Games are an organised form of recreational play, normally undertaken for fun or entertainment, and occasionally used as a teaching tool. Games are quite different from work, which usually are carried out for remuneration, and in comparison to art, which often is an expression of artistic or emotional aspects. It is often associated with children’s parties, sports events and holiday parties. Many of these games have evolved from traditional board games, such as Chess, Scrabble or Monopoly. These games may also be family games played by adults, or board games played by young children. The word ‘game’ is generally regarded as referring to any game that challenges the senses and asks the mind to use strategy.
Some of the most common types of games use strategy to resolve conflict or achieve some goal. Some games use abstract strategy, where the object is to accumulate as many cards as possible, at the end of a round. Other games use more detail than the cards: a strategy game would include various moves, such as how to protect the castle against attack, by putting out a signal fire or using traps. Still others may be simulation games, where the participant has a limited number of moves, but each move is designed to achieve a specific goal, such as destroying all marauding armies or reaching a given destination point.
A large proportion of the population play card games, including blackjack, baccarat, dominoes and craps. There are other types of board games that the general public also enjoys, including simple versions of games played at home, like cribbage, and more complex ones, such as Risk and poker. Most strategy games require a lot of skill and strategy, and players must work out a way to beat their opponents; a good example is chess.
Card games themselves have evolved over time. Initially, the most popular type of gambling was hand-drawn cards, with players betting small amounts of money on each draw. This gradually developed into ‘board games’, with players using pre-printed cards, or ‘poker chips’ as they were then called. These became increasingly popular, as they required little material and the game could be enjoyed virtually anywhere. Card games used dice or counters, with the outcome determined by how many ‘cards’ were present. Today, computer games use random number generators to produce cards.
Modern players have a wide range of electronic devices, from simple flash cards to digital chess and poker chips. Computer games vary widely in complexity, from simple tournaments, such as those played in electronic chess tournaments, to intricate 3-D strategy games. Some players even use electronic playing cards, with electronic chips or coins inserted into a ‘real’ pack of playing cards. This makes for a completely interactive experience.
So, whether you enjoy playing simple card games at home, or playing challenging casino action, there is a suitable game for you. The main article on this site provides a concise overview of the main types of gambling games available. However, if you want to find out more about the best types of gambling games, read the main article on this site, for information on a wide range of topics relating to gambling games.