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Answer: Due to the manner in which the game is played (selecting, comparing and discarding), there is a tendency to visualize two fighters simultaneuosly approaching each other, unloading and then backing off in an almost robot-like fashion. But in fact, all of the action that occurs during an exchange is considered to have transpired within the framework of the total time in seconds elapsed on both cards played. This includes all the "mechanics" involved in attempting a particular punch, such as coming in, setting up, feinting, backing off, etc.
Question: If you remove the Combinations, the remainder of the deck consists of single punches. In playing the game, aren't we being asked to accept the role of a fighter who, in effect, throws only one punch at a time?
Answer: On pages 5 through 9 of the Rule Booklet, the "Game Play and Scoring" section provides a basic description of how punches are landed and points are scored, in addition to accounting for the color and point variances of the Jabs, Left Hooks and Right Crosses. A simplified explanation for each was necessary so that the scoring process would be easily understood. Unfortunately, it did little to dispel the perception of each player as basically a "one punch" fighter. Therefore, we suggest that you adopt the following approach to play, which we feel will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the game.
In the sample exchange illustrated on page 7 of the Rule Booklet, Player A landed with a punch that, as you "read down" the card, was the second of two possible punches his opponent could have been hit by. Thus is can be said that Player A landed both the Jab and the Combination, with the Jab, in effect, serving to "set up" the Combination. In other words, any punch located above the one that actually matches can be considered to have landed as well. Points, of course, are awarded only for the matching punch.
This approach can even be taken a step further, because in actuality all of the action that takes place during an exchange is relative. A player landing a red (hard) Jab (worth 1 point and thus twice as much as a green (single) Jab) can just as easily be said to have landed a double Jab, just as landing the black Left Hook or Right Cross could be considered a clean, single shot or a doubling up of punches to the head and body and vice versa. The activity that takes place during an exchange is whatever that player imagines as having happened, whetever he visualizes as taking place. For its part, the scoring procedure was designed to reflect only the meaningful action that takes place during a bout, the "punches of consequence" if you will.
Question: What is the basis for adjusting the Point Margin in relation to the glove size (page 4 of the Rule Booklet) selected for a bout?
Answer: Actually, by doing this we were able to cover two areas. First, because a heavier glove contains more padding, the impact of a blow is somewhat lessened, hence the variance in the Point Margins. Secondly, this also allows for the concept of the ring size factor in a bout. A smaller ring (smaller Point Margin) benefits the "puncher", while a larger ring (larger Point Margin) benefits the "boxer". Thus, with the selection of 6 ounce gloves, assume the bout will take place in an 18 foot ring; with 8 ounce gloves, a 20 foot ring.
Question: In the game, the Mandatory 8 Count (page 14 of the Rule Booklet) seemingly has no "real" function. Why have it?
Answer: Despite it's cosmetic appearance, the Mandatory 8 Count and the momentary stoppage of play it creates actually serves a threefold purpose: It gives the scorekeeper/referee a moment to assess the Knockdown situation; it provides a brief interval so that the players can add up the seconds elapsed on the cards they have played to determine the time of the Knockdown; and it allows the player who has been knocked down a few seconds to re-group.