# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=142 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 143 --- ## [Match 3 games without microtransactions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/match-3-games-without-microtransactions/798747)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/match-3-games-without-microtransactions/798747 "2017-10-17T15:36:38Z")
Match 3 games. There are hundreds of thousands of them out there, 99% of them little more than slightly different copies of each other, and 99% of those are little more than flimsy attempts to leech money out of you a b… --- ## [NFL Week 6](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-6/798941)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-6/798941 "2017-10-17T14:23:33Z")
Thursday Eagles 28, Panthers 23 Sunday early CHI @ BAL GB @ MIN SF @ WAS DET @ NO MIA @ ATL CLE @ HOU NE @ NYJ Sunday late TB @ ARI LAR @ JAX LAC @ OAK PIT @ KC SNF NYG @ DEN MNF IND @ TEN I can’t stop… --- ## [Unthinkable: Argentina fail to Qualify for Russia 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unthinkable-argentina-fail-to-qualify-for-russia-2018/798125)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unthinkable-argentina-fail-to-qualify-for-russia-2018/798125 "2017-10-16T18:10:25Z")
They need a victory in Quito, Ecuador. In the very high altitude. Where they haven’t won in their last three matches. I predict they don’t qualify and this is also an indictment of Mess I as a world class player. CR7, f… --- ## [What does "drop a safety" mean in American football?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-drop-a-safety-mean-in-american-football/798872)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-drop-a-safety-mean-in-american-football/798872 "2017-10-15T02:11:10Z")
This guy in the sports bar that I go loves to mention this when watching college football.I know he’s referring to the safety position on defense, not the two point play. --- ## [Massive Academic Fraud--Univ. North Carolina--Athletes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-academic-fraud-univ-north-carolina-athletes/702224)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-academic-fraud-univ-north-carolina-athletes/702224 "2017-10-13T17:31:03Z")
It’s shocking that more than half of these were non-athletes (everyone can surely understand that athletes have more important things to do than attend classes)!!! --- ## ["Sweet Caroline" and Fenway Park](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-caroline-and-fenway-park/655926)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-caroline-and-fenway-park/655926 "2017-10-13T14:05:04Z")
Since yesterday, the news is flooded with reports of playing the song “Sweet Caroline” at sporting events, as solidarity with Fenway Park in Boston. I gathered from these reports that it has been a sort of anthem for Bos… --- ## [2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles, 2024 to Paris](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2028-summer-olympics-to-los-angeles-2024-to-paris/792543)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2028-summer-olympics-to-los-angeles-2024-to-paris/792543 "2017-10-12T19:29:38Z")
I wonder how much Los Angeles will end up losing on the games? --- ## [Team celebrations after playoff victories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-celebrations-after-playoff-victories/798587)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-celebrations-after-playoff-victories/798587 "2017-10-12T15:12:20Z")
A friend on FB asked me a question that I can’t answer, but I figure you folks here can. He and I are both pretty huge baseball fans (though he’s one of the grumpiest “fans” I know), and he was commenting on the fact th… --- ## [Sports teams with the most name changes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-teams-with-the-most-name-changes/798078)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-teams-with-the-most-name-changes/798078 "2017-10-11T12:59:28Z")
I was looking at the Wikipedia entry on the Atlanta Braves, and noticed that the team has had a lot of name changes: Atlanta Braves (1966–present) Milwaukee Braves (1953–1965) Boston Braves (1941–1952) Boston Bees (1… --- ## [NFL Week 5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/798301)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/798301 "2017-10-10T19:37:42Z")
SenorBeef usually posts this, and I’ve waited for him to, but it’s a half hour until kickoff(s), so here it is. I don’t know where he gets the game schedule with the odds and such so I’ll leave that to someone else. Al… --- ## [MLB and the shift](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-the-shift/798311)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-the-shift/798311 "2017-10-10T17:59:34Z")
There may not be an infinite number of variations on the shift, but there are quite a few. And the placement may change as per the ball, strike count during the course of a batter. Does the defense receive placement i… --- ## [Question about online game design (specifically, backgammon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-online-game-design-specifically-backgammon/797431)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-online-game-design-specifically-backgammon/797431 "2017-10-10T12:58:56Z")
I love backgammon and can play it endlessly. I am hooked on a particular online version, but I am suspicious about one aspect of it. The player is able to choose his level against the computer - beginner, advanced, and … --- ## [LaVar Ball:Egomaniac Pulls Son out of High School](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lavar-ball-egomaniac-pulls-son-out-of-high-school/797881)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lavar-ball-egomaniac-pulls-son-out-of-high-school/797881 "2017-10-10T11:38:09Z")
…because he doesn’t like the basketball coach. The son is happy because he no longer has ‘book work’ and can concentrate on basketball. :smack: LaVar home-schooling LaMelo; ‘no distractions’ LaVar Ball -- Homeschooling … --- ## [Assassin's Creed series Gripe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassins-creed-series-gripe/797604)
**Author:** [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassins-creed-series-gripe/797604 "2017-10-09T13:22:13Z")
Am I alone in thinking that the Assassin’s Creed series would be soooo much better if the present time plot point was removed? I love the games, but only when I’m playing as the assassin during the past. The wall runni… --- ## [jacks or better strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jacks-or-better-strategy/798147)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jacks-or-better-strategy/798147 "2017-10-08T21:27:08Z")
In a Mensa book, a chart ranks hands to keep in playing Jacks or Better video poker highest to lowest. One hand lists simply “Two high cards: unsuited (when you have three don’t keep the ace)” My question is Why do the… --- ## [Finally want to get into Skyrim...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-want-to-get-into-skyrim/797749)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-want-to-get-into-skyrim/797749 "2017-10-07T03:22:46Z")
So, questions: How many mods were made incompatible by the recent round of patches released in the last year or so? Have most incompatibilities now been rectified (on either end)? Fave mods? I was most intrigued … --- ## [Games with Mandarin Chinese audio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-with-mandarin-chinese-audio/797790)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-with-mandarin-chinese-audio/797790 "2017-10-06T13:42:19Z")
Considering that almost 1.4 billion people live in China, and video games are very popular, very few titles bother to have full mandarin Chinese translations. (OK, I know…because piracy is rife and technically games cons… --- ## [What sort of QB job would Colin Kaepernick be willing to take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-qb-job-would-colin-kaepernick-be-willing-to-take/797978)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-qb-job-would-colin-kaepernick-be-willing-to-take/797978 "2017-10-05T16:37:35Z")
Putting it here because sports, but really a GQ. Please refrain from political discussion. It is completely unprecedented for a QB of Kaepernick’s quality to go unsigned in free agency, so it is tempting to assume he ha… --- ## [Guild Wars 2 is better than ever!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guild-wars-2-is-better-than-ever/797872)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guild-wars-2-is-better-than-ever/797872 "2017-10-05T02:46:58Z")
I see threads for WoW and others, but haven’t seen any talk about GW2 in awhile. Has anyone been playing the new expansion, Path of Fire? It’s pretty amazing, with the ability to use mounts and new specializations for ch… --- ## [Crossout -- Ridiculously fun F2P game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossout-ridiculously-fun-f2p-game/797976)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossout-ridiculously-fun-f2p-game/797976 "2017-10-04T19:14:50Z")
Dunno if any here have tried it yet or not but if not you should give Crossout a look. In short it is a F2P team game where you drive a truck with weapons on it and shoot the other team in various game modes with some d… --- ## [NFL Week 4](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-4/797544)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-4/797544 "2017-10-03T14:04:17Z")
Thursday Bears @ Packers -7, 45.5 Sunday London 9:30 eastern Saints @ Dolphins +3, 49.5 Sunday 1pm Panthers @ Patriots -9, 48.5 Rams @ Cowboys -7.5, 46 Lions @ Vikings -2, 42.5 Titans @ Texans +1.5, 44 Jaguars @… --- ## [The Major League Baseball Awards Thread: MVP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-major-league-baseball-awards-thread-mvp/797810)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2017, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-major-league-baseball-awards-thread-mvp/797810 "2017-10-03T12:38:02Z")
It’s the end of the MLB regular season, and time to argue over who should win the major awards. Please post a 10-player ballot, basing MVP on the criteria of your choice. Rank your choices from #1 (the most valuable pl… --- ## [Does anyone bowl anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-bowl-anymore/775273)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-bowl-anymore/775273 "2016-12-26T15:52:41Z")
I found an interesting article called The Fading Glory of Bowling, which discusses the sports decline. Around here I know of several alleys which have closed. Nobody I know is on a league or plays often. The last time I… --- ## [CFL : Riders win by a rouge.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-riders-win-by-a-rouge/797650)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-riders-win-by-a-rouge/797650 "2017-10-03T02:31:05Z")
So, the Riders had an ugly game last night, but they pulled it out on a rouge. Score in the 3rd quarter was 17-0 for Ottawa. But then the Riders found some zip, and by late in the fourth, the score was tied 17-17 (one k… --- ## [Have You Ever Done An Escape Room? Was It Worth It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-done-an-escape-room-was-it-worth-it/795175)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-done-an-escape-room-was-it-worth-it/795175 "2017-10-02T18:06:58Z")
I’ve been thinking about giving the one in St. Louis a try if and when I ever have some money and time. I love puzzles and cheesy games, so why not? Have you ever done one of these things? Was it worth the time and mone… --- ## [Roulette - best place to put a free bet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roulette-best-place-to-put-a-free-bet/796970)
**Author:** [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roulette-best-place-to-put-a-free-bet/796970 "2017-10-02T15:37:51Z")
My local casino sends me a free bet voucher most months. You can use it for any table game, but I tend to go for roulette as it’s quick and easy. If your free bet wins, you get the usual payout but you don’t get your sta… --- ## [Batman: Arkham Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-arkham-knight/723277)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-arkham-knight/723277 "2017-10-01T15:50:04Z")
How about it? How does it play compared to previous games? Currently rated as Mostly Negative on Steam, mainly for technical issues. Any idea why the PC version would be capped at 30 FPS? --- ## [JUMBLE - that scrambled word game (LEBJMU ==\> JUMBLE)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jumble-that-scrambled-word-game-lebjmu-jumble/797094)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2017, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jumble-that-scrambled-word-game-lebjmu-jumble/797094 "2017-10-01T10:26:59Z")
Do you like this game? Are you good at it? I think it is fun and I like to see how quickly I can unscramble the words. If you’re not familiar with the game, here are some examples: https://www.google.com/search?q=jumble… --- ## [MLB - fielder's balk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-fielders-balk/797461)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-fielders-balk/797461 "2017-09-30T18:10:42Z")
I was watching a close play at first where the runner barely got back to base on a pick off attempt. As so often happens, the runner is still face down in the dirt while the first baseman tosses the ball back to the pitc… --- ## [MLB: September 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2017/795238)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 232\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2017/795238 "2017-09-30T17:55:58Z")
August’s thread is here. Welcome to the final month of the regular season! The Dodgers are in a bit of a tail-spin (or a correction for real-world norms), and the Astros just scored Justin Verlander to help them into Oc… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=141) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=143)