Leading expert Paul Booth explores the growth in popularity of board games today, and unpacks what it means to read a board game. What does a game communicate? How do games play us? And how do we decide which games to play and which are just wastes of cardboard? With little scholarly research in this still-emerging field, Board Games as Media underscores the importance of board games in the ever-evolving world of media.

So you're good at the pub quiz ... you always have the right answer ... you're known for the depth and breadth of your knowledge ... well, why not put those skills to the test with Think You Know It All? Genius Edition. In this fiendish and at times infuriating book of general knowledge questions, you'll find a vast range of topics are covered, to give you a real challenge on subjects from maths to history, music to literature, cinema to sport. With all sorts of different types of question to keep you on your toes (and all the answers at the back for when you need them) this book will give you entertainment and be head-scratchingly annoying in equal measure ... ... But then that's the thing about knowledge: if you know the answer, it's easy!

Designed as a Java based textbook for beginning programmers, this book uses game programming as a central pedagogical tool to improve student engagement, learning outcomes, and retention. The new edition includes updating the GUI interface chapters from Swing based to FX based programs. The game programming is incorporated into the text in a way that does not compromise the amount of material traditionally covered in a basic programming or advanced Java programming course, and permits instructors who are not familiar with game programming and computer graphic concepts to realize the pedagogical advantages of using game programming. The book assumes the reader has no prior programming experience. FEATURES: Features content in compliance with the latest ACM/IEEE computer science curriculum guidelines. Introduces the basic programming concepts such as strings, loops, arrays, graphics, functions, classes, etc. Includes updating the GUI interface chapters (Chapters 11 and 12) from Swing based to FX based. Contains material on programming of mobile applications and several simulations that graphically depict unseen runtime processes. 4 color throughout with game demos on the companion files. Instructor's resources available upon adoption.

Frank Legato is not only a recognised slot expert, but he also knows what it's like to take on the one-armed bandits; he's a player first and foremost. In this funny and insightful book, Frank shares his 20 years of experience researching, writing about, and playing the slots. You'll learn: exactly how slot machines work; which machines pay back the most money, and which pay most frequently; which slot beliefs are merely silly myths and which are facts; how to recognise phoney (and funny) slot systems that should be avoided; Frank's own strategies for increasing your winning potential; how to maximise your returns from slot clubs; and more... States. From Las Vegas to Atlantic City to Tunica, Mississippi, from Indian casinos to riverboats to 'racinos', Frank explains the character and history of each slot venue and reveals his favorite places to play slots in each location. After reading this book, you'll know everything there is to know about slot machines, including how to win millions playing them... or lose trying.

This is a fictionalized account of the life and career of world chess champion Alexander Alekhine. Born into Russian nobility, Alekhine lost his family and nearly his life to the Bolsheviks before becoming the worlds most powerful chess player. The coming of World War II placed the chess master in a difficult position, forcing him to collaborate with the Nazis and to produce anti-Semitic materials. Desperate to win back his credibility after the war, Alekhine was preparing for the redemptive title match at the time of his sudden death. Alekhines life was marked by alcoholism, fits of depression, scandalous affairs, marriages of convenience, painful compromises, and his battle to become "the Greatest." The novel is told as fiction but is based on the actual people and events that were part of his triumphant career and troubled life.

Leading professional Jonathan Little excels live No-Limit cash game play. In this book he teaches readers how to master the intricacies of this fascinating game. Jonathan's first book in this series, Jonathan Little on Live no-Limit Cash Games, Volume 1:The Theory outlined how the modern professional plays the game. Now Jonathan has produced a second volume, allowing players to test their understanding of the nuances of playing NL live. The question and answer format allows the reader to examine each individual hand, consider the relevant factors and formulate their thinking about the best line to take. In this way the reader can compare his or her thought processes with those of a top flight professional. No-Limit play is all about successfully adapting your strategy based on: *The pre-flop action*Whether you are the aggressor*Whether you are in position*The relative stack sizes at the table Testing yourself by going through the examples in this book will enable you to make these adaptations instinctive.

Chirp up your card games with the most beautiful birds in the world. Includes 52 playing cards featuring illustrations of birds ranging from the familiar to the exotic, plus two jokers. From the cheerful red cardinal to the majestic white swan, the imposing California condor to the flamboyant great blue turaco, these delightful birds may make you forget your poker face

This illustrated deck of playing cards is perfect for dram after dram of whisky, or Whisky Poker - or any other card game. Featuring illustrations of 39 malt whiskies from around the world, plus 13 whisky-based cocktails, the deck is accompanied by a booklet giving detailed background to the world's favourite distilleries and recipes for all the cocktails. Perfect for a hand of cards or a handy refresher on how to mix an Old Fashioned.

Do you need to be a genius to be good at chess? What does it take to become a Grandmaster? Can computer programmes beat human intuition in gameplay? The Psychology of Chess is an insightful overview of the roles of intelligence, expertise, and human intuition in playing this complex and ancient game. The book explores the idea of 'practice makes perfect', alongside accounts of why men perform better than women in international rankings, and why chess has become synonymous with extreme intelligence as well as madness. When artificial intelligence researchers are increasingly studying chess to develop machine learning, The Psychology of Chess shows us how much it has already taught us about the human mind.

Most chess openings have been around for centuries; the first book on the Ruy Lopez was written in 1561. Not so the Jobava System. This is a thoroughly modern opening that has only achieved prominence in the last decade or so. It is named after the Georgian chess visionary Baadur Jobava, a highly imaginative and creative grandmaster. The Jobava System is based around the opening moves 1 d4 d5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Bf4. For many years this was considered to be a quiet and unassuming backwater of chess theory. No longer!Thanks to the efforts of Jobava and others this system has been honed into a fierce attacking weapon. As this opening is so new the correct defensive methods are not well understood. This makes the system extremely dynamic and dangerous.In this book, Simon Williams (the Ginger GM) delves deep into the Jobava and offers up a complete repertoire based on this exciting new system. The advantages are clear: - There is very little existing theory- Black cannot play safely on "auto-pilot"- It is fresh and it's fun!Williams is well known for his swashbuckling, attacking play and his entertaining and instructive commentary. He is your ideal guide to the Jobava System.

This hilarious sequel includes 40 new games, plus the outrageous Beer Catalog.

Wish, daydream and discover a more optimistic outlook with The Puzzle of Hopefulness. Part of a new 150-piece gradient puzzle series that taps into the mindful, self-care appeal of jigsaws. The beautiful, mesmerising artwork of each little puzzle focuses on a different emotion, with an accompanying essay to help you understand and make sense of these feelings. Other titles in the series include: The Puzzle of Happiness, The Puzzle of Calm, The Puzzle of Love and The Puzzle of Ecstasy.