The Art of Gaming

By Joel on March 30, 2006 in fun.

Heather and I are intensely wrapped up in a card game called Mille Bornes1, which is French for "1000 milestones".  The goal is to be the first to finish the "race", and it is very addicting!  Playing it has got me thinking about games in general, and I finally realized what makes it so great—it's a perfect blend of skill and luck.

I love basketball, because it feels good to excercise, but also because I'm good at it.  But don't even try to entice Heather to visit the courts; she'd tell you she's no good!  And then there's those games I find really boring, like Trouble2, which rely totally on luck to win.  (Kids love these games!)

Skill makes a game re-playable for the seasoned player, and luck makes it approachable for the novice.  Both are on an rather equal playing field because of luck, but the expertise that comes with playing often gives you a slight advantage.  Perhaps this is why people love card games... they have within them a natural handicap!

What are your favorite games?

Links

  1. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000DMBG/steindom-20
  2. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000DMFN/steindom-20
» Joel's blog | 5 comments

Comments

1. Lisa on Apr 1, 06 at 11:04 am

My favorite game is called "Don't be a Dork." It has proven to be a very worthwhile investment. Mille Bornes, on the other hand... My fiance made me play this game with a couple of friends. I won by a lot, but I hated the game and have no interest in playing again. I disliked how you had to give other players flat tires or otherwise stop their play just to help yourself win. It seemed so mean. Of course, I also didn't like it when someone gave me a mean card. Stressful. But I'm glad you're having fun with it!

2. michael on Apr 1, 06 at 11:54 am

oh yeah! great game. reminds me of that song by the proclaimers...

another fun game to check out is phase 10. sarah and i have had tournaments that last an entire summer!

3. Joshua Miller on Apr 27, 06 at 3:35 am

We have a copy of that game, also. It's a nice light pea green 60s edition.

4. Heather on Apr 27, 06 at 6:58 am

Sounds exactly like ours!

5. Heather on Apr 27, 06 at 7:19 am

Yes, Joel and I had to put the game to rest for a while because it can get upsetting when one person keeps winning. I'll just leave it at that.

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