# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=158 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 159 --- ## [Can a computer play perfect Scrabble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-computer-play-perfect-scrabble/777942)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2017, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-computer-play-perfect-scrabble/777942 "2017-01-26T08:40:20Z")
My wife and I like to play a Scrabble variant, “Word Chums,” against each other on our phones. While we’re waiting for each other to take turns, we’ll usually also play computer opponents. The computer AIs are ranked i… --- ## [A puzzles IQ book in store I saw today what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-puzzles-iq-book-in-store-i-saw-today-what-is-it/777445)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-puzzles-iq-book-in-store-i-saw-today-what-is-it/777445 "2017-01-25T21:43:12Z")
What kind of memory exercise is this? Some kind of memory exercise work book I saw today at the book store? Is it to improve the person memory? Or is it improve word relationship? I saw number of these workbooks today … --- ## [NCAA Basketball Seeding attempting to mimic CFP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-basketball-seeding-attempting-to-mimic-cfp/778087)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-basketball-seeding-attempting-to-mimic-cfp/778087 "2017-01-25T19:03:19Z")
This will go well…:rolleyes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/01/24/college-basketball-tries-to-be-college-football-will-unveil-early-look-at-top-16-seeds-in-february/?utm\_term=.b13e817af939 CBS … --- ## [What, if Anything, Can Ronda Roussey Do To Be Competitive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-can-ronda-roussey-do-to-be-competitive/778111)
**Author:** [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-can-ronda-roussey-do-to-be-competitive/778111 "2017-01-25T15:57:25Z")
I, personally, don’t think she can do anything. No doubt she can beat most top 15 contenders, some top 10 and maybe one or two top five. But I doubt she will ever hold a title again. Here’s why: She is too loyal: She… --- ## [Donald Trump \*IS\* The Dungeon Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-is-the-dungeon-master/778057)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2017, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-is-the-dungeon-master/778057 "2017-01-25T09:30:22Z")
Many of these are really funny. https://twitter.com/dungeonsdonald --- ## [Nascar 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nascar-2017/778063)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2017, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nascar-2017/778063 "2017-01-25T06:51:41Z")
…or, How I Won The Daytona 500 And Was 15th In The Points NASCAR has decided, in the infinite wisdom that had it increase the number of points the race winner received after too many people complained that if the second… --- ## [Did pro teams ever consist of local players only?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pro-teams-ever-consist-of-local-players-only/777686)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pro-teams-ever-consist-of-local-players-only/777686 "2017-01-24T20:19:34Z")
Looking for a factual answer, so please don’t move it to the Games thread. Pro team players today come from all over the country, and for some from all over the world. Back when, say, the NBA or NFL were in their infanc… --- ## [NHL Conference standings: why are the Rangers in seventh place . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-conference-standings-why-are-the-rangers-in-seventh-place/777476)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-conference-standings-why-are-the-rangers-in-seventh-place/777476 "2017-01-24T19:40:03Z")
. . . when two teams above them have fewer points. I first thought the conference standings here were wrong, but have confirmed them on a couple of other sites. I get that Columbus and Montreal are seeded 1-2 because t… --- ## [Can a virus/malware damage a video card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-virus-malware-damage-a-video-card/775952)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-virus-malware-damage-a-video-card/775952 "2017-01-24T18:07:19Z")
Posting this here since it’s where all the gaming PC gurus hang out. Short version - my daughter loaded a mod on Sims 4 on my Windows 10 PC. As soon as she tried to use the mod (a new hairstyle I believe) the PC reboote… --- ## [Chargers Moving to L.A.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chargers-moving-to-l-a/776942)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chargers-moving-to-l-a/776942 "2017-01-22T21:12:11Z")
Not that it comes as a great surprise, but it looks like the Chargers ownership may announce the move as soon as Thursday. It would be a hoot if they became more popular than the Rams. --- ## [2017 Baseball Hall of Fame Voting Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-baseball-hall-of-fame-voting-thread/772749)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2017, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-baseball-hall-of-fame-voting-thread/772749 "2017-01-22T08:46:25Z")
The 2017 ballot for the Hall of Fame is out. Poll to follow. \*\*Please vote for between five and ten players. \*\* (The writers can vote for no one at all, but let’s get a little aggressive here just for fun.) No more t… --- ## [Espn and the Tennis channel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-and-the-tennis-channel/777749)
**Author:** [@Vicsage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicsage)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-and-the-tennis-channel/777749 "2017-01-21T22:33:26Z")
Why do ESPN and the Tennis channel keep showing the same matches over and over again? Last night and into the morning ESPN showed the Nadal match. Later this morning, they showed it again. Now The Tennis channel is… --- ## [Which sport has the biggest/smallest difference between college and pro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-sport-has-the-biggest-smallest-difference-between-college-and-pro/776891)
**Author:** [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2017, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-sport-has-the-biggest-smallest-difference-between-college-and-pro/776891 "2017-01-21T08:37:20Z")
Well, another college football NCG is in the books. Which is usually about the time for the annual “Could the college champs beat the worst team in the NFL?” thread. (Although this year it’s different because it’s “Could… --- ## [Some Chicago guys dropped by...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-chicago-guys-dropped-by/777343)
**Author:** [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-chicago-guys-dropped-by/777343 "2017-01-19T21:15:32Z")
…to see another Chicago guy today. I’m glad the Cubbies made it to DC for their winner’s visit to the White House while there was still a Prez with Chicago ties on hand to greet them. (This isn’t a statement of politi… --- ## [Hasbro engages in tokenism!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hasbro-engages-in-tokenism/776836)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hasbro-engages-in-tokenism/776836 "2017-01-19T16:02:33Z")
Monopoly tokens, that is. :smiley: It looks like any and/or all of the standard Monopoly tokens could be taken off the board(so to speak), depending on how the votes go. Some of the possible replacements are a rubber … --- ## [Old 80s Computer Game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-80s-computer-game/777269)
**Author:** [@holtydolty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holtydolty)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2017, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-80s-computer-game/777269 "2017-01-18T02:49:34Z")
Help! I played an old point and click adventure game. Grayscale. I remember looking around a mansion or castle in the beginning and it was not until I walked through a painting did the adventure begin. I have been searc… --- ## [SDMB Hall of Fame Project: Second Basemen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-hall-of-fame-project-second-basemen/776147)
**Author:** [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-hall-of-fame-project-second-basemen/776147 "2017-01-17T21:05:13Z")
Welcome back to the SDMB Baseball Hall of Fame Project. In this round, we will be voting on Second Basemen. Previous Threads: Part One: The Inner Circle Part Two: Catchers Part Three: First Basemen All players who p… --- ## [Thoroughbred Racehorses and Dogs; Show Animals; And Their Unusual Names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoroughbred-racehorses-and-dogs-show-animals-and-their-unusual-names/777243)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoroughbred-racehorses-and-dogs-show-animals-and-their-unusual-names/777243 "2017-01-17T19:27:26Z")
Animals whose parentage and lineage is important (thoroughbred racehorses and dogs; dogs and cats that are shown at dog & cat shows; etc.) have weird names, like Nan’s Pierce Arrow or Ussery’s Alley. Those names have som… --- ## [Football Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q/777295)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q/777295 "2017-01-16T21:21:34Z")
Ok, imagine it’s Green Bay’s last play before the game-winning FG. And let’s say that they have one time out. Now say they make that reception in the middle of the field. Now as far as I know, a receiver can’t just th… --- ## [Kicking plays in football: Are there more penalties called than in previous years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kicking-plays-in-football-are-there-more-penalties-called-than-in-previous-years/777197)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2017, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kicking-plays-in-football-are-there-more-penalties-called-than-in-previous-years/777197 "2017-01-15T07:36:11Z")
Is it just me or are the refs in American football (both college and pro) getting more and more flag happy on kickoffs and punt returns? ISTM that more often than not, they’re calling either holding or illegal block in … --- ## [NFL overtime question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-overtime-question/776556)
**Author:** [@Vicsage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicsage)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-overtime-question/776556 "2017-01-15T01:41:56Z")
If I start overtime with an on-side kick and recover it, can I then win with a field goal? Does the other teams flubbing the on-side kick count as their possession? --- ## [The Last Guardian \[spoilers are inevitable\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-guardian-spoilers-are-inevitable/776896)
**Author:** [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-guardian-spoilers-are-inevitable/776896 "2017-01-13T17:20:15Z")
It’s a bit odd for me to start this thread, since I haven’t played the game and–not having a PS4–will probably never play the game (unless and until it becomes practical to emulate it). Instead, I’ve watched people play … --- ## [Trying to remember the name of a toy from 1960s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-the-name-of-a-toy-from-1960s/766674)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-the-name-of-a-toy-from-1960s/766674 "2017-01-13T02:31:42Z")
It was a plastic box with a handle at the top that you would put scrolls inside and the box acted like a frame. Turn the knob at the top of the box and the scroll would roll up; turn the knob at the bottom and the scrol… --- ## [Idea for a Firefly video game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-a-firefly-video-game/776912)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-a-firefly-video-game/776912 "2017-01-12T19:39:47Z")
I saw this thread in Cafe Society, and it struck me that a Firefly video game could be very cool, use the universe in an interesting way, without stomping all over the show or adding new, but not necessarily good, materi… --- ## [Toy Store Thunderdome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toy-store-thunderdome/755189)
**Author:** [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toy-store-thunderdome/755189 "2017-01-12T18:37:09Z")
Oh hell, why not?! Toy Store Thunderdome! One toy. Think it over. What one toy could you use as a weapon. These are probably going to be slow painful deaths, but it’ll be fun! --- ## [Another "Is this riddle fair?" thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-is-this-riddle-fair-thread/776904)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-is-this-riddle-fair-thread/776904 "2017-01-12T17:53:39Z")
The daily puzzle on another site: So I figured out the volume of the box and I was trying to estimate how many pennies would fit in that volume. And I was thinking “This is an unusually difficult puzzle for this site a… --- ## [NCAA Football playoff thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-football-playoff-thread/773759)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-football-playoff-thread/773759 "2017-01-12T15:42:59Z")
Any level allowed. For FBS: WASHINGTON DESTROYED COLORADO!!! I don’t think Michigan has any argument to get in and Washing is set no matter what happens today. Big Question is does the Big 10 have any chance to get i… --- ## [Just how big is video gaming going to get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-big-is-video-gaming-going-to-get/773046)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-big-is-video-gaming-going-to-get/773046 "2017-01-11T22:37:20Z")
How will video gaming grow and deepen? Is it going to largely displace sports and sports watching? Will middle-aged dads get together on Sundays to play video games and watch Twitch while eating BBQ in the same way they… --- ## [VR Headset Controller](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-headset-controller/776736)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2017, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-headset-controller/776736 "2017-01-11T00:50:47Z")
I have a Samsung S7 and an inexpensive VR headset that I bought direct from China. Cost about $9. It works fine with the phone. I’ve used it with Google Cardboard and Cardboard camera. No problems at all. I’ve seen afte… --- ## [Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/master-of-orion-conquer-the-stars/776744)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/master-of-orion-conquer-the-stars/776744 "2017-01-10T18:41:23Z")
Has anyone played this game? It came out a few months ago and seems to have decent reviews, but I had somehow missed it. I loved MOO2 (20 years ago!) and recently started playing it again, and it’s still a lot of fun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=157) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=159)