Board Game Reviews. Board Game Strategies.

Letters From Santa. Free Call From Santa.

2008-11-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

Letters From Santa. Free Call From Santa. Santa Claus Commemorative Postmark

On Monday, December the 1st the 2008 Santa Claus commemorative postmark will officially be available and our first batch of letters from Santa will be some of the first envelopes baring this historic emblem! Letters from Santa Claus... discover a family holiday best kept secret Click Here NOW!

Many have already taken us up on our offer for a free phone call from Santa with every letter you send to make this Christmas just that much more magical. This offer is for a very limited time but it's still not too late...but don't wait any longer. Letters from Santa Claus... discover a family holiday best kept secret Click Here NOW!

Beautiful Letter from Santa
FREE Phone Call from Santa
FREE "Santa Was Here" Door Hanger
FREE Oversized Follow-up Postcard
FREE Birthday Card Offer
FREE First Class Postage
Buy 3 and Get the 4th for FREE
Collector's Commemorative Postmark

Letter from Santa Claus
Authentic look and highly personalized online in just minutes!

Free Phone Call from Santa
Use the gift code "Christmas Magic" after adding call and letter to cart.

Free "Santa Was Here" Door Hanger
Personalized with child's name and "to do" list before going to bed.

Free Oversized Follow-up Postcard
Personalized and mailed in January as Santa relaxes on vacation.

Free Birthday Card Offer
Offered after checkout if you refer our service to three friends.

Buy 3 and Get the 4th Free
Automatically calculated when you add your 4th letter to your cart.

Free First Class® Postage
Letters mailed individually before deadline includes 1st Class postage.

Foil Stamped Embossed Stationery
Two beautifully embossed and foil-stamped stationery designs.

Collector's Santa Claus Postmark
Designed by a child only offered Dec. 1st - 24th then retired forever.

Almost a Decade of Experience
Most experienced Santa Letter service for almost 10 years.

Letters from Santa Claus... discover a family holiday best kept secret!

Mahjong Basics. Playing Mah Jong

2008-11-19T13:22:00.000-08:00

Mahjong Basics. Playing Mah Jong

Mahjong (also called mah-jongg by the American association, Traditional Chinese: 麻將; Simplified Chinese: 麻将; Pinyin: májiàng) is a game for four players that originated in China. Mahjong involves skill, strategy, and calculation, as well as a certain degree of chance. Depending on the variation which is played, luck can be anything from a minor to a dominant factor in success. In Asia, mahjong is also popularly played as a gambling game. In the game, each player is dealt either thirteen or sixteen tiles in a hand (depending on the variation being played). On their turn, players draw a tile and discard one, with the goal of making four or five melds (also depending on the variation) and one pair, or "head". Winning comes "on the draw", by drawing a new or discarded tile that completes the hand. Thus a winning hand actually contains fourteen (or seventeen) tiles.

A set of Mah Jong tiles consists of 144 tiles typically around 30 x 20 x 15mm. Traditionally, they are made from bone or ivory but modern sets are usually plastic. The tiles comprise:

36 Circle tiles in 4 sets of 9 tiles numbered 1- 9. The picture on each shows the appropriate number of circles.

36 Character tiles in 4 sets of 9 tiles numbered 1- 9. The pictures show the Chinese symbol for the number represented.

36 Bamboo tiles in 4 sets of 9 tiles numbered 1- 9. The picture on each shows the appropriate number of bamboos except for the One of Bamboos which often is denoted by a sparrow or rice-bird and doesn't feature a bamboo at all. 1, 5, 7 and 9 of Bamboos are represented by a picture of both red and green bamboos. The other bamboo tiles are represented by green bamboos only.

16 Wind tiles - 4 tiles for each of the 4 winds.

12 Dragon tiles - 4 Red dragons denoted by a bright red character, 4 Green dragons denoted by a bright green character and 4 White dragons which are traditionally denoted by a completely blank tile. However, some sets denote the white dragon with a capital 'P' which stands for 'Pai', meaning white or pure.

4 Flower tiles - The Four Flowers are numbered 1 - 4 and are optional - if used, they give bonus points when drawn. Depiction of the flowers varies hugely between sets.

4 Season tiles - The Four Seasons are numbered 1 - 4 and are optional - if used they give bonus points when drawn. Depiction of the seasons varies hugely between sets and they are usually not recognisable as a season by people who can't read Chinese.

Circles, Characters and Bamboos are known as "suits". The suit tiles numbered 2 - 8 are known as the "minor" tiles. The remaining suit tiles, 1 and 9 are known as the "major" tiles. The Wind and Dragon tiles are known as "honour" tiles.

In addition to the tiles, two dice are required. The 1 and 4 are red on traditional Chinese dice; the remaining numerals are black.

Objective

A player generally tries to collect sets of tiles. The 3 basic sets are as follows:

A Pung - a set of 3 identical tiles e.g. 3 x Red Dragons, 3 x Two circles
A Kong - a set of 4 identical tiles. e.g. 4 x Eight of Bamboos or 4 x North Winds.
A Chow - a run of 3 tiles in the same suit. A Chow does not score and so is only helpful because it can contribute to a hand that allows a player to call Mah Jong.

The primary aim of the game is to collect such tiles that allow a player to call "Mah Jong" and go out. In order to do this, a player must achieve one of the following:
A pair, and 4 Pungs, Kongs or Chows
A special hand

However, the overall aim of the game is to amass a greater score than one's opponents and it should be remembered that it is possible to do this over a series of rounds without ever calling Mah Jong.

The Play

The first turn, is made by East who discards one tile by placing it face-up inside the remainder of the wall. Each subsequent turn is made by a player taking a tile, optionally playing a tile combination and then discarding a tile. However, which player takes the turn and from where the tile is taken, varies.

After each discard, any player who has 2 or 3 tiles that match the discarded tile may take the next turn by calling Mah Jong, Pung or Kong. Such a player, takes the discard and plays the resulting Pung or Kong on the table in front of him or, in the case of Mah Jong, takes the discard and declares all tiles in hand, thus finishing the game.

If no player calls Mah Jong, Pung or Kong, then the player to the right of the player who just discarded takes the next turn. This player may, if he has 2 tiles that can be matched with the discarded tile to form a Chow, call a Chow. The player must then take the discard and play the resulting Chow.

If a Mah Jong, Pung, Kong or a Chow has not been called, then the next player in an anti-clockwise direction simply takes a tile from the open end of the wall. If possible and desired, he can then declare a make a Pung, Kong or Chow by laying the combination face down in front of him.

The player always finishes a turn by discarding one tile, placing it face-up inside the remainder of the wall.

Whenever a Kong is declared, the player must lay all the tiles forming the Kong on the table and immediately take a tile from the Kong Box.

A declared Pung can can be converted into a Kong but only using a tile taken from the wall. A Kong can only be made using a discarded tile, if the other three tiles are in hand (concealed).
Tiles that have been discarded, unless they are picked up in the following turn, are dead tiles and take no further part in the game.

Finishing
If all the tiles from the wall are drawn, except for whatever remains of the 14 tiles of Kong Box, then the game is declared a draw and no scores are made. The tiles are shuffled again and game is restarted with the same player as East wind.

Once a player has reached the point where a player needs one more tile go out, that player declares "one for Mah Jong". This alerts the other players to be more careful with their discards and the player in question is said to be "calling" or "fishing".

A player who takes a tile from the wall that makes a completed Mah Jong hand, declares Mah Jong and lays down all tiles. Any player who can form a finished Mah Jong hand with the tile just discarded can call Mah Jong, take the discarded tile and go out.

It can happen that one player can call Mah Jong with the discarded tile and another can call Pung or Kong with the discarded tile. In this case the player with Mah Jong takes precedence. It can also happen that more than one player can make Mah Jong with the discarded tile. In this case, the player nearest the right of the player who discarded, wins the dispute, takes the tile and goes Mah Jong.

A player cannot declare a Kong and make Mah Jong because a replacement tile must always be taken when declaring a Kong. A player cannot declare Mah Jong and then discard a tile.

In the case where a player takes a tile from the wall and plays it on an already exposed Pung to form a Kong, if another player can use that tile to go out, this player can "Rob the Kong" in order to go Mah Jong. The player simply takes the tile just played and uses it to play a set of his own tiles to go out. Robbing the Kong is only allowed on exposed Kongs with one exception - a player can Rob a hidden Kong in order to complete the "Thirteen Unique Wonders" special hand.

HongKong Mahjong Training Video

2008-11-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

HongKong Mahjong Training Video
This video is teaching a basic knowledge aobut how to play the HongKong Mahjong

Mah Jong Video. Learn Asian-style Mah Jong Video

2008-11-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

Mah Jong In Depth. Learn Asian-style Mah Jong, purchasing a set, and compare Asian to American Mah Jong, Video by Board Games with Scott -

Christmas Story Monopoly Review. A Christmas Story Collector's Edition

2008-10-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Christmas Story Monopoly Review

A Christmas Story Collector's Edition is the first and only Monopoly game to feature fun movie photography from A Christmas Story, allowing players the opportunity of owning, controlling and building upon key mementos from the classic holiday.

Customized game board features photography from a classic Christmas movie

Familiar, traditional Monopoly game play

Collectible pewter tokens include: Santa's Boot, Leg Lamp, Soap (with teeth marks), Ralphie in Bunny Suit, Ralphie's Glasses (with cracked lens), The Old Man's Car (with Christmas tree tied to roof)

Speed play option included
Recommended Age Range 8 and up

Christmas Story Monopoly Product Description From the Manufacturer
A Christmas Story Collector's Edition is the first and only Monopoly game to feature fun movie photography from A Christmas Story, allowing players the opportunity of owning, controlling and building upon key mementos from the classic holiday comedy.

Christmas Story Monopoly Product Description
Relive the hilarious moments from the Christmas Story movie with this game featuring fun memorabilia from the all-American holiday comedy. Also contains six iconic movie-themed pewter tokens - Santa's Boot, Leg Lamp, Soap, Ralphie in Bunny Suit, Ralphie's Glasses and The Old Man's Car. For two to six players. Box measures 20" x 10" x 1.25".

Monopoly Game for Wii Review. Monopoly Nintendo Wii

2008-10-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Game for Wii Review. Monopoly Nintendo Wii

One of the world’s most popular board games returns in 2008 with MONOPOLY HERE & NOW: The World Edition, featuring a host of current-day cities and landmarks from all over the world. You can now host the ultimate MONOPOLY night with family and friends as you embark on this worldwide journey on the Wii.

Monopoly Wii version was released on 20 October 2008. What is so interesting about this version of Monopoly is that the game play and rules remain the same as the classic game. The only difference is the layout. It is much different from the board game because it is now in 3D form.

It is a great fun to play Monopoly on Wii but some suggest that Monopoly is best played on board. Although there is some truth in it, but we cannot deny the fact that Monopoly Wii version is definitely cool and of course suitable for those Wii fanatics who can never live without Wii.

It is just the same as the classic game where you will have to roll the dice and move, then wait for your turn again before you roll the dice again. It can support up to 4 players at a time so you can all gather round and have a nice Monopoly game on Wii

Get Rich Quick — In this all-new, super-fast version, trade properties and compete in exciting mini-games to see who makes the top of the rich list!

Group Play — Up to four players can simultaneously join in on the “rags to riches” fun.
Monopoly Past, Present & Future — The most extensive collection of MONOPOLY boards all in one package – from the newest MONOPOLY HERE & NOW: The World Edition to classic MONOPOLY.

Now Boarding — Fill up your passport as you play to unlock new and never-before-seen MONOPOLY boards.

Boston Red Sox 2007 World Series Champions Monopoly Review

2008-10-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

Boston Red Sox 2007 World Series Champions Monopoly Review

Complete limited edition Monopoly game with all the highlights of the 2007 World Series Win. Key players, and plays included. Unique play pieces designed for the team. A must for a true fan! A limited edition that once they are gone, they are gone.

The Boston Red Sox played hard in 2007 and took home their 7th World Series Championship Title. The Monopoly Brand proudly presents the Boston Red Sox World Series Collector's Edition. Some of the greatest moments in playoff history, including J.D. Drew's grand slam home run, Josh Beckett's dominance, and Jonathan Papelbon's stellar postseason play are immortalized in this collector's edition. Buy, Sell and trade players like Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, and David Ortiz in this classic game

Product Description
2007 marks another year the Red Sox brought a World Series Championship back to Boston! Some of the greatest moments in playoff history, including J.D. Drew?s grand slam home run, Josh Beckett?s dominance, and Jonathan Papelbon?s stellar postseason play are immortalized in this collector?s edition. Buy, sell and trade players like Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, and David Ortiz in this classic game of risk taking and deal making. Six Collectible Tokens: World Series Trophy, Batter, Pitcher, Ball in glove, Red Sox cap and catcher?s mask

Monopoly: Family Guy™ Collector’s Edition

2008-08-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

MONOPOLY: Family Guy™ Collector’s Edition

Now's your time to get stinkin' rich! Buy, sell and trade Quahog's prime real estate in the Family Guycollector's edition of the Monopoly game. From Cleveland's Deli and Mayor West's Mansion to Hugs & Kisses (the good kind) Daycare and the sovereign nation of Petoria - it's all up for grabs. Gouge your opponents every time they land on your property, build Homes and Mansions to fortify your Quahog empire and ultimately bankrupt your opponents. Do you have what it takes to claim world dominance? Includes six collectible pewter tokens (Peter, Lois, Brian, Stewie, Chris & Meg) in addition to a 60-minute speed play option! This game is sweet!

Product Description
Quahog's prime real estate is up for sale in an irreverent and "sweet" new version of America's favorite board game. Perfect for any Family Guy fan, this board game includes six collectible Family Guy pewter tokens.

Product Features
22 most popular Family Guy locations in Quahog, RI.
Custom Family Guy illustrations on the box top.
Game insert offering 4 additional collectible pewter tokens for purchase.
6 collectible pewter tokens.

Monopoly Planet Earth Edition. Top Monopoly Games

2008-08-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Planet Earth Monopoly Edition

Planet Earth, our extraordinary world. America’s favorite board game and the award winning Planet Earth nature documentary come together to bring you MONOPOLY: Planet Earth Edition. This unprecedented 11 part series comes to life as extremely rare photographs of the earth’s landscapes and animals decorate the game board. Travel and experience the earth’s natural habitats and elusive animals as you dive down the Cave of Swallows, migrate though the Gobi desert, climb the Himalayas and encounter caribou, crocodiles, foxes, giant pandas, orangutans, seals and dolphins. MONOPOLY: Planet Earth Edition, as you’ve never seen it before.

Packaged in recyclable material, this special edition includes a “Can you find it?” geography game and six custom pewter tokens featuring animals seen in this incredible series: Elephant, Kangaroo, Penguin, Polar Bear, Blue Whale and Amur Leopard.

From the Manufacturer
Planet Earth Edition of Monopoly is the only game Planet Earth fans can buy, sell and trade 22 of the earth¿s most spectacular landmarks, environments and animals as featured on the Planet Earth television series in an effort to own and preserve them all.

Product Description
Buy, sell and trade the Earth's most beautiful environments, landmarks and animals in this eco-wise version of the classic board game.
Stunning photography from the award-winning Discovery Channel series Planet Earth
6 custom pewter tokens represent animals from the series: elephant, polar bear, blue whale, leopard, penguin and kangaroo
Fun facts about environments and animals featured on the deed backs
"Can You Find It?" geography game featured on the platform
Fun, family-oriented and educational
Box made of 100% recycled material
Authorized by the British Broadcasting Corporation
2-6 players
Will you trade the Aurora Borealis for the Great Barrier Reef? Or will you save up for Antarctica? The rules are the same but the properties are far more valuable in this race to preserve planet Earth.

Ages 8 to Adult
2-6 players

Monopoly Games. The Beatles Monopoly Game

2008-08-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Beatles Monopoly Game

The Beatles Collector's Edition of Monopoly celebrates the music that revolutionized rock-n-roll in the 20th century. This Completely customized game features Apple and Abbey Road Studios along with every album released by the Beatles allowing fans to create their own private music anthology. Enjoy and sing along to the timeless music that has transcended generations as you collect the White Album, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and more.

The world's most legendary rock-n-roll band teams up with the world's most popular board game to bring you the ultimate Beatles experience. The Beatles Collector's Edition of MONOPOLY celebrates the music that revolutionized rock-n-roll in the 20th century. This completely customized game features Apple and Abbey Road Studios along with every album released by the Beatles allowing fans to create their own private music anthology. Enjoy and sing along to the timeless music that has transcended generations as you collect the White Album, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and more. Six collectible tokens symbolize unforgettable songs: Hammer (Maxwell's Silver Hammer), Strawberry (Strawberry Fields Forever), Walrus (I Am The Walrus), Sun (Here Comes The Sun), Raccoon (Rocky Raccoon) and Octopus (Octopus's Garden). Come Together! Ages: 8+ 2-6 Players

Product Features
Six custom pewter tokens including: The Walrus, Here Comes the Sun, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Strawberry, Octopus's Garden, and Rocky Raccoon
The familiar Monopoly game play allows Beatles fans to own and trade some of the greatest icons in Beatles history.
Traditional Houses & Hotels are renamed Listening Parties and Concerts
A must have for any Beatles fan

Monopoly Games. America's National Parks Monopoly

2008-08-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

America's National Parks Monopoly
National Parks Edition Monopoly Game

America's National Parks provide awe-inspiring beauty and wonder to the millions who visit them year after year. Now outdoor enthusiasts can take these national treasures home with them! America's National Parks Edition of the Monopoly Game lets you buy, sell and trade the 22 most visited National Parks. From Yosemite in California to Acadia on the coast of Maine, players will experience the wonder of National Parks while enjoying America's favorite board game. A portion of sales are donated to the National Parks Foundation.

Within parks, and working among communities on preservation and recreation projects beyond park boundaries, the National Park Service brings together the landscapes, places, people, and events that contribute to the shared national heritage and values of a highly diverse people. Every year, more than 275 million national park visitors learn more about the American experience. In addition to encountering the American experience, visitors also gain a deeper understanding of the ecological, historical and cultural values which are part of that experience.

This National Parks Edition of the Monopoly Game was created in cooperation with the National Park Service to share the beauty and grandeur of America’s national parks, and to provide a unique – and entertaining – way to learn more about a system of national parks that has set the standard for the rest of the world.

Product Features
All new photography featured on the game board captures the beauty and uniqueness of America's most popular national parks.
Six collectible pewter tokens represent activities outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy while visiting the national parks: Tent, Fishing Reel, Hiking Boot, Canoe, Mountain Bike and Camera.
A portion of the purchase price is donated to the National Parks Foundation.
Players buy, sell and trade the most attended national parks in America.

So join Mr. Monopoly on a hike through America’s national treasures from Yosemite to Yellowstone, Valley Forge to Mt. Rushmore. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the country’s most cherished natural and cultural resources year-round in an attempt to own it all – in classic Monopoly style!

Scrabble Expert Tips. Scrabble Game Strategies

2008-06-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

SCRABBLE experts offer tips anyone can use to improve your game!

Points vs. Leave
Sometimes making the most points in SCRABBLE isn’t as important as what you leave on your rack. Think about the letters you’re leaving behind. Are they high point tiles that don’t combine well together, or are you close to being able to make a bingo? Sometimes, playing fewer letters in SCRABBLE can help you get the tiles you need to make the big play. And at other times, playing a longer word with a lower score gives you the opportunity to refresh your rack, drawing tiles that could breathe life back into your game.

When to go back to the bag
Most casual SCRABBLE players don’t ever exchange their tiles, but it can be to your benefit to refresh your rack. If you’re consistently making low-scoring plays, you may consider exchanging your tiles. Make sure you look carefully at all the plays you could make before doing so. There might just be a hidden gem in a mix of letters that seem impossible. But a good rule to remember while playing SCRABBLE - leave as few high-point tiles in your rack as possible.

Parallels
Always look for plays parallel to words already on the SCRABBLE board. You get points for every word you form, so while a word played alone may have a low score, the bonus from the words formed in conjunction with the parallel word can significantly increase your score.

Hot Spots
Head for the hot spots, better known as the bonus squares on the SCRABBLE board. One triple word score can make or break a game. And combining it with a high-point letter on a double letter score can multiply your points exponentially.

Hooks
Hooks are the one letter that will spell a new word when added either before or after a word already on the SCRABBLE board. For example, turn LUSH into BLUSH, HOST into GHOST, and COME into COMET and watch your points add up.

Rack Management
Managing the letters in your rack can help you to find the harder plays. We know that many words end with –S, -ED, -ER and -ING. If you have these letters in your rack, move them to the right. Likewise, many words begin with UN-, IN-, and RE-. Moving these letters to the left of your rack can help you to find words you might otherwise miss.

Scrabble Tournament Play Rules. Scrabble Board Game

2008-06-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Scrabble Tournament Play Rules

Where can I find a copy of the Official Scrabble Tournament rules?
The Official SCRABBLE Tournament rules are available on the National SCRABBLE Association website at http://www.scrabble-assoc.com/.

How much time do players have to make a play during a SCRABBLE game at a club or tournament?
There are two commonly accepted methods for controlling the time of a SCRABBLE game. First, a three-minute hourglass may be used to time each play. After 54 minutes the game is over and both players now have one more play before totaling the final scores. Second, chess clocks are set up so that each person is given 25 minutes to complete all his/her turns. That way, a player may play quickly for easy plays and save up time in order to take five or more minutes for the difficult plays. If a player uses more than 25 minutes, then s/he is penalized 10 pt. every minute or fraction of a minute used more than the original 25.

What's the official word source for National SCRABBLE® Association Clubs and Tournaments in the United States and Canada?
The Official Tournament and Club Word List (OWL) by Merriam-Webster Inc. This word list contains no definitions and is available to NSA members only.

How do I challenge in SCRABBLE tournament play?
The National SCRABBLE Association has developed a precise definition for when a player may challenge:

Using sand timers or no timers:
Once a player has announced his or her score, the opponent may "Hold!" or challenge. After the player has drawn at least one tile from the pool, the opponent may not challenge or hold anymore. To avoid what we call "speedy-draw syndrome," the player must take a few seconds to record the total score before drawing replacement tiles.

Using tournament clocks:
After the player has started his or her opponent's timer, the opponent may "Hold!" or challenge. As above, once the player has drawn at least one tile from the pool, the opponent may not challenge or hold anymore.

Using clocks:
Once an opponent has called "Hold!" at the proper time, s/he has as long as s/he wants to think about challenging, as long as s/he hasn't yet made the next play. The player can insist on drawing tiles after one minute, as long as s/he keeps the replacement tiles separate from the old tiles. This is called the "Courtesy Rule." If there is a successful challenge, the opponent may see the replacement tiles before the player returns them to the pool.

Using sand timers:
After calling "Hold!" the opponent has only the length of his or her turn - three minutes - to decide whether to challenge or not. The Courtesy Rule is in effect here as well.

Scabble Game Play Questions and Answers. Playing Scabble

2008-06-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Scabble Game Play Questions and Answers

What are acceptable plays in SCRABBLE?
In SCRABBLE, it is acceptable to simply add one or more letters to a word, to either the front or back or to both the front and back.
If you want, you can add just an S to a word already on the board.
You may play at right angles to a word.
You may play parallel to a word as long as adjacent letters form words horizontally and vertically.

What is an unacceptable play in SCRABBLE?
You may not play tiles diagonally across the board in SCRABBLE.
Note: The tiles you play must be contained in one word or played in a straight line.

Can you extend a word in two directions simultaneously in one turn?
For instance, ARM is on the board, and I'd like to extend it to CHARMED in one turn? Is that within the rules of SCRABBLE?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to extend in front of and/or at the end of a word in one turn, as long as all the letters are played in the same turn. So, in this case, since the C, H, E and D are all used to spell CHARMED, it's well within the rules of SCRABBLE to do so.

What happens if a player discovers eight tiles on his or her rack instead of seven?
There is no discussion in the boxed rules of SCRABBLE about what to do in this situation. The National Scrabble Association has devised a rule that seems to work very well for our SCRABBLE clubs and tournaments: The opponent randomly draws three tiles from the offending player's rack, looks at them all, and then chooses which two to return to the pool of letters. The remaining tile goes back to the player's rack. If a player overdraws two tiles, then the opponent randomly draws four tiles from the player's rack, chooses which two to replace in the pool, and returns the other tiles to the player. And so on. In each case, the offending player may see all the tiles seen by the opponent.

This overdrawing penalty influences most players to draw their tiles more carefully. One further note about overdrawing: If the overdrawing player realizes s/he has overdrawn before mixing any of the new tiles with the old ones, then the opponent should randomly choose tiles only from the group of newly drawn tiles, while following the instructions given above.

Are there special rules in SCRABBLE for playing the blank tiles?
The official rules of SCRABBLE do not allow a player, later in the game, to change the letter that the blank represents. Likewise, a player may not replace the blank with the letter it represents and use the blank in another word. At the National Scrabble Association's clubs and tournaments, this rule is strictly enforced. The National Scrabble Association also advises that to avoid later confusion, both players record on his or her score sheet what letter the blank represents at the time it's played.

Those of you who'd like a game with more scoring chances may play the variation that allows players to replace a blank on the board with the letter (from your rack) it represents. The drawback (or advantage) to this version of SCRABBLE is the increased luck factor.

Can I exchange tiles whenever I want?
A player may exchange tiles (from one to seven) as long as there are at least seven tiles still in the bag. Decide which tiles you want to exchange first. Then remove them from your rack and place them facedown on the table. Only then may you draw your new tiles, place them on your rack, and replace the exchanged tiles back into the pool.

When playing Scrabble, how do I challenge a word played by another player?
When can I challenge? What is the outcome if the challenge is incorrect?
Any play may be challenged before the next player starts a turn. If the play challenged is unacceptable, the challenged player takes back his/her tiles and loses that turn (and any score.) If the play challenged is acceptable, the challenger loses his/her next turn. All words (not just one) made in one play are challenged simultaneously. If any word is unacceptable, the entire play is unacceptable. Only one turn is lost on any challenge.

When is the game over?
The boxed rules in SCRABBLE mention that the game is over when a player uses all of his or her tiles and there are no more tiles to draw. That player then earns the points still remaining in all the other players' racks, while the others subtract from their point total the sum of the points still on their rack.

In National Scrabble Association Club and Tournament play, we use a slightly different rule. The player who ends the game earns double the sum of the letters on the other players' racks, and the other players subtract nothing from their total. Example: Player #1, with 323 points, ends the game while Player #2, with 320, still has EMP on his rack. Player #1 should receive 2 x (1 + 3 + 3) = 14 points extra. The final total would be Player #1 337, Player #2 320.

Scrabble General Questions. Scabble Board Game FAQ

2008-06-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

How can I improve my SCRABBLE game skills?

Learn the 96 two-letter words, as well as the three-letter words that can be formed from these two-letter words by adding a letter either to the front or back (ex: ya, pya, rya, yah, yak, yam, yap, yar, yaw, yay). By learning and taking advantage of these few hundred words you will probably increase your scores at least 50 points per game. Also, read Everything SCRABBLE®, published by pocket books, isbn 0-671-86686-9, written by Joe Edley, two-time national SCRABBLE champion, and John D. Williams, Jr., executive director of the National SCRABBLE Association. This is the only current all-purpose book that can take a novice or intermediate player to a higher plateau of skills. This book has many strategy hints, word lists, puzzles, methods for finding seven- and eight -letter words quickly, examples of master SCRABBLE play and more!

What is the total face value of all the Scrabble tiles?Scrabble letter distribution is as follows:

A-9, B-2, C-2, D-4, E-12, F-2, G-3, H-2, I-9, J-1, K-1, L-4, M-2, N-6, O-8, P-2, Q-1, R-6, S-4, T-6, U-4, V-2, W-2, X-1, Y-2, Z-1 and Blanks-2.

Total face point value is 187.
There are 225 squares on a Scrabble board.
Point value is as follows:

(1 point)-A, E, I, O, U, L, N, S, T, R
(2 points)-D, G
(3 points)-B, C, M, P
(4 points)-F, H, V, W, Y
(5 points)-K
(8 points)- J, X
(10 points)-Q, Z

How many of each letter tile is included in a Scrabble game?
Scrabble tile letter distribution is as follows:

A-9 B-2 C-2 D-4 E-12 F-2 G-3 H-2 I-9 J-1 K-1 L-4 M-2 N-6 O-8 P-2 Q-1 R-6 S-4 T-6 U-4 V-2 W-2 X-1 Y-2 Z-1 Blank-2

Is there an "official" dictionary for SCRABBLE Players?
Yes, Merriam-Webster's Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 3rd Edition (OSPD3). For club and tournament play, it is the Official Tournament and Club Word List (OWL), also published by Merriam-Webster, Inc. It is derived from the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, Edition and The Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, Third 3rd Edition, supplemented with nine-letter words and their inflected forms taken from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth 10th Edition. This book contains words only, no definitions or part-of-speech labels, and includes all inflected forms spelled out in full.

I looked up a legitimate word using the SCRABBLE online dictionary
and it wasn't there. Why not?
The SCRABBLE online dictionary offers only words found in the The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fourth Edition. The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary lists over 100,000 playable two- to eight-letter words. For a word to be included in The Official SCRABBLE Players Dictionary, it must be found in two of the five most popular American dictionaries.

Additionally, The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary lists shorter words and longer words are included as inflections of the shorter word. The SCRABBLE online dictionary is only able to search the shorter listings. For example, searching for FOCUS in our online dictionary will also turn up FOCUSED and FOCUSING, but searching for either of the longer words will turn up no results.

Scabble Diamond Anniversary Edition Game

2008-06-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Scabble Diamond Anniversary Edition Game

Hasbro, Inc., maker of SCRABBLE(R), the irresistible word game that grew from underground craze to cultural icon, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the popular game with the national launch of its best-ever version, the SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game. Hollywood celebrities were among the first to play the new SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game last night at an exclusive charity event, hosted by SCRABBLE enthusiast Jimmy Kimmel of ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show. Kimmel and his producer Daniel Kellison were crowned the Celebrity Doubles Champion after a night of heated game play.

To raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the premier center for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases, Hasbro donated $50,000 and partnered with Clothes Off Our Back to feature SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game boards signed by celebrities during event game play. The public can bid on those items and others at www.clothesoffourback.org through June 30, 2008,
with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The invitation-only SCRABBLE soiree was emceed by actor, writer and comedian Aisha Tyler and held at the private Goldstein Estate overlooking the lights of Los Angeles, where VIP players competed in eight teams of two for the coveted title of SCRABBLE Celebrity Doubles Champions. Kimmel and Kellison along with Skeet Ulrich and teammate Seth Green accumulated the most points at the end of two qualifying rounds and advanced to the finals, earning the chance to vie for the championship on a one-of-a-kind SCRABBLE: Swarovski Encrusted Board Edition featuring more than 30,000 sparkling Swarovski crystals, which is also available at auction through Clothes Off Our Back. Meanwhile celebrity game players including Rashida Jones, Dave Annable, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Sarah Chalke and Natalie Maines enjoyed SCRABBLE-inspired cocktails from Grey Goose Vodka; wine and champagne courtesy of The Little Penguin; beer from Heineken and hors d'oeurvres courtesy of Chef Andrew Humbert.

"Everything about SCRABBLE sparkled last night at the 60th Anniversary celebration -- from the crystal-encrusted game board to the Hollywood stars in their finery, marking a fitting tribute to America's most popular word game," said Jay Bruns, Director of Marketing, Hasbro Games. "Now, with the launch of the SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game, we've created special new features that make it easy for everyone to enjoy their favorite game anytime, anywhere."

New SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game

The SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game is designed with one idea in mind: to spoil SRABBLE players wherever they go. From the sleek folding carrying case to the two slide-and-store trays, there's never been a more convenient way to enjoy the popular game.

The new edition features a redesigned game board that keeps the letter tiles in place, a rotating base and curved tile holders so players can keep their letters a secret. In addition, the game board is refreshed with a modern color palette and box design, and folds for easy portability. Two built-in side trays provide easy, compact storage, and a game case handle makes it easy to grab a game and go. The SCRABBLE: Diamond Anniversary Edition Game is now available at mass merchandise and toy stores throughout America for the approximate retail price of $34.99.

Sixty Years of SCRABBLE

A family favorite since 1948, SCRABBLE's meteoric rise began when an out- of-work architect from Poughkeepsie, New York decided to invent a board game. Alfred Mosher Butts attempted to create a game that would use both chance and skill by combining features of anagrams and the crossword puzzle. He studied the front page of The New York Times and did painstaking calculations of letter frequency. His basic cryptographic language analysis and his original tile distribution have remained valid for almost three generations and billions of games played, according to the National SCRABBLE Association. Butts was initially turned down by two game companies that thought the game had no commercial potential. Sixty years later, SCRABBLE has sold over 100 million sets worldwide and there are between one and two million sold each year in North America. Today the SCRABBLE game is found in one out of every three homes in America, according to Hasbro.

The appeal of SCRABBLE is that anyone of any age can play. And because it's a game that brings families and friends together, every word counts, and every word is a winner. For example, more than one million students play SCRABBLE in more than 20,000 schools nationwide. Adults also play SRABBLE to have fun, build vocabulary skills and keep their minds sharp. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Russell Research for Hasbro found that 20 percent
of baby boomers surveyed believe SCRABBLE is the board game that has the greatest impact on their mental acuity or sharpness.

Source: BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/

Monopoly Here and Now Edition

2008-06-05T14:35:00.001-07:00

Monopoly Here and Now Edition

New York Times: The familiar tokens from the Monopoly board game are getting a modern — and, some might say, mercenary — makeover.

An updated edition of the venerable game, will include tokens that are styled after name-brand products. Five of the eight tokens in the new Monopoly Here and Now edition will be branded, offering game players the chance to be represented by miniature versions of a Toyota Prius hybrid car, an order of McDonald’s French fries, a New Balance running shoe, a cup of Starbucks coffee or a Motorola Razr cellphone.

Those who consider playing games to be too serious to be commercialized need not fret. The maker of Monopoly, Hasbro, says that toy stores, discount stores and other retail outlets will continue to sell the original edition of the game, based on the classic version brought out by Parker Brothers in 1935, alongside the new edition.

The 11 tokens in the classic version — including the battleship, cannon, iron, shoe, thimble and top hat — will remain unchanged.

The branded tokens are part of a reinvention of Monopoly that Hasbro executives hope will offer consumers modernized references more relevant to them than the elements of the game that date to the Great Depression.

For instance, rather than collecting $200 each time Go is passed, in the new edition the player collects $2 million. The four railroads on the Monopoly board — B&O, Pennsylvania, Reading and Short Line — will be supplanted by the country’s four busiest airports: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Kennedy in New York, Los Angeles and O’Hare in Chicago.

And the properties of Atlantic City that compose the game board will make way for real estate from Boston and Washington to Las Vegas and Hollywood.

“So much of American pop culture today is represented by products that people use every day,” Mark Blecher, senior vice president for marketing at the Hasbro Games unit of Hasbro, said in a telephone interview yesterday.

“We thought, let’s try to get iconography that’s much more relevant to people today,” he added.

The new tokens are indicative of a marketing trend known as branded entertainment, in which products are woven into the contents of popular culture including the plots of movies, television shows and novels; song lyrics; and video games.

Until now, there has been relatively little evidence of commercial trappings in traditional board games like Monopoly. The arrival of such elements worries some experts.

“It’s part of the insinuation of the commercial culture into every aspect of our lives,” said Gary Ruskin, executive director at Commercial Alert, a nonprofit organization in Portland, Ore., that seeks to curtail what it deems to be creeping commercialization.

The coming of branded tokens “turns Monopoly into a giant advertisement,” Mr. Ruskin said. “It’s a shame Hasbro has chosen to go this low road.”

Unlike advertisers that typically pay to be included in branded-entertainment projects, the five marketers whose products are becoming branded tokens did not ask Hasbro to be included in the new edition nor did they pay Hasbro a fee, Mr. Blecher said.

Rather, he said, the company sought out the marketers because their products will help the new version offer “a representation of America in the 21st century.”

“We’re recasting the entire game as if we were creating it today,” Mr. Blecher said.

•For many years, Hasbro has sold special themed versions of Monopoly with the boards, tokens and other contents changed to salute films like “Star Wars,” TV series like “The Simpsons” and sports teams like the Boston Red Sox. For example, the Red Sox edition had tokens shaped like tiny baseball caps.

But the themed editions are sold only in limited quantities, Mr. Blecher said, unlike the Here and Now edition, which is intended to be a mainstream product.

Although Hasbro does not discuss specific sales figures, Mr. Blecher said, the original version of Monopoly sells “several million copies in the United States every year.” Hasbro expects the new version to also sell millions of copies a year, he added, and expects only “a minor amount of cannibalization” of sales of the vintage version.

Monopoly is considered the most popular board game ever, with more than 250 million copies sold.

The Here and Now edition will cost about $30, Mr. Blecher said, compared with $12 to $20 for the original edition. A multimillion-dollar advertising campaign to promote the new version is scheduled to begin this week, he added.

Marketers chosen by Hasbro to be part of the new edition said they were not worried about perceptions that their inclusion would commercialize the game.

“We see a lot of products that are No. 1 in their categories became part of the consumer lexicon and culture,” said Brian O’Mara, senior director for United States marketing at the McDonald’s USA division of the McDonald’s Corporation in Oak Brook, Ill.

“Monopoly is one of our customers’ favorite promotions,” Mr. O’Mara said, referring to the many collaborations of McDonald’s and Hasbro on sweepstakes with Monopoly themes, “so we felt this was a natural.”

George Neill, corporate vice president for global marketing at Motorola in Schaumburg, Ill., said: “We were just really flattered they thought of us in contemporizing the game and identifying the iconic products of this age. This recognizes what Razr has done for us, and what Motorola can be to people.”

Mary Nickerson, national marketing manager for advanced-technology vehicles at Toyota Motor Sales USA in Torrence, Calif., said she welcomed the Prius token because of Monopoly’s status as a game that children and adults often play together.

“It’s great from a marketing perspective because it creates an opportunity for conversations to take place in the home about hybrids,” Ms. Nickerson said. “We hope it will encourage more use of hybrid technology.”

Of the five branded tokens, the Prius replaces the vintage race car in the original version and the New Balance sneaker replaces the shoe. The other three branded tokens do not directly replace any original tokens.

The three new tokens that are unbranded are: a jet, which replaces the battleship; a Labradoodle, which replaces the Scottish terrier; and a laptop computer, which does not directly replace an original token.

Hasbro chose not to brand all the new tokens, Mr. Blecher said, to minimize concerns that the new edition would be too commercialized.

•The new properties in the Here and Now edition were chosen by consumers who voted online last spring as part of a promotion Hasbro sponsored. More than three million votes were submitted, Mr. Blecher said. There will be 22 cities represented in the new version, compared with just one, Atlantic City, in the original.

Over the years, Hasbro has changed some aspects of the original version. For example, the character of the wealthy well-dressed gentleman who personifies the Monopoly game was long known as Rich Uncle Penny Bags. He is now referred to in the game as Mr. Monopoly.

The campaign to promote the Here and Now edition will include TV, print and outdoor ads by Grey Worldwide in New York, part of the Grey Global Group unit of the WPP Group. Online ads are being created by Tribal DDB, part of the DDB Worldwide division of the Omnicom Group.

The branded tokens are “the latest version of that, things people think are representative of today,” said Tim Mellors, president and chief creative officer at Grey North America. “A Starbucks coffee cup is more relevant than an iron.”

Bass Fishing Monopoly. Monopoly Bass Fishing lakes Game

2008-06-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Bass Fishing Monopoly. Monopoly Bass Fishing Game

Reel in bass fishing prize catches as you play this lakes edition of the world’s most famous board game. The BASS Fishing Lakes edition of the Monopoly® game is fully stocked and it’s every angler for him or her self. On the hook are some of the country’s most popular fishing lakes, from Lake Champlain to Lake Winnipesaukee, and you can compete to own them all. the ultimate catch, this special edition of America’s classic board game is a must have.

MONOPOLY : BASS Fishing Lakes Edition Fishing season is open! Reel in bass fishing prize catches as you play this lakes edition of the world's most famous board game.

The BASS Fishing Lakes edition of the MONOPOLY game is fully stocked and it's every angler for him or her self. On the hook are some of the country's most popular fishing lakes including Lake Champlain and Lake Winnipesaukee.

If you are one of the 20 million bass anglers pursuing the ultimate catch, this special edition of America's classic board game is one catch you won't want to release. Cast out and compete to reel in all the prized lakes.

More Information About Bass Fishing Monopoly -
Sports: Bass Fishing Monopoly Comes complete with 6 custom pewter tokens:
Largemouth bass Tackle Box
Fishing Hat
Bass Boat Trophy
Fishing reel

Ages: 8+ 2-6 players

Do You Sudoku? Board Game

2008-06-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Do You Sudoku? Board Game

The numbers game you can win. Sudoku is a critical thinking numbers puzzle. It's fun and easy to learn. Just place the numbers 1 through 9 in each horizontal and vertical row and in each 3X3 grid without duplicated a number. It's not as easy as it sounds but it is addictive!

Do You Sudoku? Game Description
Now you can play sudoku– the fascinating puzzle game– in teams.
The ultimate logic puzzle, direct from Japan
Players race to see who can complete puzzles first
Solo or team play
More than 100 different puzzles
Three different levels of challenge
Includes 2 game trays and 2 sets of 81 number tiles

The Sudoku board game allows players to compete in a multiplayer Sudoku game. Each player/team gets assigned a game board (mild, hot, or spicy) and races to see who can complete the puzzle first. The game includes two boards, two number sets, and one set of game cards. This game is very enjoyable and entertaining. Another neat feature is one player can use this game alone. Since the boards do not require a game card to work, the number of games is un-limited and can come from many different sources (books, magazines, website, etc), which requires you to place the given numbers yourself. This has provided us a great way to play Sudoku without the pencil and will continue to provide another way to enjoy Sudoku.

Code Sudoku Board Game

2008-06-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

Code Sudoku Game

This handsome edition of the world popular Sudoku has quality features that every fan will appreciate. The rules are simple and no math skills are needed. Some keen thinking and an appreciation for a fun and exciting challenge is what it takes. The beginning of each game there are several numbers on the board.

The object of the game is to fill in the missing numbers so that in each column, each row and each grid, all of the numbers from 1 through 9 appear only once. Includes game board, wipe-off marker, eraser, 81 Sudoku tiles, 48 Sudoku puzzles, solutions, game history, and instructions. For 1 player ages 8 and up.

One of Code Sudoku's smart features is that it lets you easily mark off what numbers you know won't work in any square as you play along. And the top part of the console is clear, wipe-off plastic, allowing you to play over and over again. Play it with the 48 puzzles that are included, then use puzzles from anywhere using the console and other components.

The following is included:

Deluxe plastic game board
Wipe-off marker
Eraser
81 Sudoku tiles
44 Sudoku puzzles with gradual increasing levels of difficulty
2 mini sudoku puzzles for beginners
2 easy-assemble boards for creating an infinite number of puzzles
Solutions page
Booklet on history of Sudoku, instructions, and strategies

SuDoKu - Battle Lines Board Game

2008-06-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

SuDoKu - Battle Lines Board Game

SuDoKu - Battle Lines is a strategy game where players battle for territory on the game board using color coded, numbered tiles.

Based on the very popular Sudoku number puzzle (where each 3x3 grid, each row and each column must contain all the numbers 1 to 9), this game adds the extra dimension of player combative interaction. For those who enjoy solitaire games, a number of Sudoku puzzles are included - ranging from easy to extremely hard.

It only takes seconds to learn how to play SuDoKu - Battle Lines

Monopoly As An iPod Game. Play Monopoly On Your iPod

2008-06-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Play Monopoly On Your iPod

Monopoly -- the classic board game -- is now available as an iPod game. The game can be purchased through the iTunes Store and costs US$4.99.

Created by Electronic Arts (EA), this game uses the iPod's click wheel to let you roll dice and buy, sell an trade properties, build houses and hotels, and all the stuff you're used to from the classic board game from Hasbro.

The game features solo play mode, or a computer mode that lets you play against the iPod. You can also pass and play the game with up to four friends. Monopoly for the iPod features different play modes from easy to hard as well.

This game runs on iPod nano third-generation, iPod classic and fifth-generation iPods only

Ball Buster Game Retro Commercial

2008-06-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

1975 Ball Buster Game Commercial

A game for the entire family. Totally cool game that really should come back:-) Object, bust the balls of the other players. No brainer. Looks like a party game to me.

Heroscape Board Game. How To Play Heroscape Board Game

2008-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Heroscape Board Game. How To Play Heroscape Board Game

The Heroscape line of toys is like the all-star game of make believe. While other games might focus on a specific era of history, the age of chivalry, perhaps, or the Jurassic period, Heroscape puts everyone together on one enormous madcap battlefield. Vikings, World War II soldiers, ninjas, mutant monsters, samurais, dinosaurs, dragons, they’re all there, done up as tiny, highly detailed figure. It would be sort of comic if all the players didn’t look so gosh-darn serious. 85 interlocking terrain tiles are also included so you can craft exactly the landscape you wish for all the action to happen on. Multiple dice are featured along with game cards and detailed instructions on how to play. We liked the boundless imagination of this game and the open-minded versatility of its imaginary protagonists. --Charlie Williams

Heroscape Board Game Product Description
Construct a customized 3-D interlocking battle field, and stage the final battle of all time with heroes and warriors of legend and fantasy in this HeroScape Master Set. It comes complete with miniature playing pieces and 10 battle scenarios that players construct terrain with. Cards govern the progress of the game as you strategize to beat your enemy. Rolling the attack and armor dice lets you move about the board. Friends can bring their own armies for endless variations. Expansion sets, featuring new characters, terrain tiles and more, are sold separately

Heroscape Battlefields and Game Scenarios

A game of Heroscape really begins with building the battlefield. Your Heroscape Master Set offers several to choose from, and they can also be found right here on this website. Link and stack grass, sand, rock and water tiles to form cliffs, mountains, rivers, overhangs and more. The level-by-level pictorial guide makes building your Heroscape battlefield easy and fun!

Each Heroscape battlefield includes at least two exciting game scenarios. The scenario you choose will show you how to set up your game and explain the victory conditions for each player or team. Play them all, and then try creating your very own Heroscape battlefields and game scenarios!

Gathering Your Heroscape Army

Once your Heroscape battlefield is ready, it's time to gather your army. In the Basic Game of Heroscape, the armies are pre-set for both players. Just decide which army you'll lead, then take those army cards and place those figures according to the setup guide in your Basic Game scenario.

The Heroscape Master Game offers more choices for gathering your army. Choose your favorite Heroscape Hero or Squad figures, not exceeding the point total for that scenario. When playing a Heroscape Master Game scenario, you can either bring along a pre-made army, or you can take turns "drafting" army figures until all players reach the point total for that scenario.
The Heroscape Battle Begins!

Have you chosen your armies and placed them on the Heroscape battlefield? Now you're ready to rumble! The game of Heroscape is played in rounds. Each round is made up of three turns for each player. On a turn, each player will generally do these three things: 1) Choose an army; 2) Move one or more of the figures on that army card; and 3) Attack with one or more of those figures.

Heroscape Figures move, attack and defend according to the Move, Range, Attack and Defense numbers on their army cards. Battles are resolved by rolling the combat dice. The attacker rolls the number of attack dice listed on the army card, hoping to roll as many skulls as possible. The defender rolls the number of defense dice listed on the army card, hoping to roll enough shields to fend off the attack. If the attack is successful, the defender is destroyed and removed from the game.

The Basic Game rules of Heroscape are designed to introduce the novice player to the turn sequence and basic rules of moving and battling. The Master Game of Heroscape features advanced movement and combat rules along with special powers that will challenge your strategic skills to the max!

How To Win A Game of Heroscape

Whether you're playing the Basic Game or the Master Game of Heroscape, each scenario has a victory condition. The first player or team to meet this condition wins the game!

The victory condition may be as simple as destroying all of your enemies. While it's always satisfying to be the last one standing on the battlefield, you'll often need to do something more (or at least different) to win. Some scenarios in Heroscape require that one army be the first to reach a certain spot, find a certain artifact, rescue a certain figure, or survive until a certain round.

Ticket to Ride Board Game. Ticket to Ride Game Information

2008-06-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ticket to Ride Board Game. Watch How Ticket To Ried Is Actually Played

Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure in which players collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America.

The longer the routes, the more points they earn.

Additional points come to those who can fulfill their Destination Tickets by connecting two distant cities, and to the player who builds the longest continuous railway.

The object of the game is to score the highest number of total points. Points can be scored by:
Claiming a Route between two cities on the map;
Successfully completing a Continuous Path of routes between two cities listed on your Destination Ticket(s);
Or by completing the Longest Continuous Path of routes.
Points are lost if you do not successfully complete the route given on your Destination Ticket(s).

In Ticket to Ride, there are three possible actions a player can take during the game turn:
Drawing Train Car Cards
Claiming a Route between two cities on the board
Drawing additional Destination Tickets that will earn extra points if completed by the end of the game.

Ticket to Ride is a railway-themed German-style board game designed by Alan R. Moon and published in 2004 by Days of Wonder. The game is also known as Zug um Zug (German), Les Aventuriers du Rail (French), Aventureros al Tren (Spanish), and Menolippu (Finnish).

Ticket to Ride Gameplay
At the beginning of the game, players are dealt a number of 'destination' cards showing a pair of cities on the map. These become goals, representing two end-points which players are secretly attempting to connect. Each turn, players collect 'railway car' cards in various colours (including wildcard 'Locomotive' cards), draw additional 'destination' cards, or use railway car cards to claim routes on a map of the United States (that also includes southern portions of Canada) and thereby earn points. The routes are of varying lengths (requiring varying numbers of matching coloured cards), and each discrete route marked on the board can be claimed by only a single player. Some cities are connected by two parallel routes that can each be claimed by a different player. Longer routes are worth progressively more points than shorter routes, e.g. a route of length four is worth more than two routes of length two

The game ends when one player has exhausted or nearly exhausted his or her supply of coloured train pieces. When this occurs, every player then plays one additional turn, after which they each reveal his or her previously hidden 'destination' cards. Additional points are awarded for having successfully completed the routes on the cards, whereas points are subtracted for any incomplete routes. A ten point bonus is awarded to the player who has the longest continuously connected set of routes.