Playing cards/dice

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I'm impressed. I've never played in chess tournament, but I have played against a rated player. How does the low expert range equate to the number system?

It goes like this:

(Grandmaster is by international tournament results,
not ratings, though GMs will generally have a 2500+ rating.)

Senior Master 2400+
Master 2200-2399
Expert 2000-2199
A 1800-1999
B 1600-1799
C 1400-1599
D 1200-1399
E 1000-1199

My father was desperate for someone to play chess with so he taught both my sister and myself to play at very early ages. His way of teaching was to defeat us until we earned victory. Occasionally my mother would chastise my father for playing like that but I always defended him. I didn't want to be given a game, I wanted to earn my victories. Sometimes he would play without a queen, to give himself more of a challenge.

The last time I played regularly was against a guy I worked with who had a rating somewhere between 1800 and 2000. We played at lunch time. When I first started playing against him, I couldn't beat him. So I read a few books on openings and started winning almost half the time when I had white. He carved me up when he had white. I only managed to eke out a few wins with black. We stopped playing after a bet, a bet that he was about to lose after I trapped his queen, and he lost an extra man trying to save her. I never did get my Coca-Cola. I still have the positions of the men written down, even though the game will never be finished. That bet cost us a friendship. We didn't speak for ages, until we met at a construction site we were both working at. We spoke briefly and friendly, as if nothing happened. He asked if I wanted to play chess that night, but I had other plans. I only saw him once after that and greeted him warmly. And so it goes.

Interesting story. Maybe you guys were taking the game just a wee bit too seriously?

And it sounds like you're pretty good, and might do ok in tournaments.

 

[Faith.Man]

It goes like this:

(Grandmaster is by international tournament results,
not ratings, though GMs will generally have a 2500+ rating.)

Senior Master 2400+
Master 2200-2399
Expert 2000-2199
A 1800-1999
B 1600-1799
C 1400-1599
D 1200-1399
E 1000-1199

Interesting story. Maybe you guys were taking the game just a wee bit too seriously?

And it sounds like you're pretty good, and might do ok in tournaments.

The guy I was playing was definitely a mid to high A but had been higher rated at one time. I was playing for fun against a mechanical designer who worked for me (I would say we were equally matched somewhere in the low C category when this other friend who didn't know we both played chess started playing my designer and myself. As you probably know, there are a couple of ways to improve your chess game: 1) is to read and study the game, starting with openings; and 2) is to play someone better than you. I did both, my designer friend only did one of the two. With white, when I was playing regularly I may have been a low to mid A; with black, probably a mid to low B or high C. There is one white opening that wreaks havoc on me. Even though I've studied responses I have no hope. Of course he found my Achilles heel and used it against me often. He evidentially was quite successful with it in tournaments. In the beginning, I was fortunate to win a game every other week. By the end of our playing, I was winning maybe 50% or more of my games with white, and maybe 10% of my games with black. (Rough guesses)

 

[WannaWitness]

Just a question for the sake of curiosity (as I realize there are different convictions on issues such as this)....

I'm interested in knowing various feelings on the casual (non-gambling) use of dice and playing cards, that is, for playing innocent card games like Go Fish and Crazy Eights, and dice games such as Yahtzee and Monopoly. I knew a lady once -- very nice, but old-school in every way, even with this issue (although I really highly respected her, as they were her personal convictions) -- and thinking of her in part drove me to post this thread.

I hope this thread doesn't pose a problem in any way, as that is not my intent. I only want to hear what different people's thoughts are on this common (or what I believe to be anyway) issue discussed in the Christian realm. Share freely, and disagree if you must, but please try not to kill one another.

Quoting myself, and bumping for the sake of newcomers. I hope it's okay to do that....

 

[VCViking]

Just a question for the sake of curiosity (as I realize there are different convictions on issues such as this)....

I'm interested in knowing various feelings on the casual (non-gambling) use of dice and playing cards, that is, for playing innocent card games like Go Fish and Crazy Eights, and dice games such as Yahtzee and Monopoly. I knew a lady once -- very nice, but old-school in every way, even with this issue (although I really highly respected her, as they were her personal convictions) -- and thinking of her in part drove me to post this thread.

I hope this thread doesn't pose a problem in any way, as that is not my intent. I only want to hear what different people's thoughts are on this common (or what I believe to be anyway) issue discussed in the Christian realm. Share freely, and disagree if you must, but please try not to kill one another.

My own thoughts on this later....

It is evil, wicked and wrong! From the pits of Hell! just kidding.

 

[strelok0017]

Cards are not wrong. I know that I might have been harsh on myself sometimes with silly things but cards are not evil at all. It's all about our heart. You can play cards for fun, it is by no means forbidden in the Bible but what I urge everyone to avoid is coming to the point in which we incline to define ourselves by what we are against rather than Jesus. I don't really play cards myself tho. And it's been a long time since I played poker. I even forgot the rules.

 

[lismore]

I was asked to play cards with a couple of students a few years back. I went to the Reference Library and found a book on the origins of playing cards. Where did the ace of spades, queen of hearts and the like originate from? Who invented them and why?

From what I read I decided not to play cards.

 

[VCViking]

I was asked to play cards with a couple of students a few years back. I went to the Reference Library and found a book on the origins of playing cards. Where did the ace of spades, queen of hearts and the like originate from? Who invented them and why?

From what I read I decided not to play cards.

Really? Do you remember? I am interested. Thanks.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

The guy I was playing was definitely a mid to high A but had been higher rated at one time. I was playing for fun against a mechanical designer who worked for me (I would say we were equally matched somewhere in the low C category when this other friend who didn't know we both played chess started playing my designer and myself. As you probably know, there are a couple of ways to improve your chess game: 1) is to read and study the game, starting with openings; and 2) is to play someone better than you. I did both, my designer friend only did one of the two. With white, when I was playing regularly I may have been a low to mid A; with black, probably a mid to low B or high C. There is one white opening that wreaks havoc on me. Even though I've studied responses I have no hope. Of course he found my Achilles heel and used it against me often. He evidentially was quite successful with it in tournaments. In the beginning, I was fortunate to win a game every other week. By the end of our playing, I was winning maybe 50% or more of my games with white, and maybe 10% of my games with black. (Rough guesses)

Oddly enough, my win percentage is higher with black. I'm at my best when counter-attacking, and I've become very fond of hyper-sharp defenses like the Najdorf Sicilian and Modern Benoni.

We all have openings we don't especially like playing against. You have to learn ways to either deal with them or avoid them. Part of improving as a player is learning to play well in any kind of position... even the ones that go against our preferred style. If there's an opening that gives you fits, play over lots and lots of annotated grandmaster games with that opening, until you feel like you understand it. And play it yourself, from both sides, until you can give other people fits with it!

I.e., I am a positionally aggressive player. I like to take over key squares and strangle my opponents like a hungry boa constrictor before checkmating them. But I've also had to learn to play better in open, completely tactical positions and in boring, grind it out in the endgame positions, though I don't really care for either.

 

[lismore]

Really? Do you remember? I am interested. Thanks.

I only delved into it briefly and don't want to be dogmatic. But if you look into it you might find it interesting. For a little taste look at post #21 where a cards shark is named a 'grandmaster'. My great uncle was a grandmaster in the lodge.

 

[questioningchristian]

I can't say anything about dice as I don't use them but I will say I do love blackjack!

 

[CGL1023]

Just a question for the sake of curiosity (as I realize there are different convictions on issues such as this)....

I'm interested in knowing various feelings on the casual (non-gambling) use of dice and playing cards, that is, for playing innocent card games like Go Fish and Crazy Eights, and dice games such as Yahtzee and Monopoly. I knew a lady once -- very nice, but old-school in every way, even with this issue (although I really highly respected her, as they were her personal convictions) -- and thinking of her in part drove me to post this thread.

I hope this thread doesn't pose a problem in any way, as that is not my intent. I only want to hear what different people's thoughts are on this common (or what I believe to be anyway) issue discussed in the Christian realm. Share freely, and disagree if you must, but please try not to kill one another.

My own thoughts on this later....

I asked your question to my pastor. The reply was that cards, as family games, are no more than matching patterns.

 

[apache1]

My take on Indian gaming - I don't personally care for it, I don't gamble or bet myself, but I don't see why many people have a problem with Native gaming, but often same people have no problem with Vegas or Atlantic City. Why is it wrong for Crazy Horse or Geronimo to have gaming ("no good Injuns") but it is "cool" that Bugsy Segal, Lucky Luciano, and Meyer Lansky, and more recently, Donald Trump have their "roll of the dice"?

 

[ChristianAlphabet]

It's like most things, books are great, but not when they are pornographic or racist. Beer or wine is fine, as long as it is in moderation. Computers are wonderful, as long as you aren't addicted to games or pornography. The same goes with cards. I am a poker book publisher so I am a little biased, but gambling is fun and entertaining as well as long as it is within your means. Cards are a wonderful invention as long as they are used to stimulate the mind and entertain ourselves.

 

[VCViking]

When gambling comes into play, then problems can arise. Starts out innocent but...

 

[strelok0017]

As long as it does not involve money or addiction the only problem it can cause is boredom. In a group of friends it's not a problem. Keep in mind that only sinful use of things is problematic. Cards without money are fun. Not to me, I don't play any myself, but if you like it go for it. It's a completely neutral matter in my opinion. I prefer Monopoly tho. I used to play it a long time ago. I wonder what others think about it?

God bless!

 

[jessehove04]

Only play Rook...every other game is from the devil

 

[CGL1023]

Just a question for the sake of curiosity (as I realize there are different convictions on issues such as this)....

I'm interested in knowing various feelings on the casual (non-gambling) use of dice and playing cards, that is, for playing innocent card games like Go Fish and Crazy Eights, and dice games such as Yahtzee and Monopoly. I knew a lady once -- very nice, but old-school in every way, even with this issue (although I really highly respected her, as they were her personal convictions) -- and thinking of her in part drove me to post this thread.

I hope this thread doesn't pose a problem in any way, as that is not my intent. I only want to hear what different people's thoughts are on this common (or what I believe to be anyway) issue discussed in the Christian realm. Share freely, and disagree if you must, but please try not to kill one another.



My own thoughts on this later....

I find that in the games you describe using cards, dice, and spinners etc., are involved in pattern matching. The second thing about the objects mentioned add randomness which is an essential element in any game. If a game has no randomness then you can't call it a game.

 

[SoulBap6]

playing Cards, Playing checkers, Children board games, Chess are things that many played as Children and some into adults. When things such as the game of Chance comes along, the Lottery, poker Games for money, Indian Bingo and Gambling, and Las Vegas Gambling.

Were talking about something more than Kid Games. Gambling is an addiction just like Booze and drugs. People spend Billions of Dollars on Gambling and the Streets of Las Vegas are filled with people thinking they can win, The story goes they come in on a Shiney plane and leave on a shiney Bus. They don't call it sin city for nothing, I didn't call it that A man told me that was what it was called. He lived in Las Vegas.

I don't know how Christians see this but as for me. I preach at a Rescue mission and from time to time I have a opportunity to talk to some of the people in the Mission. Once in awhile I meet some people who gambled and lost everything. I'll let you be the Judge of that, is it a sin? Does it destroy lives? and Can it lead to worse thing?

 

[WannaWitness]

Just as a reminder: I am not talking about using the dice/cards for gambling. I'm talking about games using the cards and dice without gambling involved. Like Monopoly and Yahtzee (in which dice are involved, but have nothing to do with gambling). And I don't consider playing a casual "game of chance" gambling as long as it doesn't involve the use of real money.

However, I do realize there are a few people who still make the association (reminding them of gambling), finding them a stumbling block, and therefore have convictions against them. It's another one of those "doubtful things" Romans 14:1 talks about, which is also in connection with 1 Corinthians 8 which discusses the issue of idol meat.

As for myself, I do not gamble, but I don't think there is anything wrong with using playing cards and dice in casual games with family and friends, as long as it is not used for gambling.

Anyone is welcome to refer to my personal thoughts on this issue in post #9 of this thread.

But everyone's conviction on such things is different.

 

[anglozaxon]

Personally I have no problem with cards or dice, but I have never layed any gambling type games really, or at least i have never gambled, I was always brought up that it was a mugs game gambling.