Moral of the story for me? I won't play in a game of 30, but I won't worry about whether or not they happen, I probably won't play in a game of 15, I may play in a game of 7 or 9. It sounds like a lot more fun.
For me it's even less that as it is that I don't like to play at cons. The game is VASTLY better with people you know, since it's all about reading people and hiding your true intentions. I wouldn't play 30 under any circumstances, and I prefer 8 or 9, but I'll play in a game of 10-15 if the players are all good friends.
I really don't understand how it became a con game. --Ross