I think people won't stop complaining about crippled Dice Poker ... game of Yahtze is so popular that stepping down to Dice Poker is felt like punishment ... but for what ? I've seen many yahtzee-like games having built in bonus. The only difference was the name of the game. Fencer, I know you said NO to any changes, but I am sure this particular case of game asks for some kind of compromise ... please think it over again. Krybulon.
jryden: since bonus is not available whay not use doubling cube ... common guys, let's introduce doubling cube ... I've already seen so many fine situations that screamed for doubling cube action ... and yes, there is something disturbing with the present highlighting the cells ... I made several mistakes rolling for opponents cells. Regards, Andy.
Fencer, is it possible to introduce a Joker in Dice Poker ... ? I mean the second 5 in a row could work like this and the player could freely choose h/is/er score ? Andy.
ever considered playing Yahtzee scientifically ? this little, funny game has deep mathematics behind every roll. there is a new book entirely about Yahtzee and its strategy. check it out. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29081.asp
but surely I am adjusting to our Dice Poker without a bonus. Tactics changes dramatically. There is no more conflict between upper and lower portion of a scoring table. 55564, for example, is always recorded as 3 of a kind now. There is no more fight to get at least 3 of each kind ... rather than this, upper portion is used as a trash can, especially spaces for 1's, 2's and even 3's ... a race to fill in a lower portion is on ... is it better or worse ? well, it's different and it took me a while to accept the fact that I will never have a bonus points in our Dice Poker. Regards, Andy.
have you ever played card game GIN ? and did you try to score using Hollywood scoring tables ? Here is how it works: there are 3 games played and the same time ... each player has three columns, first one for the first game, second for the second, and so on, lol. For our purpose we substitute card's hand or deal with Poker Dice roll. The idea is the same for both types of games. Results for the first game (here, our roll) is posted into the first column, just like in regular Dice Poker game. Second roll is posted into the first and the second column and of course, the player decides where to score in these coulmns (he may choose to score in different spots, for example, in the first coulmn he ma score 66655 as a 3 of a kind while in the second column he may choose to score Full House). Third roll is recorded in the first, second and third coulmn. From now on, every roll is recorded into 3 coulmns ... Whoever wins 2 out of 3 games is the winner of the whole match. Very interesting variant of recording scores and winnings. Regards, Andy.
joshi tm: doubling cube should keep Dice Poker simple ... but without a bonus this game is missing very important feature. there is a book about Yahtzee strategy called "Advantage Yahtzee" ... check it out on Amazon.com. I have this book, it's very interesting for Yahtzee players. Bonus makes this game very exciting and without it we miss huge portion of the flavor. Doubling cube would substitute this lacking excitement. Tripple Yathzee is a different spiece. It's a very complicated game and there is no need for any doubling cube at all. Regards.
joshi tm: please explain what is your point ? I believe I am not following now ... I was thinking about doubling cube only for Dice Poker not for Triple variant ...
joshi tm: it's interesting idea and I was thinking about it recently ... however, I think that doubling cube should be enough for Dice Poker, at least to the point that it would pass a test with many games ... putting too many things to calculate the outcome would cripple the fun of the game itself ... and we are suppose to play for fun with a little touch of gentle gambling ... I think that building gammon and backgammon combined with a doubling cube into Poker Dice would call for extensive statistical tools to solve any move ... let's talk to Fencer to implement doubling cube. Thanks for your consideration. Andy.
joshi tm: exactly the same what it does for backgammon game. let's say you have 150 points and there is only one turn left for you and the only empty slot is 6's in the upper portion of the scoring table. Your opponent is going to roll after you and he/she has 140 points so far and the only option is to go for 40 points (big straight). What are the options for you ? You may get 18 points fairly easily or maybe 24 with a good roll, so you score may go up to 168 or 174 ... Opponent, when lucky, can get 40 points and outscore you with 180 points ... without a doubling cube you go for win/lose result but with a doubling cube you may force your opponent to resign and get your win without risking a losing game. If an opponent accepts your doubling cube he/she take a hudge risk of losing 2 points since to get 40 points is problematic ... there many similar situation during the game that may call for a use of a doubling cube ... I hope it explains my thinking ... What do you think now ?