> How do the center numbers work. Are they for going backwards or what.

The numbers in the trapezoids surrounding the “13” box are the “number of boxes bonus” someone gets for hitting the player out who is stuck in that box. So let’s say I’m going for 4 forwards and I hit someone out of the “6” trapezoid, I would then get to stick my cap in the “9” box and go for “10 forward” (I _was_ going for “4”, now I’m going for “10”).

> the moderator of the forum (“Masta Blasta”) would frown at such a basic approach

This is correct, I frown on this approach of simply losing turns if you get stuck in the skull. It’s called a skull because you’re dead when you’re in it, not simply stunned! Of course, you’re welcome to use the simpler approaches as long as all agree to the rules beforehand. I think there’s more excitement to the “bonus” thing than the “lose turns” approach. Try ’em both, decide for yourself.