Mining Money Off Minecraft ;)

Minecraft is a sandbox game that has seen many creative and adaptive uses for both recreational and commercial uses. As a result, Minecraft server hosting has become popular. However, it costs quite a bit to run and maintain your own servers. Here are six ways to raise money from being a host for those of you who are finding it difficult to maintain your server.

Ads on your website

If your Minecraft server has its own popular website then installing advertisements on the website would be a start. Several companies can help place advertisements on your website but none of them are as competent at providing targeted advertisements as AdSense. It is very easy to set up on your website and owing to its popularity among advertisers the earnings got out of it is better than any of AdSense's competitors.

Ad fly

Ad fly is a service that helps shrink a URL and then inserts a 5 second advertisement before redirecting the user to the destination of the link. Once a map that you have designed is uploaded on a file sharing website, shrink the download link using ad fly. The more visitors that stumble upon the link, the more money you get, so you should promote the link in forums.
Sell attractive maps to other servers
Some players might be good web designers but might find it difficult to create maps or building. So try to develop attractive maps that you can introduce on YouTube. Minecraft server hosts will pay for quality maps to play on.

FileFactory

Most Minecraft servers commonly use file sharing websites to share maps and other related files. There are several sites that offer file sharing services, Filefactory is quite popular among users. This is because users can make money by sharing files on the website. Filefactory offers $20 per 1000 downloads through a rewards option. It's also a good option to have for your map downloads since it has a capacity for maps that exceed 200 MB.

YouTube Videos

You can search for people who will pay you to embed YouTube videos as advertisements on your server. The biggest problem with that is that in some cases, until you earn $100 you are not paid anything. So it's important to be careful. In addition, playing copyrighted music may not work since such videos get removed.

Donations

Many people are willing to donate to a server they enjoy playing on. Work hard designing extremely good texture packs and maps. If your server has a strong community you can invite donations from players in exchange for implementing suggestions. Moreover, server hosts can offer in-game bonus for donations. Small bonuses such as titles and colored names are a nice way to thank your donors too.

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Dinosaurs: Where Imagination Meets Science ;)

Given the massive size and the varying, strange shapes of dinosaurs that lived on our planet between two hundred to sixty-five million years ago. It isn't any wonder that these amazing creatures captivate children and adults alike. Perhaps it is their alien like appearance that holds such power over our imagination as we wonder just what it would be like to witness these monsters prowling across the prairies and grasslands of ancient continents so long ago.

This fascination with all things dinosaur has spilled over into popular culture. With movies and television shows featuring the enormous beasts. So one would certainly expect there has also been a fair share of dinosaur games for those who simply cannot get enough of these creatures.
In fact, there have been dozens of dinosaur games produced by the video game industry over the last few decades. However, the most popular series of all time to feature these animals is the Dino Crisis franchise. Dino Crisis is a survival video game that was released in 1999 on the PlayStation 1 console. In the game, gamers play as a member of a special forces unit sent to a military installation in order to investigate the appearance of carnivorous dinosaurs transported to the modern era via a time travel experiment gone wrong. The game was so popular that it was followed up by two sequels.
The first person shooter franchise Turok is also a series of popular dinosaur games, starting with the 1997 release on the N64 console. In the games, Turok is a time-traveling Native American warrior who is sent to an alternate universe where he must successfully fight dinosaurs, aliens, and other creatures in order to save humanity. The game was a critical and commercial success. There have been six other releases in the franchise including 2008's re-boot for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles.

Of course, for gamers both young and old there is perhaps no dinosaur more beloved than Nintendo's Yoshi, who has been a featured character in numerous video games over the years including Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Safari. He was first introduced in 1990's Super Mario World, which was released on the SNES, and quickly became one of Nintendo's most popular characters.

Adult gamers who are serious dinosaur enthusiasts typically demand games that have a little more action than the average Yoshi release. Fortunately, the industry is more than happy to provide such titles on a regular basis, including recent releases such as Jurassic: The Hunted, Dino Strike, and Battle of Giants: Dinosaur Strike, all of which have been released on popular consoles like the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the Wii. There is little doubt that more dinosaur games will be released in the years to come. These monsters of history continue to fascinate us as scientists discover more about how they lived, thrived and eventually died tens of millions of years ago.

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3D Games Online - Why You Should Let Your Children Play Them ;)

New digital technologies have simply revolutionized the world of gaming. These days you can even play 3D games online. In most cases, you will not even need any special graphic cards to enjoy the gaming experience.

The graphics of 3D games are crystal clear, where the characters, cars, buildings, and other objects look almost lifelike. They come with better picture resolutions, and easy user interfaces. You will be able to follow the simple instructions, and understand the game in a matter of minutes.
Parents on the other hand, are usually apprehensive about their children spending long hours on gaming online. They fear that extensive exposure to digital games, could impact their social behaviors and psychology in negative ways.

Instead of completely restricting your children from playing 3D games online, what parents can do is fix a proper timetable for them to enjoy the games. Stopping them from playing completely might not be a good idea, because there are many benefits of gaming that you might want to know about.

Improvement of cognitive skills:

While playing the games on computers, you will need to have fast moving fingers and eyes. With time, you will see a significant improvement in your hand and eye coordination.
In most of the games, you will have to remember a lot of things in order to make the decisions that can help you in completing the missions. Such skills will help you in improving your reasoning and memory power. They are the very skills that can help your kids in learning mathematics, engineering, science, and technology.

Gamers are comparatively more relaxed:
Most of the games will get you on the edge of your seats, but over a period of time, you will learn to handle the stress in a much matured way. You will be more relaxed when facing even the toughest situations in the game. This attitude can help your child in various aspects of life as well. It will have them in staying cool and composed, while making sound decisions.
Doubles your enthusiasm:
Contrary to the popular belief that gaming makes you physically and intellectually lazy, it actually works the other way around. Studies have shown that kids who indulge in gaming are never short of enthusiasm and energy. Moreover, it makes them better strategists and problem solvers.
Makes them the go-getters:
Some of the missions in the online games are really tough, and sometimes it may more than 10 to 20 attempts before cracking them. The gamer will have to be fully determined, because the frustration of losing so many times, can make you want to quit. Good gamers are normally the most determined people, and they never rest kill they achieve their goals.
Our advice to parents would be to let your children play 3D games online, but you will need to monitor them closely, so that they cannot neglect their studies or health.

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Crafting Minecraft: Not Only a Game, But an Art :)

Minecraft is an independent "sandbox" game, meaning it is designed as an open world where players can move freely without any gameplay restrictions. The initial PC version of crafting Minecraft was first released to the public in 2009 where after the full version went public in 2011. Since then versions for Android platforms, iOS, PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 have also been released.

The gameplay of Minecraft

The player is placed in a virtual world and can explore the terrain and everything underneath such as caves and water sources, and it hosts various biomes including jungles and deserts. Mobs are encountered throughout the game, which can be anything from hostile spiders and zombies to non-hostile animals such as chickens and cows.

In its current form, crafting Minecraft offers four standard modes:

1. Survival mode, where a player is required to accumulate resources to sustain hunger and health;

2. Creative mode, where no health or hunger is relevant, and players have access to an unrestricted amount of experience and resources as well as the capacity to fly;

3. Hardcore mode, which is an alternative to the general survival mode. Its level of difficulty is higher than that of survival mode, and it is not possible to re-spawn when the player's character died, forcing you to delete the world you have already created; and

4. Spectator mode, where players are in a position to view the virtual world, but cannot interact with everything. This particular mode is only available in snapshots and not in released versions.
The art of crafting in Minecraft

Actual Minecraft is the manner whereby tools, blocks and materials have to be utilized to craft additional tools for survival or gameplay purposes throughout the game. To craft an item, a player has to transfer certain items from their available inventory onto a crafting grid.

Game objects that are more useful should have its ingredients arranged in the correct order.

Having said this, the gamer may still decide to make another item in accordance to the arrangement of the relevant ingredients in the grid, e.g. bread crafting Minecraft requires a 3xl recipe; therefore, it can be made using either one of the three rows on a 3x3 grid. It cannot be crafted using a 2x2 grid.
The 2x2 crafting-grid is always available to players within the inventory screen, and most Minecraft requiring a 2x2 recipe can be completed there. Such items include the crafting of crafting tables, sticks and wooden planks. In order to craft items on the 3x3 grid, a crafting table should be created on which the player has to "right-click". A pop­ up screen displaying the 3x3 grid will appear which can then be used to assemble a crafting recipe.

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Killer Instinct Season 2 :)

"Killer Instinct Season 2"  Gets Release Date for Xbox One
According to an announcement at Gamescon, "Killer Instinct Season 2" has received a release date. The game will be hitting the Xbox One on October 15 and has eight fighters, including Maya and TJ Combo. Once the game is released, gamers can choose to buy the Ultra Edition or the Combo Breaker Edition.

"Killer Instinct Season 2" Ultra and Combo Edition
The Ultra Edition for Season 2 will cost $39.99 and will come with eight fighters, accessory packs, fighter costumes, early access to new characters and a port of the old 1996 game "Killer Instinct 2." Anyone who buys the Ultra Edition between September 23 and October 14 will have access to TJ Combo immediately.

For those looking to spend a little less money, pick up the Combo Breaker Edition for $19.99. This bundle will still give players access to all of the fighters in Season 2, but they will not have access to the other extras. Each fighter for Season 2 will be rolled out once a month, for eight months.
Players who do not want to buy a package for Season 2 can still buy the new fighters individually for just $4.99. If they are planning to buy all eight, though, it's a better deal to buy either the Ultra Edition or Combo Breaker Edition.

Playable Demo Available Now

The bundle model for Season 2 shouldn't shock anyone. When Season 1 was announced, it followed a similar plan in which players could buy a Combo Breaker Pack or an Ultra Edition. The free version for Season 1 also served as a playable demo for the game, which can be picked up right now on Xbox Live. It only featured one playable character, Jago, but allowed players to try out all of the game modes. A lot of fighting games have started to use this model as of late because it allows players to buy only the characters they want rather than pay for characters that they won't use.
As an added bonus, the developers of the game confirmed that Mick Gordon is back to do the music for Season 2. They also confirmed that the "Killer Cuts" original soundtrack CD and the "Killer Instinct Season 1" CD will be released on September 23. It shouldn't be shocking that this is the same day that Microsoft is finally releasing the physical addition of Season 1. This physical edition will include all of the DLC that came out for Season 1, as well as early access to the Season 2 character, TJ Combo.
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Why Nerds and Technology Go Hand-In-Hand :)

Throughout my years of movie watching and electronics sales, I have noticed one trend that I find kind of amusing, and might help explain how we *cough* "know" who the Nerds are... Technology. Say what you will about Nerds, nerds and technology are almost interchangeable terms. Regardless of whatever else they are fans of, nerds LOVE their technology, and are often the first to embrace the newest technological advances.
People, (and by people, I mean in general and not in specific), foster a love/hate/fear relationship with technology. When we first get a new technological device, we love it. We love our cars, computers, cell phones, tablets, cameras, and all our gadgets and chirpy little doodads that go along with modern life. Once our device doesn't work *exactly* as desired, we get angry. We fear life without them, and fear life with them. People often take out their frustrations on innocent pieces of electronic equipment. (I once threw my cell phone across a room when I was fighting with my then-boyfriend. The phone miraculously survived).

In the 1,000+ films I have watched in my life, a common theme arises. Even in some of the oldest films made, the "Fear of Technology" is a prevalent theme. In the first science fiction film, Metropolis (1927) a fem-bot destroys the city. In Modern Time s (1936) Charlie Chaplin, a factory worker, has a nervous breakdown because of his high-stress technological job. In a gamut of more recent films like the Terminator series, Transformers series, and I, Robot (2004) just to name a few, technology is a menace. Technology rises up against the fleshy creators (or mere humans) and destroys society.

Humanity in these films are also partially saved by technology. Terminator's John Conner is repeatedly rescued by technology as it seeks to destroy him. The Deceptacons, usually military and non-automobile robots, cause massive amounts of destruction on Earth while we are saved by Optimus Prime (an 18 wheeler) and his Autobots (A variety of cars, trucks, and forms of Civilian transportation). This also shows a slight fear of military invasion, a worry that war has ruined our society.

Perhaps one of the greatest reasons we fear technology is that technology removes our necessity in the workplace- people are replaced with machines, causing less people to be necessary to perform the same functions. What use do we have of real live babysitters when we can have a robot nanny? In I, Robot society has become adjusted and inured with the overabundance of robots: they do all the work we people don't want to do for ourselves. Robots are constrained by rules to protect us, until they turn on humanity because V.I.K.I, the central 'brain' of the robots has determined humanity cannot take care of itself.

But what does this have to do with Nerds, You ask? Let me explain.
In films, and in real life, Nerds embrace technology and make it their own. Nerds are the first ones to take-on new technology like computers, the internet, ereaders. Cellphones are an exception, but mostly because of the expense of the earliest cellular phones.
In the Revenge of the Nerds films, nerds perform computer-based music. In Weird Science, nerds build a perfect woman (although she wreaks havoc, the Nerds were the ones with the know-how to do so) because of their inability to approach girls. They are not truly trying to replace women, but to learn how to talk to them. In Growing Pains the nerdy Carol Anne Seaver once dreams of getting a modem. On the TV series Chuck, the "Nerd Herd" works in computer repair. Hackers are really just a bunch of nerds using their superior nerd knowledge to 'hack' into governmental databases. While heroic in the film, the threat of hackers and people stealing our information off the internet is very real. Even Tony Stark Iron Man is a Nerd with Money: the comic book fan's dream of being Rich with all the Tech and skill to build himself into a superhero role.
The men (and some of the women) in the Big Bang Theory are nerds They are also cutting-edge scientists, studying String Theory, space, theoretical physics, things that confuse many laypeople like Penny, the normal. But, the men created things like a zero-gravity toilet.
Nerds are often the ones to *embrace* technology because they create it. Real Life "nerds" Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have had a tremendous influence in everyday life. It is the nerd who has the skill, know-how, and intellect to create, to think forward, to come up with new ideas and answers to problems that present themselves to society.
It is the nerd that fixes the technology. We turn to nerds when our computer breaks, when we can't fix our cellphone, when we don't know how to set up our new Television system. Now, I'm not saying that nerds fix automobiles, but Nerds do design automobiles and test them.
This embrace of technology is perhaps why stereotypical Nerds love Science Fiction genre: Science Fiction shows a world where all the hard work of Nerds has paid off.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mandy_R_Oviatt

Add Fun to Your Gaming by Playing Social Games Online :)

People all around the world play games online or have interest in playing different games while sitting online in front of the computer screens. Usually the online games people play is through Facebook apps or other social networking web sites. Playing online game is a very interesting and entertaining time pass and helps kill the boredom when there is nothing to do.

Online gaming websites are the best platforms for people who enjoy playing online games. It is not a few games that you will get to play every day but there is a vast variety of quality online games such as action, adventure, and strategy. If you think to add more fun to it then you will be glad to know that you can socialize with your friends while playing these games as well. People are looking to socialize with each other through every way possible there have been a lot of social networking sites made to keep people all around the world connected. Usually this every day interaction and dull chats someday get dry and boring and start to fade out.

Therefore, just to keep the fun and charm alive in the socializing, these networking channels started adding applications and online social games so that the users can interact with each other through online social games, too. Now playing games together is much more fun than just sitting in front of a wall post or messenger box and posting silly lines. It adds some sort of charm to the socializing and keeps the fun alive between users.

The social game online site usually includes about more than a thousands of games, categorized under different tabs. There are action games, which include many games like shooting and war, etc. There are role-playing games and puzzle games and a lot more games under one web channel.
Most popular social games are the Farmville on Facebook and the Poker. People from all around the world play games like that, build their own farm, and add neighbors. It is a very interesting and entertaining way to interact with your friends through a game like that when you ask if they could visit your farm once so you can get experience points.

New the interesting part about the social game online site is that you can connect to your Facebook account and play with your friends or invite them to the game and get them started as well. If you are looking free games then this platform is one of the best to find free games online. The site includes lots and many games and free with a vast variety of categories to play in as well.

If you are new to sites like that and have never played before then you can get started without any registration or entry. You will not have to pay from your credit card to start playing games because they are free and you can open your page, connect from your Facebook account, and start playing whenever you want to.

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Brain Food: The Importance of Playing Mind Games :)

How to Give Your Brain the Proper Mental Workout!
It has been a part of popular knowledge for some time now that people who exercise their brain by consistently challenging themselves with mental activities such as jigsaw or 3-D puzzles enjoy a healthier cerebral capacity.

Apart from adults, playing mind games like jigsaw puzzles and brain puzzles is also the best way of exercising your child's mind and keeping it active during long summer vacations. Apart from them being beneficial for the brain's development, it is also a fun and hands-on way of keeping their minds pre- occupied.
Mind bending 3-D puzzles and other brain puzzles are easily available on the internet at online stores like. Puzzles also improve a child's visual and spatial skills along with building critical thinking abilities which is very important during a child's growth process.






Jigsaw Puzzles:

Puzzles come in all shapes and sizes that are appropriate to the child's age. Some games for children require physical manipulation while others rely on vision in order to find a solution. One of the popular puzzles for children which require manipulation is the jigsaw puzzle. Puzzles for children usually show scenes from popular nursery rhymes, food, numbers and alphabets.
Jigsaw for older kids depict movie scenes, pictures of various places, historical events, and famous people. A jigsaw puzzle can also involve a game context, like those which give clues for solving a mystery.

Sliding Puzzles:

Sliding puzzles are made up of small plastic squares that are held together in a plastic case and usually depict a picture or cartoon character. These brain puzzles are generally of eight plastic squares with one empty space which is used to move the different pieces to a proper relationship in order to show the picture.

Rubik's Cube:

The Rubik's cube is one of the most popular 3-D puzzles. Also known as the magic cube, it can easily be called the world's most perfect puzzle. The pieces of this puzzle can be moved around in all directions. The goal to get all the colours organized. For some, solving a Rubik's cube is a matter of seconds, for others, it can take decades. Buying 3-D puzzles is sure to keep you busy for a while.

Others:

Puzzles that rely on a child's vision often include word searches. For children, the word puzzle is arranged going only in one direction, but for adults, the words can be arranged vertically, horizontally and diagonally in either direction.
Visual puzzles are puzzles made out of wood or metal and are shaped in a particular design as to form a riddle.

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List of Board Games that i find :)

There are two styles of Avid gamers. Don't get them mixed-up. I despised the name 'Gamer' for many years. I didn't suspect it related to me in the slightest. See, I grew up not knowing much more than Mario Kart as well as the Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo 64. Those were the good days. It didn't take long for me to leave behind the video game systems and head for a kind of what I may likely judge far more 'wholesome' entertainment. I fell deeply in love with board games.
For sure, video games have their place, still I would bring up 3 reasons why I in essence rejected video games and ventured into Tabletop Games. A few might not seem that different, and many bear similarities and yet i am going to lay out a handful of ground rules for activities that I approve of.

First would include activity. I rejoiced when the Wii from Nintendo was released not to mention the Kinect from Microsoft. Motion has a way of improving game play regardless of what it is. As opposed to the thumbs being the main thing moving, I like a game or activity that requires action. The more action the better. Card games aren't that action intensive, but you have to admit there is certainly a whole lot more in arranging pieces, cards, rolling dice, and dealing cards than there is in the flicking of a joystick. Thus, I really like video games similar to 'Just Dance'.

Second I might add that social interaction is essential. In this board or tabletop games take a large stride in front of video games. If you are going to be having fun, why not share it with people. We remember events a great deal more if someone else was associated. Mario Party was an amazing invention and I still have Mario Kart tournaments with my relatives. Tabletop Games are virtually solely two or more players. Board Games are excellent for their encouragement of social interaction.
And the last is physicality. Perhaps sometime in the future video games will bridge this gap, however for now, board games have the upper hand on the physical component. The other day I played a game of Quirkle and the board was so eye-catching I simply had to sit there and stare at it for a short time. I was in awe. I would submit there is an aesthetic benefit that accompanies Board Games that you simply cannot get with video games.

Board games and video games certainly provide their advantages and drawbacks, nevertheless I merely hoped to present a few reasons why I think that board games usually beat out video games. The physical activity involved, the social interaction, and physicality are just 3 of the reasons why I will always take pleasure in board games.

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How To Make Cash Playing Video Games :)

Want to make money playing video games? Become a beta tester and get your piece of the billion dollar video game industry!
Video games started way back in the 1950's with a game called Tennis for Two being played with two paddles and an oscilloscope. Now we are playing 3D games on our hand held game units! The progression over each decade has been unbelievable!

The world of video games has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. This consists of home gaming systems, hand held systems, PC games, and systems specifically designed for kids. This is because the appeal doesn't stop with young people. People of all ages, races, and religions get in on the playing of video games.
It has turned into an outlet for people to pass the time, get aggression out, stay fit, and believe it or not, learn.

There are many different companies that develop and produce video games. These companies have many people on their payroll to do all of the technical work. When it comes to testing the games out, it is their practice to have a group of individuals from their target market play the games and give their feedback.

The feedback they get usually consists of glitches, ease of play, if the game was enjoyable to play, and what things could be done to improve the game. Obviously it is extremely valuable to get this kind of information. This is just one of the many ways video game software advances so quickly.
This type of testing is called Beta Testing. This is just one way of how to make money playing video games. Companies all over are always looking for market consumers to get paid to test their products. That is where you come in.

Don't just sit there and spend hundreds of dollars on a video game system and just play. Use it as a tool to make you cash. Use your PC in the same way. You can look up Beta Testing on the Internet and find companies to test for. Or you could pay a small fee and have someone else find these companies for you.

Keep in mind there is no guarantee that the game you test is going to be a huge big name game like World of Warcraft or Madden Football. There are so many games out there, all that should really matter is that you get paid cash to play (test), a game.

Just think. All you have to do is wake up, sit in front of the TV or PC and turn them on and you are at work! Most of these pay you per hour. If you are going to sit and play a game for hours you might as well get some money to do it!

This is perfect for someone who is out of work. You might be in college and need some extra cash. Whatever the case might be it never hurts to try.
We have all at one point in time or another wondered what it would be like to get paid to play games. Beta testing is just one of those ways.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Evan_Edward

Mobile Gaming - A Corporate Curse or Consumer Gift? :)

Since the iPhone was launched and the App store was released upon the world, we've seen thousands upon thousands of new apps and games flood the market from creative individuals and developers. This made mobile gaming a true platform to be enjoyed by literally everyone with access to a Smartphone, iPod touch or other compatible device. Specifically I'm talking mobiles/Smartphones/Tablets and not PS Vita or Nintendo DS/3DS.


From the age old classic of 'Snake' a decade or so ago in black and white, where having any game on your phone was a novelty in even the most basic of forms, to now almost PlayStation 2 level graphical quality with games such as N.O.V.A or Real Racing series by EA - mobile gaming has come a very long way indeed. Making calls and shooting zombies all on the same device has never been so rewarding or time consuming. From a good business standpoint it's opened up the gaming market to the widest audience possible - a recent report found that 79% of 18-44 year olds have their Smartphones near them 22 hours a day. Giving consumers something fun to do while they are waiting or commuting whilst being engaged with a brand/mobile advertising is the best of both worlds one may think, but can this be destructive?

Games come in many varieties. Free, paid for or a disconcerting mixture called 'Freemium'. Free games are generally supported by advertising (as are Freemium) whereas paid games generally speaking contain few or no advertisements. The paid or free games I take no issue with. Freemium however are cleverly disguised as 'Free' but soon either halt your game progress or constantly bombard you with slightly misleading options which make you unsure whether you have to pay or not. The aim is to get you so hooked with an addictive business model that you feel enamoured to spend money to continue. Granted, the issues arising from this are aimed at the younger audiences entering their Apple id and not realising there is a charge yet it's an unsavoury practice. It's much like a game demo but a very restrictive one that is rarely representative of a decent gaming experience. As a result this has caused untold grief for many people mistakenly making payments which were unclear and generally creating a bad taste in consumer's mouth.

There is a fear in my mind that a Smartphone culture has made us all both less aware of what is going on around us, but also turning our brains on autopilot to an extent. On the train this morning out of 6 seats (split into 2 sets of 3 facing each other) every single person was deep into their Smartphone swiping and tapping. We're in a digital age so naturally assume this to be pretty normal and there is almost a stigma attached to you if you don't have a Smartphone, however I can't help feeling a little jaded that most would spend all day with screens in offices and the natural instinct is to look at another screen on the way home. People miss train stops, lose track of time or even have been close to having an accident walking across the road due to playing on their Smartphone. Make no mistake, Smartphones will only get more advanced and more time sappingly engaging addictive games will arrive.

Largely due to the complexity of mobile games we can now tweet, share and socially integrate ourselves with our digital counterparts. Perhaps cynically it's a way to boost brands' digital footprint under the guise of competing with your friends for a high score. In previous times the computer opponent was the only top score that mattered and now you're up against the world - a daunting task if ever there was one, but empowering nonetheless.

Shady DLC practices and social monitoring aside, mobile gaming will simply continue to drain both time and money from many consumers but ultimately levitating any notion of boredom that ever existed when your train breaks down, your girlfriend is late or you've had that dodgy Indian curry and are 'otherwise engaged'.

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Kids Play Free Online Adventure Games For Mental Stimulation and Learning :)

Are you concerned that your child is spending far too much time playing video games for his or her own good? There are so many free online adventure games available that it is hardly surprising that kids cannot resist their attraction. It is certainly not practical to forbid your child from playing them. However, you shouldn't worry about your kids playing too many of these games. As a matter of fact, most adventure games offer a great deal of mental stimulation to people who play them. Also, you'll be glad to know that you can limit their drawbacks and increase the benefits of playing these games.

* Adventure games generally require the player to assume the role of a character in the game and solve various puzzles. There can be many different types of puzzles such as locating and utilizing various hidden objects, decoding hidden messages etc. The game generally proceeds to the next level only when a certain number of puzzles are solved. These games are therefore very effective at polishing the players' analytical and reasoning skills.

* Some adventure games provide learning about nature, geography, history etc. depending on where they are set. The visual format of video games is very interesting and they provide easy learning when compared to books.

* Video games help improve reflexes. In addition, they enable people to take very quick decisions in stressful situations. These games provide sufficient practice for the collection of data and processing it rapidly.

Make sure that your child has access to the right free online adventure games because this is a great way to ensure that he or she gets adequate mental stimulation. However, you do need to make sure that your child stays away from games that have inappropriate content. Keep in mind that many adventure games has a great deal of sexual and violent content in them. It is best to set many filters in place so that your child cannot play the wrong kind of games even by mistake. In addition, you should be wary of certain sites that can harm your computer with malware.

Many parents also worry that kids do not get sufficient physical activity because they play too many video games. Therefore you should ensure that your child only has limited access to free online adventure games and other types of video games so that he or she also gets time for physical activity.

Free online adventure games are a surprisingly good source of mental stimulation. Find out how you can use them to get the maximum benefits for your child.

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Some Popular Action Adventure Games :)

An action adventure game, also known as arcade adventure can be defined as a video game that mixes various elements of adventure with action elements. Perhaps, these games are regarded as the most diverse and broadest genre in the world of games. Atari 2600 game Adventure is the first action entertainment. Apart from this, you will come across several other types of choices too. Some of them are:

- God of War:

 This action adventure play is a masterpiece. If you are among those who love to play video entertainments then you will definitely like this. The compelling storyline of this amusement play makes it one of the best action adventure games. The cut scenes in this gaming activity are unique making them a rare art work. If played on the PlayStation 2, you will realize that the characters and environments are shown in a detailed manner. The fight is really good and cannot be compared with other actions. The context sensitive buttons control extra depth in the game.

- Ninja Sigma:

 There are people who find action adventure gaming activities to be very confusing. If you are one among them then you should play Ninja Sigma as it is one of the simplest action games. The thing that sets this one apart from other options is the bonus feature included. The graphics of this gaming event are astonishing. The fluent and smooth nature makes it popular among the players. Another special feature is that the player cannot beat the game by using the buttons as most often they have to block the enemies and escape from them. Environments in this game are similar throughout the event and the boss fights are funny but not as memorable and creative as the boss fighting involved in other action games.

- Devil May Cry: 

When this action amusement play was invented, there was no other action game that could compete with it. This one has a good storyline and includes a perfect combat system. The surroundings in the event were not different but the boss battles involved in Devil May Cry were memorable and exciting too.

- Devil May Cry 3:

 This is probably the most popular among the various action adventures because it is a combination of many action games. The story is well inscribed. This game explains lots of things about the past life of Dante and his brothers that were not known in other series.

There are various types of action adventure games available. Each one of them has a different storyline and feature.

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Trends Of Mobile Gaming :)

Anyone can play mobile games; it's not an issue of age, gender, or geography (however, kids surely dominate in this area). Mobile games can be played anywhere, on tablets and smartphones; and the former are especially great for such pastime. Games top other mobile app categories in the stores, and receive new opportunities with every fresh platform version and sophisticated hardware. Sales of mobile devices go up, and the game industry is blooming, profitable and changing. Trends of mobile gaming come and go; and some hold position, because they simply work. And which mobile gaming trends and rules do we currently have at disposal?

Popular games can appear out of the blue. A catchy game with all the necessary ingredients can always become an instant hit; surely, with well-planned and well-implemented promotion behind its back. It can be simple, which is perfect for brief time-wasting. It can be innovative, which is perfect for experienced gamers; because nobody needs simple clones of popular games. But an idea can be taken to shape it into something unique; and it's often better not to overcomplicate things - find a balance instead.

Freemium or one-time paid? There are various ways of gathering revenues; for each game you can choose a perfect one. In general, freemium model is more profitable potentially. You allow users to enjoy the experience of an ad-free game, then offer them in-app purchases to improve it (buying virtual goods and features). That's really great for multiplayer games; this way has been feeding desktop online games for a long time. The second way often works as try-and-buy: users can try a free version of the game (usually ad-supported), then can purchase the ad-free and full-featured one. Works for ad-haters, of which there are many. Both of these models work, think which one's better for the specificity of your game.

Tablet wins. Tablets are great not only at browsing through the Internet and some cloud-stored databases that you use in work. Tablets are great at gaming. You usually play smartphone games when you need to kill some short amount of time. But a richer experience can be provided by tablets, which allow to dive deeper into the environment. For numerous gamers that is a must. That's why tablet users are more engaged, download more and pay more. You can't carry game consoles everywhere. Perhaps you don't carry a laptop everywhere either. Tablet is a perfect combination of mobility, screen size, work and entertainment. What's more, tablets currently outship PCs, game consoles, and even laptops - they peak at popularity. What else is required to call it a winner?

Online + Multiplayer = Win. Obvious, isn't it? The boom of multiplayer desktop games went mobile. Gamers gather together and compete with each other online; and that is sure to last. There is also such thing as cloud gaming, which is easily accessible for gamers, and cheaper as well. They can also gather gamers from different mobile platforms.

Augmented reality has so many areas of application - perhaps any industry can find a use of this technology, from health care to education; and mobile gaming is just one of them. Augmented reality perfectly suits here and offers a worthwhile playing experience to gamers. Anything that's surrounding can become a part of the game environment; this can be successfully applied to numerous game concepts.

These tips might prove helpful to those who think over launching a mobile game project. You should also remember that people learn about new games mostly through recommendations of friends and acquaintances, who can easily advise something according to the person's interest. Other spread ways include top lists in application stores and specialized websites. Take note of this before you plan promotion. May success be with you!

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3 Great Benefits of Playing Online Strategy Games :)

INTRODUCTION :

If you love playing video games then you'll be glad to know that you can benefit very much from them in more ways than just getting entertained. In fact, playing online strategy games has been found to be exceptionally useful to most people. These games require players to plan far ahead and this helps them develop considerable brain power. The main areas of development include:

1. Concentration:

 The ability to concentrate is enhanced greatly since you are required to focus very much on different aspects of the game. Lapses in concentration can lead to your losing the game.

2. Memory:

 Strategy games tend to have many different elements and also various aspects that unfold at the same time. If you cannot remember them all then you will not be able to perform well in them.

3. Observation: 

It is very necessary to spot various changes as soon as they appear in the game or else you will not be able to take advantage of them in time. In fact, you need to stay alert at all times or else you will not be able to stay ahead of the game.
You are sure to see a marked improvement in your mental prowess if you play online strategy games very frequently. The three skills listed here will enable you to plan ahead very easily and they will also help you think very logically. This will help you tremendously in your personal and professional life. As a matter of fact, people who fear that their mental powers are slowing down should certainly start playing these games.
There are many different games you could play, based upon your preferences. While war games are the most popular online strategy games, there are also other categories of games, particularly ones that cater to girls and women.
Make sure that you select the right websites where you can play the games of your choice. Flash sites enable you to play extremely realistic games right from your browser without having to download them to your computer, thereby keeping your computer free of bulky software. This also protects it from viruses. It is also a good idea to learn how to play online strategy games so that you do not miss out on any opportunity to win these games. Multiplayer games can get very competitive and you need to be very adept at them to get the maximum enjoyment from them.

Find out what are the benefits of playing online strategy games. Read about how you can improve your brain power by playing them.

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Use Your Gaming Addiction to Make Money :)

If you are looking for a way to turn your gaming addiction into a money maker there are a variety of ways you can pursue.

First, you can try to be a beta tester for the big video game companies. This is probably not the easiest thing to do. To earn the top dollars these companies usually require years of testing experience and some programming knowledge. That doesn't mean you can't get a job from them. You just won't be playing the coolest, top games.

Second, you can find one of these companies that are putting games on Facebook or just making a new site for a game. They aren't the most glamorous games but you still can get paid to test them out and give your feed back.

Third, start writing game reviews. You can start your own website and write your own reviews about the latest games you have played. If you have found cheats or hidden treasures you can post those too. Create a walk through. To get a domain name is cheap and easy. You can find cheap hosting too so you keep your costs down. Invite others to offer their thoughts and any cool things they have found while they were playing. To make money this way you would need to get into posting ads on your site for different companies related to gaming. You can try Google AdSense for one. Amazon.com is another. If you want to try GameFly.com you need to have quite a lot of visitors already established and have a pretty good functioning site to pass their application process.
Another way you can earn money playing video games is through some different sites that allow you to play games to earn credits. You do certain tasks on the site and earn credits. If you refer someone you earn credits. You keep building up your credits and doing the tasks they ask you and you can convert those credits into cash. These sites are usually a game within a game. Some are like medieval games. You play a couple of child like games to earn your credits. You take those credits to build your army and kingdom. You battle others and take them over to earn more credits. All of these credits you eventually take and convert into cash for yourself.
All of these are ways you can use your gaming addiction to earn yourself some money. I am not saying you will become rich doing this. These are just ideas for you to try.

Best of Luck!

If you would like to try your hand at video game wholesaling I suggest you go to http://www.videogamesforcash.net. You can get an idea of how to start your business there.

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Top 10 Games for Your iPad :)

I am using my iPad device for games when I want to relax and that's why I collected the best 10 games and put them in a list for you. What criteria have I used to make this list? - Fun, Unique, Value, Competitive. Let's start:


1. Angry Birds

Angry Birds is the most addictive and fun game I've ever played. The people from Rovio did really great job developing this game and offer us plenty of versions. These birds that have special powers will bring novelty in your gaming experience and some brand new ideas. You will feel more competitive wherever you go.

2. FIFA 2013

This FIFA franchise didn't disappoint from its start on iOS, and each game is coming better and better. There are new online challenges all the time. The 2013 version didn't give us any bigger improvements but we are satisfied with the added onscreen button for skill moves.

3. Need For Speed: Most Wanted

If you are into fast cars and adrenaline, this game is the right for you. EA did a great job with this version. This time they give us intent action with great graphics which are notable on the iPad 3 and iPad 4.

4. The Room

The best puzzle game ever played on iOS The developers have added clear graphics and while playing it on Retina you will feel the best experience ever. This game only supports iPad 2 or greater.

5. Sky Gamblers: StormRaiders

This flight-action game will put you right in middle of WW2 flying vintage air-craft in single and lots of multiplayer missions. It includes satisfying quality with easy-to-handle controls. This game features many missions that will keep you really busy.

6. SpellTower

SpellTower is highly rated word playing game. The latest update gave support for Retina and multiplayer mode.

7. Star Wars: Knights of the old republic

Maybe the controls will be difficult for you but when you get used to them you will feel the real Mass Effect experience behind this game.

8. Wipeout

This game is developed exclusively for the iPad. If you have seen the show you know what to do. Race against the clock to beat the old records and you will be okay. The really fun part is when you fall and when you watch the replays.

9. Infinity Blade

The latest upgrade of this game includes better console-quality graphics. You can still use the swipe-based swordplay, the weapon upgrading and you will see lots of killing. It's not recommended for kids.

10. Plants vs. Zombies

Once you get started you will not be able to take your eyes of it. It's a version with new mini modes and games that bring you new experience out of the standard levels.
Try them out, I am sure you will find some you will really enjoy.

Keeping up with the latest technology can be very time consuming. We have staff reviewing all the resources as soon as they become available and then pass on the information to you. Please visit http://www.onlinegadgetstore.com to read about all the latest gadgets.

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The Benefits of Working in Game Design :)

Game designers are the creative minds behind the games you play on your TVs and computers. From start to finish, they create ideas from scratch and make them come to life on screen. Designers come up with character concepts, as well as settings, plots, and themes for each game they create. These professionals have the opportunity to utilize their imaginations and creativity on a regular basis, having fun and creating the games that may become blockbusters.

The benefits of this line of work are given to both the designer and society in many different ways. Top selling games can make millions of dollars upon release, making this job a good one for the economy as well as for those working for the company. Another benefit is an educational one, as some games are designed to instruct people on various subjects.
Some other benefits of working in game design are:

The ability to be creative

Designers get to use their creativity daily, bringing to life elements of a game that just started out as an idea. Game design is an art, the designers are the artists, and they make masterpieces for the masses to enjoy. There are many different genres, making it so gamers of all kinds can enjoy the work these artists have so thoughtfully made.

Job security

With no sign of the gaming industry slowing down, game designers may come to find a solid place for themselves in the field. With millions of people worldwide playing and lining up for the latest and greatest game to be sold, companies are always looking for bright and new talent to create the quality content that keeps their customers coming back for more. The job outlook within the decade is looking at a rise in the need for designers at a rate which is much faster than other jobs.

You get to "play" instead of "work"

The job of a game designer is to literally play all day. Of course, there is work involved in the job, but most of it is utilizing their creativity, as well as testing the games they design (aka playing them) to ensure a quality game is being produced for consumers. The goal is to make sure the game experience is exceptional and that there are no bugs in the game which would prevent buyers from being able to enjoy the game.

Opportunity for advancement

As your skills develop and are honed in on, the chances of advancing your career may become more obtainable. With the right education, the proper training, and the necessary experience, you may be able to find you can move up the ranks in the gaming industry. This may hold especially true if you are credited with coming up with the design of a game that sells millions of dollars' worth of product.

Game Design Schools is the ultimate destination for those looking to pursue a career in game design. It offers resources about game design degrees, programs, schools, and more.

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Different Categories Of Games Available To Gamers Today

The world of technology has given as varied forms of digital entertainment, among them being the popular world of gaming. Video games are in no way new to the market. They have been around for many decades and they keep getting better. Since we are living in the information era, gamers can now even play online games, which are available in numerous platforms. The Entertainment Software Rating Board is responsible for assigning age and content rating for mobile apps and video games. The board breaks down these games into the following major categories:

1_Digital downloads

These types of games are downloaded to a handheld device, console or PC directly from the internet. Many consoles have their own online marketplaces where you can download them. They can be free games or you can be required to purchase them depending on the site or the type. They can be of a causal nature such as word games and puzzles, or they can be full-length feature ones.

2_Subscription

These simply are online arcades or games requiring a user to sign up and create an account to play. Some of them allow you to play one or more of them free for a certain period after which you are required to pay. The main advantage of subscriptions is that they eliminate the need to possess a game physically to be able to enjoy it, which means you spend less on your gaming.

3_Mobile storefronts

Tablets and smartphones allow users to download apps from various online marketplaces, linked to an e-wallet, credit card, or mobile phone account. The most popular category in mobile apps is games. The content here can vary greatly in terms of age appropriateness just like other kinds.

4_Social networking

As the name suggest, these forms are played from within a social networking site. They encourage the players to share updates and content with others in the social network. They can also include purchasing in-game items with real money.

5_Free-to-play

These ones are free to play online. They are typically supported by ads instead of subscription or purchases. The catch is that, most of them allow you to play a limited version of the game and if you love it, you can purchase the full version.

6_Boxed games

They come on cartridge or disc, and are purchased online or in a store. You play them on a gaming device such as a console, PC or handheld. They can be of any nature including racing, shooting, adventure or sports.

We provide the best info about Free Games and Play Flash Games. For further details please visit the provided links.

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The Impact of Existing Technologies to the Future of Gaming ;

After a few rounds of bowling on Wii Sports or exchange of guitar riffs on Rock Band, you and your buddies would probably slump on the sofa, commenting on how each of you fared while gorging on a box of pizza. It would take a while before you notice slight hand aches caused by the uncomfortable bulk and weight of the console. Pensive, one of your friends might wonder aloud how consoles can be developed into more comfortable devices. Another might enthusiastically suggest a whole new gaming arena that brings to life Tony Stark's science lab. With the fast and unpredictable advancement of technology, such a future just might be a fingertip away.

Production and Interface Developments

Taking the game to the next level, true innovators are driven to deliver more than aesthetic appeal and packaging. Futuristic, forward-thinkers think out of the box--freeing themselves from restriction. A stretched imagination has allowed them to tap into new technologies that produce streamlined, sophisticated products that are--quite literally--easy on the pocket in many ways.
How so?

Since its discovery, nanotechnology has contributed to the advancement of many industries such as medicine and engineering. So what makes nano, which means tiny, so special? Doing away with technicalities, nanotech makes it possible to create novel machines of all sorts in small sizes. But do not get ahead of yourself by worrying about cost, because nanotech makes this affordably possible.
With nanotech, consoles won't just be sleek and slim enough to slide into a pocket--they will be a thing of the past. If you are thinking about touch screens, what about not having to touch screens at all? Indeed, with nanotech, the future of the gaming industry would feature automated devices free of clutter. This would relatively affect other aspects of gaming: less hardware means less strenuous gestures and space consumption. Similarly, it would mean less maintenance.

Think nanotech is so neat? Now, fuse it with immersive virtual and augmented reality.
While skeptics continue to dispute over the use of nanotech, developers have been toying around with three-dimensional and augmented reality for quite some time. After re-conquering cinema, the whole world has been raving over it. And from the silver screen, 3D finally hit the gaming industry. Immersive, it boosts up the gaming experience. The Oculus Rift promises the realization of this futuristic vision. Equipped with a headgear and console, it is a jump starter that makes the giant leap towards realizing the ultimate sci-fi dream.

Open Source and Cloud Gaming:

When it comes to innovation, sky is the limit. And it is almost fair to say it lies in the cloud quite literally. Although there remains a steadfast faction rallying exclusivity, there is a growing throng advocating freeware. Not limited to the computer industry, open source platforms used to distribute data are becoming more and more accessible and prevalent to a larger number of users. Even elite universities are exploring this venture to reach more students. Interestingly, Stanford University is a key player in this endeavor. So why not gaming?

With gaming geared towards sophistication, how can developers even begin to consider free use and distribution? On the contrary, open source in the gaming arena is achievable. At present, there are a number of open source engines that offer free content in the market. The Android-powered Ouya micro console boasts off a number of features that makes it exemplary. Reasonably priced, it offers hundreds of free and affordable games. Plus, it displays high-resolution graphics. A good deal for game enthusiasts, the fun does not end there because you can practically build your own game free from the hassles of licensing.

By kicking it up a notch higher and aiming for the cloud, gamers of the future will have access to a multitude of gaming applications free from restrictions. All that will be needed is a reliable internet connection and a device to access these applications.
Powerful yet economical, existing technologies offer immeasurable potentials for the gaming industry. Adopting these technologies will benefit both consumers and businesses significantly. Affordable and accessible, the future of gaming will go beyond immersion and interactivity--it will bridge the gap between the virtual and the real.

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Certainly, online games cannot only be fun for your kids but also have numerous advantages. For instance, experts have found online adventure games to increase the imagination and creativity of children. Car racing ones are useful for teaching your children to solve everyday problems. Furthermore, they give your children an opportunity to connect and share with others. However, it is import for you and your kids to understand the dangers of online gaming and learn to be safe. Here are some of the tips for both parents and teens.

What parents should do:

Clean your device: Before your children can begin to download or play online games, ensure that you have installed an anti-virus and firewall on the device they are going to use. Hackers use spyware, malware and viruses to hack into systems.

Examine the rating: Before they can start playing it, check for the rating to see if it is age appropriate for your kids. Virtually all games have rating summaries that offer insight on the type of content and details of the game.

Use strong and long passwords: Ensure that your children have long and strong passwords, which you know. A strong password should be at least eight characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, symbols, and upper letters.

Safeguard personal information: Make certain that the user name your children are using does not give away their location, gender, age or real name. If the game requires a profile picture, ask your children to use an avatar instead of their real pictures.

Limit playing time: Set a time limit for your kids to play. Some games and consoles have the ability to allow parents to set the time limit for their children to play and control whom they can play with or chat with on the game's online chat. It is important to realize that prohibiting your children from playing online games will not work. Allow them to play with a time limit.

Keep the PC in a central location: Minimize your child's chances of getting into online game dangers b monitoring their online activities. Most kids today have tablets and smartphones, which are all mobile devices. It can be tough to monitor their online activities especially when it comes to games. A good suggestion is to set a rule that they can only play online games on the PC, which you will keep in a central location such as in the living room.

We provide the best info about Online Adventure Games and Car Racing Games. For further details please visit the provided links.

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In many ways,

the game epitomizes the raw bone tenacity of the American spirit that drove the western movement from the Mississippi River in the 1800's. Life on the frontier was harsh, hazardous and full of risks - the pioneers were literally gambling on their lives each day. To both survive in the untamed west and to win at draw poker a man had to be skillful at what he did and count on lady luck to smile on him. He had to closely watch his adversaries and at times bluff his way out of a situation. The results of his actions could prove very profitable or he could lose it all, sometimes even his life. Draw poker then was a natural choice for the men of the American west who were used to risking it all.

The game was the result of an evolutionary process that started when poker was first took shape in America early in the nineteenth-century. Just when and where it was first played is subject to a continuing debate among historians, as is the game's origins. Several postulations attribute the game's lineage to a French game called "poque" or possibly to a German game known as "pochspiel." British historians state that the game was a direct descendent of the English card game of "brag." Still other researchers claim that poker evolved from a sixteen-century Persian card game called "as nas" that was played with a twenty-five-card deck containing five suites and has rules similar to five-card stud poker. Since exact documentation of poker's early history is impossible to determine its inception will probably remain a mystery.

Poker is thought to have started in America sometime in the early 1800's, possibly in saloons of New Orleans. From there it spread up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers by way of the commercial steam boat traffic. Then as the wagon trains and railroads pushed the frontier west, poker continued to gain popularity with the early adventurers. An English actor, Joseph Crowell, recorded seeing poker being played on the riverboats in his diary of 1829 and later in his 1844 book, Thirty Years Passed Among the Players in England and America. A reformed gambler by the name of Jonathan H. Green wrote about early poker in his book, Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling that was published in 1843. Both men described an early version of poker that was played with a twenty-card deck (A-K-Q-J-10). Each of four players was dealt five cards and bets were placed on these five original cards without discards or draws. When the betting was over the owner of the best hand won the pot - in the order of one pair, two pair, triplets, full house (one pair and a triple), and four of a kind. Due to the limits of a twenty-card deck there was only a single round of betting before the winning hand was declared and this made bluffing a much more difficult maneuver.

As the game evolved it moved to a thirty-two card deck and then eventually to the standard "French deck" of fifty-two cards. Sometime in the mid-1830's straights and flushes were introduced as winning hands. A few years later draw poker was born and started making the rounds of gambling halls in the west. The first mention of draw poker appeared in the American edition of Bohn's New Handbook of Games in 1850. In that same year, wild cards were introduced to poker play.

With these enhancements draw poker and another version called stud poker became the card games of choice among the soldiers on both sides of the Civil War. Originally called, "stud horse" poker, the game was played around the campfires between battles and was a close rival to draw poker in popularity. Both versions are conducive to bluffing but in stud poker, you are not allowed to draw or discard cards. Rather, some of the cards are dealt face down and some face up to the player so that everyone at the table knows a few of the cards being held by each player. Betting occurs after each new face up card is dealt and after the last face down card is dealt. The first mention of stud poker appeared in the American Hoyle of 1864.

In draw poker all the cards are dealt face down to the players and after all of the cards have been dealt there is a round of betting. Then players may discard any number of cards and receive the same amount of cards from the dealer. When all the players have completed their hands there is another round of betting before the winner is declared. Later, in 1870, jackpot poker was introduced in an attempt to prevent players with poor hands from being drawn into a pot that was impossible to win. In this version, players were required to have jacks or better to open betting. If a player did not possess the minimum to play, they were required to fold and lose their ante.

The first recorded set of rules for playing draw poker came about when Robert C. Scheneck, a United States ambassador to Great Britain, introduced the game to the members of Queen Victoria's court at a party in 1872. Fascinated with the new game the royalty asked Scheneck to jot down the rules of the game so they could play the game after he returned to America. He obliged and his handwritten rules of play were then printed by the queen's staff for future parties. Later, without his permission or that of the queen's court, his set of rules were published as a small booklet and sold to the masses. Entitled, A Flowery Path to Wealth: The Game of Draw Poker as Taught to the English Aristocracy, the pamphlet was a major hit with the British people who quite often referred to the game as "Scheneck's poker". Scheneck, who had served as general under President Lincoln, was embarrassed by the public release of his rules that he had been assured would be used privately by queen's court.
John W. Keller, an American, included Scheneck's rules for draw poker in his own book, The Game of Draw Poker, published in 1887. In addition, he used a portion of a letter written by Scheneck to a political friend, Thomas L. Young; to describe how the ambassador had unwittingly became party to the publication of the first set of rules for the game.

Keller's book provided a more detailed account of the rules and variations to the game as well as a section on progressive poker, which he described as being "The latest development of draw poker... and doubtless owes its origin to the popularity of progressive euchre." Contrary to Keller's comments, progressive poker never caught the attention of American gamblers and its play quickly faded from the gaming scene.

Throughout the book, Keller refers to a noted mathematician, "Dr. Pole" who provided the probability and odds for draw poker hands. At the end of the book, he summarizes Pole's calculations in a series of probability tables, which have stood the test of time. According to Dr. Poe's figures, there is an astounding 2,598,960 possible hands in draw poker.
Since Keller's book was published in 1887, there have been a large number of books printed on the subject of draw poker but few have been as clear and concise on the rules and the strategy of the game. His sage advice to "Study your adversaries carefully; watch the game closely; be patient in adversity and calm in prosperity," seems right in keeping with the old gambler's adage of knowing "when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em."

Poker Timeline:

1839 - English comedic actor Joseph Crowell wrote about a poker game being played on the steamboat Helen M,Gregor, bound for New Orleans. He described a game called poker being played by four players using 20 cards (A, K,Q, J, 10) with a single round of betting - highest hand won. In his book, Thirty Years Passed Among the Players in England and America (1844), Crowell said that the game had been invented by the American politician, Henry Clay. The game was based on the British game, brag.
1834 - Jonathan H. Green, a professional gambler turned reformer, wrote about the "cheating game" called poker being played on the Mississippi riverboats in his book entitled, Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling.
1836 - J. Hildreth wrote about poker in his book, Dragoon Campaigns of the Rocky Mountains.
1837 - Poker used a 52-card deck. Straights and flushes were added.
1845 - Poker was first mentioned in an American edition of Hoyle's Games. (The gold standard for the rules of card games) by Henry F. Anners.
1850 - First mention of draw poker in the American edition of Bohn's New Handbook of Games.
1850 - Wild cards introduced to poker.
1861- 1866 - During the Civil War, soldiers and others made stud and draw poker the most popular form of the game.
1864 - First mention of stud or "stud-horse" poker in the American Hoyle of 1864.
1872 - Robert C. Scheneck, U.S. minister to Great Britain, introduced the game of draw poker to the members of the court of Queen Victoria at a royal party. He was asked to write down the rules of the game and eventually this was turned into a small booklet. The booklet was published without his permission and called, A Flowery Path to Wealth: The Game of Draw poker as Taught to the English Aristocracy. Scheneck had been an army general under President Lincoln.
1870 - Jackpot poker (jacks or better to open) introduced to prevent players with a poor hand from being drawn into an impossible to win pot.

G.R. Williamson is a historical writer living in Kerrville, Texas. He is the author of Frontier Gambling: The Games, The Gamblers & The Great Gambling Halls of the Old West, as well as The Texas Pistoleers and Willis Newton: The Last Texas Outlaw. For more information, visit GRWilliamson.com

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