a couple of times recently using or helping others use the Battle Missions scenarios, since he's not familiar with them. Blows his mind. "So, Todd wins." "Really? Not according to the actual mission they're playing." "...uhh...". Douche.
I'll answer questions if asked, and ask for confirmation from others sometimes when I don't want to look it up, but I try to avoid butting in and take a dim view of those who do. Play your own game...if you can find someone to play you.
Thankfully our local one has moved on to the zombie hooker game, Male-faux or whatever it's called and has less time to interfere with 40K.
Would it be wrong to make a small sign to set on the table you're playing on that reads... Game in Progress. Please keep all comments to yourself. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNot going to lie, Ive been guilty of Kibitzing. But I usually try to do it when someones being a total douche. But to actually aggravate me someone has to act condescending. For example-
ReplyDelete"Oh you didn't know that? Wow."
"No! I didn't fuckin know that, did you know that if I hit you in the throat once Ill collapse your wind pipe?"
I mean it takes quite a bit to set me off, people can throw their advice around all they want. But I suppose if some jack rabbit Mofo decides to ask me why I do everything I do Ill just start answering in Russian and hit him with a chair. Brute force seems to solve a good amount of tomfoolery.