A game is generally a structured, self-contained form of entertainment, normally undertaken for fun or relaxation, and at times used as a teaching tool as well. Games are very different from work, which generally is carried out only for remuneration; and from literature, which is generally more of an expression of philosophical or aesthetic elements than of any practical utility. Most games are played by groups of people in the real world today, although computer games have been developed for use in military applications. The object of a game is to achieve a set objective, with minimal interaction between the players.
Computer games developed by companies such as Electronic Arts, Zynga, Playfish and Microsoft also fall under the category of board games. There are literally thousands of board games available on the market, and the number is growing. There are hundreds of computer games that involve racing or battles, and they are becoming popular with children who prefer to play on their own rather than with friends or family. Computer games involving strategy are also growing in popularity. In recent years there has been a resurgence in the popularity of board games, both because they are getting more sophisticated and because they can be played by large numbers of people using high-speed internet connections.
A game is played between two or more players. Board games are usually solitaire, where each player acts independently, either trying to win the game outright, or attempting to solve a problem that faces all of them simultaneously. Most board games can be easily explained to anyone, even to beginners, because all of the basic strategies are immediately obvious. For example, a simple two-person game of charades would require that each player place his card face up, so that everyone knows what the other is looking for. Of course, the more complex a game is, the more subtlety the rules may need to be, and the more that may need to be hidden from the players.
Two-person games are often less competitive, as it’s easy to keep track of the scores. Two-man or two-woman games are more competitive, however, because the players must work together in order to beat the other person. One person can’t score as much as the other, but they must work together in order to reduce the score to zero. Generally, two-man or two-woman zero-sum games require careful strategy to emerge victorious.
When it comes to pure strategies, a game such as the classic “Texas Holdem” or the newer “Texas Holdem High Poker” are very popular. In these games, a regular round of betting is followed by the players striking specific cards. Although this game may seem simple, the winning strategy varies widely depending on the variation of the game. There are four general poker rules: pre-flop betting, post-flop betting, flop play, and folding. In pure strategies, it’s best to avoid betting when you don’t have to, unless you have strong hands. Pre-flop betting requires knowledge of when to bet with a high limit, when to stay out of the pot entirely, and when to bet out if you’re fairly sure you have the best hand.
To further complicate things, there’s the matter of whether to play the flop or the turn. In the latter case, it’s usually better to bet the money rather than the quality of the hand, as with the traditional two-person game. However, if you’re going for pure strategies, then it’s best to stick with the flop, especially with a full house. In the end, the most important thing is to create an optimal mix of pure strategies.