# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=349 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 350 --- ## [Portal map question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portal-map-question/624907)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portal-map-question/624907 "2012-06-12T13:27:40Z")
I downloaded a Portal map called “Escape Alternative” Has anyone here ever finished it? I’m can’t figure out how to actually escape. --- ## [World Cup Qualifying - US vs Antigua](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-qualifying-us-vs-antigua/624567)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-qualifying-us-vs-antigua/624567 "2012-06-12T13:26:31Z")
Streaming the US vs Antigua game right now on ESPN3 (once again - why bother with cable?) What the hell is up with our (by our I mean America) Where’s Waldo uniforms? --- ## [E3 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e3-2012/623984)
**Author:** [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e3-2012/623984 "2012-06-12T00:48:06Z")
Nintendo started the part early with a half hour videofound here. It focuses mostly on the peripherals\* and social gaming\*\* of Wii U. Their main presentation will be on Tuesday. Microsoft and Sony will both go on Monday … --- ## [Highest and lowesat possible WAR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-and-lowesat-possible-war/624851)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2012, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-and-lowesat-possible-war/624851 "2012-06-12T00:29:56Z")
Is there a highest (and lowest) possible WAR for a baseball player? --- ## [How well known is motorbike road-racing in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-known-is-motorbike-road-racing-in-america/624095)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-known-is-motorbike-road-racing-in-america/624095 "2012-06-11T22:03:09Z")
This years Isle of Man TT is coming up shortly and the most famous Road Race on the calender in Northern Ireland, The North-West 200 was held recently. I am not particularly into motorbikes but these events always impre… --- ## [Has Tim Thomas lost his mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tim-thomas-lost-his-mind/624743)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tim-thomas-lost-his-mind/624743 "2012-06-11T16:33:20Z")
I find the Tim Thomas sabbatical to be the strangest story I’ve heard in sports in quite a while. I could understand him deciding to retire. He had a long season last year with the Stanley Cup win and he started 55 game… --- ## [Baseball question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-question/624791)
**Author:** [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-question/624791 "2012-06-11T14:11:47Z")
I don’t really know a lot about baseball but I was at a Visalia Rawhides game today. I missed the kerfuffle that I think happened somewhere near the shortstop but at one point the home plate ump ordered the base runners … --- ## [Starting pitchers doing their side session in game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-pitchers-doing-their-side-session-in-game/624796)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-pitchers-doing-their-side-session-in-game/624796 "2012-06-11T13:58:17Z")
Is there any significant downside to a pitcher doing his “side session” as a relief appearance? IOW-2 days after his start, he’s available to pitch in relief. --- ## [18 WOS AA "suggested route plan"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-wos-aa-suggested-route-plan/624807)
**Author:** [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-wos-aa-suggested-route-plan/624807 "2012-06-11T13:02:55Z")
With regard to the so-called “suggested route plan” in 18 WOS AA whenever you hook up to a load, do you really have to follow the roads that they lay out for you to follow, or can you go any way you want so long as you g… --- ## [Did Baseball Evolve From Cricket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-baseball-evolve-from-cricket/624605)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-baseball-evolve-from-cricket/624605 "2012-06-11T12:52:35Z")
Despite the obvious similarities, the two games are quite different. American baseball became a national sport after the Civil War, so its been around quite some time. And, immigration from England was rather small-the… --- ## [The Heartbreaking Story of FC Start](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-heartbreaking-story-of-fc-start/624794)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-heartbreaking-story-of-fc-start/624794 "2012-06-11T06:54:28Z")
This is a reminder of the power of sport and the sacrifice that a few brave footballers made in the face of Nazi terror. --- ## [Baseball scoring question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-scoring-question/624766)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-scoring-question/624766 "2012-06-11T03:26:53Z")
In the 8th inning of today’s Indians-Cardinals game, Pestano struck out Craig for the third out with the bases loaded. The pitch was in the dirt and Sanatana blocked it. Craig sort of wandered off not running to first. S… --- ## [Soccer may get rid of penalty kicks to decide games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-may-get-rid-of-penalty-kicks-to-decide-games/623293)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-may-get-rid-of-penalty-kicks-to-decide-games/623293 "2012-06-11T01:27:37Z")
Does any other major sport have such a bogus way to decide games in tournaments/playoffs? I know the NHL uses them but not for the playoffs. The solution is simple - make it easier to score and you have way less ne… --- ## [Do you know anyone who says their favorite player is Alex Rodriguez?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-who-says-their-favorite-player-is-alex-rodriguez/621445)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-who-says-their-favorite-player-is-alex-rodriguez/621445 "2012-06-10T18:15:10Z")
I have never met anyone who said this. I’m sure they exist, but I haven’t met them. For a sure-fire HOFer whose numbers will end up high in many offensive categories, is it odd, or is it me? I’ve heard people say Bonds, … --- ## [Why does a stalemate count as a draw in Chess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-stalemate-count-as-a-draw-in-chess/623845)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-stalemate-count-as-a-draw-in-chess/623845 "2012-06-10T16:48:35Z")
I understand the logic behind the threefold repetition draw and the fifty move draw. In those situations, neither player has an advantage and the game is not progressing. But in a stalemate one player is clearly in an i… --- ## [fouling out of NBA games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fouling-out-of-nba-games/624703)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fouling-out-of-nba-games/624703 "2012-06-10T14:51:49Z")
Instead of the current set-up, how about this: fouling out of quarters. You get one free foul per quarter, but your second sits you down for the rest of that quarter. Also applies to OT. This way the first part of each… --- ## [England Vs West Indies Test Series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-vs-west-indies-test-series/622305)
**Author:** [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/england-vs-west-indies-test-series/622305 "2012-06-10T14:28:28Z")
Things are going much as expected so far, the West Indies are putting up a fight without really making it count. Barath is a good case in point. He batted very well against the new ball in tricky, unfamiliar conditions, … --- ## [Famous Fictional Locations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-fictional-locations/623457)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2012, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-fictional-locations/623457 "2012-06-10T08:51:09Z")
Books, movies or television. I’ll start with Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London-who lives there? --- ## [LBJ - Most Versatile Defender Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lbj-most-versatile-defender-ever/624304)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lbj-most-versatile-defender-ever/624304 "2012-06-10T00:33:08Z")
In the current series between his Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, Lebron James has,at different times, matched up against Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett, and not as a result of a switch due to any screen. That is simp… --- ## [No Triple Crown Again This Year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-triple-crown-again-this-year/624526)
**Author:** [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-triple-crown-again-this-year/624526 "2012-06-09T14:50:51Z")
Do horse racing threads go here? I’ll Have Another has been scratched from the Belmont for tendonitis. :frowning: I don’t really follow horse racing all that much, but was hoping for another Triple Crown horse this yea… --- ## [I'll Have Another: Risk of running Vs certainty of studding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-have-another-risk-of-running-vs-certainty-of-studding/624581)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-have-another-risk-of-running-vs-certainty-of-studding/624581 "2012-06-09T14:38:04Z")
I know next to nothing about horse racing. But that still doesn’t stop me from being cynical about it. Any chance that the owners of IHA decided to pull him out of the Belmont Stakes primarily because, remembering what h… --- ## [Is hockey still part of the "Big 4?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hockey-still-part-of-the-big-4/624387)
**Author:** [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hockey-still-part-of-the-big-4/624387 "2012-06-08T20:33:58Z")
Here in the US, the Big 4 sports generally refers to baseball, basketball, football and hockey. I, personally, make no distinctions between pro and college football for purposes of the Big 4. Now, considering this year… --- ## [Guild Wars 2 Pre-Purchase](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guild-wars-2-pre-purchase/617979)
**Author:** [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guild-wars-2-pre-purchase/617979 "2012-06-08T20:11:11Z")
Next week pre-purchase for Guild Wars 2 is available, including perks like guaranteed Beta weekend events. I’ve never played Guild Wars, but have had my eye on GW2, since I’ve seen GW praised by Dopers over the years. I… --- ## [ISO: General purpose mouse good for gaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-general-purpose-mouse-good-for-gaming/624273)
**Author:** [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-general-purpose-mouse-good-for-gaming/624273 "2012-06-07T22:36:31Z")
My trusty Logitech MX Revolution is starting to give up the ghost. I’ve opened and repaired the left mouse button several times and now the left button is getting flaky. I hate to see it go and will try to fix the left… --- ## [Standalone chess computer question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standalone-chess-computer-question/623691)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standalone-chess-computer-question/623691 "2012-06-07T20:01:40Z")
I’m hoping for some input from one of our chess players here; I’ve decided that I want a stand-alone chess computer to play chess with. I’m not a big fan of playing while sitting in front of my computer; I want an actual… --- ## [Trying to remember a video game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-a-video-game/624370)
**Author:** [@CheeseDonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheeseDonkey)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-a-video-game/624370 "2012-06-07T13:37:43Z")
I used to play this PC demo about 7-10 years ago (I think). I don’t remember the name of it but what I recall is it was based in Egypt and you were a modern-day (U.S.) military guy who had to run around looking for bad g… --- ## [Arcanum level cap lifter for Win 7?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcanum-level-cap-lifter-for-win-7/624011)
**Author:** [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcanum-level-cap-lifter-for-win-7/624011 "2012-06-06T21:32:16Z")
So I downloaded a couple of games from GOG. Yes, yes, I am weak, but I am helpless in the face of being able to play Arcanum again. However, I need to raise the level cap from 50 to at least 100. And the only patches … --- ## [Star Wars 13 13](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-wars-13-13/624299)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-wars-13-13/624299 "2012-06-06T20:23:32Z")
Just heard of this. Some info here. I saw a demo while at work that ran with the sound off and just visually the game play looks like a cross between Star Wars and Mass Effect. It is supposed to have a “mature” story ab… --- ## [Can You Guys Teach Me To Be A Bookie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-guys-teach-me-to-be-a-bookie/622772)
**Author:** [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-guys-teach-me-to-be-a-bookie/622772 "2012-06-06T17:45:29Z")
Please? That’s pretty much it. \[ul\] \[li\]What skills and abilities are required of being a profitable bookie? \[/li\]\[li\]Should I make contacts with large, muscular and intimidating men before trying to break into this b… --- ## [Quarterback 'setting' his foot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quarterback-setting-his-foot/623990)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quarterback-setting-his-foot/623990 "2012-06-06T16:59:43Z")
I know it’s not football season in the States right now, but I saw something over the weekend that made think about something I’ve been curious about. From my observations of NFL games, moments before the snap, many Qu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=348) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=350)