Edwin Wong :: THINK 07-03 :: Top 5 Games… Your Gambling Grandma Would Love!

In “Tales of a Gambling Grandma” (New York Times Notable Book of the Year), Dayal Kaur Khalsa writes about her feisty, Russian-born grandma who came to America and supported her family by playing poker.

Whether it’s Bingo in England, or Mah-Jong closer to home, it seems that many an innocent grandma has been unfairly labeled a “gambler”, something they would fiercely protest. It would then certainly surprise you to learn that most of them play these “gambling games”, not for the money, but because it keeps their minds sharp, hands steady, wits about them, and above all, to socialize with others – things that become increasingly important as one ages in life.

So, the next time you visit your grandma, bring along one of these designer games. I guarantee that she will not only love the game, but her precious grandchild, as well! Nothing wrong with that is there?

1.  Havoc (funagain.com). Forget poker! Every poker player who has tried this gem has fallen in love with it! Havoc recreates the War of the Roses (100 years war), where players have to decide which of the 9 battles they wish to engage. Each battle brings with it different victory points, adding a long-term strategy dimension to the game. Every turn, players choose either to recruit more soldiers, or “Cry Havoc” – call for battle! Other players then, in turn, decide if they wish to join the battle to contest the victory points on hand. To join the battle, players must commit at least 2 cards (soldiers) from their hand, and no more than 6 cards may be played in a battle. Thereafter, players must commit at least 1 card until the limit is reached. Because the scoring follows the system in Poker (ie. highest straight flush beating all other hands), Havoc becomes instantly familiar, yet refreshingly different, to all poker-playing grandmas, although grandpas seem to love this game even more! RM99, online from www.boardgamecafe.net. For a 2-player game along similar lines, try Battleline (GMT).

2.  Colossal Arena (Fantasy Flight). Imagine the Colloseum of Rome, where 8 exotic monsters, each with their own unique skills and abilities, are thrown into the arena to battle each other for your amusement, and crazed spectators leap into the fray to help their favorites! Players place bets on the fantasy creatures they think will triumph, but beware, tension will surely run high as one creature is eliminated each round! Will your favorite prevail? Or will your champion be eliminated, and with it, fortunes lost? RM99, or drop by Toybox, 43A, Jalan 20/16, Petaling Jaya, Selangor (6012-267 5003) to try this unique game experience!

3.  Winner’s Circle (Face2Face). Which grandma wouldn’t fancy being right in the middle of a classic day of racing? Which horse is the favorite? Does the long-shot have a real chance? How high are the betting ratios? Which bet promises the highest profit? Once the field is announced, you must place your bets. You then take turns moving the horse of your choice. Will you advance the horse you are backing or impede those horses backed by the other players? While having multiple players back the same horse improves its odds of winning, it also lowers the payouts, and there are still no guarantees of victory. At the end of the running, the best bets payoff. After 3 races the player with the most winnings is triumphant. RM159 from York House, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Center, KL (603-2287 8133).

4.  Incan Gold (funagain.com). The ultimate “push your luck” game! Now your grandma can imagine being a miner, heading into a ruined temple, attempting to find the most jewels. Every turn, players have to make the same, crucial decision – escape alive and share the loot found so far, or push your luck, dig deeper into the temple, and grab all the extra jewels you find? Of course, if your luck runs out, the temple collapses and you end up with nothing! Lots of fun for up to 8 players. RM99, online from http://web.mac.com/imagine_newszine.

5.  Heck Meck (Zoch). For grandmas who prefer rolling dice than dealing cards, here is the perfect game! In Heck Meck, players start with an empty plate and a really hungry stomach, racing to grab as many roasted worms as they can. Each turn, players roll 8 dice and decide how to push their luck until they can grab a worm off the BBQ pit or an opponent’s plate! But beware, for players who push their luck too far may end up going hungry that turn! RM65, or bring your grandma to Mage Café, 32 Jalan SS22/21, Petaling Jaya, Selangor (6012-331 5777) and grab worms for free!

Remember, all grandma really wants is to enjoy some fun activities with her precious grand children. And beating grandpa at the game! For enquiries, please email imagine_newszine@mac.com.

Next week: Top 5 Games… Guaranteed To Be Chick Magnets!

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