Game Preview

A guide for game preview and rules: history, definitions, classification, theory, video game consoles, cheating, links, etc.

While many different subdivisions have been proposed, anthropologists classify games under three major headings, and have drawn some conclusions as to the social bases that each sort of game requires. They divide games broadly into, games of pure skill, such as hopscotch and target shooting; games of pure strategy, such as checkers, go, or tic-tac-toe; and games of chance, such as craps and snakes and ladders. A guide for game preview and rules: history, definitions, classification, theory, video game consoles, cheating, links, etc.

Game Preview

Sports Betting

Sports betting is the general activity of predicting sports results by making a wager on the outcome of a sporting event.

Aside from simple wagers–betting a friend that one’s favorite baseball team will win its division, for instance, or buying a football “square” for the Super Bowl–sports betting is commonly done through a bookmaker. Bookmakers generally offer two types of wagers on the winner of a sporting event: a straight-up or money line bet, or a point spread wager. Moneylines and straight-up prices are used to set odds on sports such as soccer, baseball and hockey (the scoring nature of which renders point spreads impractical) as well as individual vs. individual matches, like boxing.

Sports Betting

About Online Poker

This book is intended to be an introduction to the poker game, emphasizing on the online poker, the betting structure, poker variants, poker strategy and specific poker tournaments.

Online poker is the game of poker played over the Internet. Online poker rooms tend to be viewed as more player-friendly and allow the players to play for very low stakes. It has been partly responsible for a dramatic increase in the number of poker players worldwide. While the practice of comping players with free meals, hotel rooms, and merchandise is quite common in B&M casinos, online poker rooms have needed to develop new ways to reward faithful customers. The most common way of doing this is through deposit bonuses, where the player is given a bonus code to enter when placing money into an account. One common feature of the online poker sites is to offer tournaments called satellites by which the winners gain entry to real-life poker tournaments. Online poker rooms reward customers through deposit bonuses, where the player is given a bonus code to enter when placing money into an account.

About Online Poker

A Gambling Guide

A Gambling GuideGambling as a betting action – wagering money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money or material goods.
A guide about what is gambling (with a special section for online gambling), casino games with both beatable casino games (poker , blackjack, video poker with progressive jackpot, pai gow poker, betting, horse racing – parimutuel, slot machines and other gambling machines) and unbeatable casino games (baccarat, craps, roulette, keno, casino war, faro, pachinko, sic bo, let it ride, 3-card poker, 4-card poker, red dog, Caribbean stud poker, etc.), and non-casino gambling games (bingo, lottery, mahjong, backgammon, bridge, etc.).
Fixed-odds gambling in sports is also present in this book with horse racing, greyhound racing, football (particularly association football, American football and rugby), golf, tennis, cricket, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, snooker, motor sports, boxing, darts, cross-country skiing and biathlon. Please, don’t forget to take a look to the legality of the gambling and online gambling, as well as to the articles, warnings and links dedicated to the gambling addiction. Extreme cases of problem gambling may cross over into the realm of mental disorders.

CONTENTS:

A Gambling Guide
– Contents
– Legal aspects
– Psychological aspects
– Types of gambling
– – Casino games
– – – “Beatable” casino games
– – – “Unbeatable” casino games
– – Non-casino gambling games
– – Fixed-odds gambling
– – Gambling on horse races
– – Sports betting
– – Scratchcards
– – Other types of betting
– – Arbitrage betting
– Staking systems
– List of notable wagers
– Associated word usage
– See also
– Bibliography
“Beatable” casino games
Horse racing
– Contents
– Forms of horse racing
– Horse racing in North America
– Horse racing in Australia
– Horse racing in Europe
– Pedigree
– Betting
Handicapping
– Contents
– The practice in action
– – Horse racing
– – Predicting the Outcome of Races
– Notes
– References
“Unbeatable” casino games
Non-casino gambling games
Mahjong
– Contents
– History
– – Mahjong in China
– – Mahjong in the western world
– – Current development
– Variants
– International rules
– Equipment
– Setting up the board
– – Prevailing Wind and Game Wind
– – Dealing tiles
– – Charleston
– Gameplay
– – Flower tiles
– – Joker tiles
– – Melds
– – Ready hands
– – Draws
– – Abortive draws
– – Winning
– – Turns and rounds
– Scoring
– Trivia
– References
– Footnotes
Card games
– Contents
– The deck or pack
– The deal
– The rules
– – Rule infractions
– Types of card games
– – Trick-taking games
– – Rummy-style games
– – Casino or gambling card games
– – Solitaire (or Patience) games
– – Shedding games
– – Accumulating games
– – Fishing Games
– – Multi-genre games
– – Collectible card games (CCG’s)
– – Other card games
– – Fictional card games
– – Pranks
– See also
– External links
Playing card
– Contents
– History
– – Early history
– – Spread across Europe and early design changes
– – Later design changes
– – Alleged symbolism
– Playing cards today
– – Anglo-American
– – German
– – Central European
– – Switzerland
– – Italian
– – Spanish
– – Japanese
– Playing card symbols in Unicode
– See also
– References
Liar’s poker
– The book
Bourré
– Contents
– Object
– Rules
– Variations
– Resources
Bridge
– Contents
– Game play
– – Dealing
– – The auction
– – The play of the hand
– – Scoring
– – Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge
– History
– Tournaments
– – Bidding boxes and bidding screens
– – Important Bridge Players
– Game Strategy
– – Bidding systems and conventions
– Play techniques
– – Basic techniques by declarer
– – Advanced techniques by declarer
– – Basic techniques by defenders
– – Advanced techniques by defenders
– Example
– Bridge on the Internet
– Computer Bridge
– – World Champions Computer Bridge
– References
– Game play
Piquet
– Contents
– History
– Rules
– – The Cut
– – The Deal
– – Carte Blanche
– – Exchanging Cards
– – The Declaration Phase
– – – The Point
– – – The Sequence
– – – The Set
– – – Repique and Pique
– – The Play
– – Crossing the Rubicon
– – Scoring
– – Variations
– – Tactics
– Background
Thirty-one
– Contents
– Details of play
– Common variations of Thirty-one
– – Banking version
– – Variations on play
Three card brag
– Rules
– Hand ranks
– Betting
– Shuffling
Coin-tossing
– Contents
– History of coin flipping
– The process of coin flipping
– Coin flipping in dispute resolution
– – Fair results from a biased coin
– Physics of coin flipping
– Coin flipping in fiction
– Number-theoretic version of “flipping”
– Counterintuitive properties
– See also
– References
Head and Tail
– See also
Razzle
Fixed-odds gambling
– Contents
– Calculating fixed odds
– Types of odds offered
– – Fractional odds
– – Decimal odds
– – Moneyline odds
– See also
Greyhound racing
– Contents
– History
– Greyhound racing today
– Treatment of racing dogs
– – Living Conditions
– – In Australia
– – Medical Care
Jai alai
– Rules and Play
– Geographic distribution
Football
– Contents
– History
– – Ancient games
– – Mediæval football
– – Calcio Fiorentino
– – Official disapproval and attempts to ban football
– The establishment of modern codes of football
– – English public schools
– – The Cambridge Rules
– – Other developments in the 1850s
– – Australian rules football
– – The Football Association
– – Rugby football
– – North American football
– – Gaelic football
– – The split in rugby football
– – The globalisation of association football
– – The reform of American football
– – The two rugby codes diverge further
– Football today
– – Use of the word “football” in English-speaking countries
– – Games descended from the FA rules of 1863
– – Games descended from Rugby School rules
– – Australian and Irish varieties of football
– – Surviving Mediæval ball games
– – Other surviving public school games
– – More recent inventions and derivations
– – Tabletop games and other recreations
– References
Soccer
– Contents
– Nature of the game
– History and development
– Laws of the Game
– – Overview of the Laws
– – Players, equipment and officials
– – Playing field
– – Duration and tie-breaking methods
– – Ball in and out of play
– – Fouls and misconduct
– – Offside
– Governing bodies
– Major international competitions
– Domestic competitions
– Names of the game
– References
– Further reading
American football
– Contents
– Popularity
– The rules of American football
– – Field and players
– – Game duration
– – Advancing the ball
– – Changes of possession
– – Scoring
– – Kickoffs and free kicks
– – Penalties
– – – Some common penalties
– The players
– – Offense
– – Defense
– – Special teams
– Basic football strategy
– Physicality of the game
– Development of the game
– Problems in football
– Leagues, Organizations, and Associations
– – United States
– – Internationally
– – Alternate Rulesets
– – Non-current Leagues
– Footnotes
Golf
– Contents
– Anatomy of a golf course
– – Par
– Play of the game
– – Scoring
– – Fees
– – Team play
– Handicap systems
– Golf rules and other regulations
– Golf course architecture and design
– Hitting a golf ball
– – Types of shots
– – Poor shots
– – The golf swing
– Equipment
– – Golf clubs
– – Golf balls
– – Golf Shafts
– – Other equipment
– History
– Social aspects of golf
– – Cost to Play
– – Cost of Maintenance
– Golfing countries
– Professional golf
– – Golf tours
– – Men’s major championships
– – Women’s majors
– Environmental impact
– Etymology
– Golf Movies
Tennis
– Contents
– Manner of play
– – The court
– – – Types of Courts
– – Play of a single point
– – Scoring
– – Officials
– – Miscellaneous
– – Other Rules of Play Used in American College Tennis
– – Other Rules of Play Used in American High School Tennis
– Shots
– – Serve
– – Forehand
– – Backhand
– – Other shots
– Tournaments
– History
– Great Players
– The Greatest Player of All Time
– The Great Doubles Players
– Notes
– Sources
Cricket
– Contents
– Objective and results
– Laws of cricket
– – Players and officials
– – – Players
– – – Umpires
– – – Scorers
– – The playing field
– – Match structure
– – Batting and scoring runs
– – Bowling and dismissals
– – Fielding and wicket-keeping
– – Other roles
– History
– Forms of cricket
– – Test cricket
– – One-day cricket
– – Twenty20 Cricket
– – First-class matches
– – Other forms of cricket
– International structure
– References
Baseball
– Contents
– History
– – Origins of baseball
– – History of baseball in the United States
– Gameplay
– – General structure
– – Fielding team
– – – The battery
– – – The infielders
– – – The outfielders
– – – Defensive strategy
– – – – Pitching
– – – – Fielding strategy
– – Team at bat
– – – Batters and runners
– – – Batting
– – – Baserunning
– – – Batting and base running strategy
– – Innings and determining a winner
– – Substitutions
– – Rosters
– Other personnel
– Baseball’s unique style
– – Time element
– – Individual and team
– – The uniqueness of each baseball park
– Statistics
– Popularity
– Organized leagues
– Footnotes
– References
Basketball
– Contents
– History
– – Early basketball
– – College basketball and early leagues
– – U.S. high school basketball
– – National Basketball Association
– – International basketball
– Rules and regulations
– – Playing regulations
– – Equipment
– – Violations
– – Fouls
– Common techniques and practices
– – Positions and structures
– – Shooting
– – Passing
– – Dribbling
– – Height
– Variations and similar games
– References
Ice hockey
– Contents
– History
– – Foundation of the modern game
– – The Professional Era
– Equipment
– Game
– Penalties
– Tactics
– Periods and overtime
– Women’s ice hockey
– Sledge hockey
– – Sport description
– – History of sledge hockey
– International competition
– Hockey in popular culture
– Attendance Records
– Number of registered players by Countries
– Notes
Rugby
– Contents
– Rugby league and rugby union
– Rules
– History
– Culture
– Games descended from Rugby School rules
– See also
Snooker
– Contents
– History
– Governing body
– The game
– – The Table
– – Objective
– – A Snooker Match
– – Gameplay
– – Fouls
– – The end of a frame
– – Highest break
– Tournaments
– References
Motor sports
– Contents
– History
– – The start
– – City to city racing
– – 1910-1950
– Regulations
– Categories
– – Single-seater racing
– – Rallying
– – Touring car racing
– – Stock car racing
– – Drag racing
– – Sports car racing
– – Offroad racing
– – Kart racing
– – Other categories
– Use of flags
Boxing
– Contents
– Origins
– – London Prize Ring rules (1743)
– – Marquess of Queensberry rules (1867)
– Olympic boxing
– – Olympic (amateur) boxing history
– Professional boxing
– – Evolution of professional boxing
– – Length of bouts
– Equipment
– Technique
– – Stance and movement
– – Punches
– – Defense
– – In the ring
– – Less common strategies
– Boxing styles
– – In-fighter
– – Out-fighter
– – Brawler
– – Hybrid boxers
– – Swarmer
– – Rock, Paper, Scissors
– Famous boxers
– – London rules and pre-Queensberry era
– – 1900s to 1920s
– – 1920s to 1940s
– – 1940s to 1960s
– – 1960s to 1980s
– – 1980s to present
– International Boxing Hall of Fame
– Medical concerns
– – Fatalities versus brain injury
– Governing bodies
– – Professional boxing
– – Amateur boxing
– Impact of boxing on the English language
– Boxing in popular culture
– References
– Notes
Darts
– Contents
– Dart boards
– – Height and distance
– – History
– – Scoring
– Soft tip boards and darts
– Playing darts
– – Professional organizations
– – Professional competitions
– – Amateur competition
– Betting
– Famous players
– See also
Cross-country skiing
– Contents
– A hobby and a sport
– – Sports events
– History
– Equipment: Skis and poles
– Equipment: Bindings/boots
– – NNN
– – SNS Profil
– – SNS Pilot
– Waxes
– – Glide wax
– – Kick wax
– – Klister
– – Waxless skis
– – Waxtape
– Styles/Techniques
– – Classic
– – Free/Skating
– – Telemark
– Summer skiing
– Notes
Biathlon
– Contents
– Concise history
– Governing body
– Champions
– Rules and equipment
– – Basic concepts
– – Skiing details
– – Shooting details
– Competition format
– – Individual
– – Sprint
– – Pursuit
– – Mass start
– – Relay
– – Mixed relay
– – Team (obsolete)
– Biathlon venues
– Other Biathlon variants
– Notes
Prediction market
– Contents
– Theoretical challenges
– Commercial interest
Scratchcards
Online scratch card
– Contents
– Online Scratch Cards
– Legality
– Online scratch card types
– Web-based online scratch cards
– Download based online scratch cards
– Games offered
– Bonuses
– Player Fraud
Confidence trick
– Contents
– Origin of the term
– Well-known confidence tricks
– Extra finesse
– Famous convicted and alleged con artists
– Quotations
– References
Shell game
– Contents
– The Play
– History
– Current practice in Europe
– Other meanings
– See also
Three card monte
– Contents
– Rules
– Drawing a player in
– How it’s really done
– – The throw
– – The Mexican turnover
– Historic
– See also
– Reference
Mobile gambling
– Sources
Online gambling
– Contents
– Online poker
– Online casinos
– Online sports betting
– Online bingo
– Mobile gambling
– Funds transfers
– General legal issues
– Problem gambling
Gambling regulation
Bingo
Bingo (US)
– Contents
– Description of the game
– Bingo Cards
– Culture
– History
– The business of bingo
– Alternate variations
Bingo (card game)
Bingo card
– Contents
– U.S. Bingo Cards
– U.K. Bingo Cards
– Other Types of Cards
– See also
Flimsies
– See also
Buzzword bingo
Housie
– Contents
– Description of the Game
– Business Aspect
– Calling nicknames (UK Bingo)
– Usage of Bingo nicknames in the UK
– Trivia
Keno
– History
– Modern keno
Online bingo
– Contents
– Getting started
– Depositing
– How to play
– Chat & the CM
– 90 Ball versus 75 Ball
– Bingo networks
– Online bingo in the UK
– Software providers
Blackjack
– Contents
– Rules
– Insurance
– Basic strategy
– Basic strategy tables
– Shuffle tracking
– Variants
– References
Card counting
– Contents
– How card counting works in blackjack
– History of blackjack card counting
– Countermeasures against blackjack card-counters
– See also
Chinese Blackjack
– Contents
– Dealing
– Point counting rules
– Checking for Blackjack
– – Ban-Ban
– – Ban-Nag
– – 15 Points (House Rule)
– The players’ turns
– The dealer’s turn
Double Attack Blackjack
Double Exposure Blackjack
Kelly criterion
– Cited References
MindPlay
Seven twenty-seven
Spanish 21
Ten and a half
– Rules
Dice games
– Dice Games
– Collectible Dice Games
Backgammon
– Contents
– History
– Rules
– – The doubling cube
– – – Beavers
– – – Raccoons
– – – Jacoby Rule
– – – Crawford Rule
– – – Automatic doubles
– Five Basic Strategies
– Sample game
– Backgammon as a gambling game
– – Backgammon Chouette
– Backgammon in the Middle East and Central Asia
– Other variants
– – Brädspel
– – Gul Bara
– – Old English Rule
– – Runte Rule
– – Tavli
– – Tabla
– – LongGammon
– – Nackgammon
– Computer backgammon
Battle dice
– Contents
– What it is
– Purchasing
– The Game
– Marvel Set 1
– Marvel Set 2
– DC Set 1
Bau cua ca cop
Big and small
– Rules
Bunco
Button Men
– Contents
– Background and history
– Gameplay
– – Die skills
– Strategy and the meta-game
Cee-lo
– Common variations
Chingona
Cho-han bakuchi
Chuck-a-luck
Cootie
Cosmic Wimpout
Craps
– Contents
– The basic game
– Types of craps bets
– – Proposition bets
– – Place, buy and lay bets
– – Examples of basic play
– Etiquette
– – Rules related to casino security
– – Commonly observed etiquette
– Odds
– Optimal Betting / Bad Bets
– Systems
– – Martingale System
– – Gambler’s fallacy
– – Parity Hedge System
– – Dice setting
– – Dice control
– Miscellaneous
– See also
Crown and anchor
– Variations
Dice
– Contents
– Ordinary dice
– Terms
– – Probability
– – History
– – Loaded dice
– – Materials
– Cubical dice with faces representing values other than digits 1 through 6
– Non-cubical dice
– – Standard variations
– – Rarer variations
– Dice notation
– – Application in role-playing games
– Use of dice for divination
– See also
– References
Dice 10000
– Contents
– Equipment
– Play
– Scoring and Sets
– Winning
Dice control
Diceland
– Contents
– Diceland (tile based game)
– Diceland (collectible dice game)
Don’t Go To Jail
Dragon Dice
– Contents
– Overview
– – Types of dice
– – – Units
– – – Terrains
– – – Dragons
– – – Magestorm
– – Gameplay
– – – Maneuver
– – – Magic
– – – Missile
– – – Melee
– – – Reinforce and reserves
Dudo
– Contents
– Game play
– The aces
– “Obliging” rounds
– The Dudo terminology in Spanish
Farkel
– Contents
– Equipment
– Play
– – Variation 1
– – Variation 2
– Scoring and Sets
– – Variation 1
– – Variation 2
– Winning
– – Variation 1
– – Variation 2
Hazard
– Contents
– Rules
– Betting
– Craps and Hazard
Kismet
– Contents
– Game contents
– Overview of the rules
– – The scorecard
– – – Basic section
– – – Kismet section
– – Rolling subsequent Kismets
Kuriki
– Contents
– Kuriki
– – Equipment
– – To Start
– – The Play
– – Take
– – Pull
– – Pass
– – Fouls
– – Tarting
– – Resolution
– Variations
– – Other foul-worthy offenses
Liar’s dice
– Contents
– Rules (common hand)
– – Variants
– – Gambling
– – Drinking Game
– Rules (individual hand)
– – Summary
– – Play
– – Bids
– – Techniques
– – An example hand
– Rules (Mexican)
– – Two-dice variations
– See also
Mia
– Contents
– Equipment
– Play
– Scoring
– Strategy
Mexico
– Contents
– Equipment
– Play
– Scoring
– Strategy and odds
– Coming up “Mexico”
– Ties
Mr. Three
– Contents
– West Coast Rules
– Midwest Rules
– Statistics
– Alternate Rules
– The Hat
Passe-dix
Petals Around the Rose
Pig
– Contents
– Basic Rules
– – Example Play
– Teaching Mathematics and Computer Science
– Optimal Play
– Rule Variations
– – Two-Dice Pig
– – Big Pig
– – SKUNK
– Jeopardy Dice Games
Shut the Box
– Contents
– Play
– Rules
– Variants
– History
– Trivia
Sic bo
– History
Tablero da Gucci
– Contents
– History
– Basic Rules of the Game
– – Object of the Game
– – Equipment (for playing with beer)
– – Starting the Game
– – Playing the Game
– – Lining Up Glasses
– – The Queen’s Number
– – Ending The Game
– – The Toast Round
– Tournament Play
– – Scoring
– – Other Rules
– Important Notes
Threes
– Rules of the game
Under Over
– Game Setup
– How to Play
– Variations
Yahtzee
– Contents
Overview of the Rules
– Upper Section
– Lower Section
– Game Play
– Yahtzees and bonus chips
– Game Played Solitaire
History
Evolution of the Game Packaging
– 1961
– 1967
– 1972
– 1973
– 1978
– 1980
– 1982
Related Games
Other
Zonk
– Contents
– Equipment required:
– Terms used in gameplay:
– Game Play:
– – Scoring combinations:
– – Code of Conduct:
– – The Role of the Scorekeeper
– The dice NEVER lie:
– The Flow:
– House Rules:
– – Specials:
– Extra Scoring Rules
– – F3000, FH, F8000, L3000:
– Dirty tricks:
Lottery
– Contents
– Countries with a national lottery
– – Americas
– – Europe
– – Asia
– – Africa
– – Australia
– Country Lottery details
– – Lottery in the United States
– – Lottery in Canada
– – Lottery in France
– Probability of winning
– Notable prizes
– Payment of prizes
– Scams and Frauds
– See also
Lottery card games
Basset
Blind_Hookey
– Alternative method
Faro
– Contents
– Rules
– History
– Literary fiction
– Movies
– References
Fuck the Dealer
– The rules
Hollywood Poker
– Contents
– Equipment
– Players
– Game Play
– End Of Game
Kot bo sitah
4-Digits
– Contents
– Methods of Play
– – Ordinary Entry
– – 4-D Roll
– – System Entry
– – iBet
– – Quickpick
Bovine bingo
Jueteng
– Scandals
Lottery jackpot records
– U.S.A. lotteries
– – State lotteries in the United States
– European lotteries
Lottery Mathematics
– Contents
– Calculation explained in choosing 6 from 6 of 49
– Odds of getting other scores in choosing 6 from 49
– Powerballs And Bonus Balls
Mega number
Numbers game
– Payout
Punchboard
– Contents
– History
– Decline in use
– Popular again
– After the war
– Larceny
– Other references in popular culture
Raffle
Sweepstakes
– Etymology
– Sweepstakes on the Internet
Video Lottery Terminal
– Contents
– Canada
– United States
– Other terminology
– See also
Poker
– Contents
– Game play
– History
– Quotations
– See also
– References
Poker gameplay and terminology
Poker hands
– Contents
– General rules
– Ranking of hands
– Variations
– See also
Rank of hands
– Contents
– Standard ranking
– – Royal flush
– – Straight flush
– – Four of a kind
– – Full house
– – Flush
– – Straight
– – Three of a kind
– – Two pair
– – One pair
– – High card
– Low-poker ranking
– – Ace-to-five
– – – Wheel
– – Ace-to-six
– – Deuce-to-seven
– See also
List of slang names for poker hands
– Contents
– Individual card slang
– Five-card hand slang
– Texas hold’em slang
– Omaha slang
– Flop slang
Dead man’s hand
– The hand in popular culture
– Adapting to 7-card games
Dominating hand
Drawing hand
– See also
Made hand
Non-standard poker hand
– Cats and dogs
– Kilters
– See also
Nut hand
Pocket Aces
Starting hand
– See also
Poker jargon
Aggression
– See also
Bad beat
– Reacting to bad beats
– Bad beat jackpot
Betting
– Contents
– Procedure
– – Open
– – Call
– – Check
– – Raise
– – Fold
– Forced bets
– – Ante
– – Blinds
– – – When a player in the blinds leaves the game
– – – – Dead button rule
– – – – Moving button rule
– – – – Simplified moving button rule
– – – When there are only two players
– – Bring-ins
– Straddle bets
– – Live straddle
– – Mississippi straddle
– – Sleepers
– Limits
– – Fixed limit
– – – Maximum number of raises
– – – Kill game
– – Spread limit
– – Pot limit
– – No limit
– Table stakes rules
– – “All in”
– – – All-in before the deal
– – – Incomplete raise
– – – Opening all-in hands
– – Open stakes
– See also
– Notes
Big bet
– Contents
– Statistical Analysis
– Examples
– – Casino style draw poker
– – Texas hold ’em
– – Omaha hold ’em
– – Casino style seven-card stud
Blind
Bluff
– Contents
– Pure Bluff
– Semi-bluff
– Bluffing circumstances
– Optimal bluffing frequency
– Bluff (the game)
– See also
– References
Bug
Burn card
– Notes
Button
– Contents
– History
– Dealer button
– Other buttons
– See also
Cards speak
– See also
Cheating in poker
– Contents
– Minimal-skill methods
– – Marked cards
– Skilled methods
– Collusion
– See also
– Notes
Check-raise
– See also
Chip race
Chopping the blinds
– Contents
– Why players chop
– Ethics of chopping
– General etiquette
– Reference
Closed
Community card
Counterfeit
– Contents
– Omaha hold ’em
– Texas hold ’em
– Badugi
– Notes
Curse of Scotland
– See also
Dead money
– See also
Declaration
– Declaring target in a split pot
– Declaring number of cards to draw
– Other declarations
Defense
– See also
Domination
– See also
Draw
– Contents
– Outs
– Types of draws
– – Flush draw
– – Outside straight draw
– – Inside straight draw
– – Double inside straight draw
– – Other draws
– – Backdoor draw
– See also
Flop
– See also
Freeroll
Fundamental theorem of poker
– An example
– Multi-way pots and implicit collusion
Hand-for-hand
High card by suit
High-low split
Hole cam
Isolation
– See also
Kicker
Morton’s theorem
– Contents
– An example
– Analysis
– See also
One player to a hand
– See also
Open-ended
Out
– See also
Poker chip
– Contents
– Construction and design
– Colors
– Security
– See also
Poker dealer
– Contents
– Professional dealers
– Mechanics of dealing
– – Shuffling
– – American-style dealing
– – European-style dealing
– – Burning and turning
– Responsibilities during a hand
– See also
Poker equipment
Poker probability
– Contents
– Frequency of 5 card poker hands
– Derivation
– Frequency of 7 card poker hands
– See also
Poker psychology
Poker strategy
– Contents
– The fundamental theorem of poker
– Pot odds and poker probabilities
– Deception
– Position
– Reasons to raise
– Reasons to call
– Gap concept
– Sandwich effect
– Loose/tight play
– Aggressive/passive play
– Hand reading and tells
– Table image and opponent profiling
– Equity
– Short-handed considerations
– Structure considerations
– See also
– – Poker plays
– – Specific games
– Notes
Position
– See also
Post oak bluff
Pot
– See also
Pot odds
– Contents
– Simple pot odds
– Implied pot odds
– Reverse implied pot odds
– Manipulating pot odds
– Bluffing frequency
– See also
– References
Protection
– See also
Public cardroom rules
– Contents
– Popular poker variants
– Waiting lists
– Chips
– Rake
– Common rules
– Legality
– See also
– Notes
Rake
– Contents
– Mechanism
– Legality
– See also
Ring game
– See also
River
– See also
Rollout
Rounder
– Alternative meanings
Rule variations
– Overview
– See also
Showdown
– References
Slow play
– Contents
– Relationship between slow playing and bluffing
– Check raising as a slow play
– Fishing for the overcall
– See also
– References
Split
Steal
– See also
Stripped deck
Suited connectors
Table stakes
– See also
Tell
– See also
– References
Tilt
– Being “on tilt”
– Putting others “on tilt”
Turn
– See also
Value
Wild card
Poker television programs
– History
Poker tournaments
– Contents
– Entry fees and prizes
– Betting format
– Types of poker
– Tournament venues
– Major tournaments
– See also
Satellite tournament
– Poker
Tournament director
World Poker Tour
– Contents
– Player of the Year
– Results
World Series of Poker
– Contents
– Origins
– Evolution
– Harrah’s Takes The Pot
– The Marketing of the WSOP
– Film coverage of the WSOP
– – WSOP broadcasters
– The main event
Poker variants
– Contents
– Popular poker variants
– Other poker variants
– – Stud Horse poker
– – Oxford stud
– – Billabong (and Shanghai)
– – Guts
– See also
Draw poker
– Contents
– Standard five-card draw
– Other draw games
– – Gardena jackpots (“Jacks to open” or simply “Jackpots”)
– – California lowball
– – Badugi
– – Other forms of lowball
– – California high/low split
– – High/low with declare
– – Double-draw and Triple-draw
– – Four-before
– – Johnson (and “Jacks back”)
– – Q-Ball
– “Home” games
– – Shotgun (“Roll ’em out” and “Skinny Minnie”)
– – Spit in the ocean
– – Anaconda (“Pass the trash”)
– Ad hoc variants
Anaconda
– Contents
– Simple Play
– – Betting
– Variations
Badugi
– Contents
– Play of the hand
– Hand evaluation
– Example hand
– Betting structures
– Strategy
Five-card draw
– Sample deal
– See also
Lowball
– References
Stud poker
– Contents
– General variations
– Specific variants
– – Six-card stud
– – Razz (and London lowball)
– – Eight-or-better high-low stud
– – Mississippi stud
– – Mexican stud
– – Blind stud
– – Miscellaneous
Caribbean stud poker
– Contents
– Caribbean Stud Poker in the United Kingdom
– Player Strategy
– See also
Five-card stud
– Description of play
– High-low and other variants
Roll your own
Seven-card stud
– Quick play overview
– In-depth play rules
– Sample deal
Twist
Texas hold ’em
– Contents
– Origins
– Rules
– – Objective
– – Betting structures
– – Play of the hand
– – The showdown
– Examples
– – Sample showdown
– – Sample hand
– – Kickers and ranks
– Starting hand terminology and notation
– Strategy
– In popular culture
– – Spectator sport
– See also
– Notes
Poker probability (Texas hold ’em)
– Contents
– Starting hands
– – Starting hands heads up
– – – Head-to-head starting hand matchups
– – Starting hands against multiple opponents
– – Dominated hands
– – – Pocket pairs
– – – Hands with one ace
– The flop
– – Flopping overcards when holding a pocket pair
– After the flop
– – Example of drawing outs
– – Runner-runner outs
– – – Common outs
– – – Disjoint outs
– – – Compound outs
– Notes
– See also
– References
Texas hold ’em hands
– Contents
– Essentials
– Texas hold ’em hand groups
– – Chen Point Count
– See also
– Notes
Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker
– Rules
– Player Strategy
WinHoldEm
– See also
Blind man’s bluff
Chicago
– Contents
– Hand scores
– Basic rules
– – Exchanges and hand scoring
– – The game
– – Chicago
– Variations
Community card poker
– Contents
– Texas hold ’em
– – Double-board hold ’em
– Omaha hold ’em
– Pineapple – Crazy Pineapple – Tahoe hold ’em
– Manila
– – Pinatubo
– “Home” games
– – Cincinnati
– – Iron cross
– – Chowaha
– – Tic tac toe
– – Lame-brain Pete
– – Six-pack
– – Spit in the ocean
– See also
Omaha hold ’em
– Contents
– Explanation
– Omaha Hi/Lo
– Pot Limit Omaha
– – Redraws
– Variations
Dealer’s choice
Four card poker
– See also
H.O.R.S.E.
– See also
H.O.S.E
Kuhn poker
– References
Old Pink Poker
Let It Ride
– Contents
– – Basic rules
– How to Play
– – Bets
– – Optional side bet
– – The deal
– – The play
– Strategy and house edge
Pai gow poker
– Contents
– Object of the Game
– The Deal
– Hand Rankings
– Determining a Win
– Basic Strategy
Pyramid poker
Red Dog
Strip poker
– Rules
– Popularity
Three card poker
– Contents
– Pairplus
– Ante and Play
– – Normal Ante and Play gameplay
– – The Ante Bonus
– See also
Online poker
– Contents
– Overview
– Legality
– Integrity and fairness
– Differences with conventional poker
– Tracking play
– Bonuses
– Compatibility
– Online poker portal
– References
List of poker related topics
Roulette and wheel games
– Contents
– History of Roulette
– Types of Roulette
– Board depiction (American Roulette)
– Bet odds table (American Roulette)
– House Edge
– Called Bets
– – Voisins (“Neighbors”)
– – Tiers (“The third”)
– – Orphelins (“Orphans”)
– Betting Strategies and Tactics
– – Betting Only on Red
– – Betting multiple times
– Famous Bets
– See also
Big Six wheel
– Contents
– – Money wheel
– – Dice wheel
– – Other variations
Martingale (roulette system)
– Analysis
Petits-Chevaux
Russian roulette
– Contents
– History
– Notable Russian roulette incidents
– – Reality
– Toy gun version
– – Equipment
– – Play
– – Odds
– See also
Straperlo
Sheepshead
– Contents
– How to play
– – Preparation
– – Play Variations
– – Card Order
– – Card Point Values
– – Keeping Score
– – The Deal
– – The Blind
– – Getting a Partner
– – – Called ace
– – – Examples of picker hands
– – – Jack of Diamonds
– – Playing the Cards
– – – Leasters
– – – With Partner: Playing the first card
– – – Following Suit
– – Continuing the hand
– – Play is over. Count the cards.
– Strategy
Blind
Leasters
– Leaster Strategy
Long
Schmear
Schneider
Walk
Variations of Sheepshead
– Contents
– Clubs as trump
– Crack and Re-crack
– Jack of Diamonds Partner
Slot machines
– Contents
– History
– Description
– Terminology
– Pay Table
– Technology
– – Random number generator
– – Payout precentage
– – Linked machines
– – Near-miss programming
– Regional Variations
– – United States
– – – Native American casinos
– – – Slot machine classes
– – – Slot clubs
– – Australia
– – United Kingdom
– – Japan
– Common misunderstandings
– – “Hot” and “Cold” machines
– – Placement
– – Payout changes
– – Missed opportunities
– Addiction
– Trivia
– Bibliography
– See also
Pachinko
Progressive jackpot
– Contents
– – The progressive jackpot meter
– – Qualifying
– – The break-even point
– – Advantage play
– – Player’s clubs
– – Other jackpot games
– – List of popular progressive games
– See also
Quiz machine
Skill With Prizes
US slot machine ownership regulations
Video poker
– Contents
– History
– The Game
– Regulation
– Kinds of video poker
– Full pay games
– – Jacks or Better
– – Deuces Wild
– – Double Bonus
– – Double Double Bonus
– – Other positive expectation games
– – Locating positive expectation games
– Players’ clubs
– See also
Ace invaders
– See also
List of video poker games
Gambling variants
Baccarat
– Contents
– Punto Banco (North American Baccarat)
– Baccarat Chemin de Fer
– Baccarat Banque
– Trivia
Biribi
– References
Casino war
– Contents
– The deal
– Ties
– Going to war
– House advantage
– Strategy
– References
Dead pool
Fan-Tan
– Contents
– History
– The game
– The Card Game Fantan
– References
Handgame
– Rules
– History
– References
Oicho-Kabu
Pai Gow
– Contents
– Rules
– – The set-up
– – Basic scoring
– – Gongs and Wongs
– – The Gee Joon tiles
– – Pairs
– – Ties
– Strategy
Panguingue
Trente et Quarante
– References
Two-up
– Rules of the Game
– History
Casino
– Contents
– Gambling in casinos
– History
– Security
– See also
Black Book
Casino game
– Contents
– House advantage
– Categories of casino games
– – Table games
– – Gaming machines
– – Random number games
– Common table games
– – Cards
– – Dice / Tiles
– – Random numbers
– Common random number games (non-table)
– Common gaming machines
– See also
Casino token
– Contents
– Chip Denominations
– History
– Future
Cheating
– Contents
– Methods of cheating
– How casinos combat cheating
– See also
Griffin Book
– See also
Locals casino
Online casino
– Contents
– Online casino types
– – Web-based online casinos
– – Download-based online casinos
– – Live-based casinos
– Games offered
– Signup bonuses
– Fraudulent online casino behavior
– Fraudulent player behavior
– Legality
– See also
Racino
Riverboat casino
– History
Las Vegas
– Contents
– History
– – Founding
– – Major events
– – Economic history
– Law and government
– – Government offices
– Geography
– – Climate
– Demographics
– Education
– Economy
– City redevelopment
– Transportation
– Culture and Attractions
– Sister cities
Wagering
Betting exchanges
– Contents
– History
– “Laying” an outcome
– Controversy
– See also
– – Betting exchanges
Bookmakers
– See also
Sports betting
– Contents
– Types of bets
– Bookmaking
– Betting scandals
– Sports betting forums
– Betting in fiction
– Notes
Asian handicap
– Contents
– Description
– Example
– Quarter Handicaps
– Whole Handicaps and Ties
Football pools
– Contents
– British Pools
– – Entries
– – Scoring
– – Results
– – Winning
– – History
– – Other games
– Continental European Pools
– See also
Parimutuel betting
– Contents
– Example of parimutuel betting
– History of parimutuel betting
– Parimutuel bet types
– Strategy and comparison with independent bookmakers
– See also
Point shaving
– Point shaving perpetrators
– References in popular culture
– See also
Soft lines
– See also
Sports betting systems
– Contents
– Betting on systems
– Determining systems
Sportsbook
– Contents
– Word origin
– Odds
– Nevada sportsbooks
– UK sportsbooks
– Internet sportsbooks
– See also
Tic-tac
Totalisator
Tote board
Trifecta
Arbitrage betting
– Contents
– Arbitrage in theory
– – Arbitrage using bookmakers
– – Arbitrage using betting exchanges
Bank job
Bar bet
– Contents
– Famous bar bets
– Further reading
Betting strategy
– Independent Events
Calcutta
Daily double
Dutch book
– Gambling
– Economics
– See also
Exacta
Fixed Odds Betting Terminals
Kelly gambling
Nassau
– Nassau Presses
Odds
– See also
Over-under
– Statistics
Parlay
Pick 6
– Late scratches
– Races moved from turf to dirt
Proposition bet
SP bookmaking
Scientific wager
– Famous scientific wagers
– See also
Simon-Ehrlich wager
– Contents
– The wager
– Analysis of why Ehrlich lost
– The proposed second wager
Sucker bet
Superfecta
Gamblers
List of World Backgammon Champions
MIT Blackjack Team
– Contents
– The plan and operation
– In the media
– Notes
List of poker players
Computer poker players
– See also
Poker Hall of Fame
World Poker Tour Walk of Fame
Gambling terminology
Advantage player
Availability error
– Availability Effects in Lethal Events
Beginner’s luck
Betting odds slang
Boxcars
– Related terminology
Chinese auction
Crimp
Croupier
Gambler’s fallacy
– Contents
– An example: coin-tossing
– Other examples
– Non-examples
– See also
Gambler’s ruin
– Contents
– Examples
– – Coin flipping
– – Casino games
– – Speculation
– See also
Holdout
Risk premium
– Contents
– – Example
– – Finance
Shill
– Contents
– Shills in gambling
– Shills on message boards
– Shills in marketing
– Shills in retail
– Shills in auctions
– Shills in journalism
Vigorish
– Contents
– Example
– – Debate
– Other kinds of vigorish
– See also
– References
Gambling and society
Casino Night
Charity gambling
Compulsive gambling
– Contents
– Pathological gambling
– Incidence
Gamblers Anonymous
Gambling advertising
License
GNU Free Documentation License
– GNU Free Documentation License
Index
– A Gambling Guide
About the author
– Nicolae Sfetcu
– – Contact
Publishing House
– MultiMedia Publishing

A Gambling Guide

The Game of Chess

The Game of ChessA comprehensive guide of chess: history, famous games and players, rules, strategy, tactics, chess and the computer, documentation and literature, variants.

Chess (the “Game of Kings”) is a board game for two players, which requires 32 chesspieces (or chessmen) and a board demarcated by 64 squares. Gameplay does not involve random luck; consisting solely of strategy, (see also tactics, and theory). Chess is one of humanity’s more popular games; it is has been described not only as a game, but also as both art and science. Chess is sometimes seen as an abstract wargame; as a “mental martial art”.

CONTENTS:

The Game of Chess
– History
– Chess Guide overview
Games
– Types of Games
– Game theory
– – Types of games and examples
– – Risk aversion
– – Games and numbers
– – History
– – References
– Game classification
– Game of strategy
– – Related topics
– Strategy games
– – Abstract strategy
– – Simulation
– – Real-time strategy
– – Turn-based
– – War game
– – – General Strategy
– – – Turn-based
– – – Real-time (RTS)
– Board games
– – Two-player abstract strategy games
– – – Classic two-player abstract strategy games
– – – Modern two-player abstract strategy games
– – Two-player games of chance
– – Multi-player elimination games
– – European race games
– – Multiplayer games without elimination
– – Modern Wargames
– – Games of physical skill
– – Children’s games
– – Literature
History
– Origins of chess
– – Theories of the origin of chess
– – – India
– – – Ireland
– Early Literature
– – Byzantium
– – China
– – England
– – France
– – Germany
– – India
– – Italy
– – Persia
– – Spain
– – Sumatra
– – Switzerland
– – References
– Early Arabic chess literature
– Chess in Europe
– – See also
– – References
– Chess tournament history
– Cox-Forbes theory
– Shahnama theory
– Famous entities with chess related names
– – People
– – Cities
– – Other
– World records in chess
– – Longest game
– – Shortest tournament game
– – Latest first capture
– – Longest decisive game without a capture
Famous Games
– Immortal game
– – Introduction
– – Annotated moves of the game
– – References
– Evergreen game
– – References
– Opera game
– The Game of the Century
– – References
– Deep Blue – Kasparov, 1996, Game 1
– – Game Moves
– – References
Chess Players
– List of chess players
– Male players
– Female players
– Famous people who were/are avid chess players
– Also of note
– International Grandmaster
– World Champions
– – List of chess world championship matches
– – Notes
– World Junior Chess Championship
– Chess Rules
– – Rules of chess
– – The Board
– – Gameplay
– – – Move Sequence
– – – Movement
– – – Check, Checkmate
– – – Draws
– Equipment
– Chessboard
– Chess pieces
– Game Clock
– Time control
– Movements
– Bishop
– King
– Knight
– Pawn
– – Strategy
– Queen
– Rook
– Castling
– Fifty move rule
– Notations
– Algebraic chess notation
– – Comment Shorthand Notation
– Descriptive chess notation
– Computer Processing
– Forsyth-Edwards Notation
– – Definition
– – Examples
– Portable Game Notation
– – Tag Pairs
– – Movetext
– – Comments
– – Example
– Handling Chess Variants
– Fédération Internationale des Échecs
– FIDE Presidents
– E.I.01A. Laws of Chess
– ELO rating system
– – Previous ratings systems
– – Elo’s rating system model
– – Implementing Elo’s scheme
– – Comparative ratings
– – Mathematical Details
– Draw
– – Discouragement of draws by agreement
– Perpetual check
Strategy & Tactics
– Chess strategy and tactics
– Values of the pieces
– Tactics
– – Attacking and defending pieces
– – Forks
– – Pins
– – Skewers
– – Discovered attacks
– – Zwischenzug
– – Sacrifices
– – Attacks against the king
– Strategy
– – Opening
– – Space
– – Defending pieces
– – Exchanging pieces
– – Knights
– – Pawns
– – Bishops
– – Rooks
– – King
– – The Endgame
– Further reading
– Terminology
– – Chess terminology
– Check
– Underpromotion
– Sample chess game
– Tactics
– Fork
– Pin
– Combination
– Chess Opening
– – Aims of the opening
– – Common openings
– – – White Opens with “e4”
– – – – Ruy Lopez
– – – – Giuoco Piano
– – – – Two Knights Defence
– – – – Latvian Gambit
– – – – King’s Gambit
– – – – Sicilian Defense
– – – – French Defense
– – – – Caro-Kann
– – – – Center Counter
– – – – Pirc/Modern
– – – White Opens with “d4”
– – – – Queen’s Gambit
– – – – King’s Indian Defense
– – – – Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian, and Queen’s Indian Defense
– – – – Dutch Defense
– – – White Opens with Something Other Than “e4” or “d4”
– – – – English Opening
– – Classification of chess openings
– – References
– List of chess openings
– A00
– – A00: Irregular Openings
– Sokolsky Opening
– – A00 Sokolsky Opening
– A00 Sokolsky Opening 1.b4 e5
– – 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 3.Bxe5
– – 3…Nf6 4.c4
– – 4…Nc6
– – 5.Bb2 0?0 6.e3
– – 6…d5 7.Nf3 Bg4
– – 8.a3 Bd6 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Be2 Be7
– – 11.0?0 Bf6 12.d4 Re8 13.Nbd2 a6
– – 14.Qc2 Qd7 15.Bd3 g6
– – 16.h3 Bxf3
– – 17.Nxf3 Rad8 18.Rfd1 Bg7
– – 19.e4 Nf4
– – 20.Bf1 Ne7
– – 21.Rac1 c6 22.Ne5 Qc7
– – 23.g3 Bxe5 24.dxe5 Ne6 25.Rd6 c5 26.Rcd1 Nc8 27.R6d5 Ne7 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Rxd8+ Qxd8
– Gambit
– Evans Gambit
– Latvian Gambit
– Smith-Morra Gambit
– – How to play it
– Defence
– French Defence
– – General considerations
– – 3. exd5 exd5 – the Exchange Variation
– – 3. e5 – the Advance Variation
– – 3. Nd2 – the Tarrasch Variation
– – 3. Nc3
– – – 3… dxe4 – the Rubinstein Variation
– – – 3… Bb4 – the Winawer Variation
– – – 3… Nf6 – the Classical Variation
– – Early deviations
– – ECO codes
– Grünfeld Defence
– Nimzo-Indian Defence
– Hypermodernism
– Endgames
– Lucena position
– – References
– Zugzwang
– Stalemate
– Smothered mate
– Endgame study
– – Further reading
Problems & Puzzles
– Chess problem
– Types of problem
– Beauty in chess problems
– Further reading
– Terminology
– – Chess problem terminology
– – References
– Tactical chess problems
– Collection of chess problems
– Sam Loyd
– – Books
– Albino
– Allumwandlung
– Helpmate
– – Further reading
– Shortest proof game
– – Further reading
– Babson task
– – Further reading
– Devices
– Grimshaw
– Novotny
– Plachutta
– Chess Puzzle
– Knight’s Tour
– Puzzle Solving
– – How to solve the knight’s tour
– – Introduction
– – – Step 1
– – – Step 2
– – A heuristic
– Eight queens puzzle
– – The eight queens puzzle as an example problem for algorithm design
– – Example program in Python
– – See also
Chess Computing
– Computer chess
– Brute force vs. strategy
– Brute force vs. humans
– Endgame Databases
– Computer chess implementation issues
– – Board Representations
– – Search Techniques
– – Leaf evaluation
– – Using endgame databases
– – Other optimizations
– – Standards
– Chronology of Computer Chess
– Other chess software
– Computer Chess theorists
– The future of computer chess?
– Deep Blue – Kasparov, 1996, Game 1 (chess)
– – Game Moves
– – References
– Fritz
– Deep Fritz
– GNU Chess
– XBoard
– Universal Chess Interface
Documentation
– Chess columns in newspapers
– Chess libraries
– Chess game collection
– Opening manual
– ChessBase
Chess Variants
– Handicap variants
– Fantasy variants
– Chess-related national games
– Fischer Random Chess
– – Starting Position
– – Castling
– – – Rules for Castling
– – – How to Castle
– – – Castling Rule Ambiguities
– – Playing Fischer Random Chess
– – Recording Games
– – Starting Position Ids
– – Other Ways to Create Initial Positions
– – – Coin-Tossing Method
– – – Drawing Methods
– – – Non-Random Setups
– – History
– – Naming
– Fantasy Chess
– Alice Chess
– Antichess
– – Other names for the game
– Atomic Chess
– Avalanche chess
– Baroque chess
– – See also
– Bughouse chess
– – Bughouse Strategy
– – Where to play
– Capablanca Chess
– Circe chess
– Grand Chess
– Grid chess
– Kriegspiel
– Madrasi chess
– Martian Chess
– – Rules
– – – Initial setup
– – – Movement and capturing
– – – End of game and scoring
– – Strategy
– Monster Chess
– Omega chess
– – The New Pieces
– Patrol chess
– Progressive chess
– Three-dimensional chess
– Fairy Chess Piece
– – Classification of fairy pieces
– – – Leapers
– – – Riders
– – – Hoppers
– – Royal pieces
– – List of orthodox and fairy chess pieces
– Andernach chess
Miscellaneous
– Chess Olympiad
– – Men’s olympiads
– Chess as mental training
– – Sources
– Correspondence chess
– Lewis chessmen
– – Bibliography
– Chess-related deaths
License
– GNU Free Documentation License
About the author
– Nicolae Sfetcu
– – Contact
Publishing House
– MultiMedia Publishing

The Game of Chess

The Bridge Game

A comprehensive guide of bridge game: online games, variants, suits, hand evaluation, bidding systems, techniques, strategy, tactics.

Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game of skill for four players, usually sitting around a table, who form two partnerships, or “sides”. The partners on each side sit opposite one another. The game consists of two main parts – bidding (or auction) and play; the rules of play are rather simple and similar to other trick-taking games. However, the bidding and associated conventions are much more complex, and represent the true learning barrier to new players. Also, there is an immense variety of techniques in play of the hand, whose effective use requires learning and experience.

CONTENTS:

Games Classification
– Game Theory
– – The difference between a rule (or law) and a theory
– – Types of games and examples
– – Risk aversion
– – Games and numbers
– – History
– Card Games
– – Trick-taking games
– – Matching games
– – Gambling games
– – Solitaire or Patience games
– – Shedding games
– – Accumulating games
– – Games with special decks
– – Cooperative games
– – Inductive games
– – Multi-genre games
– – Trading card games
– Trick-Taking Games
– Gambling
– – Types of casino gambling:
Contract Bridge
– Introduction
– Game play
– – Dealing
– – The auction
– – The play of the hand
– – Scoring
– History
– – Tournaments
– – – Bidding boxes and bidding screens
– – Important Bridge Players
– Game Strategy
– – Bidding systems and conventions
– Play techniques
– – Basic techniques by declarer
– – Advanced techniques by declarer
– – Basic techniques by defenders
– – Advanced techniques by defenders
– Example
– Bridge on the Internet
– Definitions of common terms
– Auction Bridge
– – Play
– – Scoring
– Psychic bid
– Bridge scoring
– – General
– – – Contract points
– – – Level bonus
– – – Double and redouble bonus
– – – Overtrick points
– – – Penalties
– – Duplicate bridge
– – Rubber bridge
– – Recent scoring changes
– Duplicate bridge
– – Game types
– – – Pairs game
– – – Team game
– – – Individual events
– – Scoring
– – – Matchpoint scoring
– – – IMP scoring
– – – – IMP Table
– – – Scoring and tactics
– – – – Contrast with rubber bridge
– Board
– – Markings
– – Set
– – Pockets
– – Play
– Traveling sheet
– – Example
– Rubber bridge
– – Aim of the game
– – Scoring
– – – Game and rubber
– – – Vulnerability and slam bonus
– – – Undertricks
– – – Doubling
– – – Honors
– – Tactics
– – Example
– – History
– – See also
– Bermuda Bowl
– Venice Cup
– Masterpoints
– World Bridge Federation
Playing cards
– Early History
– European Spread and Early Design Changes
– Later Changes
– Card Game Rules and Hoyle
– Playing Cards Today
– Reference
– Aces
– Anglo-American
– Burn Cards
– Cut
– Entry
– – Example
– Goulash
– Holdout
– Jokers
– Shuffling
– – References
– Suits
– – Traditional Western playing cards
– – Suits in games with traditional decks
– – – Trumps
– – – Special suits
– – – Ordering suits
– – – Pairing or ignoring suits
– – – Suits and colors
– – Adding extra suits to the Anglo-American deck
– – – Commercial decks
– – – Home-made decks
– – Other modern suited decks
– – – Suit-and-value decks
– – – Other suited decks
– – Fictional decks
– – C Clubs
– – D Diamonds
– – H Hearts
– – S Spades
– Trumps
Hand Evaluation
– Beer card
– – Example
– Golden Fit
– High Card Points
– Law of Total Tricks
– – References
– Losing trick count
– – See also
– Quick Tricks
– Suits
– – Black suit
– – Red Suit
– – Major suits
– – – See also
– – Minor suits
– – – See also
– – Pointed suits
– – Rounded suit
– – Two Suiter
– Point count
– – References
– Zar Points
– – Hand Evaluation
– – Use in Existing Bidding Systems
– – New Bidding Systems
– – – Requirements for Game
– – – Opening Bids
– – – Responding to Opening Bids
– Diagram Convention
– – Contract bridge diagram convention
Bidding Systems
– Classification
– 2/1 Game Forcing
– – Example sequences
– Acol
– – Bidding system structure
– – Acol Variants
– – Standard Acol
– – – Opening bids
– – – Responses to 1 of a suit
– – – Responses to 1 NT
– – – Responses to 2 NT
– – – Responses to 2 C
– – – Responses to 2 of a suit
– – – Opener’s suit rebid after one-level opening
– – – Opener’s NT rebid after one-level opening
– – – Fourth suit forcing
– Blue Club
– – References
– Bridge World Standard
– Goren
– Polish Club
– – 1C opening:
– – – 1D response
– – – 1H/1S responses
– – – 1NT response
– – – 2C/2D responses
– – – 2H/2S responses
– – – 2NT response
– – – 3C/3D response
– – – 3H/3S responses
– – 1D opening
– – 1H/1S openings
– – 1NT opening
– – 2C Opening
– – 2D opening
– – 2H/2S openings
– – 2NT opening
– – 3NT opening
– – Conventions in an uncontested auction
– – – Jump shift
– – – Fourth suit
– – – Third suit
– – – Forcing 2NT
– – – 2C – check back
– – – En passant
– – Slam bidding
– – – Roman Key Card Blackwood 1430
– – – Exclusion Key Card Blackwood (1430 responses)
– – – Hoyt
– – – 5NT
– – – Cue bids
– – – Splinter bids
– – – AutoSplinter
– – – Six in the Splinter suit
– – – Interference after Blackwood
– – Competitive bidding
– – – Over opponent’s takeout double
– – – Over opponent’s overcall
– – – Support bidding after Partner’s 1H/1S opening is overcalled
– – – After Partner’s 1NT opening is overcalled
– – – After Partner’s 2D/2H/2S opening is overcalled
– – – Negative double
– – – When the second defender overcalls
– – Defensive bidding
– – – No−trump hands
– – – After 2D artificial opening (Multi or Wilkosz)
– – – Direct cue bid
– – – Jump cue bid
– – – Versus strong 1 NT opening
– – – Versus weak 1NT opening
– – – Other
– – Leads and signals
– Precision Club
– – Main Opening Sequence
– – References
– Preempt
– – See also
– Sacrifice
– – See also
– Standard American
– – Role of bidding systems
– – History of Standard American
– – Opener approximate hand strengths
– – Responder approximate hand strengths
– – References
– Strong Club System
Bridge Conventions
– Blackwood Convention
– – Roman Blackwood
– – Roman Key Card Blackwood (RKCB)
– Canapé
– Drury
– Drury convention
– – Opener’s Rebid
– – Two-way Drury
– – Real club (or diamond) suit
– Flannery
– Forcing notrump
– – Opener’s rebid
– – Responder’s rebid
– – Further bidding
– – Tactical raise
– – System implications
– – False Preference
– – Unusual 2S
– Game try
– – Long suit game try
– – Short suit game try
– – Help suit game try
– – Counter try
– – 2NT game try
– – Preemptive reraise
– – Slam evaluation
– Grand slam force
– Jacoby 2NT
– Jacoby Transfer
– – History and usage
– – Transfer procedure
– – Subsequent bids
– – References
– Kamikaze 1NT
– Lebensohl
– Lightner double
– Meyerson convention
– – See also
– Michaels cuebid
– Multi 2 diamonds
– – Description
– Relay bid
– Rosenkrantz redouble
– Semi-forcing notrump
– Splinter bid
– Stayman Convention
– Puppet Stayman
– Takeout double
– – Requirements
– – Examples
– – Responses
– – Protective and balancing doubles
– – West 1H
– – North Pass
– – East Pass
– – South ?
– – West 1C 2H
– – North Pass Pass
– – East 1H Pass
– – South Pass ?
– Unusual notrump
– Weak two bid
– Defenses to 1NT
– Brozel
– – See also
– Cappelletti
– – See also
– DONT
– – See also
– Landy
– – See also
Bridge Techniques
– Contract bridge playing techniques
– Squeeze
– – Classification
– Automatic squeeze
– Backwash squeeze
– – Example
– Compound squeeze
– – Example
– Criss-cross squeeze
– Double Squeeze
– Simultaneous double squeeze
– Non-simultaneous double squeeze
– Entry-shifting squeeze
– Guard squeeze
– – See also
– Progressive squeeze
– Pseudo-squeeze
– Simple squeeze
– Single-suit squeeze
– Stepping-stone squeeze
– Strip squeeze
– Suicide squeeze
– Trump squeeze
– Winkle squeeze
– Squeezee
– Avoidance play
– – Example
– Coup
– – Pure Coups
– – Deceptive Coups
– – Illegal Coups
– Bath coup
– – Defense
– Coup en passant
– – See also
– Devil’s coup
– – See also
– Trump coup
– – See also
– Morton’s fork coup
– – Example
– Scissors coup
– – See also
– Crossruff
– Duck
– – Preserving an entry
– – Denying an entry (declarer play)
– – Denying an entry (defender play)
– – Rectifying the count
– – Endplay
– Dummy reversal
– – Example
– Endplay
– Finesse
– – Direct finesse
– – Indirect finesse
– – Double finesse
– – Deep finesse
– – Leading high for a finesse
– – Marked finesse
– – Two-way finesse
– – Ruffing finesse
– – Free finesse
– – Bath Coup
– – Trump coup and coup en passant
– – Suit combinations
– Holdup
– – Example
– – Rule of seven
– – See also
– Loser on loser
– – Example
– – See also
– Ruff
– Ruff and discard
– Safety play
– – See also
– Signal
– – Standard signals
– – – Attitude signal
– – – Count signal
– – – Suit preference signal
– – Discarding agreements
– – – Lavinthal (McKenney)
– – – Odd-Even
– – Upside down count and attitude
– – Disclosure
– – Falsecarding
– Smother Play
– – See also
– Trump promotion
– See also
– Uppercut
– Principle of restricted choice
– – Example
– – Math theory
Contract bridge glossary
The Bridge Game