WIZARD NEWSLETTER June 2008.


International Wizard Fest 2008

Situational Critical! Red Alert!

There are but 17 spots still available for the big event of Aug.1-2 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. If you have been prevaricating now is the time to act. (Keep in mind that the special Wizard rates at the 2 hotels must be booked by the end of June.)

This may well be the biggest blow-out Wizard Tournament that will ever take place. The costs are too high to continue with the current level of largess. So, don’t think “Maybe next year.” This year is the event that is not to be missed.

Treat yourself to a great time with great people at a great location. You’re worth it…aren’t you?

Already registered? Lots of info at www.wizardcards.net (updated regularly)

Questions or suggestion are welcome.


A Brief & Undocumented History of Gaming (continued)

This month I attempt to answer the question, “What is the most successful game?”

The 3 basic game categories were previously defined as: Board Games, Dice Games, and Card Games. In reality we recognize that many of the best games are a combination of 2 or more of the aforementioned. Nevertheless I feel confident in selecting Card Games as the predominant category. Without figures, statistics or other data to back me up (remember this is an ‘undocumented history of gaming’) I can only offer the following:

Card games are to be found on all populated continents and are played by every age group. The origin of card games extends far back in time and their longevity attests to their ongoing popularity. Card games are played casually around the kitchen table, in organized groups and clubs and in highly sophisticated commercial establishments such as casinos. More people play card games worldwide than any other type of game.

Having arbitrarily selected Card Games as the ultimate category of gaming I dare not take the next step and answer the question: What is the ultimate card game? However I will take that topic as my subject for next month. I will not provide a final answer but I will explore the parameters of an ultimate card game.


Knowing How Probability Works Helps You to Win at “Wizard”

Often you need to decide on a bid or on which card to play and you need to figure out the odds. Try the following problem to test your reasoning ability.
Suppose you're on a game show and you're given the choice of three doors. Behind one door is a car; behind the others, goats. The car and the goats were placed randomly behind the doors before the show. The rules of the game show are as follows: After you have chosen a door, the door remains closed for the time being. The game show host, who knows what is behind the doors, now has to open one of the two remaining doors, and the door he opens must have a goat behind it. If both remaining doors have goats behind them, he chooses one randomly. After the host opens a door with a goat, he will ask you to decide whether you want to stay with your first choice or to switch to the last remaining door. Imagine that you chose Door 1 and the host opens Door 3, which has a goat. He then asks you "Do you want to switch to Door Number 2?" Is it to your advantage to change your choice?
Note that the player may initially choose any of the three doors (not just Door 1), that the host opens a different door revealing a goat (not necessarily Door 3), and that he gives the player a second choice between the two remaining unopened doors. It is assumed that the player is trying to win the car.

Although I’ll provide the answer next month I know there will be doubters who will refuse to accept the solution.


WIZARD on FACEBOOK

Did you know that there are 2 Wizard groups on Facebook?

1. Wizard Cards...started by Joshua McCoy has 23 members

2. I Love Wizard Card Game...started by Marty Mazza has 21 members.

I am hoping that we can combine them. Great for exchanging pictures and communicating.

Give it a look and please contribute comments, photos, etc.

Go to www.Facebook.com

COVER GIRL

Yes, a Wizard member is a cover girl.

Provocative, revealing, scintillating, informative!

Who is it?

See for yourself at http://www.gtathismonth.com/magazine.html


Tournaments

1. Top 10...Friday, June 6

2. Delayed Reveal...Saturday, June 7

Cheers

Ken Fisher