WIZARD NEWSLETTER…..April 2008



Programming

The BETA version of web-based Wizard received little membership support and consequently it has been shelved for the present time.

However programming has begun to:

(a) Upgrade the connection process for the normal game of wizard.

(b) Upgrade the connection process for the virtual host.

(c) Program “Wizard Junior” for online play

* Also we have paid additional monthly fees to upgrade to FIBER OPTIC lines.



Upcoming Tournaments

(a) Delayed Reveal Bid: Saturday April 12. Hosted by DougJ

(b) Top 10 Tourn. March: Sun. April 6/08. Reg 1:00 -1:45 PM Start at 2:00 PM EST: Host: Merlin

2008 Tournament in Niagara Falls

Plans are progressing to make the 2008 event the biggest and best ever. The addition of the “B” Tournament for those eliminated from the Regular Tournament will mean all-day play for everyone. The “B” tournament is NOT a consolation tournament but a bona fide second tournament with cash prizes and Master Points awarded.

Plans are also under way to provide every attendee with a commemorative medal.

A free Wizard T-shirt will be provided to everyone wearing some form of Wizard regalia on Friday evening. See site for details.

Although months away the maximum registration of 100 players is almost 50% full.

Be sure to visit www.wizardcards.net to check for the latest updates.

Cargo-Cause

We’d like to see cargobeep in attendance at the August Tournament. She is one of the most-successful Top-Ten players of all time. The current fund stands at $350 which is half-way to the $700 goal. If you’d like to contribute simply send an e-mail to wizard at kenneth.fisher@sympatico.ca stating the amount you are prepared to contribute. Thanks.

A Brief and Undocumented History of Gaming

As a pastime games, loosely defined, predate the arrival of homo-erectus. The arrival of the earliest man-made game is lost in the pages of time but the “Royal Game of Ur” circa 3000 B. C. is the oldest complete set of gaming equipment found to date. Cubical dice appeared circa 700 B.C. Around the birth of Jesus there are records indicating that Emperor Claudius played “Tabula” which was an early form of “Backgammon”. The game of “Go” arrived in Japan from China between 300 - 500 A.D. and “Chess” arrived in Europe from India circa 750 A.D. The earliest European mention of ‘cards’ appeared in Spain in 1371.

Arguably the 3 great categories of games are:

1. Dice games (with or without a board and other pieces.)

2. Board games (without the use of dice.)

3. Card games

Variations of each of the categories are found throughout all continents. I will attempt to continue this brief history in the next newsletter.



Wizard Clubs

The Toronto East Club (Pres. George Wellsbury) and the Toronto West Club (Pres. Ken McCoy) continue to hold monthly tournaments. New members are always welcome. For more information or to contact either club click on “Bulletin Boards” then scroll down and click on “Wizard Clubs”.



German Wizard

Amigo-Spiele is hosting tournaments in 30 locations throughout Germany. The FINALS to determine the German representatives to the Wizard 2008 Tournament in Niagara Falls will take place on June 1.



I hope to see you all in Niagara Falls on August 1-2.



Ken Fisher