# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=247 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 248 --- ## [Other countries that don't care much about soccer/football?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-countries-that-dont-care-much-about-soccer-football/690921)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-countries-that-dont-care-much-about-soccer-football/690921 "2014-06-21T05:43:39Z")
The whole world is mad about football - except for us here in the United States. At least that’s the impression we get from the press. It’s a little hard to believe; surely there are other parts of the world where soccer… --- ## [Titanfall on PC free to play this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/titanfall-on-pc-free-to-play-this-weekend/691236)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/titanfall-on-pc-free-to-play-this-weekend/691236 "2014-06-20T22:38:23Z")
it hasn’t showed up on the origin Free Games page yet for me (Origin for macOS - Electronic Arts). --- ## [RAAM bicycle race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raam-bicycle-race/691172)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2014, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raam-bicycle-race/691172 "2014-06-20T00:35:21Z")
Underway right now. Kind of caught me napping this year – mostly I follow it to see how the recumbent riders are doing (there are almost always one or two). Pretty brutal, these soloists ride 250+ miles a day just to fi… --- ## [Verbal games for a long roadtrip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verbal-games-for-a-long-roadtrip/691011)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2014, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verbal-games-for-a-long-roadtrip/691011 "2014-06-19T23:55:03Z")
I’ll be spending a few days on the road with one other person. One of us will always be driving, so we can’t do anything that involves hands or extended visual attention. So we’re looking for ideas for games that can be … --- ## [I watched Super Bowl VII yesterday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-watched-super-bowl-vii-yesterday/690927)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-watched-super-bowl-vii-yesterday/690927 "2014-06-19T04:17:18Z")
Yesterday, the NFL network broadcast Super Bowl VII, played January 14, 1973, between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. Miami won the game 14-7, thereby completing the only undefeated season in NFL history… --- ## [The L.A. Kings are {bleep}ing incredible!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-a-kings-are-bleep-ing-incredible/689814)
**Author:** [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-a-kings-are-bleep-ing-incredible/689814 "2014-06-19T01:03:42Z")
I have stated elsewhere that, in principle, I am generally against teams from L.A. A LOT. But the L.A. Kings deserve kudos for the second time in three seasons. Two years ago it was for winning every single road playoff … --- ## [Why does the Catcher's Balk rule exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-catchers-balk-rule-exist/558701)
**Author:** [@xcalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xcalibre)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-catchers-balk-rule-exist/558701 "2014-06-19T00:37:32Z")
So my friends and I last night got into the age old debate about the number of legal ways to get to first base. One of the points of contention is the catcher’s balk rule. My friend pointed out that a “catcher’s balk” is… --- ## [The U.S. Open](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-open/690736)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-open/690736 "2014-06-17T21:41:58Z")
This is the way it’s supposed to be. Find a tough course and let the players play. The natural rough isn’t as tough as some thought it would be, but it is so much better than shaving the fairways down to bowling alley … --- ## [Ever played "Pictionary"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-played-pictionary/690395)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-played-pictionary/690395 "2014-06-17T19:28:02Z")
This game has been around for 20 years now and I’m sure most of us have played it. Do you like playing it? Do you have any interesting experiences with it? I’ve find it interesting to play with people who really are a… --- ## [Random book story game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-book-story-game/690998)
**Author:** [@HelloKindWorld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKindWorld)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-book-story-game/690998 "2014-06-17T19:10:53Z")
So, I’m developing an idea for a game here… it involves grabbing the nearest book, opening to a random page, and then posting whichever sentence or short passage (?) from that page that best continues from the previous p… --- ## [2015 FIFA Women's World Cup: How Does It Look for the USWNT?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-fifa-womens-world-cup-how-does-it-look-for-the-uswnt/690985)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-fifa-womens-world-cup-how-does-it-look-for-the-uswnt/690985 "2014-06-17T14:59:23Z")
During last night’s USA-Ghana match, the ESPN feed showed some reaction shots from various locales - a bar here, a US military base there. One shot was of the USWNT watching the game from… somewhere. It looks like the U… --- ## [More goals at the World Cup...fluke or trend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-goals-at-the-world-cup-fluke-or-trend/690866)
**Author:** [@Cognoscant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cognoscant)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-goals-at-the-world-cup-fluke-or-trend/690866 "2014-06-17T12:44:54Z")
Not that I–or probably anyone else–mind, but it’s already clear that there has been a significant increase in scoring at the World Cup this year. Honestly having watched the World Cup over the past 20 years or so I didn… --- ## [E3 2014 thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e3-2014-thread/690469)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e3-2014-thread/690469 "2014-06-17T12:01:13Z")
Wow. It’s been a very low key E3 so far with no huge announcements and no previously unknown games of note being revealed. Microsoft changed their format to be 100% about the games. Little Big Planet 3 was announced for… --- ## [Which US City is Larger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-city-is-larger/689873)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-city-is-larger/689873 "2014-06-17T04:39:36Z")
US City Population Game. Which City has the larger population (Just the city not the metro area)? (Just for fun, no other real reason to do this). Columbus, OH or Seattle, WA Denver, CO or Indianapolis, IN Atlan… --- ## [MLB Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hall-of-famer-tony-gwynn-has-died/690910)
**Author:** [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hall-of-famer-tony-gwynn-has-died/690910 "2014-06-17T04:27:07Z")
Story here. He was 54. One of my all time favorite players. Sad loss for the game today. --- ## [Hockey and Soccer questions (similar issues)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-and-soccer-questions-similar-issues/690934)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-and-soccer-questions-similar-issues/690934 "2014-06-17T02:33:15Z")
Sometimes, when time is about to expire, a hockey team will pull its goalie and add another scorer to try and even things up. I don’t watch hockey that much so how often does that gamble pay off and the team scores? I’… --- ## [NBA Playoffs 2014](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-playoffs-2014/687016)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 212\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-playoffs-2014/687016 "2014-06-16T20:56:22Z")
We’re pretty deep into the 1st round already. As of right now: EAST Atlanta 2 - Indiana 1 Miami 2 - Charlotte 0 Brooklyn 2 - Toronto 1 Washington 2 - Chicago 1 WEST Dallas 1 - San Antonio 1 Memphis 2 - Oklahoma … --- ## [Do Assassin's Creed's sequels get better than the original?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-assassins-creeds-sequels-get-better-than-the-original/690864)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-assassins-creeds-sequels-get-better-than-the-original/690864 "2014-06-16T17:55:13Z")
I’m up to date on a lot of current games from the last generation, but I somehow did not play any Assassin’s Creed games. I’m a big Prince of Persia fan and also a big action-adventure fan(loved all 3 Batman Arkham games… --- ## [NBA Finals 2014, Poll and general discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-finals-2014-poll-and-general-discussion/690197)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-finals-2014-poll-and-general-discussion/690197 "2014-06-16T17:25:47Z")
Now that we’re at The Finals I thought I’d break off from the Playoffs thread. Plus I wanted to make a poll. It’s public, and when it’s all over we’ll see who was right. --- ## [Gaming laptop - thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-laptop-thoughts/690114)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaming-laptop-thoughts/690114 "2014-06-16T16:34:47Z")
I’m a few clicks away from ordering this, for $1109: Sager NP7378 (Clevo W370SS) 4th Generation Intel® Haswell Core™ i7-4810MQ NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 860M (2.0GB) GDDR5 PCI-Express DX11 w/ Optimus™ Technology 8GB DDR3 … --- ## [Does The World Cup Have an Opening Ceremony?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-world-cup-have-an-opening-ceremony/690577)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-world-cup-have-an-opening-ceremony/690577 "2014-06-16T16:31:26Z")
Based on my TV schedule on Dish Network, it looks like the World Cup just… begins, with Brazil vs. Croatia. No hullaballoo beyond the routine pre-game flag-waving and whatnot. --- ## [Michael Schumacher in coma after skiing accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-schumacher-in-coma-after-skiing-accident/677444)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-schumacher-in-coma-after-skiing-accident/677444 "2014-06-16T16:19:32Z")
Fell and hit his head on a rock while skiing in the Alps. Despite having a helmet, suffered a pretty serious injury that required immediate brain surgery. CNN reports “critical condition”, but the story on the internet s… --- ## [The death of the gaming console and what it means](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-the-gaming-console-and-what-it-means/690568)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-the-gaming-console-and-what-it-means/690568 "2014-06-16T15:47:01Z")
Via the Consumerist website. Two points that I thought of: first, I wonder what this would mean for handheld systems, especially as e-shops for them become more common and storage gets larger in volume and smaller in si… --- ## [Tomb Raider 2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomb-raider-2013/654013)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomb-raider-2013/654013 "2014-06-16T09:22:20Z")
Wow, just finished this after picking it up on release day. I’ve heard others say it’s rather short but for a casual gamer like myself it was perfect for playing in short 30-45 minute segments every or every other day. … --- ## [Fair ball or foul ball?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-ball-or-foul-ball/690456)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-ball-or-foul-ball/690456 "2014-06-16T03:08:34Z")
I’ve never seen this happen, but … Let’s say a line drive goes past first base (or third base) on the foul side of the bag but it hooks or slices and lands in fair territory. Fair ball or foul ball? --- ## [My greatest fantasy baseball team](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-greatest-fantasy-baseball-team/690874)
**Author:** [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2014, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-greatest-fantasy-baseball-team/690874 "2014-06-16T02:14:12Z")
I cannot believe how good this team is. My stats in a 12 man league. Runs 12 points Homeruns 12 points RBI 12 points Stolen bases 8.5 points Average 11 points Wins 12 points Saves 2 points Strikeouts 12 points E… --- ## [Could cocaine use have made Maradona a better player?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cocaine-use-have-made-maradona-a-better-player/690775)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cocaine-use-have-made-maradona-a-better-player/690775 "2014-06-15T23:50:22Z")
This could be a dumb question considering I don’t know much about soccer, or cocaine for that matter - so it stands to reason that I know absolutely nothing about playing soccer while high on cocaine; but some of his fe… --- ## [Chuck Noll has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chuck-noll-has-died/690757)
**Author:** [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chuck-noll-has-died/690757 "2014-06-15T19:18:37Z")
Stories here and here. Chuck was a legend, and there are a million great stories about him. The only coach to win 4 Super Bowls, and a class act on and off the field. Rest in Peace. --- ## [NCAA football playoffs process thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-football-playoffs-process-thoughts/690652)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-football-playoffs-process-thoughts/690652 "2014-06-15T13:45:44Z")
So, how do you think the NCAA football playoffs will work this year? Nebraska Alabama Florida State Auburn Oregon Assume 3-4-5 have 1 loss, Auburn only losing to #2 Alabama. It’s by committee, but what do you imagin… --- ## [Google Translator Telephone game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-translator-telephone-game/688794)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-translator-telephone-game/688794 "2014-06-14T23:37:04Z")
It works like this. You take a well-known passage of text in English and translate it into another language using Google Translator. Then you translate that passage into another language and keep doing so through all the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=246) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=248)