Games

This was a great childhood game because it was competive, skill based and quicker than monopoly.

It’s interesting to know that the game has been solved, meaning that computers have determined the first player to move can win every time if they play perfectly.

“There are some people who can play Connect Four perfectly. Wikipedia link for basic strategy. About Connect Four

When the first player goes in the middle column, the first player will always win if the first player is perfect, but the columns next to the middle column will result in a draw, and the other columns result in a second player win.”

Play Connect Four

I think the AI on this one is better, so when you dominate the first, try this Connect Four game.

I was never good at the punch a mole game. My excuse was that I was six and the wacking stick was too heavy. That same year I found out that you could pull out all the tickets from the skee-ball machine if you pull them slowly with constant pressure. That is really neither here nor there and I don’t remember any of the cool prizes I won, so there’s your brief glipse of me as a 6 year old.

In other news, this game is fun and will prepare you for your next career in data entry which starts shortly after your boss sees you playing this.
Play Tontie

Play Team Dodgeball

Play Ultimate Dodgeball

Okay boys and girls, this one is going to require some audience participation.

I’m in the process of setting up the annual NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament Brackets, and I’m looking for the best online solution. Ideally, this solution would have the following characteristics:

# Free, or inexpensive.
# Allow participants to enter brackets online.
# Automatically score and rank brackets.
# Allow participants to view standings online.
# Allow definition of points per round, including possibility of bonus points for upsets.

Not necessary, but wanted:

6) Allow participants to enter more than one bracket.
7) Be easy to sign up for.

Thus far, the solution offered by cbssportsline.com looks like the best, but it lacks the ability for users to input more than one bracket. Brackets2004 looks promising, but since it’s not up and running yet, I can’t draw any conclusions as to its functionality.

There may be additional features that I haven’t considered that would also be useful. It would be really nice if the system would sort teams by different stats (RPI, Games Won, Turnovers, Rebounds, etc). This might facilitate some bracket picks.

Additionally, I’d like to know what you think the best bracket scoring system is. I’m leaning towards a slightly unweighted system of 1/2/4/6/10/14 as opposed to the classic 1/2/4/8/16/32, to balance # correct picks vs deepest picks. Comments wanted.

I’m sure one of you out there knows of a great solution for online bracket management. Please post it. That means you Yahoo! crowd. I know you’re out there.

Cheers,
Sam

In a way it’s like Pool. When you have nothing, just hit it really hard.

The Good:

* 40 Levels
* Fun with Physics
* Popping balloons

The Bad:

* No level codes

The Game: Warthog Launch

Have you ever wondered what the elves do for fun when they aren’t making presents? Well here’s a good idea of how they get back at Santa with their time off.

Ok, it’s not terribly complicated, but it took me a few times to figure out exactly what I was supposed to do. The first mouse click starts things moving along. Click and hold to retract the catapult, and when you release the button Santa will fly.

Catapult Santa or local copy in case this link goes out.