: I would have to vote for Settlers of Catan. In fact, I'm a little
: surprised it wasn't on your list!

Me too, to be honest!!!

I heard so many good things about it, so I bought it and tried it once. I found the pace a bit slow in the beginning as you are just picking up resources and there is nothing to do or think about much. Whereas in Ticket to Ride even at the very start of the game it is tense as ou need to secure some small tracks which can mess you up if you need them and someone else steals the track (Houston-New Orleans for example). I'm sure it's because I didn't get the subtleties as I hadn't the game knowledge.

So many people say it is an amazing game so I am sure they are right, so I'll have to give it a few more times before making any valid judgement. My only problem is if we have time for a game we can't resist "Ticket"....