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.

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

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.

The next day, the penguin returns, and again repeats his request for plums. Again, the bartender tells him that, no, the bar does not serve plums, has never served plums, and, furthermore, will never serve plums. The penguin, a little ruffled, thanks him and leaves.

The next day, the penguin returns, but before he can say anything, the bartender begins to yell: “Listen, penguin! This is a bar! We do not serve plums! If you ever ask for plums again, I will nail your stupid penguin beak to the bar!” The penguin is silent for a moment, and then asks, ”Do you have any nails?” Confused, the bartenders says “No.”

“Good!” says the penguin. “Then do you have any plums?”

——–

At which point the bartender wished he could play: Penguin Baseball

Well, just got this URL for some fun addictive flash! Have a great time… Give it a try.

Shoot your Longbow…to maim badly.

Giving the Finger – Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as “plucking the yew” (or “pluck yew”).

Editor’s Note: You shouldn’t believe everything you read on the web.

I’m sure that this has been out there a while, but I stumbled across this simple game just this weekend and Cara and I have been semi-addicted ever since.

If you missed the reference, the history of Trogdor can be found in a previous musing.

In the spirit of the Atari console games we were raised on, I submit Trogdor the game. Don’t get sworded, and enjoy!