# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=32 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 33 --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 17](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234 "2024-01-03T21:43:36Z")
Things we learned last weekend: The Ravens are now clear Super Bowl favorites The Niners are not Lamar Jackson made a strong case for MVP Brock Purdy did not The Browns are officially a Good Team The Chiefs are not The… --- ## [In American football, can you tackle someone by their hair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-american-football-can-you-tackle-someone-by-their-hair/994999)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-american-football-can-you-tackle-someone-by-their-hair/994999 "2024-01-03T01:30:03Z")
I suspect you cannot, but what is the penalty? mmm --- ## [2023 \[THEMED\] Celebrity Death Pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-themed-celebrity-death-pool/975921)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-themed-celebrity-death-pool/975921 "2024-01-02T14:31:08Z")
NOTE: As we started in 2019, Themed Death Pool Lists will be posted and tracked in a separate thread. If you are looking for the 2023 Celebrity Death Pool thread, click here phungi (aka: the Death Shroom) checking in as… --- ## [Megan Rapinoe is retiring from football](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/megan-rapinoe-is-retiring-from-football/993119)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2024, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/megan-rapinoe-is-retiring-from-football/993119 "2024-01-01T10:11:49Z")
It’s always best to go out on top while you’re young enough to enjoy it. --- ## [Question about football (kinda)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-football-kinda/995145)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-football-kinda/995145 "2024-01-01T01:31:55Z")
At halftime, what do the people in the stands watch instead of less-agile millionaires yammering away like the folks stuck at home have to? --- ## [Recommend a game similar to Civ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-game-similar-to-civ/995280)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2023, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-game-similar-to-civ/995280 "2023-12-30T10:49:12Z")
I’d like one that’s more fantasy-ish, though. I have a hunger for empire-building, but nothing too deep into the tiny details. --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-16/994895)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-16/994895 "2023-12-29T22:05:50Z")
Last week’s results meant that the playoff picture became clearer at the top and bottom, but much more muddled in the middle. The Ravens, Niners, Cowboys, and Eagles have all clinched playoff spots; the Chiefs, Dolphins… --- ## [Help me learn Backgammon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-learn-backgammon/986198)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-learn-backgammon/986198 "2023-12-29T19:04:40Z")
OK, I don’t mean ‘help me learn’ as in, "I’m going to drop everything so I can learn this game’. I just have too many other things to do. But I would like some help learning the game. I’ve read the rules, I’ve downloa… --- ## [Measuring time of possession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-time-of-possession/995301)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-time-of-possession/995301 "2023-12-29T15:01:25Z")
How is time of possession measured when: The play clock starts at 10:00. After 8 seconds, the quarterback throws an interception and the former defense runs it back for a touchdown that takes 10 seconds? Does all time… --- ## [Chess Q: 3 pawns vs. Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-q-3-pawns-vs-knight/995091)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-q-3-pawns-vs-knight/995091 "2023-12-29T14:16:52Z")
King and three pawns vs King and Knight The three pawns are on their starting squares and connected. Their king is behind them. The other king and knight are centralized but in front of them basically in the middle of t… --- ## [NFL Playoff scenarios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-scenarios/995120)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-scenarios/995120 "2023-12-28T05:13:32Z")
Two weeks left to go and here is where we are at. NFC - 4 teams clinched & 7 teams competing for 3 spots. Unless something really wacky happens the wild cards will be three of these teams Tampa Bay 8-7 Los Angeles Ra… --- ## [VR Games discussion thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-games-discussion-thread/932572)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-games-discussion-thread/932572 "2023-12-27T17:07:24Z")
We’ve had some scattered threads a little bit about VR, but I’d be interested in discussing the games that are available. I suspect there are a lot of new VR users who got an Oculus Quest 2 recently (including myself). … --- ## [Steam Trolls Players With Bans Wrapped Up Like Christmas Presents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-trolls-players-with-bans-wrapped-up-like-christmas-presents/995143)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-trolls-players-with-bans-wrapped-up-like-christmas-presents/995143 "2023-12-27T00:26:30Z")
Link Video game companies have gotten very creative when it comes to punishing cheaters, from cutting their parachutes’ strings in Call of Duty to blowing them up in Grand Theft Auto Online. But Valve just set a new be… --- ## [Any high School or College Wrestlers here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-school-or-college-wrestlers-here/995072)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-school-or-college-wrestlers-here/995072 "2023-12-25T18:23:31Z")
I just have some questions about the sport. I know that wrestling involves a lot of technique, but is a lot of the technique built on things we do somewhat instinctively when wrestling? I have watched dogs and cats’ wres… --- ## [Most successful siblings (of 3 or more) in sports history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-siblings-of-3-or-more-in-sports-history/993926)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-siblings-of-3-or-more-in-sports-history/993926 "2023-12-23T20:34:45Z")
Watching 2 of the 3 Hughes brothers playing for the NJ Devils recently made me consider this question. Quinn, Jack and Luke were all drafted in the top 7 of the NHL draft and off to great starts to their hockey careers,… --- ## [Autobattler Games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autobattler-games/994890)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autobattler-games/994890 "2023-12-22T16:47:52Z")
So I have heard about this genre of games where, by my understanding (and please correct me if I am wrong), you essentially program your moves in advance and then let it fly and hope to do better than your opponent. I t… --- ## [Which conferences get to participate in the College Football Playoff national championship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-conferences-get-to-participate-in-the-college-football-playoff-national-championship/975638)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-conferences-get-to-participate-in-the-college-football-playoff-national-championship/975638 "2023-12-22T03:18:14Z")
For the last 8 years, the only conferences that have been in the college football playoff national championship have been the ACC, Big Ten, PAC-12 and SEC. If a team from one of the other conferences (American Athleti… --- ## [Explain a cryptic crossword clue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-a-cryptic-crossword-clue/944568)
**Author:** [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-a-cryptic-crossword-clue/944568 "2023-12-21T02:04:07Z")
I’m not sure what forum to put this in. Mods, feel free to move it. I’ve been working on British cryptic crosswords for a while, specifically from the London Times. I find them very challenging but I can usually figure… --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-15/994557)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-15/994557 "2023-12-20T18:42:50Z")
The bye weeks are gone, and every team has played 13 games with 4 left to play. The playoff picture, as usual, is far from settled. Once again, all lines are taken from DraftKings. Thursday night: Chargers @ Raiders … --- ## [Solitaire Chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitaire-chess/993989)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2023, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitaire-chess/993989 "2023-12-19T05:49:40Z")
On my favorite puzzle site, there’s a new (at least to them and me) kind of Chess problem: Solitaire Chess. The rules are straightforward: Pieces move as standard chess pieces. You can perform only capture moves. You … --- ## [Scorigami-related football rules question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scorigami-related-football-rules-question/994749)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2023, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scorigami-related-football-rules-question/994749 "2023-12-19T00:54:45Z")
I recently re-watched the video in which Jon Bois explains his Scorigami concept. One feature of this is his explanation of how a game could have a final score of 6 - 1. It requires a safety against the scoring team on… --- ## [You can only play one video game for the rest of your life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-play-one-video-game-for-the-rest-of-your-life/994058)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-play-one-video-game-for-the-rest-of-your-life/994058 "2023-12-17T14:53:52Z")
You’ve been given life without parole in solitary confinement for your crimes. Your lawyer has managed to get you one major concession: you have access to a computer and a single offline game of your choice. You will n… --- ## [Let's make some fandom Clue(do) editions!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-make-some-fandom-clue-do-editions/994075)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-make-some-fandom-clue-do-editions/994075 "2023-12-17T01:22:53Z")
Over in the NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 3) thread, there’s a bit of a hijack related to Clue(do). I figure, “What the hey? Let’s see what the Teeming Millions can come up with for various themed editions … --- ## [Do you have trouble being mean/evil in video games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-trouble-being-mean-evil-in-video-games/993718)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-trouble-being-mean-evil-in-video-games/993718 "2023-12-16T21:07:29Z")
I always struggle to play the bad guy in many RPGs and such. I can play the “bad good guy” (and I’ll happily be a good Necromancer), but not intentionally cruel or evil. Do you have issues with this, or is “being bad” no… --- ## [Football: Can I order games a la carte?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-can-i-order-games-a-la-carte/994655)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-can-i-order-games-a-la-carte/994655 "2023-12-15T21:48:51Z")
There’s only a few games I’m interested in watching. I really don’t want to buy a package. My devices are firestick and PS4 if that matters. Thanks. --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 14 days in a fortnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-14-days-in-a-fortnight/994206)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-14-days-in-a-fortnight/994206 "2023-12-13T15:23:29Z")
The playoff hunt is now officially in high gear, and races are tightening up in both conferences. There’s a massive matchup in the NFC East, while the Jaguars may have to protect their slim lead without their starting q… --- ## [E3 cancels 2023 event, leaving Los Angeles without a major gaming convention ...is it finally dead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e3-cancels-2023-event-leaving-los-angeles-without-a-major-gaming-convention-is-it-finally-dead/982069)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e3-cancels-2023-event-leaving-los-angeles-without-a-major-gaming-convention-is-it-finally-dead/982069 "2023-12-13T00:35:07Z")
It was canceled again but this time because it seems all the major players wouldn’t have been there this year … and well it seems it’s been hurling towards a demise for the past decade or so between competing shows and t… --- ## [Rogue Trader (PC, Owlcat Games)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rogue-trader-pc-owlcat-games/994259)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rogue-trader-pc-owlcat-games/994259 "2023-12-11T17:37:29Z")
Out today on Steam. Most of the early buzz I’ve seen has been good, though PC Gamer somehow scored it lower than Gollum, maybe as a way of proving that scoring systems for games are absolutely useless. Owlcat made the P… --- ## [Golf ball rollback announced](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golf-ball-rollback-announced/994190)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golf-ball-rollback-announced/994190 "2023-12-11T04:02:48Z")
USGA/R&A make it official, announce golf ball rollback for all golfers The several golf boards I’ve scanned reveal that the vast majority of amateur golfers are up in arms, as are many pros: PGA Tour players torch gove… --- ## [Have you read the Connie Mack trilogy by Norman Macht?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-read-the-connie-mack-trilogy-by-norman-macht/994375)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-read-the-connie-mack-trilogy-by-norman-macht/994375 "2023-12-10T18:00:11Z")
Mods: I put this in the game room rather than the café as the topic is about baseball and 700 page books on early baseball history are definitely a niche interest. As the weather gets colder and baseball season seems… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=33)