By Charles Lamm
Space Invaders was the origin, the genesis, of many of today's FPS (first person shooter) games, at least the video game versions.
Some would argue that shooting games go back to the mechanical shooting galleries at carnivals, grandstands, and boardwalks across America. We could take it back to the real thing like turkey shoots at state and county fairs.
Space Invaders was an arcade video game created by Toshihiro Nishikado in Japan back in 1978. You can still find numerous versions to play free online. The best place to start is the relaunched Space Invaders Shrine at: http://www.spaceinvaders.de/
For those who are a bit younger than the average retrogamer, Space Invaders works like this:
* the player has one laser canon with unlimited ammunition at the bottom of the screen behind 4 small walls for protection
* the canon moves back and forth horizontally using the left and right arrow keys
* you shoot the canon by pressing the spacebar
* rows of aliens move back and forth horizontally and downward toward your canon while dropping bombs and rays
* as you destroy aliens, they begin to move down faster and faster and begin zooming across the screen
* the only sound is a heartbeat that speeds up when the aliens move faster
* after destroying all the aliens on the screen, a new group appears on row closer to your canon
* at times, a red spaceship moves across the top of the screen that can be shot for bonus points
* if you lose your canon 3 times, or if an alien reaches the bottom of the screen, the game is over
It was all very simple by today's standards, yet this did not stop public complaints against the game. Parents always seem to find that dark cloud in front of the silver lining.
You have heard it before:
* Space Invaders was a corrupting influence on children
* children were wasting money by pumping quarters into the arcade machines at the mall or corner convenience store
* the game could not be won - eventually the aliens always win
One simple advance made Space Invaders different from other arcade video games - elimination of the timer. The better the player's skill, the longer it took to lose the 3 canons.
To see how far FPS has come, go to the Shrine (link above) and then download the free Trition player (http://www.playtriton.com)and try your hand at the latest first person shooters.
Unlike Space Invaders, with a new release like Prey from 3D Realms, you can actually save the Earth from an alien invasion - if you are good enough.
2008/03/15
2008/03/14
Video Poker for Beginners
By Michelle Jonson
Video Poker’s popularity has blossomed over the past decades, especially in the United States.
It might be due to the fact that video poker machines are everywhere and, with very little practice, people can become comfortable and familiar with the games. This comfort is especially appealing when players realize that two of the main factors that influence your chances of winning have to do with comfort level.
The first, and main, factor is knowledge. A player needs to know which cards to hold and which cards to let go. If someone has even a little familiarity with poker this step won’t be very difficult.
Learning the odds at sites like About.com (http://casinogambling.about.com/library/blgayleVP.htm) and Online-Casino.com (http://www.online-casino.com) is the first step. If you know that the odds are against a hand of jack or better and that an Ace isn’t the best card to have and other similar facts, you’ll make more educated decisions about which cards to hold on to.
The second factor is directly related to the first. Speed. The faster you play, the better your odds of winning. The machines generate cards randomly but they are affected by natural changes in the deal. The quicker you play, the faster you’ll get away from these changes.
The more you know, the faster you play and the better your odds of winning. The knowledge will come quickly and the speed will improve the more you play.
It’s also important to remember, like slot machines, that if you can’t bet the maximum amount of credits a hand, it’s worth it to move to a machine where you can. The payouts for betting the max on the nickel machines are higher than betting the minimum on the 25 cent machines, and so on.
It is also important to remember that, while video poker is often compared to slots due to the similarity of the gaming machines, video poker actually requires some strategy knowledge to become a pro while slots is completely a game of chance.
Video poker aficionado Hannah Bloom said that players enjoy video poker for an array of different reasons. “Everyone likes the game for the same reasons: it’s a poker skill game and challenges you mentally but you don’t have to worry about getting robbed by the card sharks. It’s just you, the machine, and the cards,” Bloom said.
Video poker, like slots, also comes in progressive form where players on connected machines are all playing for one increasing jackpot. Progressive games often payout less than traditional video poker games for the smaller wins, like three pair, full house, etc.
Video Poker’s popularity has blossomed over the past decades, especially in the United States.
It might be due to the fact that video poker machines are everywhere and, with very little practice, people can become comfortable and familiar with the games. This comfort is especially appealing when players realize that two of the main factors that influence your chances of winning have to do with comfort level.
The first, and main, factor is knowledge. A player needs to know which cards to hold and which cards to let go. If someone has even a little familiarity with poker this step won’t be very difficult.
Learning the odds at sites like About.com (http://casinogambling.about.com/library/blgayleVP.htm) and Online-Casino.com (http://www.online-casino.com) is the first step. If you know that the odds are against a hand of jack or better and that an Ace isn’t the best card to have and other similar facts, you’ll make more educated decisions about which cards to hold on to.
The second factor is directly related to the first. Speed. The faster you play, the better your odds of winning. The machines generate cards randomly but they are affected by natural changes in the deal. The quicker you play, the faster you’ll get away from these changes.
The more you know, the faster you play and the better your odds of winning. The knowledge will come quickly and the speed will improve the more you play.
It’s also important to remember, like slot machines, that if you can’t bet the maximum amount of credits a hand, it’s worth it to move to a machine where you can. The payouts for betting the max on the nickel machines are higher than betting the minimum on the 25 cent machines, and so on.
It is also important to remember that, while video poker is often compared to slots due to the similarity of the gaming machines, video poker actually requires some strategy knowledge to become a pro while slots is completely a game of chance.
Video poker aficionado Hannah Bloom said that players enjoy video poker for an array of different reasons. “Everyone likes the game for the same reasons: it’s a poker skill game and challenges you mentally but you don’t have to worry about getting robbed by the card sharks. It’s just you, the machine, and the cards,” Bloom said.
Video poker, like slots, also comes in progressive form where players on connected machines are all playing for one increasing jackpot. Progressive games often payout less than traditional video poker games for the smaller wins, like three pair, full house, etc.
2008/03/13
Backgammon – A time honoured game of strategy and chance.
By John Gibb
The oldest recorded game in history, Backgammon is a relatively simple game that has reached wide popularity. The origins of backgammon extend into medieval history and its true roots are thought to be in ancient Rome and even Mesopotamia, over 2000 years BC.
Backgammon is a two player board game of strategy comparable to chess where each player must negotiate 15 pieces through 24 pointed sections of the board, aiming to b the first to get all their pieces off the board. The game is based on dice rolling so chance is an element but strategy comes into play with making choices and also with the many variants that exist.
The pieces are scattered and the player must get them from point to point until all of the pieces are on their side of the board. The points are numbered and the pieces can only move from high numbered points to lower numbered points, making a kind of race. The player’s end of the board is called the home board and they must have all their pieces there in order to ‘bear off’, i.e. remove them from play and win the game.
As well as being a fun family game, Backgammon is also played in championships like Chess and sometimes for money. The rules are riddled with additional systems that vary from place to place and often extend the game or make it more strategic. For example a ‘doubling cube’ is sometimes used; a six sided dice with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 on it. This is called upon by a player seeking to double the stakes and adds to the depth of the strategy. Other recognised rules are the Jacoby Rule used more in money play and the Crawford Rule which seeks to make the game more balanced. Strategies used in Backgammon have their own names, such as the Running game, the Holding game, The Blitz, the Backgame and the Priming game. This is typical of the jargon associated with games that have a kind of inner language for serious players. Nevertheless Backgammon remains very popular with casual users and children and has been made into a variety of computer based versions.
The oldest recorded game in history, Backgammon is a relatively simple game that has reached wide popularity. The origins of backgammon extend into medieval history and its true roots are thought to be in ancient Rome and even Mesopotamia, over 2000 years BC.
Backgammon is a two player board game of strategy comparable to chess where each player must negotiate 15 pieces through 24 pointed sections of the board, aiming to b the first to get all their pieces off the board. The game is based on dice rolling so chance is an element but strategy comes into play with making choices and also with the many variants that exist.
The pieces are scattered and the player must get them from point to point until all of the pieces are on their side of the board. The points are numbered and the pieces can only move from high numbered points to lower numbered points, making a kind of race. The player’s end of the board is called the home board and they must have all their pieces there in order to ‘bear off’, i.e. remove them from play and win the game.
As well as being a fun family game, Backgammon is also played in championships like Chess and sometimes for money. The rules are riddled with additional systems that vary from place to place and often extend the game or make it more strategic. For example a ‘doubling cube’ is sometimes used; a six sided dice with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 on it. This is called upon by a player seeking to double the stakes and adds to the depth of the strategy. Other recognised rules are the Jacoby Rule used more in money play and the Crawford Rule which seeks to make the game more balanced. Strategies used in Backgammon have their own names, such as the Running game, the Holding game, The Blitz, the Backgame and the Priming game. This is typical of the jargon associated with games that have a kind of inner language for serious players. Nevertheless Backgammon remains very popular with casual users and children and has been made into a variety of computer based versions.
2008/03/12
Poker Tools
By Patrick Altoft
Poker tools can be a valuable addition to any poker player's arsenal.
There are a variety of tools available and this article will examine
the different types available to assist players. The most commonly
used poker tools are hand history databases, computer playing
programs, online poker assistants and online poker tools.
Hand History Databases
Most online poker rooms offer players the ability to download the
histories of the hands that they have participated in. These hand
histories are in a text format and while it is possible for a player
to scan and analyse a single hand, it quickly becomes difficult and
tiresome for multiple hands. Hand history databases offer the features
like win rate calculations, opponent analysis, hand replay, analysis
by position and much more. The most popular poker tools of this type
include "Poker Tracker" and "Poker Office".
Computer Playing Programs
Programming computers to play a strong game of poker is extremely
difficult and it is only recently that they have become about the same
strength as an above average player. Compare this to games such as
chess and backgammon, where computers have now surpassed all but the
strongest humans. These programs allow players to practice and improve
their play without having any money at risk. Most also offer advice
and the ability to setup and analyse certain situations. The strongest
playing poker programs available to purchase are "Poker Academy" and
Turbo series of programs produced by Wilson Software.
Online Poker Assistants
With the explosion in popularity of online poker, much software has
been developed to assist players while they are playing. There are a
couple of what are termed "bots" that make all of the decisions for a
player but these are not very strong and if discovered using one of
these programs a player can be banned and lose the money in their
online poker room account. Other types of software that are also
available are programs that overlay tables with statistics summarising
hand odds as well as the playing style of other players (for example
listing how often a certain player raises, calls or folds) in real
time. Examples of these online poker assistants are "Pokerbility" and
"PokerAce HUD".
Online Poker Tools
There are a number of web sites that provide free online poker tools
to their visitors. Some of the tools available are odds calculators
which analyse the probabilities for games such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha
and Seven Card Stud poker, and tournament equity calculators. Whilst
they may not directly assist a player while they are playing they are
great at improving a player's knowledge which then can later be
applied at the table. Websites with a variety of useful online poker
tools include " www.twodimes.net/poker " and "
www.poker-tools-online.com ".
Poker tools can be a valuable addition to any poker player's arsenal.
There are a variety of tools available and this article will examine
the different types available to assist players. The most commonly
used poker tools are hand history databases, computer playing
programs, online poker assistants and online poker tools.
Hand History Databases
Most online poker rooms offer players the ability to download the
histories of the hands that they have participated in. These hand
histories are in a text format and while it is possible for a player
to scan and analyse a single hand, it quickly becomes difficult and
tiresome for multiple hands. Hand history databases offer the features
like win rate calculations, opponent analysis, hand replay, analysis
by position and much more. The most popular poker tools of this type
include "Poker Tracker" and "Poker Office".
Computer Playing Programs
Programming computers to play a strong game of poker is extremely
difficult and it is only recently that they have become about the same
strength as an above average player. Compare this to games such as
chess and backgammon, where computers have now surpassed all but the
strongest humans. These programs allow players to practice and improve
their play without having any money at risk. Most also offer advice
and the ability to setup and analyse certain situations. The strongest
playing poker programs available to purchase are "Poker Academy" and
Turbo series of programs produced by Wilson Software.
Online Poker Assistants
With the explosion in popularity of online poker, much software has
been developed to assist players while they are playing. There are a
couple of what are termed "bots" that make all of the decisions for a
player but these are not very strong and if discovered using one of
these programs a player can be banned and lose the money in their
online poker room account. Other types of software that are also
available are programs that overlay tables with statistics summarising
hand odds as well as the playing style of other players (for example
listing how often a certain player raises, calls or folds) in real
time. Examples of these online poker assistants are "Pokerbility" and
"PokerAce HUD".
Online Poker Tools
There are a number of web sites that provide free online poker tools
to their visitors. Some of the tools available are odds calculators
which analyse the probabilities for games such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha
and Seven Card Stud poker, and tournament equity calculators. Whilst
they may not directly assist a player while they are playing they are
great at improving a player's knowledge which then can later be
applied at the table. Websites with a variety of useful online poker
tools include " www.twodimes.net/poker " and "
www.poker-tools-online.com ".
2008/03/11
Board Games – bringing families together
By John Gibb
Board games have entertained children and adults for many years. Many board games have now been made available to play online over the Internet. Some of the most famous board games, such as battleships, monopoly and checkers can now be played online. You can even play against your friends over the computer. Personally I used to prefer the old fashioned way.
Board games can bring families together, a cosy night in huddled next to the fire logs playing a good old game of monopoly with the family. Not only is monopoly fun, but it also stimulates the mind and can help with a Childs education. next to the fire logs playing a good old game of monopoly with the family. Not only is monopoly fun, but it also stimulates the mind and can help with a Childs education. You could set a night each week where you play monopoly with your family. Each member can take turns to be the banker.
Monopoly is a fun way to improve number skills for all members of the family and can be a good way to learning about investing and other useful skills that can come in handy later on in life.
Checkers is an ancient game that can now be played online. Many messenger services have the game built in now, such as the famous msn messenger. You can play against your online contacts free of charge. This is an old but famous game what can have you hooked in no time. Hours of our time were spent playing checkers as a family when we were all young.
Another famous game which has now been available for online play is battleships. Battleships can be very addicting trying to locate the others ships so you can destroy them. Co – ordinates are used. This game can be fun to play against a family member or friend.
Board games may be old and may sit on people’s shelves gathering dust in today’s world. With all the computer games around now, board games have become less popular amongst many families. However, for mind and even exercise stimulation, old fashioned board games will bring your family together and are much more constructive than sitting playing computer games all day. How about a good game of twister or a game of guess who? That’s more constructive for the family than sitting on a computer getting eye strain and head aches.
If you want to have enjoyable evenings with your family, board games are definitely the way to go.
Board games have entertained children and adults for many years. Many board games have now been made available to play online over the Internet. Some of the most famous board games, such as battleships, monopoly and checkers can now be played online. You can even play against your friends over the computer. Personally I used to prefer the old fashioned way.
Board games can bring families together, a cosy night in huddled next to the fire logs playing a good old game of monopoly with the family. Not only is monopoly fun, but it also stimulates the mind and can help with a Childs education. next to the fire logs playing a good old game of monopoly with the family. Not only is monopoly fun, but it also stimulates the mind and can help with a Childs education. You could set a night each week where you play monopoly with your family. Each member can take turns to be the banker.
Monopoly is a fun way to improve number skills for all members of the family and can be a good way to learning about investing and other useful skills that can come in handy later on in life.
Checkers is an ancient game that can now be played online. Many messenger services have the game built in now, such as the famous msn messenger. You can play against your online contacts free of charge. This is an old but famous game what can have you hooked in no time. Hours of our time were spent playing checkers as a family when we were all young.
Another famous game which has now been available for online play is battleships. Battleships can be very addicting trying to locate the others ships so you can destroy them. Co – ordinates are used. This game can be fun to play against a family member or friend.
Board games may be old and may sit on people’s shelves gathering dust in today’s world. With all the computer games around now, board games have become less popular amongst many families. However, for mind and even exercise stimulation, old fashioned board games will bring your family together and are much more constructive than sitting playing computer games all day. How about a good game of twister or a game of guess who? That’s more constructive for the family than sitting on a computer getting eye strain and head aches.
If you want to have enjoyable evenings with your family, board games are definitely the way to go.
2008/03/10
Poker – easy way to play and earn
By Steve Silvester
Just Stop before you start playing poker! Take a look at this article before you start playing poker. Did you ever know playing poker you can earn more than $$$$$$ extra each month? Logically thinking best player wins everything and a worse player that day loses out everything it depends on the player’s potential and skill to make the difference on the day. Poker rakeback is one the best innovation that has happened to online gambling industry in this century.
Many of the people or players who play poker online or offline does not properly understand what rakeback is? Rakeback in simple words is a deal between player and the casino owner or room to give a part of money or fee or commission to this room. Online pokers are very good option than our conventional casinos i.e. in hotels, motels, plaza etc. it is very cheap to maintain an online poker than to maintain brick and mortar rooms. Online poker games run on software which is easy to maintain and run and also profitable than our poker rooms.
Poker rakeback means making profit for poker rooms online or offline. Poker rooms or casino pays affiliates a percentage for making the player play on their site. For a player, experts suggest to signup for an affiliates instead of directly signing the poker room. If you signup for an affiliates who are advertisers at pokers site or rooms. These affiliates keep a track of players pay each day or time you play. Ever casino or website has different raked which is between 5% - 10%. Forget about win or lose, poker’s rakeback means making good profit.
If you feel what 5% makes difference to poker’s each pot. But look at the popularity which has increased blind-folded. Whole world is playing poker for each pot look at the number of player involved, total number of hands dealt has significant portion for a poker website or room. You don’t have idea, you could end up paying $$$$$$ rake each month playing online poker. But did you know you can get back up to 50% of amount each month through rakeback. Just get the best deal from affiliates, in months you could earn easy money.
If you take a look at online pokers, they generally never give rakeback. Players are only offered bonuses. Actual rakeback comes from affiliates who are advertiser at their rooms. The best poker rooms are Titan Poker, Party poker, Inter Poker, Poker Start. Party Poker does not allow rakeback from affiliates to player. Party Poker had made such a policy which does not allow affiliates to track the player pay which would effects earning.
Just Stop before you start playing poker! Take a look at this article before you start playing poker. Did you ever know playing poker you can earn more than $$$$$$ extra each month? Logically thinking best player wins everything and a worse player that day loses out everything it depends on the player’s potential and skill to make the difference on the day. Poker rakeback is one the best innovation that has happened to online gambling industry in this century.
Many of the people or players who play poker online or offline does not properly understand what rakeback is? Rakeback in simple words is a deal between player and the casino owner or room to give a part of money or fee or commission to this room. Online pokers are very good option than our conventional casinos i.e. in hotels, motels, plaza etc. it is very cheap to maintain an online poker than to maintain brick and mortar rooms. Online poker games run on software which is easy to maintain and run and also profitable than our poker rooms.
Poker rakeback means making profit for poker rooms online or offline. Poker rooms or casino pays affiliates a percentage for making the player play on their site. For a player, experts suggest to signup for an affiliates instead of directly signing the poker room. If you signup for an affiliates who are advertisers at pokers site or rooms. These affiliates keep a track of players pay each day or time you play. Ever casino or website has different raked which is between 5% - 10%. Forget about win or lose, poker’s rakeback means making good profit.
If you feel what 5% makes difference to poker’s each pot. But look at the popularity which has increased blind-folded. Whole world is playing poker for each pot look at the number of player involved, total number of hands dealt has significant portion for a poker website or room. You don’t have idea, you could end up paying $$$$$$ rake each month playing online poker. But did you know you can get back up to 50% of amount each month through rakeback. Just get the best deal from affiliates, in months you could earn easy money.
If you take a look at online pokers, they generally never give rakeback. Players are only offered bonuses. Actual rakeback comes from affiliates who are advertiser at their rooms. The best poker rooms are Titan Poker, Party poker, Inter Poker, Poker Start. Party Poker does not allow rakeback from affiliates to player. Party Poker had made such a policy which does not allow affiliates to track the player pay which would effects earning.
2008/03/09
Great Game Ideas For Baby Showers With Older Guests
By Tim Bock
If you are planning a baby shower and there will be older guests present you may want to plan the games for baby showers with older guests in mind.
One way of doing this is to check out the games that were played at baby showers when your older guests were having baby showers. This is a way to put those older guests at ease. They may really enjoy reminiscing about those showers of years past.
You could find these games online or look for the information at your local library or bookstore. You could also talk to a great aunt or grandma and see if she can remember any of the games that were played at baby showers when they were younger.
One thing to take into consideration when planning games for baby shower with older guests is how active the games will be. If some of your older guests have problems with mobility you will want to keep the games less active. There also may be games that older guests would not enjoy and that is another thing to think about.
It may be a good idea to stick with a few simple games when you are planning games for baby showers with older guests. There need not be lots of games, just choose one or two that you think everyone will enjoy.
If you will have male guests at the baby shower you will have that added dimension when planning the games. Games for baby showers with older guests who happen to be men require even more careful planning.
Keep the games for baby showers with older guests fun and easy and you will have games that entertain everyone present at the festivities.
If you are planning a baby shower and there will be older guests present you may want to plan the games for baby showers with older guests in mind.
One way of doing this is to check out the games that were played at baby showers when your older guests were having baby showers. This is a way to put those older guests at ease. They may really enjoy reminiscing about those showers of years past.
You could find these games online or look for the information at your local library or bookstore. You could also talk to a great aunt or grandma and see if she can remember any of the games that were played at baby showers when they were younger.
One thing to take into consideration when planning games for baby shower with older guests is how active the games will be. If some of your older guests have problems with mobility you will want to keep the games less active. There also may be games that older guests would not enjoy and that is another thing to think about.
It may be a good idea to stick with a few simple games when you are planning games for baby showers with older guests. There need not be lots of games, just choose one or two that you think everyone will enjoy.
If you will have male guests at the baby shower you will have that added dimension when planning the games. Games for baby showers with older guests who happen to be men require even more careful planning.
Keep the games for baby showers with older guests fun and easy and you will have games that entertain everyone present at the festivities.
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