UBC July 2024 - Dice the Track

Welcome back to July's UBC. This month I'm going to be talking about cultural differences between Switzerland and the USA.

Today is Colin's first official day summer break. Of course he's still asleep and probably will be for a good while, so this post is sort of a bonus post. No cultural difference comparison. Instead I give you a preview of something we're planning to do:

Playing "Dice the Track". 

What is it?

A dice game that puts together a random journey on public transport. 

Photo by Fabian Reitmeier on Pexels

How does it work?

Stand in front of the departure monitor, which shows all train departures from the station. Decide how many dice you want to roll. Count the number of dice from the top of the departure table. Now you know which train it will be.

Make your way to the track and make yourself comfortable on the train. Now all that remains is to determine the final station of your journey. To find out how many stops your train will make, determine the number of dice again and "roll" your destination station.

There are some rules that are recommended:

Rule No. 1: Exclude smaller stations from the outset. Only include stops in your roll where transfers to other lines are possible.

Before you arrive at your first destination station, decide when you want to continue your journey. Time for a coffee? Sights within sight? No problem! After all, you have all the time in the world today. As soon as you're ready to continue, stand in front of the next departure table, and the journey continues.

Rule No. 2: The route you just completed, is closed for the rest of the day. This prevents endless journeys on the same line.

Rule No. 3: Stay within Switzerland. I know, it's tempting. So many connections going to Italy, France, Germany or Austria, but our day pass is limited to domestic destinations. 

Photo by Uwe Conrad on Unsplash

Now that the rules are known, the kilometers / miles pass and pass. Make the most of your freedom and treat yourself to a break and walk through the town you're in. Most places have more to offer than just a station.

The most important thing about track dice is to remain flexible. Don't get caught up in too many rules and regulations. Don't let the dice dictate everything, but use them as a kind of decision-making aid.

Track dice rolling becomes really exciting if you determine possible jokers in advance, which can be used freely (once each) during the day. A selection:

• Speed upgrade: Only long-distance trains are eligible for the next dice roll.
• End station: On the next train, the destination is not "rolled" but freely determined.
• Please change trains: The next time you get off, change to another means of transport. You are free to choose the line and destination. Think gondola or boat!
• Off home: From now on, only lines that take us to the end of our journey will be considered.

I had heard good things about this game and thought it would be entertaining. We may do it next Monday - will you join us?