OD&D Editions ... which one is the best?

I'd go with OD&D (1974) and Supplements, or Rules Cyclopedia, personally. But the two are very different beasts: the first is basically for me a tool kit to "build my own D&D" from the source, the second is a rules set I would run as it stands, for its own merits.

Doesn't mean one is superior to the other: just means I see their purpose and utility at my game table as widely different.
 

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T. Foster said:
The Holmes (1977-78) Basic Set is wacky -- the rules are kinda OD&D, kinda 1E AD&D, and kinda their own thing, and since they only cover levels 1-3 you're eventually going to have to do so some kind of conversion. That said, it's still my favorite introductory version of the game, which IMO captures the spirit and feel of what I like about D&D better than any of the later Basic Sets (part of this is undoubtedly the Sutherland, Wham, and Trampier art -- my favorite era of TSR/D&D art)

I thoroughly agree, so Holmes D&D gets my vote. If your players in your one-shot are going to be of 4th or higher level, then add Cook's Expert rulebook to Holmes's Basic rulebook.
 

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