The Toll Men

I was recently in a cardroom in a horse track in New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, it is legal to have tournament poker and limit cash games via a charity rake. So, they also are allowed to have limit pit games like blackjack, craps, and roulette. After I bubbled a tournament, which had some of the softest play in the universe, I tried some of the pit games out. The roulette was a joke, they paid 30-1 on a number instead of 35-1. All of the payouts were adjusted in the house’s favor. Blackjack was equally bad. The house took half your bet on a push and limited your options on splitting and doubling down. Craps only paid even money on 6 and 8. All of these games had a max bet of $4. So, after seeing the poor quality of these games, I decided to play a little 2/4 limit holdem poker. As usually in limit, the play was awful. People calling with straight draws on 3-flush boards, never folding bottom pair in hopes of hitting trips or 2 pair by the river. These are things that are great if you have a lot of time with these players, but in the short run, you can lose. And I did. I straddled with aces, and raised it up when it got back to me and lost to j,6 when they flopped a six and turned a jack. Limit holdem poker with idiots is probably the most frustrating game in the world. I hope to never play it again.

One of the best ways to sharpen your child’s mind and provide fun entertainment at the same time is to have plenty of children’s board games on hand. Considering the fact that board games are a challenge for many adults, you can easily picture how much interest they generate in small children. They are a great way for kids and their families to get together and have some fun especially on a cold, rainy day.

Board games for kids are divided into three major categories. The first category refers to board games for preschool kids that are very simple and colorful. The main purpose of these games is to get have preschoolers begin exploring shapes, colors and simple movements. The next category introduces symbols, numbers and letters to children between 4 and 6 years old. For ages 6 and over, games are designed much like those played by adults, i.e., Monopoly, Scrabble, Battleship, etc.

Other popular kid’s games include the classic board game “Connect Four,” that is much like Tic Tac Toe. It is played vertically, and the goal is to get four checkers in a row first, while preventing your opponent from doing the same. Twister is an action filled, fun game that involves a mat with different colors. Players spin the spinner that gives instructions on what color disc is to be selected on the mat, as well as whether a hand or a foot goes on the spot. By the end of the game, depending on the number of players, everyone is piled up in a twisted ball - the player still standing wins.

These are all excellent board games with kids who want to have some serious fun with family and friends.