Like millions of other people, I have a go at the National Lottery and Euro-Millions - and each week I wave goodbye to a couple of quid as (usually) not one of my numbers ever comes up. Indeed, I should sell my services as a spotter of numbers that never come up (allowing people a greater chance of winning by avoiding the numbers that I choose).
But I've often wondered what would happen if a dedicated wargamer actually won millions in the Lottery. What would they blow the cash on? Indeed, what would you blow your cash on?
For me, a big house is required. Not for the family though - just for the huge dedicated wargames room! Large table with plenty of room on all sides. Comfy chairs and slide out tables to keep your rules / army lists / spare troops on. Plenty of storage for the multiple armies around the room (or in the annexe next to the wargames room!).
But what else?
Actually who needs rulebooks and army lists when each player can have an iPad with all the information to hand (and you can even cross off the damage on the screen). What about a projector with relevant graphics / movies on the screen (so photos from D-Day if you're doing a Normandy battle - and the odd burst of rifle fire and artillery played over the louspeakers. Or drums and fifes during a Napoleonic bash).
Clearly the scenery would be second to none - professionally painted and based Timecast pieces for our 6mm battles. Handmade hills, fields and roads. And all the figures would also be professionally painted (and based). So I can spend a bit more time playing rather than painting. But I'd stay with 6mm / 10mm even in money was no option.
Regular trips to the main shows would be on the agenda - and it would also allow routes into different genres that otherwise wouldn't be touched due to cost and time.
Having said that, I don't think the above has even dented £5k (aprat from the house). Now a petrolhead with a big pot of cash can blow any amount on rare or expensive cars. A train buff can (as Pete Waterman proved) can blow £500k on a train set. But can a wargamer do the same? Unless you try to replicate the Battle of Waterloo in 28mm, I'm guessing not.
Am I wrong?
For me, a big house is required. Not for the family though - just for the huge dedicated wargames room! Large table with plenty of room on all sides. Comfy chairs and slide out tables to keep your rules / army lists / spare troops on. Plenty of storage for the multiple armies around the room (or in the annexe next to the wargames room!).
But what else?
Actually who needs rulebooks and army lists when each player can have an iPad with all the information to hand (and you can even cross off the damage on the screen). What about a projector with relevant graphics / movies on the screen (so photos from D-Day if you're doing a Normandy battle - and the odd burst of rifle fire and artillery played over the louspeakers. Or drums and fifes during a Napoleonic bash).
Clearly the scenery would be second to none - professionally painted and based Timecast pieces for our 6mm battles. Handmade hills, fields and roads. And all the figures would also be professionally painted (and based). So I can spend a bit more time playing rather than painting. But I'd stay with 6mm / 10mm even in money was no option.
Regular trips to the main shows would be on the agenda - and it would also allow routes into different genres that otherwise wouldn't be touched due to cost and time.
Having said that, I don't think the above has even dented £5k (aprat from the house). Now a petrolhead with a big pot of cash can blow any amount on rare or expensive cars. A train buff can (as Pete Waterman proved) can blow £500k on a train set. But can a wargamer do the same? Unless you try to replicate the Battle of Waterloo in 28mm, I'm guessing not.
Am I wrong?