By Tom Whipple
Destroy the competition on game night with this seriously funny guide packed with handy strategy, tricks, and tips from the experts. Games are way more fun to play when you win—especially when you crush your friends and family! In How to Win Games and Beat People, Times science editor Tom Whipple explores inside tips, strategy, and advice from a ridiculously overqualified array of experts that will help you dominate the competition when playing a wide range of classic games—from Hangman to Risk to Trivial Pursuit and more. A mathematician explains how to approach Connect 4; a racecar driver guides you through the corners in slot car racing; a mime shares trade secrets for performing the best Charades; a Scrabble champion reveals his secret strategies; and a game theorist teaches you to become a real estate magnate, recommending the Monopoly properties to acquire that will bankrupt and embarrass your opponents (sorry, Mom and Dad). Funny, smart, and endlessly useful, this is a must-read for anyone who takes games too seriously, and the bible for sore losers everywhere.
by Stanley Newman
This is more than just a crossword dictionary: it helps beginners learn the most often-used words in crosswords (and their clues) and shows them how to avoid common tricks and traps.
With this book, beginner crossword solvers can learn the ropes and quickly improve their puzzle skills. In addition to an alphabetical list of the most common crossword entries, based on an exhaustive analysis of published puzzle grids, it includes explanations of each answer with helpful details, a list of frequent clues, and tips on overcoming ploys to throw you off. (For instance, if you see the clue "Quarrel" and have most of the word filled in—S P A _—be careful before writing down that last letter, because the answer could be SPAR or SPAT.) Once you learn your crossword ABCs, you’ll complete the grids with confidence.
by Mark Andrew Cochran
How to play real poker with your friends - without creating enemies! The definitive guide to the classic, dealer's choice, “friendly poker” game played and loved by tens of millions of Americans for the camaraderie, thrill and raucous good times it produces. This is not a book on how to calculate odds or win money from strangers. It is a book on how you make your friendly game more enjoyable and entertaining as you play with your gang of regular poker buddies through the years. Practical guidelines for establishing the best atmosphere for the game. Recommendations for types and numbers of players, degree of formality, size of the stakes, table talk, pacing of the game, furniture, equipment, music, lighting, distractions, food and drink, invitations, scheduling and many other key factors. Big-picture discussions of what poker is all about (bragging rights, not money), why poker is worthy of our time and attention, the unique attributes of the game, and how poker skills beneficially translate the “real world.” Introduction of several amazingly good games that have never been previously published. Respectable, no wild-card, skill-oriented poker games proven to reward skill and create real challenge. Descriptions of over fifty of the best and most popular dealer's choice games, classified by skill level, size of pot, complexity, and good starting and ending cards. And a summary chart of the games and ratings to help you choose what to deal next. A full set of clear, consistent and well-tested “House Rules” with explanations to allow you to make informed choices as you establish your own “House Rules.” Introduction of a sophisticated new “Poverty Poker” or loss-limitation system for the group, proven to keep a regular poker game both ruthlessly competitive and completely friendly. A summary of basic poker strategies and skill levels that can be used to teach the inexperienced players to effectively compete, thereby raising the challenge and enjoyment for your whole group. A collection of wise, funny, and informative quotes from the 200 years of poker in America.
by Robin Kelly
This book is about Cue Ball Speed and Stroke Control in the game of Pool.
In studying this area, I found a basis to create references for obtaining this control that anyone could learn.
They were found through proper skill arrangement and stroke familiarities. These similarities became references to creating bridges of understanding between the individual Cue Ball Control skills. As you work with the material in this way, you’ll notice an improvement in your abilities because now your feel will be based on an understanding of the connections and core strokes, you’ve come to know. The player with the refined touch is always the player with the most chances to win.
Big Book of Family Games by Brad Berger
Bring family and friends together for hours of entertainment and real social interaction. The Big Book of Family Games: 101 Original Group Games That Don't Need Charging brings people together for hours of hilarious, interactive, technology-free fun that requires virtually nothing more than pens and paper. This travel-friendly book guarantees hours of engaging entertainment with 101 original, rigorously tested games that challenge each player's ability to strategize, bluff, read minds, memorize, think quickly, solve puzzles, and more. No texting, tweeting, or web surfing allowed!
by Brad Berger
Unplug and Play! 50 Original Group Games That Don't Need Charging brings people together for hours of hilarious, interactive, technology-free fun that requires virtually nothing more than pens and paper. This compact, travel-friendly book guarantees hours of engaging entertainment with fifty original, rigorously tested games that challenge each players ability to strategize, bluff, read minds, memorize, think quickly, and solve puzzles. No texting, tweeting, or surfing allowed!
by Victoria Rowell and Paul Tukey
Get the whole gang outside and enjoy hours of family fun! Discover the pleasures of lawn games with this guide to 40 time-tested favorites — from classics like capture the flag, croquet, badminton, and bocce to the lesser-known Cherokee marbles and kubb. Authors Paul Tukey and Victoria Rowell provide a quick overview of the basic structure of each game, then offer playing strategies and tips for creating fun variations. Spice up those long summer afternoons with some old-fashioned friendly competition.
by Triumph Books (Publisher)
With over 90 million monthly users and counting, Roblox is one of the most popular games on the planet! The Big Book of Roblox helps players get the most out of this dynamic sandbox game. Packed with tips, hints, and hacks, this complete, up-to-date guide covers basic strategy as well as advanced tricks and is
essential reading for anyone who wants to play like a pro.
Topics covered include navigation, combat, trading, and mini games—accompanied by over 100 full-color gameplay photos. Additional chapters focus on building mode, popular in-game experiences, and even a look behind the scenes. Take your creations to new levels and maximize the value of your playing time with The Big Book of Roblox!
Master the Odds in Bridge by Terrence Reese
A distinguished new series which contains books by the world's foremost experts on all aspects of the game, ranging from books for beginners to books on advanced techniques of bidding and play. The player who has some idea of how his suits are likely to break, who can accurately weigh the chance of dropping a doubleton queen against that of taking a finesse, who knows how to combine his chances for maximum profit, enjoys an enormous advantage over less educated players.
by Keith Souter
Dice have been played for centuries and are a staple of the playground, board games and casinos alike. This pocket guide contains their history and clear explanations to popular dice games, including farkle (played since the Middle Ages), Gluckhaus (a German game of fortune, played since Medieval Times), craps and Jacks, including tips on winning and how to avoid being tricked by loaded or crooked dice. Famous dice players include Augustus and Caligula, the Roman Emperors the latter lost all his money playing dice and quickly stole other peoples and carried on gaming. In Regency times, fortunes could be won and lost at the roll of a die and it was not only money which was gambled away but estates and even marriages. Full of fascinating facts and useful tips, this is a must-read book for everyone interesting in games, gambling and social history.Did you know? Dice derives from the Latin, datum meaning ought to be played The black marks showing the numbers are called pits Dice were first played in India c. 3000 BC They were originally made from bones, including knuckle and ankle bones Traditionally cubed, they also come in other geometric shapes, incuding the zocchihedron, the 100-side dice and the deltoidal icositetrahedron where each side is shaped like a kite
by Arthur Cranfield and Laurence May
As Arthur "Babe" Cranfield states in his introduction, "Anyone can learn to play pool well. . . Pool is beautiful and democratic that way. Anyone can apply his or her strengths to the game and excel since the game requires so many different types of skills. There is room in billiards and pool for those blessed with excellent hand–eye coordination, those with very little coordination but strong intellect, those who are systematic but not creative, and those who are creative but not systematic." Whatever your style, skills, and strengths, Babe has something to teach you. From basics like choosing a table and selecting a cue to advanced techniques like manipulating the ball using English, draw, and follow, Basic Pool has all you need to improve your game and increase the enjoyment you take from it. Other topics include: ·The mechanics of pool ·Perfecting your aim using babe?s famous "arrow" system ·Cue ball control ·Maintaining proper concentration ·Standard rules of the most popular games ·Effective practice techniques ·And many more!
by Triumph Books (Publisher)
Already smashing sales records all over the globe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is truly the game of the moment! The Unofficial Island Builders Handbook is the ultimate guide to collecting, constructing, and customizing in this fantastic world. Packed with hints and hacks, it has all you need to know to create the island paradise of your dreams! Topics covered include harvesting resources, catching fish and bugs, growing trees and flowers, acquiring recipes, customizing your DIY creations, and more. Additional chapters delve into maximizing the bells and miles you earn, collaborating with friends, infrastructure, and terraforming. Keep your shovel, axe, fishing rod, and Nook Phone at the ready—it's time to turn imagination into reality and take your island to new levels!
by Gabe Fajuri
Behold the secrets of the world's greatest conjurer! Stretch handkerchiefs! Bend spoons! Until his untimely death on stage in 1936, the Amazing Mr. Mysterio was one of the world's most celebrated magicians—a brilliant showman who rivaled Harry Houdini and Howard Thurston with his astonishing performances. And now, with the publication of Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring, his secrets are finally made known to the world. This giant compilation of techniques and variations features illustrated step-by-step instructions for card tricks, rope effects, mind-reading magic, stage illusions, and more. Readers will learn how to vanish coins, produce rabbits, predict the future, escape from captivity, and even make a person disappear. With effects ranging from intimate tricks to epic on-stage illusions, Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring is an indispensable reference for magicians of all ages. Behold the secrets of the world's greatest conjurer! Stretch handkerchiefs! Bend spoons! Until his untimely death on stage in 1936, the Amazing Mr. Mysterio was one of the world's most celebrated magicians—a brilliant showman who rivaled Harry Houdini and Howard Thurston with his astonishing performances. And now, with the publication of Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring, his secrets are finally made known to the world. This giant compilation of techniques and variations features illustrated step-by-step instructions for card tricks, rope effects, mind-reading magic, stage illusions, and more. Readers will learn how to vanish coins, produce rabbits, predict the future, escape from captivity, and even make a person disappear. With effects ranging from intimate tricks to epic on-stage illusions, Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring is an indispensable reference for magicians of all ages.