Five Cool Skill Games for iPad

By Ken Olson on July 30, 2012

The advent of electronic tablets has changed the world of gaming forever. Thousands of gaming apps are downloaded from the Apple App store everyday; the popular application distribution system has provided a venue for both casual and serious gamers to have fun, improve their skills in various areas, and discover new games. With virtually thousands of options to choose from, iPad users need not worry about finding games to play during their free time. Whether it’s improving your hand-eye coordination, your logical skills, or your sleuthing abilities, there is a skill game for everyone in virtually every video game genre available today. If you are looking for some great game suggestions for the iPad, then you might enjoy the five coolest skill games for iOS platforms:

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Fans of detective puzzle games will certainly enjoy Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective for the iPad. Based on the original Nintendo DS game under the same name, Ghost Trick stays true to its original version as an interactive mystery game. Test your skills of deduction by finding out the mystery behind your character’s death. The best thing about this game is that you can try out the first two chapters for free before deciding whether you like it enough to actually pay for the remaining chapters.

Beat Sneak Bandit

Beat Sneak Bandit is a rhythm, detective, and puzzle game all in one. In this game, you can test your skills at moving along with various beats, as you control a character that can only move by following the rhythm of the music playing on each level. Save your town from Duke Clockface by collecting all the timepieces scattered on each level. Remember to follow the beat or you won’t be able to move at all.

Pocket Legends

Test your hand-eye coordination skills and your ability to play on coop-mode in this popular MMORPG. Fight monsters and accomplish quests; you can play in coop-mode with other players or you can compete against other players through the PVP mode online. Pocket Legends will test your speed, efficiency, and as well as your strategic skills. If you are a fan of MMORPGs, you certainly can’t go wrong with Pocket Legends.

Pilgrim’s Punch-Out

There’s nothing quite like testing your hand-eye coordination and physical skills than by playing a fighting game. Pilgrim’s Punch-Out is the perfect iPad game for such a purpose. Punch-Out is a game of strategy and timing, as you have to time your punches and calculate your opponent’s movements so you can dodge his attacks.

Pinball HD Collection

Pinball is a popular arcade game that everyone knows and loves. If you have enjoyed countless hours playing this game, then you will certainly love the iPad’s Pinball HD Collection. Test you speed, and accuracy with this classic arcade game in full HD.

Many of these games include an interesting and elaborate back-story, making them much more engaging than other skill games out there.

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Five Good Card Game Apps

By Ken Olson on July 30, 2012

Card games are perhaps one of the earliest types of games to be integrated into mobile phones. Before the advent of mobile application distribution systems like the Apple App store and Google Play Store, some of the most popular card games have already been made available to even the most basic of phones; some came preinstalled whereas others were made available online for users to download. Since card games are fairly simple in design, they don’t require very high specs, allowing anyone to enjoy them on virtually any mobile phone. There are dozens of card games available for mobile phone gaming but nothing will quite beat the following when it comes to popularity, fun factor, and novelty:

Crazy 8s

Crazy 8s is a classic card game played with a standard 52-card deck. Many variations have been created over the years, with some variations even having their own deck of cards. The main goal of this game, like many card games, is to put down all of the cards in a player’s hand by matching the card placed by the previous player in terms of number or suit. Any player who puts down a number 8-card gets to choose the next suit to be matched. The first one to finish up all his cards wins the round. This popular card game is available in many mobile phone platforms and can be downloaded either through your platform’s app store or through mobile gaming sites online.

Old Maid

Old Maid is another classic card game that can be played with a special deck of cards or using a standard 52-card deck. The objective of this game is to get rid of all existing card pairs in a player’s hand. When using a standard 52-card deck, one of the queens has to be omitted from the deck while the rest are distributed among players. The player who is left with one of the queens loses the match. While Old Maid is not a popular card game adapted for mobile phone gaming, there are some mobile card games based on this classic. The iPhone has its own version of this game, although the game play has been tweaked a bit and a short storyline was added.

Spider Solitaire

Solitaire card games are one of the most popular games available on mobile phones. Spider Solitaire is just one available variation of this type of card game. Users can also find a collection of various Solitaire games such as star solitaire, pyramid solitaire, and Canfield on the Apple App store, Google Play store, and other mobile app distribution systems.

Gin Rummy

This two-player card game was first introduced in 1909. It is one of the most popular card games played with a 52-card deck. There are many variations of this game but most mobile game adaptations follow the basic game play. The object of this game is to collect a set of cards that create a “run” or sequence. This is obtained by having at least three cards in consecutive order belonging to the same suit. Scoring is based on the value of the cards and whoever scores the highest by the end of the match wins the game. Mobile phone users can find gin rummy on most mobile phone platforms; there may be several variations available.

Baccarat

This popular casino game is available on both the app store and Google Play Store but many other gaming platforms also offer their own version of the game. The mobile app version is great for those who want to improve their dealing strategies. The iPhone version comes with a complete history of the game and a replay option that allows the user to review previous matches for mastery.

While card games are still best played with an actual deck of cards, many mobile phone versions have proven to be just as fun as playing on a tabletop.

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Skill Games for Android

By Ken Olson on July 24, 2012

Skill-based games encompass a number of video game genres. Games that require physical skill and mental skill are all considered skill-based games. Almost all games available on the Google Play Store involve some level of skill, allowing Android users to test and improve hand-eye coordination and logic. There are thousands of games available on the Play Store that can appeal to various players of different age groups and preferences. Whether you are looking for arcade games, puzzle games, or card games, you will certainly not be disappointed with the number of options available on the store.

Top Skill-Based Games for Android Devices

Below are just some of the most popular skill games available for Android platforms:

Zombie Dash

Test your speed and hand-eye coordination in this popular arcade game for Android. Try to outrun the zombies while preventing them from completely taking over your city. Avoid obstacles, shoot zombies, and save your city from the living dead. The controls are fairly simple, just click on the left button to jump and the right button to shoot at an opponent. Enjoy different levels in four visually stunning worlds in this fun arcade game. Zombie Dash is available for free at the Google Play Store.

Amazing Alex

Amazing Alex is a fun physics skill-based game. In this game, you control Alex, a genius who finds fun and adventure in everything he does. From the most mundane tasks like cleaning up his room to saving himself from various creatures of his imagination, you’ll certainly enjoy this puzzle game to the last level. Help him come up with the most unique solutions to challenges. Enjoy 100 different levels set in four different locations with varying levels of difficulty.

Bejeweled

Bejeweled is a game that needs no introduction. This tile-matching game involves forming three or more gems of the same kind either horizontally or vertically by swapping gems that are next to each other. Whenever a chain is formed, the gems disappear. The objective of the game is to trigger a chain reaction with other gems; players receive higher points, the more gems they eliminate with one move. Bejeweled is one of the most popular puzzle games on the Android Market and like many classic puzzle games; it comes in different versions, with some even adding a back-story to make the game more enjoyable for players.

Draw Something

This two-player game offers a modern take on classic word-guessing games. It tests your ability to visually represent a given word by drawing it and your ability to guess a word based on a drawing and the available letters on your screen. “Draw something” was initially available on the Apple App store but an Android version was created later on to cater to a wider audience. The game is available in both free ad-supported versions and paid ad-free versions on the Google Play Store.

Whether you enjoy classic arcade games like bejeweled or Tetris or you prefer action-filled platform games, you will surely find a lot of games on the Android Play Store that will not only challenge but also improve your skills.

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Play Solitaire and Win Prizes – Cool!

By Ken Olson on March 29, 2012

Websites like GameDuell do not only add more excitement to a regular game of Solitaire but they also allow players to win money for winning against other players.

Play Solitaire for Prizes

In a typical Jackpot duel of Solitaire, the prize money will depend on the number of players pitted against each other; the more players there are, the higher the jackpot. Sounds much more exciting than playing alone on your computer right?

Gaming sites like GameDuell offer a great resource for players. The site offers over a dozen variations of classic tabletop games like Solitaire. In the site, you can find popular variations of Solitaire, some of these games include: FreeCell, Canfield, Klondike, Golf, and of course, Accordion, and Pyramid and Spider.

Game Duell offers players a venue to practice and improve their skill level in hundreds of card games. Registration is necessary, as you will be using your profile to play with thousands of players online. You can either play for free as a practice player or compete against other players in the category of your choice. Registering as a practice player will give you free access to Game Duell and all its available games. You will initially receive free credits of 1000 to allow you to explore the site. You can then decide if you want to register as a money player and compete against other players for the jackpot prize. If you do decide to register as a money player, you will have to pay a certain amount to be able to play. There are two payment methods accepted for money players; you can either deposit funds using your credit card or deposit funds through your PayPal account. You can check how much money you have left on your account or how much money you’ve won from games you’ve played anytime.

Solitaire is perhaps one of the most popular card games in the world. There are many different variations of Solitaire; some involve only one player whereas other variations involve multiple players. Solitaire is not only a great way to pass time but it also offers some level of challenge to players. Most Solitaire games require quick thinking and speed, as most games are timed.

Traditionally, Solitaire is a tabletop game, which involves a deck of cards to be played either by one player or multiple players. However, over the years this popular card game has evolved and has been made available in computers, handheld gaming consoles, and even online. Solitaire involves more than speed of thinking, it also involves some level of strategy to finish. Players who are looking for more of a challenge from a classic game of Solitaire are much better suited playing the game online. There are many websites that offer such classic card games and these sites typically offer over a hundred variations of Solitaire. Playing Solitaire online will not only give you a wide selection of options but you can also interact and play with other players on the site. Most people find that a round of Solitaire online offers more excitement, as you can play with other players around the world as opposed to playing it offline, where the only challenger you are pitted against is your computer.

If you want to learn more about the different types of Solitaire to get you ready for a round or two at gameduell.com, this resource offers a helpful resource about the most popular types of Solitaire and discusses their rules in length. Learn about favorite Solitaire variations like Accordion, Golf, Double Solitaire, and even Clock Solitaire to improve your chances of winning online.

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How to Win Prizes Playing Sudoku

By Ken Olson on March 29, 2012

A lot of us play sudoku in the newspaper, online or even on mobile devices. We usually play for the challenge of it. But did you know you can win prizes playing Sudoku? Here’s how.

Play Sudoku at Game Duell

A popular gaming site that allows multiple players to compete against each other in a game of Sudoku is GameDuell. One of the most popular variations available on the site is Sudoku Domino. The game follows the same principles of classic Sudoku except that instead of filling in the numbers, players are given numbered tiles that must be arranged in the same 9×9 grid featured in most Sudoku games. Sudoku Domino allows multiple players to compete against each other. Each player is only given the chance to make three invalid moves, anything more than this will mean losing the game. Sudoku domino involves both logic and strategy, as players must carefully think about all possible choices before making a move at the risk of losing the game. For players to compete against each other in a round of Sudoku domino at Game Duell, they must register with the site as a money player and deposit funds into their account. They can then compete for the jackpot prize along with other players. Players with the highest points and the most strategic moves can play the game online for free and win prizes.

Players who are skilled at Sudoku have bigger chances of winning the jackpot prize at Game Duell if they compete with other players, which is why practicing beforehand, is recommended. You can also register as a practice player at Game Duell before playing as a money player to try out the available games and get a bit of practice before competing.

There are many other variations of Sudoku including but not limited to: Mini Sudoku, which is essentially a smaller version of the classic Sudoku grid; photo Sudoku; Killer Sudoku, and Alphabetical Sudoku. Some variations allow the player to play alone with varying difficulty levels whereas other variations require multiple players. Each variation follows the same mathematical principle but can have different rules depending on the type of game.

Why Play Sudoku Online?

While Sudoku can be played in just about any way, many people prefer to play online. There are hundreds of Sudoku game variations online; some even go by other names but essentially follow the same rules and principles as classic Sudoku. The advantage of playing Sudoku online is the fact that players can find multiple varieties in various gaming websites. Players can also compete against other players and win prizes. Many gaming websites have given a new light to this classic puzzle game; by allowing multiple players to compete against each other in one server, the game does not only become more interactive but it also becomes more challenging.

About Sudoku

Sudoku is a popular Japanese number puzzle game. It gained worldwide popularity in 1986 when it was released and marketed to consumers as a puzzle game. Sudoku involves logic and speed of thinking. A typical Sudoku game involves a 9X9 grid, which is further divided into 9 3×3 grids. The objective of this popular puzzle game is to fill in each column, row, and grid with numbers 1 to 9. The grid starts out with some numbers already in place and the player has to fill in the blank spaces with their corresponding numbers while ensuring that no number repeats itself in any of the existing rows, columns, and 3×3 grids.

Sudoku is available in many different sources; Sudoku grids are often found at the entertainment section of newspapers, magazines, and are even available in entire collections at stores. Solving a Sudoku puzzle is not only a great way to pass time but it also helps improve logical thinking and as well as speed. Just like many classic card games, puzzle games, and board games, Sudoku has evolved over the years to include many types and variations. Nowadays, Sudoku is widely available on computers, various gaming consoles, mobile phones, and online.

You can check out this resource to find out more about different variations of Sudoku and to learn more about its general principles and rules of play.

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Six Centuries of Cribbage: A Brief History of Cribbage

By Ken Olson on March 28, 2012

According to the Bicycle Cards website and other related sources, cribbage was invented in the 15th century by a gentleman named Sir John Suckling. Really, that was his name.

This fellow was supposedly an English poet with a passion for gambling (who also had an amusing name). According to “All About Cribbage”, Sir Suckling (very amusing to write that!) was the regarded in his day as perhaps the best card player in England, if not Europe.

It seems that the original game used 5 dealt cards and a 1 card to the crib, as opposed to the 6 dealt cards and 2 cards to the crib that is used today.

Literary reference to cribbage: Cribbage was mentioned in Charles Dickens’ story, the Old Curiosity Shop.

Cribbage in the 20th century: Even though cribbage is not particularly popular in USA today — at least in comparison to Britain and Canada — it is said that American submariners played the game to pass the time while patrolling the waters during the Second World War.

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Brain Games: Exercise for your Brain

By Ken Olson on March 28, 2012

A person’s cognitive processes can significantly decline not only because of age but also because of neglect. Just like your muscles, the brain needs exercise for it to enhance cognitive processes like memory and logic. Engaging in activities that test and challenge the brain will not only help keep your brain sharp but it can also help prevent cognitive loss often associated with old age, particularly dementia and all its associated types. Research shows that one of the best and most accessible ways to stimulate the brain are brain games, which are available in many types and varieties, both online and offline.

Brain games are essentially activities that are designed to enhance your brain’s cognitive functions including but not limited to: speed, memory, logic, concentration, and even creativity. These games are typically designed to focus on a specific area or function of the brain. Engaging in brain games at least several times a week have been proven to have numerous benefits in the brain’s performance. Older people who make it a point to stimulate their brains with such activities can reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most common forms of dementia affecting seniors, by up to 63%.

Types of Brain Games

There are many different types of brain games, which are easily accessible through various gaming consoles, newspapers, and on numerous websites on the Internet. Below are the most common types:

  • Memory Games

Memory games come in a variety of types; games like memory blocks and elephant memory are designed to enhance your short-term memory by giving you a list of objects to memorize in a very short period of time, games like crossword puzzles, geography, and history memory games are designed to exercise long-term memory.

  • Speed

There are different varieties that use both sound and visuals to test how fast your brain responds to sensory information.

  • Logic

Logic games are perhaps the most common type of brain games: from a classic game of chess to sudoko, you can find quite a number of games that test logic.

Online Brain Games Resources

Gone are the days when you had to wait for the crossword puzzle at the entertainment section of your local newspaper just to get your daily dose of brain exercise. Now, you can access thousands of brain games, from memory enhancers to logic and speed tests, online.

Whether you want a simple memory challenge or an entire set of brain games that target different areas, a simply search on your search engine is sure to yield a thousand results. Some helpful resources where you can access such games online include:

www.postitscience.com- Find brain games that challenge your memory and brain’s flexibility and speed.

www.Braingle.com – Your one-stop resource for brainteasers. This site offers more than 17,000 brainteasers that you can access anytime.

Can Brain Games Make You Smarter?

Whether you personally enjoy such games or you just want to breakout of your daily routine, do your brain a big favor and engage in some brain games at least once or twice a week. Brain games will not only sharpen your memory and improve how fast you think but it can also help your brain cope with everyday stress, which can significantly affect regular cognitive functions. Brain games can also help improve your brain’s overall performance as you go about your day-to-day activities.

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How to Play Pai Gow Chinese Dominoes

By Ken Olson on March 20, 2012

Pai Gow is a Chinese Dominoes gambling and betting game. This Domino game doesn’t follow the basic Domino rule of connecting tiles. Pai Gow means “make nine” in Chinese. The game uses the Chinese dominoes game set. The game can have two to eight players, one of whom will act as the dealer.

To setup the game, all 32 tiles are arranged into 8 piles with 4 tiles each. This is called the woodpile. The woodpile is then shuffled and bets are made. Each of the players will be given a “pile” including the dealer. Each player will reviewer his hand and will decide on two plays, the front hand which is the lower value and the rear hand which of higher value. All hands will only be played against the dealer’s hand. So each player will be playing against the dealer alone. If the player wins both hands, he wins the bet, if he loses both, he lose the bet. If he wins in just one hand and loses the other it will be a “push” or a draw. He will take back the bet he has made.

To value the “hand”, players must always refer to the number nine. The total value or dots in both tiles is the value of the hand. If 6-6, 4-1, 5-2 and 2-1 were dealt to you and if you pair 6-6 and 4-1, your hand value is 8. That’s 6+6+4+1=18 and you drop the tens. Your other pair is valued at 0. You can also pair 6-6 and 5-2; giving you a value of 9 for the first hand and the 4-1 and 2-1 pair will give you a value of 8. You strategize the pairing to get the best combinations.

There are special tiles that could get you higher scores than 9. The 1-1 and 6-6 tiles are called day and teen tiles. If they are played with an eight or a nine tile, the tens are not dropped. So if you pair 1-1 with 6-2 instead of getting a 0, you’ll get a 10 or a gong. If the 1-1 is paired with a 6-3, instead of getting 1, the value is 11 or a wong.  Days and Teens tiles can only be played with eights and nine; otherwise they are counted as normal tiles. Other special tiles are the 1-2 and 2-4 or the wildcards. Both tiles can be scored 3 or 6, whichever serves the hand better. So if you play a 2-4 with a 5-1, you can score 9 instead of 1 by valuing your wildcard a 3 instead of 6.

In cases of tied scores, the tile colors will be taken into consideration. There are also inherent ranks among tiles. The highest in rank are the wildcards, followed by the days and teen and the red eights. Pairs containing ranking tiles will be valued higher, according to rank.

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