Orienteering 15:56 [3] 2.2 km (7:15 / km) +39m 6:39 / km
BFLO club picnic Poker-O
30 minute time limit, but I was sure that barring any two disasters, I could visit all the flags, so my strategy was simple. Write down nothing, and only punch for the royal flush. I decided to go clockwise, which in retrospect was a poor choice, both because of the way things turned out and as an objective strategic decision.
Start -> 5: Out past #1 (bad card at this and every number for which I omit the card) and up hill to #20. Crew thinned out a bit; only Jackie N. with me. As we turn around, I see Walt Lyons also turning around. It is now clear that all three of us have the same strategy and route and Walt noticed that we hadn't punched, so he saved about 25 m of running. Hmmm. We split around the bathroom and rand down to the trail and past #2 and #3. I am now leading by a small bit. Into the stream for #4 and I decide to engage in the old "fake punch" trick. Didn't look to see if it worked, though. Back to trail and down to #5 which was further than I expected, but right where it should be. Jack of Spades. 5:03
5 -> 6: Through stream to road. Saw building but not flag; as I got closer, I saw it in the woods. As I leave, Walt and (further back) Jackie are coming in. 10 of Spades. :38
6 -> 11: Into field, I overshot #8 as the "forest" had grown up a bit since the map and I went all the way around. Walt beat me to this useless one. Over to #8, saw Jackie leaving, but was determined to be certain. Walt, however, saw me verify its uselessness. On to #9 with Walt on my tail and Jackie coming across from #8. Up the hill to #10, I slowed down to plan the rest of my route, given that I was still missing three cards. Jackie and Walt caught up. #10 to #14 to #12 (tried to fake punch) to #11. Walt coming in and noticing that I punched for real. Queen of Spades. 5:34
11 -> 19: Trail to #13 trying to ditch Walt, then debated #16 before #15, but decided that #16 was too close to Start/Finish to have a needed card. #15 then through the woods and across the road towards #19. Overshot low (N), realized my error and saw Jackie punching #19. No sign of Walt. Ace of Spades. 2:30
19 -> 16: To my surprise, Jackie left to the west(!) and I thought she must have already picked up #18(?). Up stream to #18 and then into clearing. It took a moment to realize that the man-made object was the garden, not the swing set as Roger Keeney was blocking my view of #17. No luck. Head off to #16 as Jackie comes in from the right. Damn, now it's a sprint, but at least I have the lead. Flag was very visible. King of Spades. 1:47
16 -> Finish: Sprint in determined to beat Jackie. :23
First finisher, and of course a Royal Flush is top hand. Jackie came in 12 seconds later and Walt about one minute behind. Very cute and fun race. Any one of us would have won had we gone the other way, but I now think the winning order is S, 17, 18, 19, 15, 16, 13, 11, 12, 14, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 20, 1. Offers the best chance to cut off a corner with a hill.
Several other folks got the Royal Flush within the time limit (plus 30 seconds in one case) and one clever woman got a full house (aces over 8s) by visiting only seven controls! All in all a great exercise before a surprisingly nice picnic.