Sportsmanship

Yes Pavlov, rolling the Axis and Allies dice against a true sportsman would be optimal. Human nature gets in the way. Had a friend who played this game with me for years. We bonded over my little ships though he cheated constantly. He didn't have much right in his life- failing marriage, failing career, alcoholic father, and poor personal health. Winning at something meant a lot to him. Can't say I always acted with grace either. Checked in on him one day after his appendix surgery and his sister replied he died at the VA. Blood clots, wasn't even 40 years old.

I have learned that people bring their own baggage to the game. Check their behaviors with wry humor, keep it light. Laugh with him at all the bad dice and make a friend.

You never really know what's going on inside someone's head.
And yet, there is that lingering bad taste in the mouth when someone is a bad loser... or a bad winner.
The good memories come from the fair play and joshing that accompany the horrible dice rolls, or the bad decisions. Such as rolling eight dice and not getting more than 1s and 2s, when you really needed some 4s, 5s, and 6s... Oh my, we've all been there.