# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=76 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 77 --- ## [NCAA College Football Playoff 2020-21](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-college-football-playoff-2020-21/928456)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-college-football-playoff-2020-21/928456 "2021-01-12T04:57:18Z")
So, who you got? My personal choices are: Clemson Alabama Ohio State Texas A&M\* I could make a case for Notre Dame, and you have to understand how strongly biased against Notre Dame I am to say such a thing. But fair … --- ## [Has Anyone Solved This Chess Puzzle (More Thorough Explanation In OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-solved-this-chess-puzzle-more-thorough-explanation-in-op/930076)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-solved-this-chess-puzzle-more-thorough-explanation-in-op/930076 "2021-01-09T14:48:30Z")
Has any mathematician, computer program, etc., figured out the arrangement of pieces that would give one player (say, White) the highest possible number of moves? For example, at the beginning, White has 20 possible mov… --- ## [If U.S. women's soccer team played in the FIFA Men's World Cup](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-u-s-womens-soccer-team-played-in-the-fifa-mens-world-cup/928985)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2021, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-u-s-womens-soccer-team-played-in-the-fifa-mens-world-cup/928985 "2021-01-09T05:25:38Z")
Carli Lloyd, midfielder for the U.S. women’s soccer team, replied “I’m not sure” when asked if the American women could defeat the German men’s soccer team. Landon Donovan, former star for the U.S. men’s team, said the … --- ## [Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Finalists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021-finalists/929756)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021-finalists/929756 "2021-01-07T19:31:50Z")
The NFL has released the list of 18 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. Fifteen are from the “Modern Era” (i.e., the main voting committee), narrowed down from longer lists over the past few mon… --- ## [NFL 2020: Week 17](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-17/929360)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2021, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-17/929360 "2021-01-07T00:27:30Z")
Covid: 2 more Browns players tested positive for Covid today, and their facility is currently closed for the second day in a row. They’re hoping to finish contract tracing so they can practice this afternoon. Big game Su… --- ## [Winter game sales](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-game-sales/928679)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-game-sales/928679 "2021-01-05T04:44:26Z")
Back when the steam winter sale was good, these threads used to go dozens of pages. In recent years… usually just a handful of posts. But I wanted to give people a venue to discuss games, ask for recommendations, etc. S… --- ## [Assembling a jigsaw puzzle starting at the center](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assembling-a-jigsaw-puzzle-starting-at-the-center/929443)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2021, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assembling-a-jigsaw-puzzle-starting-at-the-center/929443 "2021-01-04T19:10:49Z")
Has anyone ever heard of this? I came across this completely out of context while reading about something else, and it really intrigued me: I landed in the middle of a delightful conversation between several jigsaw puz… --- ## [RIP Paul Westphal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-paul-westphal/929549)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-paul-westphal/929549 "2021-01-03T01:46:43Z")
Suns player and later coach during the Suns heyday has died from brain cancer, --- ## [RIP Phil Niekro (MLB pitcher)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-niekro-mlb-pitcher/929029)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-niekro-mlb-pitcher/929029 "2021-01-03T00:03:58Z")
Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro, who pitched in 24 MLB seasons (mostly for the Braves), and won 318 games, died last night at age 81, after a long battle against cancer. Niekro pitched until the age of 48, … --- ## [THEMED Celebrity Death Pool 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/themed-celebrity-death-pool-2020/844277)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/themed-celebrity-death-pool-2020/844277 "2021-01-02T17:51:31Z")
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 2020 Celebrity Death Pool thread, click here phungi (aka: the Death Shroom) checking in as… --- ## [How do soccer line judges distinguish a long shot from an offside pass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soccer-line-judges-distinguish-a-long-shot-from-an-offside-pass/929124)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soccer-line-judges-distinguish-a-long-shot-from-an-offside-pass/929124 "2020-12-31T16:52:07Z")
Suppose you have a player who is in an offside position, and a teammate far behind him sends a booming kick downfield - but it’s not actually a pass to him, it’s meant to be a long shot on goal from far distance - how do… --- ## [Hockey is coming back!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-is-coming-back/854344)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-is-coming-back/854344 "2020-12-31T02:56:14Z")
24 team playoff, with the first round being a best-of-five. Here are the seeds: EASTERN CONFERENCE Bruins Lightning Capitals Flyers PLAY-IN Penguins (5) vs. Canadiens (12) Hurricanes (6) vs. Rangers (11) Islander… --- ## [Your favorite and least-favorite teams offer you contracts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-and-least-favorite-teams-offer-you-contracts/929295)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-and-least-favorite-teams-offer-you-contracts/929295 "2020-12-31T02:13:56Z")
Suppose you’re a pro player, and your most-favorite and most-hated teams come and offer you contracts to play for them as a starter. (They’re your only 2 suitors.) How much better terms would the hated team have to offer… --- ## [One last Homestar Runner thread (Goodbye Flash)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-last-homestar-runner-thread-goodbye-flash/928895)
**Author:** [@OldManLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldManLogan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-last-homestar-runner-thread-goodbye-flash/928895 "2020-12-30T22:54:13Z")
The death of Adobe Flash Player is upon us taking many old but beloved games and websites with them. Homestar Runner isn’t going to disappear without one last hurrah. They released level 10 of Stinkoman 20x6 Flash game a… --- ## [When was the last "good" opening discovered in Chess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-good-opening-discovered-in-chess/929012)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2020, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-good-opening-discovered-in-chess/929012 "2020-12-30T10:58:15Z")
If you look at openings used seriously in high level competitive play, have any been discovered in the 21st century? The 20th century? What was the last time someone discovered a genuinely new “good” opening that nobody … --- ## [NFL 2020: Week 16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-16/928743)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-16/928743 "2020-12-29T16:31:01Z")
Covid: Deshaun Watson gets fined for violating Covid protocols while at his restaurant opening. Lions close their facilities after a couple of positive tests and most of their defensive staff may be unavailable as close … --- ## [Are there any good strategy games for the PC anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-good-strategy-games-for-the-pc-anymore/928445)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-good-strategy-games-for-the-pc-anymore/928445 "2020-12-29T14:58:04Z")
I mean, specifically, a turn based strategy game, something with a good war in it maybe. I did pick up “Total War Three Kingdoms” but I have extra dough in my Steam wallet and I long for the good old days of strategy ga… --- ## [Chess discussion/analysis - all welcome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-discussion-analysis-all-welcome/928488)
**Author:** [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-discussion-analysis-all-welcome/928488 "2020-12-29T10:21:51Z")
In the most recent chess thread (Help. I suck at chess), poster @Pasta kindly offered to analyse someone else’s games - I’m hoping they might be willing to do this here, along with anyone else who is interested (e.g., bu… --- ## [Can an NFL game end on a safety?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-nfl-game-end-on-a-safety/928810)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-nfl-game-end-on-a-safety/928810 "2020-12-29T05:40:22Z")
Not finding anything on Google. In the NFL if a team scores a touchdown just as regulation time runs out they are still able to attempt the point after or 2 point conversion as neither affect the game clock. But what a… --- ## [Are jigsaw puzzles harder to come by during the lockdown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-jigsaw-puzzles-harder-to-come-by-during-the-lockdown/855540)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-jigsaw-puzzles-harder-to-come-by-during-the-lockdown/855540 "2020-06-15T15:58:26Z")
I had lunch with a friend the other day, who was telling me that his wife has been doing a lot of jigsaw puzzles during the COVID lockdown, and has gone through her entire collection. He said when she tried to get more, … --- ## [Florida Hoops player Keyontae Johnson collapses during game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-hoops-player-keyontae-johnson-collapses-during-game/927913)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-hoops-player-keyontae-johnson-collapses-during-game/927913 "2020-12-29T00:01:36Z")
Story here Florida Gators star Keyontae Johnson in critical but stable condition after collapsing on court I was watching the FSU/UF game this morning (11 am ET start) and saw part of this. Horrible to see, he’s in crit… --- ## [Need help with a puzzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-puzzle/929031)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-puzzle/929031 "2020-12-28T17:54:05Z")
I’m trying to set up a geo-location puzzle. I need to compose some directions that say, basically, start here, go somewhere else and end up where you started. But… I want it to seem like the directions are leading somewh… --- ## [When You Achieve An Important Chess Rating (Expert, Master, etc.), Do You Get Recognition? A Certificate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-achieve-an-important-chess-rating-expert-master-etc-do-you-get-recognition-a-certificate/929025)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-achieve-an-important-chess-rating-expert-master-etc-do-you-get-recognition-a-certificate/929025 "2020-12-28T15:34:19Z")
When Joe Chess Player finally gets his rating above 2300, does he apply to FIDE and then, later, get like a certificate or something? Or does he just say to himself, “I’m over 2300, I guess I can start calling myself a ‘… --- ## [What wrong answers have you found in Trivial Pursuit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wrong-answers-have-you-found-in-trivial-pursuit/74688)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wrong-answers-have-you-found-in-trivial-pursuit/74688 "2020-12-25T03:18:09Z")
I should mention first that you need to take into consideration that many Trivial Pursuit cards are right when they are printed and simply get outdated(world records and things). What questions have you known the answe… --- ## [Trash talkin'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trash-talkin/928820)
**Author:** [@Dinoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinoguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trash-talkin/928820 "2020-12-24T22:43:20Z")
Has bad-mouthing your opponent ever really worked? I doubt if there are statistics on this, but to me it doesn’t seem like areal good idea - more like giving your opponent extra motivation. --- ## [I Wonder If Cyberpunk 2077 Would Have Worked Better on This Console](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-cyberpunk-2077-would-have-worked-better-on-this-console/928794)
**Author:** [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-cyberpunk-2077-would-have-worked-better-on-this-console/928794 "2020-12-24T14:28:24Z")
It even comes with its own warming tray… --- ## [NFL 2020: Week 15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-15/928265)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2020, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-15/928265 "2020-12-24T05:00:00Z")
Welcome to the thread recently voted “most boring ramblings of the day” by yelp. NFL Covid: Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett of the Giants tested positive for Covid, but reported no high risk/close contacts that wou… --- ## [Sports that don't or can't have "Beamonesque" players](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-that-dont-or-cant-have-beamonesque-players/928718)
**Author:** [@stuccosuperstar2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuccosuperstar2020)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-that-dont-or-cant-have-beamonesque-players/928718 "2020-12-24T03:58:57Z")
I think this term comes from the Straight Dope: after Bob Beamon’s mind bending long jump, these are players who are so mind bendingly superior to anyone else who has played the game, its hard to conceive of anyone doing… --- ## [Where have all the great NHL points leaders gone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-all-the-great-nhl-points-leaders-gone/928717)
**Author:** [@stuccosuperstar2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuccosuperstar2020)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-all-the-great-nhl-points-leaders-gone/928717 "2020-12-23T17:09:31Z")
I was perusing a list of all the top single season points leaders in NHL history, and was a bit shocked: https://records.nhl.com/records/skater-records/points/skater-most-points-one-season Now, spots 1-13 are occupied … --- ## [Cincinnati time outs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-time-outs/928596)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-time-outs/928596 "2020-12-23T16:46:16Z")
Why the heck is Cincinnati calling time outs instead of just letting the clock run out. I’m not watching so I’m hearing no commentators. Suppose Pittsburgh had blocked that field goal attempt and run it back for a TD, o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=75) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=77)