Pedro Martínez: There's no need for me to. Whether or not there have been any conspiracies is besides the point. The fact that there's nothing that can be done about them is why I'm no longer going to play this game. It's a flaw. Maybe not for you, but for me it is.

As for specific examples, I have yet to buy into the Scooter episode that you were a part of. Let me state clearly that I'm not accusing you of doing anything in that game in concert with him or others, it is my perception of it that I have a problem with. I can do something about me and am doing it. I said as much when it first happened. I'm not the only one that had a problem with how that turn went down in that game. It is a problem with Run around the Pond itself. A person's play can be honorable and without any type of collusion with his fellow players and yet people will be suspicious. I do not want to find myself in that position. Imagine that I take the chance, make a good play, and all it causes me is grief and suspicion. That's how it appeared to me for you when that turn was over. I believe how you played that turn was not a part of a conspiracy and that you truly read through all the noise and took the chance that you'd come out ahead. You also have lots of games under your belt and have many going at once, which will mitigate a loss if you are wrong in a decision of this nature. I also said that if you are that good at this game, I'm out of my league and no longer want to play with such players in a mulitplayer game such as Ponds.

As for other examples, I have only played a few games of Run around the Pond. It would be very easy for two or more people to conceal a conspiracy with the proper placing of when they act on it from me or anyone else. I'm sure you can see that. Especially if your bid in that particular game was on the up and up. Just imagine if that very same scenario happened the very next turn and three of us had bid as you, Scooter, and Bry did. How would you feel?

Let me say it again, it is me that has a problem with it. I am doing what I can about me. I will no longer play the game. I will try to win the last three games that I'm in. Having my computer break almost cost me all of them, but I am somehow hanging on.

As plenty of people have discussed, a way to quit or resign a game of Ponds that minimizes its effect upon a game in progress needs to be developed. Yeah, yeah, we can silently bid one and be done with it, but if there's way to do it and have it announced then this will eliminate one type of concern people have when a few other people suddenly bid very low amounts on the same turn. It will keep this type of trouble from causing grief. This will cut down on some shenanigans, but will not eliminate conspiracies. The game is fine as is if only for the reason that people are used to playing it with these rules.

I see no difference in the play of Dark Ponds. Why should there be? Right, because knowing your opponents can make a difference on occasion. If one ignores who their opponents are and just plays the game by trying to make the best bid each turn, the game plays the same.