When I first came to these boards, I found the bid system most interesting. People felt they needed a bid to remain competitive with the Axis and I did not understand why.
Now I think I do.
#1) People have interesting (if not incorrect) barometers reading just how successful the Axis is the doing. It is not necessary to hold the Baltic, take Africa, or hold the beaches of Western Europe to stage an effective campaign to bring an Axis Victory.
#2) Just because one side appears to be winning, does not mean they will take the target Capital. Has anyone seen the Japan stall on their offensive? Or find the Fall of Germany occurs 3 or 4 turns beyond what they originally thought (or not at all)?
People quit their games long before they should because of a perceived notion there is no hope of winning.
This game has very little to do with history, so don’t feel that if the Allies hold Western Europe, that the war will be over by May 1945.
I don’t think a bid is necessary, but if anyone wants to give me extra money to start, they can.