playing games - I like Chess and Hearts

Games let us express our personalities with less affect than personal relationships and family dynamics. So playing games with family members has shallow consequences, but the activity can still be very revealing. That's what I like about Chess and Hearts. The possibilities for conflict, exploiting advantages, and losing in a situation without deep consequences or lasting effects are hilarious.

Here are a couple paragraphs about the game of Hearts from blogs:

1: As with most games of skill, reading a player's tendencies and cues are keys to success. With Hearts, one must also be concerned with vengeance, as well as lack of knowledge of the game. Players who take risks that result in a decrease in the probability for others to win is deemed as selfish (in a game that thrives on teamwork). Some players might retaliate against this player by distributing point cards to that player. A good rapport with the other players is always a plus, as it's nearly impossible for one player to beat three good players teamed up against the one.

2: Hearts is as much a game of personalities and bluffing as is poker. It requires skill and intuition to determine how opponents will react to certain styles of play. For example, a player who tries and fails to run frequently will be watched so closely in subsequent play that his prospects of any deceptive plays become impossible. The key to remember is that Hearts is only a game. Play it well, but play it to have fun.

So, playing Hearts with friends and family is exceptionally worthwhile. It's an opportunity to let your dark side out and ridicule those who are closest to you. Or an opportunity to show some love. The best of both worlds.

I will not mention names, but the lowest of the despised game players will make incredible sacrifices to keep others from winning. One obvious example showed up last night when a player intentionally took the dirty Queen to quash another player's hopes of Shooting the Moon, twice. That's all I will say about that.