{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"categoryState":{"relatedCategories":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-05-17T12:31:19+00:00"},"categoryId":33884,"data":{"title":"Games","slug":"games","image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884}],"parentCategory":{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","slug":"home-auto-hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"}},"childCategories":[{"categoryId":33885,"title":"Betting","slug":"betting","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33885"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33886,"title":"Board Games","slug":"board-games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33886"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33890,"title":"Card Games","slug":"card-games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33890"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33900,"title":"Children's Games","slug":"childrens-games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33900"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33901,"title":"Game Development","slug":"game-development","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33901"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33904,"title":"Online Games","slug":"online-games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33904"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33907,"title":"Puzzles","slug":"puzzles","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33907"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33915,"title":"Role Playing","slug":"role-playing","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33915"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":34389,"title":"Computer Games","slug":"computer-games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34389"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}}],"description":"Rule number one: Have fun. Looking for the other rules? Expert strategies? Ideas for online play? We've got betting, board games, card games, and more.","relatedArticles":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles?category=33884&offset=0&size=5"}},"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"}},"relatedCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{"count":10,"total":385,"items":[{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:41+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-26T20:42:16+00:00","timestamp":"2022-04-27T00:01:25+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Role Playing","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33915"},"slug":"role-playing","categoryId":33915}],"title":"Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"dungeons & dragons 4th edition for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"dungeons-dragons-4th-edition-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Discover how to choose the best powers, feats, skills, and gear for your Dungeons & Dragons character’s race and class.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"When you’re creating a character for your Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition game, you want to choose the best powers, feats, skills, and gear for your character’s race and class. This Cheat Sheet provides tips for making wise power, feat, skill, and gear choices when you’re creating a new Dungeons & Dragons character. Once you get started, use the printable battle grids for roleplaying encounters.","description":"When you’re creating a character for your Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition game, you want to choose the best powers, feats, skills, and gear for your character’s race and class. This Cheat Sheet provides tips for making wise power, feat, skill, and gear choices when you’re creating a new Dungeons & Dragons character. Once you get started, use the printable battle grids for roleplaying encounters.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10415,"name":"Bill Slavicsek","slug":"bill-slavicsek","description":"","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10415"}},{"authorId":10416,"name":"Richard Baker","slug":"richard-baker","description":"","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10416"}},{"authorId":10417,"name":"Mike Mearls","slug":"mike-mearls","description":"","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10417"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33915,"title":"Role 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class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;role-playing&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-626887d5983a2\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":193196,"title":"Learning New Powers in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","slug":"learning-new-powers-in-dungeons-dragons-4th-edition","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","role-playing"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193196"}},{"articleId":193197,"title":"Planning Your Feat Choices in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","slug":"planning-your-feat-choices-in-dungeons-dragons-4th-edition","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","role-playing"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193197"}},{"articleId":193198,"title":"Choosing Your Character’s Skills in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","slug":"choosing-your-characters-skills-in-dungeons-dragons-4th-edition","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","role-playing"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193198"}},{"articleId":193199,"title":"Sample Starting Gear in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","slug":"sample-starting-gear-in-dungeons-dragons-4th-edition","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","role-playing"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193199"}},{"articleId":193195,"title":"Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Battle Grids","slug":"dungeons-dragons-4th-edition-battle-grids","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","role-playing"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193195"}}],"content":[{"title":"Learning new powers in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>One of the great things about roleplaying games like <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> is that you get to completely customize your character, starting from scratch. When you’re creating a new 1st-level character for your <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> 4th Edition game, you get to select the following types of class powers:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Two 1st-level at-will powers (for a human character, pick three)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">One 1st-level encounter power</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">One 1st-level daily power</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>As your character gains experience levels, he or she gains additional powers. For example, at 2nd level, your character gains one 2nd-level utility power; at 3rd level, one 3rd-level encounter power; and at 5th level, one 5th-level daily power. Your character is gaining other benefits, too, but the opportunity to choose new powers is one of the most interesting and useful parts of gaining levels.</p>\n<p>Start your character creation with <a href=\"http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Tool.aspx?x=dnd/4new/tool/charactersheet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a character sheet from the official <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> Web site</a>.</p>\n"},{"title":"Planning your feat choices in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Choosing feats in the <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> 4th Edition roleplaying game can be pretty daunting because there are so many to choose from. It’s a good idea to have a plan for which feats your character will select over the next few levels so that you can make sure you get the feats you want as quickly as possible. Try the following process when evaluating your feat choices:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Choose your character’s class (if you haven’t already), and then decide which build you want your character to follow within that class.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">A skillful Guardian Fighter, for example, needs to learn different feats from a muscle-bound, axe-wielding Great Weapon Fighter, even though they’re both fighters.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Consult the feat recommendations for your character’s class and chosen build, or design your own feat plan.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">After you’ve played the game for a while and you’ve made up a few characters, experiment with building feat plans that exploit feat choices not outlined in the rulebook.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Make any extra feat selections you have coming to you, such as the bonus feat that human characters get at 1st level.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Record your feat selections on your <a href=\"http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Tool.aspx?x=dnd/4new/tool/charactersheet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">character sheet</a>.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n"},{"title":"Choosing your character's skills in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When you create a 1st-level character in <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> 4th Edition, you begin roleplaying with training in a certain number of skills. The number of skills your character gains training in depends on your character’s class and race (humans begin with one extra skill as a racial benefit). The list of skills you can choose for your character is limited by his or her class. Here’s are five skills with key game effects that you shouldn’t ignore:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Bluff:</b> Rogues can use the Bluff skill to manufacture sneak attack opportunities with the Gain Combat Advantage skill application.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Diplomacy:</b> This is a great catch-all skill for convincing nonplayer characters (NPCs) to help out your character, leave him or her alone, or give your character something he or she needs.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Stealth:</b> This skill covers hiding and stealing up on the bad guys without making a sound.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Perception:</b> If you don’t like monsters surprising your character, look for a way to gain training in Perception so your character will know they’re coming.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Acrobatics:</b> Your character uses this skill for balancing on things like narrow ledges above pits of molten lava. It also gives you the opportunity to escape from enemy, and you can even use it to try to reduce falling damage.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Make sure you use <a href=\"http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Tool.aspx?x=dnd/4new/tool/charactersheet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">your character sheet</a> to keep track of your character&#8217;s skill points.</p>\n"},{"title":"Sample starting gear in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Part of the fun of roleplaying games, such as <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span>, is customizing a character. But sometimes you just want to get down to the game. Want an easy way out of shopping for your 1st-level <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> 4th Edition character? Just choose one of the equipment packages here and add it straight to <a href=\"http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Tool.aspx?x=dnd/4new/tool/charactersheet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">your character sheet</a>:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Fighter, Great Weapon:</b> Scale mail (40 gp), greataxe (30 gp), standard adventurer’s kit (15 gp), 2 javelins (total 10 gp), sling and 20 bullets (2 gp), 3 gp left over.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Fighter, Guardian:</b> Scale mail (40 gp), heavy shield (15 gp), longsword (15 gp), standard adventurer’s kit (15 gp), 2 javelins (total 10 gp), sling and 20 bullets (2 gp), 3 gp left over.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Rogue (any):</b> Leather armor (25 gp), short sword (10 gp), 3 daggers (3 gp), standard adventurer’s kit (15 gp), sling and 20 bullets (2 gp), thieves’ tools (20 gp), 25 gp left over.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Cleric (any):</b> Chainmail (40 gp), mace (5 gp), crossbow and 10 bolts (26 gp total), standard adventurer’s kit (15 gp), holy symbol (10 gp), 4 gp left over.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Wizard, Control:</b> Cloth armor (1 gp), quarterstaff (5 gp), orb (15 gp), spellbook (50 gp), standard adventurer’s kit (15 gp), 14 gp left over.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Wizard, War:</b> Cloth armor (1 gp), dagger (1 gp), wand (7 gp), spellbook (50 gp), standard adventurer’s kit (15 gp), 26 gp left over.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The standard adventurer’s kit includes a backpack, bedroll, flint and steel, belt pouch, 2 sunrods (4 hours of illumination each), 10 days of trail rations, 50 feet of rope, and a waterskin. If you’re really worried about getting caught in the dark, buy some extra sunrods (2 gp apiece) or torches (10 for 1 gp).</p>\n"},{"title":"Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition battle grids","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Take your <span style=\"font-variant: small-caps;\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons</span> 4th Edition character on an adventure using these battle grids. One battle grid is blank, so you can customize it to your particular adventure, or just use it as a large, open area to practice combat against monsters. The other battle grid is divided into several rooms, which you can use as the basis for a small <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/games/role-playing/dungeons-dragons/so-you-want-to-be-a-dungeon-master/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dungeon</a>.</p>\n<p class=\"TechnicalStuff\">Ideally, each square on a battle grid should be one inch square. By that standard, the following battle grids are 14 inches wide and 9 inches tall — including the nonplayer character (NPC) squares that you can cut out and place on the map. To use these battle grids, you must either shrink them down to fit the size of your paper, or print them on larger paper (11 x 17, for example).</p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/185425.image0.jpg\" alt=\"image0.jpg\" width=\"535\" height=\"347\" /></p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/185426.image1.jpg\" alt=\"image1.jpg\" width=\"535\" height=\"347\" /></p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-26T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209123},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:53:24+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-20T20:55:03+00:00","timestamp":"2022-04-21T00:01:04+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Board Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33886"},"slug":"board-games","categoryId":33886},{"name":"Chess","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33889"},"slug":"chess","categoryId":33889}],"title":"Chess For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"chess for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"chess-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Can you tell your ranks from your files and your rooks from your knights? Learn all about chess boards, pieces, and the moves you can make.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Unless you have amazing powers of visualization (à la Beth Harmon from The Queen's Gambit), chess requires a chess set and a board for you to play on. The chessboard is divided up into sections called ranks and files, and the set is composed of different chessmen with different movements and powers. After you understand all of these topics, you can start playing the great game of chess, with checkmate as your goal.","description":"Unless you have amazing powers of visualization (à la Beth Harmon from The Queen's Gambit), chess requires a chess set and a board for you to play on. The chessboard is divided up into sections called ranks and files, and the set is composed of different chessmen with different movements and powers. After you understand all of these topics, you can start playing the great game of chess, with checkmate as your goal.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10138,"name":"James Eade","slug":"james-eade","description":"James Eade became a US Chess Federation Chess Master in 1981. International organizations awarded him the master title in 1990 (for correspondence) and in 1993 (for regular tournament play). Today, he writes about and teaches","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10138"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33889,"title":"Chess","slug":"chess","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33889"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":230276,"title":"10 (or So) Cool Facts about Kids and Chess","slug":"10-cool-facts-kids-chess","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230276"}},{"articleId":230271,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: Garry Kasparov (1963–), Russia","slug":"top-10-chess-players-garry-kasparov-1963-russia","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230271"}},{"articleId":230265,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: Anatoly Karpov (1951–), Russia","slug":"top-10-chess-players-anatoly-karpov-1951-russia","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230265"}},{"articleId":230260,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: José Raúl Capablanca (1888–1942), Cuba","slug":"top-10-chess-players-jose-raul-capablanca-1888-1942-cuba","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230260"}},{"articleId":230256,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: Robert James Fischer (1943–2008), United States","slug":"top-10-chess-players-robert-james-fischer-1943-2008-united-states","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230256"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":275142,"title":"How the Queen’s Gambit Is Played as a Chess Opening","slug":"how-the-queens-gambit-is-played-as-a-chess-opening","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275142"}},{"articleId":230276,"title":"10 (or So) Cool Facts about Kids and Chess","slug":"10-cool-facts-kids-chess","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230276"}},{"articleId":230271,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: Garry Kasparov (1963–), Russia","slug":"top-10-chess-players-garry-kasparov-1963-russia","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230271"}},{"articleId":230265,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: Anatoly Karpov (1951–), Russia","slug":"top-10-chess-players-anatoly-karpov-1951-russia","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230265"}},{"articleId":230260,"title":"Top 10 Chess Players: José Raúl Capablanca (1888–1942), Cuba","slug":"top-10-chess-players-jose-raul-capablanca-1888-1942-cuba","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230260"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282072,"slug":"chess-for-dummies-4th-edition","isbn":"9781119280019","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/111928001X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111928001X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/111928001X-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/111928001X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/111928001X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/chess-for-dummies-4th-edition-cover-9781119280019-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Chess For Dummies, 4th Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"10138\">James Eade</b> became a US Chess Federation Chess Master in 1981. International organizations awarded him the master title in 1990 (for correspondence) and in 1993 (for regular tournament play). Today, he writes about and teaches chess. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":10138,"name":"James Eade","slug":"james-eade","description":"James Eade became a US Chess Federation Chess Master in 1981. International organizations awarded him the master title in 1990 (for correspondence) and in 1993 (for regular tournament play). Today, he writes about and teaches","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10138"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;board-games&quot;,&quot;chess&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119280019&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62609ec072559\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;board-games&quot;,&quot;chess&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119280019&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62609ec072f8d\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":186939,"title":"Setting Up Your Chessboard","slug":"setting-up-your-chessboard","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/186939"}},{"articleId":186935,"title":"Naming Ranks and Files in Chess","slug":"naming-ranks-and-files-in-chess","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/186935"}},{"articleId":186936,"title":"Knowing the Moves that Chess Pieces Can Make","slug":"knowing-the-moves-that-chess-pieces-can-make","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/186936"}},{"articleId":186931,"title":"Understanding Check, Checkmate, and Stalemate in Chess","slug":"understanding-check-checkmate-and-stalemate-in-chess","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","board-games","chess"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/186931"}}],"content":[{"title":"Setting up your chessboard","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Setting up your chessboard is the first step in playing a game of chess. Take your time setting up the board until you’re confident that you know where everything goes:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Set the rooks (the pieces that typically look like tiny castle towers) on the corner squares.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Place the knights (typically horse-like pieces) next to the rooks.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Put the bishops (pieces that are typically topped with a teardrop shape) on the board next to the knights.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">After the bishops come the queens, usually recognizable by a small crown near the top of the piece. The queens always start on the square of the same shade — the white queen starts on a light square, and the black queen starts on a dark square.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Place the kings next to the queens, which is only fitting. These pieces typically have a tiny cross at their top.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Add the pawns (the smallest and shortest pieces) straight across the rank in front of the other pieces.</p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/281898.image0.jpg\" alt=\"image0.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" /></li>\n</ol>\n"},{"title":"Naming ranks and files in chess","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The chessboard is divided into ranks (numbers) and files (letters). This is used as an identifier for when the players move their chess pieces. There are eight of each, and each is comprised of eight squares of equal size:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>Ranks</i> are rows that go from side to side across the chessboard and are referred to by numbers. Each chessboard has eight ranks, which are numbered from the <i>bottom</i> of the board (where the white pieces start) on up.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>Files</i> are columns that go up and down the chessboard, and, since boards are square, each board also has eight of them. Because numbers indicate ranks, letters indicate files, which are labeled from left to right.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The naming conventions for ranks and files allows you to give an identifier to every square by using what chess people call the <i>file-first method.</i> For example, the lower right-hand square is called h1. This name is shorthand for h-file, first rank.</p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/281905.image0.jpg\" alt=\"image0.jpg\" width=\"390\" height=\"400\" /></li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Knowing the moves that chess pieces can make","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Before you can play a game of chess, you need to know how to move the pieces (legally). A chess piece’s power is tied to its mobility. The more mobile a piece is, the more powerful it is:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pawns:</b> Pawns can only move forward. On their first move, they can move one or two squares. Afterwards, they can move only one square at a time. They can capture an enemy piece by moving one square forward diagonally.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Bishops:</b> Bishops can move any number of squares diagonally.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Knights:</b> Knights can move only in an L-shape, one square up and two over, or two squares over and one down, or any such combination of one-two or two-one movements in any direction.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Rooks:</b> Rooks can move any number of squares, up and down and side to side.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Queens:</b> Queens can move any number of squares along ranks, files and diagonals.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Kings:</b> Kings can move one square at a time in any direction.</p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/281902.image0.jpg\" alt=\"image0.jpg\" width=\"535\" height=\"386\" /></li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Understanding check, checkmate, and stalemate in chess","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>In chess, <i>c</i><i>heck</i> is an attack on an enemy king; this attack can’t be ignored. If the check can’t be neutralized, it is <i>c</i><i>heckmate</i> and the game is over. <i>Stalemate</i> occurs when one player has no legal moves, but his king isn’t in check. Here are a few additional details on check, checkmate, and stalemate in chess:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Check:</b> An attack on a king by either an opposing piece or an opposing pawn is called <i>check.</i> When in check, a player must do one of the following:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Move the king so that it’s no longer under attack.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Block the attack by placing a piece between the king and the attacker.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Capture the attacking piece.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Checkmate:</b> When a king is in check and can’t perform any of the preceding moves, it has been <i>checkmated.</i> If your king is checkmated, you lose the game. The term <i>checkmate</i> is commonly shortened to simply <i>mate.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Stalemate:</b> <i>Stalemate</i> is the relatively rare situation when a player whose king isn’t in check has no legal move to make. Stalemate is considered a draw. Neither player wins, but the game is over.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-07-27T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208533},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:58:47+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-25T20:12:05+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-26T00:01:04+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Puzzles","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33907"},"slug":"puzzles","categoryId":33907},{"name":"Crosswords","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33908"},"slug":"crosswords","categoryId":33908}],"title":"Crosswords For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"crosswords for seniors for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"crosswords-for-seniors-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Ten letters: something that strengthens your brain function and memory. Crosswords! Get great tips for solving these puzzles and more.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Discover how solving crossword puzzles can benefit your senior brain by strengthening memory, mind function, and more. Next, dive into crossword-puzzle tips for seniors that can enhance your efficiency and enjoyment and hone your puzzle-solving skills.","description":"Discover how solving crossword puzzles can benefit your senior brain by strengthening memory, mind function, and more. Next, dive into crossword-puzzle tips for seniors that can enhance your efficiency and enjoyment and hone your puzzle-solving skills.","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33908,"title":"Crosswords","slug":"crosswords","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33908"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":208876,"title":"Easy Crosswords For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"easy-crosswords-for-seniors-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208876"}},{"articleId":208294,"title":"Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies Cheat Sheet (Australian Edition)","slug":"cryptic-crosswords-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-australian-edition","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208294"}},{"articleId":196540,"title":"Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"basics-of-working-crosswords-for-seniors","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196540"}},{"articleId":191219,"title":"Tips for Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"tips-for-solving-crossword-puzzles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191219"}},{"articleId":175866,"title":"Helpful Hints for Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"helpful-hints-for-solving-crossword-puzzles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/175866"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;puzzles&quot;,&quot;crosswords&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-623e57c0f01b5\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;puzzles&quot;,&quot;crosswords&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-623e57c0f0b1f\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":196538,"title":"Using Crosswords to Stimulate Your Senior Brain","slug":"using-crosswords-to-stimulate-your-senior-brain","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196538"}},{"articleId":196540,"title":"Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"basics-of-working-crosswords-for-seniors","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196540"}}],"content":[{"title":"Using crosswords to stimulate your senior brain","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>For seniors, solving crossword puzzles can fortify memory and ability to focus, according to studies. Besides stimulating your senior brain, crosswords and other word puzzles can boost your vocabulary and be a great way to start a conversation.</p>\n<p>Here are good reasons for you or any senior you know to sit down and work on those puzzles:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Crosswords test your memory.</b> Any clue in a crossword is going to prompt you to try remembering names, places, events, foreign words, and other items that you perhaps haven’t thought about in years.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">In addition, working crosswords on a regular basis can give your memory a boost a couple of ways:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The more puzzles you work, the more you’ll want to rely on your own knowledge base for answers (as opposed to using outside resources).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Puzzle constructors have certain words that they work into puzzles on a regular basis. The more of these words you commit to memory, the easier working crosswords becomes.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Crosswords help hone your self-discipline.</b> Most crossword puzzles require at least an hour to solve. When you tackle a crossword, you’re taking on a mental commitment, and succeeding requires self-discipline. If you’re going to complete a crossword grid, you have to develop the discipline to back up, re-read clues, consider what resources you may want to consult, and chip away at the empty spaces. Exercising this type of self-discipline helps you keep your thoughts focused and sharp.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Crosswords encourage you explore.</b> Don’t hesitate to use outside resources to help solve crossword clues — if you get stuck on a clue, explore your options for finding the answer! Ask someone else for help (a great idea), go to a local library, or check for the answer in a book or on a Web site. Exploring helps to keep you from feeling isolated, and it stimulates your senses, and your mind.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">*<b>Crosswords keep you curious.</b> Curiosity isn’t just for children, though carrying adult responsibilities often squeezes the life out of curiosity. But working crosswords can inspire you to be more curious. You may find that one little clue with a surprising solution leaves you wanting to know more about why that answer is correct. Feel free to put your puzzle on hold and find out more, right then and there. Your brain will benefit from it.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"Remember\">In order for crosswords to help keep your brain stimulated, you need to sit down and work on solving them regularly! After all, you can’t get your body fit by working out three hours in a row and then ignoring your health altogether for two weeks. You benefit much more from working out consistently for shorter amounts of time.</p>\n<p>Your goal should be to make time for a crossword puzzle at least several days a week, if not every day. If you can’t devote time to working a crossword puzzle every day, no problem. But don’t let a month go by between mental workouts!</p>\n"},{"title":"Solving crossword puzzles","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Solving crossword puzzles is more satisfying if you know key tips and strategies. Attain expertise with crossword puzzles by using these techniques. You&#8217;ll be able to tackle any puzzle grid comfortably and efficiently, and increase your enjoyment in the process.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Make sure you’re seated comfortably in a well-lit area.</b> It can take an hour or more to solve certain crosswords, so make sure you’re seated comfortably at a table or desk, or in your favorite chair. You don’t want your joints to start aching over a crossword puzzle!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Work in pencil.</b> It’s okay to guess and make mistakes. Remember to keep your eraser handy!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Stick with puzzles that are easy on the eyes.</b> Even the most fine-tuned eyeglass prescription can only do so much to reduce the strain of looking at a small-print puzzle for a long period of time. Working on large-print puzzles helps keep your eyes from getting strained, and reduces your chance of getting a headache!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues. </b>They’re often the easiest to solve, and they help get your thought processes ready for more difficult solutions.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Focus on small (three- to five-letter) word entries.</b> There just aren’t as many of these short words to choose from in the English language. As you work more puzzles, you’ll get familiar with the short words that are used in puzzles over and over, and it will become another game for you find these in the puzzles and fill them in. The more brain stimulation, the better!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Check off each clue that you solve.</b> It’ll give you a sense of accomplishment and help you remember what you’ve already done so you can focus on the clues that remain.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Work on more than one puzzle at a time.</b> If one puzzle becomes too frustrating, move away it to another, more satisfying one. You can go back to the frustrating puzzle at a later time, and with a fresher perspective.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Keep the puzzle’s theme in mind.</b> Many crossword puzzles have themes, and have titles that hint at those themes. Keeping the theme in mind will help you focus on information associated with the theme, and help you remember clues for solving the puzzle. Another memory booster!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Compile a trusty set of resources.</b> Resources can help you find answers to puzzles, and open your mind to fresh information you can use later. Don’t be ashamed to use them. The object is to have fun and stimulate your brain.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Keep in mind that those resources can include friends and family members.</b> Solving crosswords doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get solutions from other people. Getting help from others makes solving crossword puzzles more fun, and can help your mind stay sharp.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Write out your partial solutions if you get stuck.</b> If you’re trying to solve a Down clue, use that pencil to write out the letters you already know in a horizontal line. Chances are, you’ll be able to better visualize words when they’re written horizontally. This will help jog your memory so you can come up with the solution.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Practice, practice, practice!</b> To build muscle and stay in shape, you have to exercise frequently. The same is true of building your puzzling muscle — your brain. Make time for crosswords several times a week if you can.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-03-25T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209509},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:58:32+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-23T19:31:20+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-24T00:01:09+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Betting","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33885"},"slug":"betting","categoryId":33885}],"title":"Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"betting on horse racing for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"betting-on-horse-racing-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Betting on the outcome of formal horse races can be fun and profitable if you know what you’re doing and can beat the odds.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"People have been betting on horse races since horses have been running. <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/sports/betting-against-other-bettors/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Betting</a> on the outcome of formal horse races can be fun and profitable if you know what you’re doing and can beat the odds. <i>Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies</i> offers lots of info to help better your odds including advice on what to pay attention to and what tools can help you at the track as well as the mechanics of placing a bet, the types of bets you can place, and your odds of winning.","description":"People have been betting on horse races since horses have been running. <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/sports/betting-against-other-bettors/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Betting</a> on the outcome of formal horse races can be fun and profitable if you know what you’re doing and can beat the odds. <i>Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies</i> offers lots of info to help better your odds including advice on what to pay attention to and what tools can help you at the track as well as the mechanics of placing a bet, the types of bets you can place, and your odds of winning.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10078,"name":"Richard Eng","slug":"richard-eng","description":"Richard Eng, a former researcher/writer for ABC Sports, has been involved in thoroughbred horse racing for more than 20 years. He currently hosts a radio show on horse racing. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10078"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33885,"title":"Betting","slug":"betting","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33885"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":200171,"title":"Examining Different Levels of Competition at the Racetrack","slug":"examining-different-levels-of-competition-at-the-racetrack","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200171"}},{"articleId":199610,"title":"Betting Against Other Bettors","slug":"betting-against-other-bettors","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199610"}},{"articleId":199154,"title":"Placing a Straight Bet on a Horse Race","slug":"placing-a-straight-bet-on-a-horse-race","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199154"}},{"articleId":196055,"title":"Helpful Facts for Betting on Horse Racing","slug":"helpful-facts-for-betting-on-horse-racing","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196055"}},{"articleId":196056,"title":"Betting Tools You Need at the Horse Races","slug":"betting-tools-you-need-at-the-horse-races","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196056"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":270844,"title":"MLB Games—Betting Against the Public","slug":"mlb-games-betting-against-the-public","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270844"}},{"articleId":270841,"title":"MLB Systems and Angles","slug":"mlb-systems-and-angles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270841"}},{"articleId":270836,"title":"Starting Pitching and MLB Odds","slug":"starting-pitching-and-mlb-odds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270836"}},{"articleId":270831,"title":"Baseball Bets and Odds","slug":"baseball-bets-and-odds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270831"}},{"articleId":270828,"title":"NFL Betting Fundamentals","slug":"nfl-betting-fundamentals","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270828"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281992,"slug":"betting-on-horse-racing-for-dummies","isbn":"9780764578403","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764578405/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0764578405/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0764578405-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0764578405/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0764578405/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/betting-on-horse-racing-for-dummies-cover-9780764578403-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"10078\">Richard Eng,</b> a former researcher/writer for ABC Sports, has been involved in thoroughbred horse racing for more than 20 years. He currently hosts a radio show on horse racing. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":10078,"name":"Richard Eng","slug":"richard-eng","description":"Richard Eng, a former researcher/writer for ABC Sports, has been involved in thoroughbred horse racing for more than 20 years. He currently hosts a radio show on horse racing. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10078"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;betting&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780764578403&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-623bb4c5825e5\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;betting&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780764578403&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-623bb4c582f5a\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":196050,"title":"How to Place a Wager on a Horse Race","slug":"how-to-place-a-wager-on-a-horse-race","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196050"}},{"articleId":196056,"title":"Betting Tools You Need at the Horse Races","slug":"betting-tools-you-need-at-the-horse-races","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196056"}},{"articleId":196049,"title":"Odds with $2 Minimum Payoff for Horse Racing","slug":"odds-with-2-minimum-payoff-for-horse-racing","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196049"}},{"articleId":196054,"title":"How to Make a Show Parlay Bet on Horse Races","slug":"how-to-make-a-show-parlay-bet-on-horse-races","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196054"}},{"articleId":196055,"title":"Helpful Facts for Betting on Horse Racing","slug":"helpful-facts-for-betting-on-horse-racing","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196055"}},{"articleId":196053,"title":"Types of Horse Racing Wagers (and Your Chances of Winning)","slug":"types-of-horse-racing-wagers-and-your-chances-of-winning","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196053"}}],"content":[{"title":"How to place a wager on a horse race","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Betting on horse racing isn’t a complicated procedure. Most often, you place your bet, take your ticket, and tear it up when your bet doesn’t pay off. However, if you’re lucky — or skilled — you get to take your ticket back to the window and collect your winnings. The following list spells out the betting procedure step by step:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">State the name of the racetrack.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">State what number race you’re betting.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">State the dollar unit of your bet.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">State the type of wager.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">You can bet on a single horse to win, place, or show or on a combination of horses.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">State the number of the horse or horses you’re using.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Check your ticket before you leave the window.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n"},{"title":"Betting tools you need at the horse races ","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Along with your sunscreen (or umbrella!), a few items come in very handy when you’re at the racetrack betting on horses. You may want binoculars to see your favorite pass the finish line, but the tools in the following list are even more useful when it comes to actually placing your bets:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Racetrack program:</b> Like a program at a baseball game, it has information on all the players. In this case, the players are the horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners. Cost is $3.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>The Daily Racing Form (DRF):</b> It provides the past performances of all the horses running on the day’s program and includes informative horse racing articles and handicapping by <i>DRF </i>staff. Cost is $4.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Public handicapper selections</b>: If your racetrack or OTB (off-track betting) is covered by the local newspaper, they may pay a handicapper to make daily horse selections. Cost is 50 cents.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Handicapping tip sheets:</b> These are daily selections published by handicappers at the racetrack. Cost is $2.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Odds with $2 minimum payoff for horse racing","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You’re betting on horse races and want to know how much your winning bet will give you. To compute your $2 win price, take the odds of your horse and multiply the first number by 2, divide that by the second number, and then add $2 — simple as that! Following is a list of payoffs at various odds for quick reference:<u></u></p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Odds</th>\n<th>$2 Payoff</th>\n<th>Odds</th>\n<th>$2 Payoff</th>\n<th>Odds</th>\n<th>$2 Payoff</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1/9</td>\n<td>$2.20</td>\n<td>8/5</td>\n<td>$5.20</td>\n<td>7/1</td>\n<td>$16.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1/5</td>\n<td>$2.40</td>\n<td>9/5</td>\n<td>$5.60</td>\n<td>8/1</td>\n<td>$18.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2/5</td>\n<td>$2.80</td>\n<td>2/1</td>\n<td>$6.00</td>\n<td>9/1</td>\n<td>$20.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1/2</td>\n<td>$3.00</td>\n<td>5/2</td>\n<td>$7.00</td>\n<td>10/1</td>\n<td>$22.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3/5</td>\n<td>$3.20</td>\n<td>3/1</td>\n<td>$8.00</td>\n<td>11/1</td>\n<td>$24.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4/5</td>\n<td>$3.60</td>\n<td>7/2</td>\n<td>$9.00</td>\n<td>12/1</td>\n<td>$26.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1/1</td>\n<td>$4.00</td>\n<td>4/1</td>\n<td>$10.00</td>\n<td>13/1</td>\n<td>$28.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6/5</td>\n<td>$4.40</td>\n<td>9/2</td>\n<td>$11.00</td>\n<td>14/1</td>\n<td>$30.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7/5</td>\n<td>$4.80</td>\n<td>5/1</td>\n<td>$12.00</td>\n<td>15/1</td>\n<td>$32.00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3/2</td>\n<td>$5.00</td>\n<td>6/1</td>\n<td>$14.00</td>\n<td>16/1</td>\n<td>$34.00</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"How to make a show parlay bet on horse races ","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Are you with a group of friends betting on horses at the racetrack? A fun way to bet on horse races that gets everyone in your party involved is a group show parlay. It works like this: Have each person ante up $5, and pool the money. Each person in the group picks one race and one horse to bet to show. Place the first bet, and if you win, parlay the money on the next race and horse. Your winnings can add up very quickly. For example, if four people start with $20 and each person wins a $3 show price, you’ll have $101 after only four races!</p>\n"},{"title":"Helpful facts for betting on horse racing","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When you’re at the track betting on horse races, you’re looking to put yourself in the best position for winning, right? Of course you are, and the facts and stats in the following list can help you better your odds:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Every racetrack has a television simulcast commentator who handicaps between the races. Listen and see if you can pick up any good tips to bet on.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The top ten riders in the jockey standings win about 90 percent of the races run during the meet.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Favorite horses win about 33 percent of the time, although at low payoffs.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The morning line isn’t who the racetrack oddsmaker likes in the race. It’s his prediction of how the public will bet the race. A no-brainer method of betting overlays is to play a couple bucks on horses going off at odds two to three times higher than its morning line.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Types of horse racing wagers (and your chances of winning)","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When it comes to betting on horse races, before you even place a bet on a horse you need to decide what type of bet to place. As the bets you can make range from a simple bet on a single horse in one race to choosing the winning horses for six consecutive races, you may need to the information in the following table to help you explore your betting options:</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Bet Type</th>\n<th>Your Chances of Winning</th>\n<th>Explanation and Expectation</th>\n<th>Suggested Plays (Based upon a $100 Bankroll)</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Show</td>\n<td>Very good</td>\n<td>Your horse must finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd; modest payoffs</td>\n<td>$6 per horse</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Place</td>\n<td>Good</td>\n<td>Your horse must finish 1st or 2nd; payoffs better than to<br />\nshow</td>\n<td>$5 per horse</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Win</td>\n<td>Average</td>\n<td>Your horse must finish 1st; payoff determined by the win<br />\nodds</td>\n<td>$4 per horse</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Quinella</td>\n<td>Average</td>\n<td>Your horses must finish 1st and 2nd in either order; a normal<br />\nplay is to box three horses</td>\n<td>$2 quinella box using three horses costs $6</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Exacta</td>\n<td>Hard</td>\n<td>Your horses must finish 1st and 2nd in exact order; riskier bet<br />\nthat can pay a little or a lot, depending on the horses’<br />\nodds</td>\n<td>$1 exacta box using three horses costs $6; $1 exacta box keying<br />\none horse with three horses costs $6</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Trifecta</td>\n<td>Very hard</td>\n<td>Your horses must finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in exact order; can<br />\nbe expensive to play if you use a lot of horses</td>\n<td>$1 trifecta keying one horse to win over three horses costs $6;<br />\n$1 trifecta keying two horses to win over four horses costs<br />\n$12</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Superfecta</td>\n<td>Extremely hard</td>\n<td>Your horses must finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th; hard to bet<br />\nunless you have a sizeable bankroll; big payoff possible</td>\n<td>$1 superfecta keying one horse to win over four horses costs<br />\n$24</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Daily Double</td>\n<td>Hard</td>\n<td>Your horses must win the two consecutive races; chance for a<br />\nnice payoff with mid-priced horses</td>\n<td>$2 daily double using two horses in each race costs $8; $2<br />\ndaily double keying one horse to three horses costs $6</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pick 3</td>\n<td>Very hard</td>\n<td>Your horses must win three consecutive races; it’s a<br />\ndaily double plus another race; $1 unit makes it affordable</td>\n<td>$1 pick 3 using two horses in each race costs $8; $1 pick 3<br />\nkeying one horse with three horses in two other races costs $9</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pick 4</td>\n<td>Extremely hard</td>\n<td>Your horses must win four consecutive races; chance for a big<br />\nscore for a modest amount</td>\n<td>$1 pick 4 using two horses in each race costs $16</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pick 6</td>\n<td>Thinking man’s lottery</td>\n<td>Your horses must win six consecutive races; very expensive to<br />\nplay; huge payoffs possible; a home run bet</td>\n<td>$2 pick 6 using three singles with two horses each in the other<br />\nthree races costs $16</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-08T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209464},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:42:44+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-15T16:47:43+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-15T18:01:09+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Card Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33890"},"slug":"card-games","categoryId":33890},{"name":"General (Card Games)","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33899"},"slug":"general-card-games","categoryId":33899}],"title":"Rummy: Understanding the Rules and Starting a Game","strippedTitle":"rummy: understanding the rules and starting a game","slug":"rummy-understanding-the-rules-and-starting-a-game","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn to play rummy, including the game's objective, rules, scoring combinations, and different variations (including the use of wildcards)!","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Rummy is a <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/games/card-games/card-games-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">card game</a> in which you try to improve the hand that you’re originally dealt. You can do this whenever it’s your turn to play, either by drawing cards from a pile (or stock) or by picking up the card thrown away by your opponent and then discarding a card from your hand.\r\n\r\nYou can play rummy with two or more players (for six or more players, you need a second deck of cards). You'll also need a paper and pencil for scoring. Learn how to play rummy and other basics including rules, scoring, and how to win!\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >The objective of rummy</h2>\r\nYour aim is to put (or <em>meld</em>) your cards into two types of combinations:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"> Runs: Consecutive sequences of three or more cards of the same suit</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Sets (or books): Three or four cards of the same rank. If you are using two decks, a set may include two identical cards of the same rank and suit.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis figure shows some legitimate rummy combinations.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_237145\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"535\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/rummy-legal-hands-runs-and-sets.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-237145 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/rummy-legal-hands-runs-and-sets.jpg\" alt=\"rummy legal hands runs and sets\" width=\"535\" height=\"388\" /></a> Legal runs follow the same suit; legal sets consist of the same rank.[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis figure shows an unacceptable combination. This run is illegal because all cards in a run must be of the same suit.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 270px;\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_237146\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"270\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/illegal-rummy-run.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-237146 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/illegal-rummy-run.jpg\" alt=\"illegal rummy run\" width=\"270\" height=\"251\" /></a> An illegal rummy run[/caption]\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">In most rummy games, unlike the majority of other card games, aces can be high or low, but not both. So, runs involving the ace must take the form A-2-3 or A-K-Q but not K-A-2.</p>\r\nThe first person who manages to make their whole hand into combinations one way or another, with one card remaining to discard, wins the game.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >How to play rummy</h2>\r\nFollow the rules and instructions below to understand how to play rummy from start to finish:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Each player is dealt a certain number of cards from the deck. When playing rummy with two, three, or four players, each player gets ten cards; when playing with five players, each player gets six cards. With more than five players, you must use two decks of cards and a hand of seven cards. The two-player game can also be played with seven cards each.</li>\r\n \t<li>Designate a scorer and a dealer at the start of the game. Then, the dealer deals out the hands and puts the undealt cards face-down on the center of the table as the stock, placing the top card, turned upward, beside the stock as the first card of the discard pile.</li>\r\n \t<li>The player to the left of the dealer plays first. They can either pick up the card on the discard pile or the top card from the stock. If they can put some or all of their hand into combinations, they may do so. If not, they discard one card from their hand, face-up onto the discard pile, and the turn of play moves to the next player.</li>\r\n \t<li>The next player can either pick up the last card the previous player discarded or the top card from the stock. They can then meld some or all of their cards down in combinations. The play continues clockwise around the table. When the stock runs out, shuffle the discard pile and set it up again.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Other rummy rules and tips</h2>\r\nNow that you know the objective of the game and the basic instructions to play, here is a small list of additional rummy rules and common tips to abide by:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You cannot pick up the top discard and then throw the card back onto the pile.</li>\r\n \t<li>If you pick up two cards from the stock by accident and see either of them, you must put the bottom card back, which gives the next player an additional option. They can look at the returned card and take it if they want it. If they don't want it, they put it back into the middle of the stock and continue with their turn by taking the next card from the stock.</li>\r\n \t<li>When you pick up a card from the stock that you don’t want, don’t throw it away immediately. Put the card into your hand and then extract it. No player, regardless of skill level, needs to give gratuitous information away.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >Rummying with wild cards</h2>\r\nYou can play rummy with wild cards by adding jokers to the deck, or you can make the 2s or some other number wild.\r\n\r\nYou can substitute the card represented by a wild card when it is your turn to play. So, if a combination including a joker, standing in for the king of clubs is put on the table, the next player can put in the king of clubs and pick up the joker for use elsewhere.\r\n\r\nIf you put down two 8s and a joker, you do not have to announce which 8 the joker represents, but with a run, such as 5-6-joker, the assumption is that the joker represents the 7.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">When playing with wild cards, you may not want to put combinations containing wild cards down immediately; you don’t want to give another player the use of a wild card by way of the substitution. Of course, if you feel obliged to put down the set or run, try to ensure that the card your wild card replaces has already been played in some other set or run.</p>\r\nOnce you've mastered the game of rummy, you might want to try the slightly more interesting and challenging <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/games/card-games/general-card-games/how-to-play-gin-rummy-193767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gin rummy</a>.","description":"Rummy is a <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/games/card-games/card-games-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">card game</a> in which you try to improve the hand that you’re originally dealt. You can do this whenever it’s your turn to play, either by drawing cards from a pile (or stock) or by picking up the card thrown away by your opponent and then discarding a card from your hand.\r\n\r\nYou can play rummy with two or more players (for six or more players, you need a second deck of cards). You'll also need a paper and pencil for scoring. Learn how to play rummy and other basics including rules, scoring, and how to win!\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >The objective of rummy</h2>\r\nYour aim is to put (or <em>meld</em>) your cards into two types of combinations:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"> Runs: Consecutive sequences of three or more cards of the same suit</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Sets (or books): Three or four cards of the same rank. If you are using two decks, a set may include two identical cards of the same rank and suit.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis figure shows some legitimate rummy combinations.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_237145\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"535\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/rummy-legal-hands-runs-and-sets.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-237145 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/rummy-legal-hands-runs-and-sets.jpg\" alt=\"rummy legal hands runs and sets\" width=\"535\" height=\"388\" /></a> Legal runs follow the same suit; legal sets consist of the same rank.[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis figure shows an unacceptable combination. This run is illegal because all cards in a run must be of the same suit.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 270px;\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_237146\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"270\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/illegal-rummy-run.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-237146 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/illegal-rummy-run.jpg\" alt=\"illegal rummy run\" width=\"270\" height=\"251\" /></a> An illegal rummy run[/caption]\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">In most rummy games, unlike the majority of other card games, aces can be high or low, but not both. So, runs involving the ace must take the form A-2-3 or A-K-Q but not K-A-2.</p>\r\nThe first person who manages to make their whole hand into combinations one way or another, with one card remaining to discard, wins the game.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >How to play rummy</h2>\r\nFollow the rules and instructions below to understand how to play rummy from start to finish:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Each player is dealt a certain number of cards from the deck. When playing rummy with two, three, or four players, each player gets ten cards; when playing with five players, each player gets six cards. With more than five players, you must use two decks of cards and a hand of seven cards. The two-player game can also be played with seven cards each.</li>\r\n \t<li>Designate a scorer and a dealer at the start of the game. Then, the dealer deals out the hands and puts the undealt cards face-down on the center of the table as the stock, placing the top card, turned upward, beside the stock as the first card of the discard pile.</li>\r\n \t<li>The player to the left of the dealer plays first. They can either pick up the card on the discard pile or the top card from the stock. If they can put some or all of their hand into combinations, they may do so. If not, they discard one card from their hand, face-up onto the discard pile, and the turn of play moves to the next player.</li>\r\n \t<li>The next player can either pick up the last card the previous player discarded or the top card from the stock. They can then meld some or all of their cards down in combinations. The play continues clockwise around the table. When the stock runs out, shuffle the discard pile and set it up again.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Other rummy rules and tips</h2>\r\nNow that you know the objective of the game and the basic instructions to play, here is a small list of additional rummy rules and common tips to abide by:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You cannot pick up the top discard and then throw the card back onto the pile.</li>\r\n \t<li>If you pick up two cards from the stock by accident and see either of them, you must put the bottom card back, which gives the next player an additional option. They can look at the returned card and take it if they want it. If they don't want it, they put it back into the middle of the stock and continue with their turn by taking the next card from the stock.</li>\r\n \t<li>When you pick up a card from the stock that you don’t want, don’t throw it away immediately. Put the card into your hand and then extract it. No player, regardless of skill level, needs to give gratuitous information away.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >Rummying with wild cards</h2>\r\nYou can play rummy with wild cards by adding jokers to the deck, or you can make the 2s or some other number wild.\r\n\r\nYou can substitute the card represented by a wild card when it is your turn to play. So, if a combination including a joker, standing in for the king of clubs is put on the table, the next player can put in the king of clubs and pick up the joker for use elsewhere.\r\n\r\nIf you put down two 8s and a joker, you do not have to announce which 8 the joker represents, but with a run, such as 5-6-joker, the assumption is that the joker represents the 7.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">When playing with wild cards, you may not want to put combinations containing wild cards down immediately; you don’t want to give another player the use of a wild card by way of the substitution. Of course, if you feel obliged to put down the set or run, try to ensure that the card your wild card replaces has already been played in some other set or run.</p>\r\nOnce you've mastered the game of rummy, you might want to try the slightly more interesting and challenging <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/games/card-games/general-card-games/how-to-play-gin-rummy-193767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gin rummy</a>.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10483,"name":"Barry Rigal","slug":"barry-rigal","description":"Barry Rigal was born with a deck of cards in his hand. Having started with the children's games Whist, Rummy, and Solitaire, he moved on to Bridge at the age of 12. After graduating from Oxford University (where he captained the Bridge team), he worked in accountancy and later became a journalist and commentator on card games.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10483"}},{"authorId":10484,"name":"Omar Sharif","slug":"omar-sharif","description":"Omar Sharif starred in hit movies Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. He's less well known as a masterful bridge player. He used to play while on the set of his films and rose in the ranks to become one of the 50 best players in the world.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10484"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33899,"title":"General (Card Games)","slug":"general-card-games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33899"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"The objective of rummy","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"How to play rummy","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Other rummy rules and tips","target":"#tab3"},{"label":"Rummying with wild cards","target":"#tab4"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":209267,"title":"Card Games For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"card-games-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209267"}},{"articleId":200855,"title":"Playing Eights: Simple Is as Simple Does","slug":"playing-eights-simple-is-as-simple-does","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200855"}},{"articleId":199747,"title":"Playing Beggar My Neighbor","slug":"playing-beggar-my-neighbor","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199747"}},{"articleId":199741,"title":"Acquainting Yourself with Euchre","slug":"acquainting-yourself-with-euchre","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199741"}},{"articleId":198911,"title":"Understanding the Basics of Gin Rummy","slug":"understanding-the-basics-of-gin-rummy","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/198911"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":233017,"title":"The Basics of Romanian Whist","slug":"basics-romanian-whist","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/233017"}},{"articleId":233014,"title":"How to Play the Card Game Oh Hell!","slug":"play-card-game-oh-hell","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/233014"}},{"articleId":233011,"title":"Playing Double-Deck Fan Tan","slug":"playing-double-deck-fan-tan","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/233011"}},{"articleId":233008,"title":"How to Expand Your Fan Tan Smarts","slug":"expand-fan-tan-smarts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/233008"}},{"articleId":233005,"title":"How to Play the Card Game Fan Tan","slug":"play-card-game-fan-tan","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/233005"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282057,"slug":"card-games-for-dummies-2nd-edition","isbn":"9780764599101","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764599100/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0764599100/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0764599100-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0764599100/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0764599100/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/card-games-for-dummies-2nd-edition-cover-9780764599101-201x255.jpg","width":201,"height":255},"title":"Card Games For Dummies, 2nd Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <b data-author-id=\"10483\">Barry Rigal</b> was born with a deck of cards in his hand. Having started with the children’s games, Whist, Rummy, and Solitaire, he moved on to Bridge at the age of 12. After graduating from Oxford University (where he captained the Bridge team), he worked in accountancy. Highlights of his work career were learning how to play Piquet and Clobyosh in the Tax Department of Thomson McLintock. After four years with Price Waterhouse, supervising the partnership’s Bridge team, he went into the world of business, working seven years in the Oil Taxation department of Conoco. During that time he began a career as a journalist and commentator on card games. Over the course of the last two decades he has written newspaper and magazine articles and six books on Bridge. ","authors":[{"authorId":10483,"name":"Barry Rigal","slug":"barry-rigal","description":"Barry Rigal was born with a deck of cards in his hand. Having started with the children's games Whist, Rummy, and Solitaire, he moved on to Bridge at the age of 12. After graduating from Oxford University (where he captained the Bridge team), he worked in accountancy and later became a journalist and commentator on card games.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10483"}},{"authorId":10484,"name":"Omar Sharif","slug":"omar-sharif","description":"Omar Sharif starred in hit movies Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. He's less well known as a masterful bridge player. He used to play while on the set of his films and rose in the ranks to become one of the 50 best players in the world.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10484"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;card-games&quot;,&quot;general-card-games&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780764599101&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6230d4654987b\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;card-games&quot;,&quot;general-card-games&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780764599101&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6230d46549f5e\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-08T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":193770},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T08:29:50+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-15T16:31:58+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-15T18:01:09+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Online Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33904"},"slug":"online-games","categoryId":33904},{"name":"Minecraft","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33906"},"slug":"minecraft","categoryId":33906}],"title":"How to Fill Areas in Minecraft with the Fill Command","strippedTitle":"how to fill areas in minecraft with the fill command","slug":"how-to-fill-areas-in-minecraft-with-the-fill-command","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"One of the most commonly used construction commands in Minecraft is /fill. You can use this to place lots of blocks in an area quickly.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"One of the most commonly used construction commands in Minecraft is <span class=\"code\">/fill</span>. You can use this command to place lots of blocks in a certain area instantly. To use this command, follow these steps:\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Go to a corner of the area you want to fill.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">The Fill command affects blocks in a box-shaped region, up to 32,768 blocks in volume. Pick any of the 8 corners of the box you want to fill.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press F3.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">This step displays a bunch of information about the current game.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Record your coordinates.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Part of the information displayed in F3 mode is a line that says <span class=\"code\">Block:</span> followed by three numbers. These numbers tell you where exactly your character is. The X and Z coordinates of your character tell you where you are on the plane parallel to the ground, whereas your Y coordinate tells you your height. Make a note of these numbers because you’ll need to write them into the command.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Move to the opposite corner of the area you want to fill.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Record the coordinates there.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Alternatively, use relative coordinates: A tilde (<span class=\"code\">~</span>) in a command indicates that a coordinate is relative to your own position. So <span class=\"code\">~ ~ ~</span> indicates your current position, and <span class=\"code\">~ ~-1 ~</span> indicates the block below you.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press the “T” key to open the Chat menu, and type <span class=\"code\">/fill </span>[your first coordinates] [your second coordinates].</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">For example, you might enter <span class=\"code\">/fill 1123 20 16 1122 30 -16</span>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Enter a space, and then type minecraft: (or press Tab as a shortcut).</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Every block in this game has a technical name, such as <span class=\"code\">minecraft:stone</span>, <span class=\"code\">minecraft:planks</span>, or <span class=\"code\">minecraft:redstone_torch</span>. The first part is necessary only for autocompletion purposes, as described in Step 8.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">If you already know the technical name of the block, don’t type only <b>minecraft:</b>; go ahead and type <b>minecraft:stone</b> or <b>minecraft:planks</b> or whatever the name is, and then skip to Step 10. If you don’t know the technical name of the block, stick with Step 7 as written and then go on to Step 8.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press Tab to see a list of block names.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">From here, you can find the block that you want to fill the area. If you know that its name starts with a certain couple of letters, type those letters, and then press Tab for a narrower search. After you see which block you want to use, type it after the <b>minecraft:</b>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press the spacebar again, and enter the data value of the block.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">This is 0 by default — if you select another number, it chooses a variant of the block. For example, wooden planks have a different color based on the data value you give them.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Steps 9 and 10 are optional — however, if you complete Step 10, you <i>must</i> complete this one as well.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press the spacebar again, and enter a keyword indicating how to handle blocks that are already inside the fill area.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">You can pick one of five different keywords:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>replace:</i> With this keyword, when you fill the target area, any block already in that area is replaced. Alternatively, you can type <b>replace</b> followed by a space and then the name of another block (see Steps 7 and 8). This makes it so that the <span class=\"code\">/fill</span> command replaces every block of that type only in the target area rather than filling up the whole area.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Note that <span class=\"code\">replace</span> is the default keyword. At this point the command should look like <span class=\"code\">/fill 1123 20 16 1122 30 -16 minecraft:wool 1 replace</span>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>destroy:</i> All existing blocks in the target area are destroyed, just as though a player mined them.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>keep:</i> This command does not affect blocks already in the target area (except for air, of course).</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>hollow:</i> With this command, only the outer layer of the target area is filled with blocks — all blocks on the inside are replaced with air.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>outline:</i> Only the outer layer of the target area is filled with blocks, but blocks on the inside remain as they were.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nDon’t be put off by the length of these instructions — the more you practice, the easier (and faster) it is.\r\n\r\nThe process in the preceding step list works best when you don’t quite know the size of the area you want to fill. But if you want to fill an area that you know is 10x10x20, for example, there’s a faster way to do it:\r\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Go to a corner of the area you want to fill.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">This part is just like the other method, but it’s done for a different purpose.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press F3.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">In addition to pulling up a menu, the F3 button changes the crosshair in the center of the screen into a symbol composed of a red segment, a green segment, and a blue segment where green is the Y direction, red is the X direction, and blue is the Z direction. These segments point in the positive x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction, respectively.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Use the crosshair to figure out the relative coordinates of the opposite corner.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">For example, if the crosshair numbers read <span class=\"code\">~100 ~-5 ~2</span>, the opposite corner is 100 blocks in the X-direction, -5 blocks in the Y-direction, and 2 blocks in the Z-direction.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Open the chat menu and type <span class=\"code\">/fill ~ ~ ~ </span>[relative coordinates].</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">For example, to create a platform 100 blocks long and 100 blocks wide, where one corner is where you are and the opposite corner is at <span class=\"code\">99 ~ ~99</span>, type <span class=\"code\">/fill ~ ~ ~ ~99 ~ ~99</span>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Complete the process as usual. (See Steps 7–10 in the preceding step list.)</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ol>","description":"One of the most commonly used construction commands in Minecraft is <span class=\"code\">/fill</span>. You can use this command to place lots of blocks in a certain area instantly. To use this command, follow these steps:\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Go to a corner of the area you want to fill.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">The Fill command affects blocks in a box-shaped region, up to 32,768 blocks in volume. Pick any of the 8 corners of the box you want to fill.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press F3.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">This step displays a bunch of information about the current game.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Record your coordinates.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Part of the information displayed in F3 mode is a line that says <span class=\"code\">Block:</span> followed by three numbers. These numbers tell you where exactly your character is. The X and Z coordinates of your character tell you where you are on the plane parallel to the ground, whereas your Y coordinate tells you your height. Make a note of these numbers because you’ll need to write them into the command.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Move to the opposite corner of the area you want to fill.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Record the coordinates there.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Alternatively, use relative coordinates: A tilde (<span class=\"code\">~</span>) in a command indicates that a coordinate is relative to your own position. So <span class=\"code\">~ ~ ~</span> indicates your current position, and <span class=\"code\">~ ~-1 ~</span> indicates the block below you.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press the “T” key to open the Chat menu, and type <span class=\"code\">/fill </span>[your first coordinates] [your second coordinates].</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">For example, you might enter <span class=\"code\">/fill 1123 20 16 1122 30 -16</span>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Enter a space, and then type minecraft: (or press Tab as a shortcut).</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Every block in this game has a technical name, such as <span class=\"code\">minecraft:stone</span>, <span class=\"code\">minecraft:planks</span>, or <span class=\"code\">minecraft:redstone_torch</span>. The first part is necessary only for autocompletion purposes, as described in Step 8.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">If you already know the technical name of the block, don’t type only <b>minecraft:</b>; go ahead and type <b>minecraft:stone</b> or <b>minecraft:planks</b> or whatever the name is, and then skip to Step 10. If you don’t know the technical name of the block, stick with Step 7 as written and then go on to Step 8.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press Tab to see a list of block names.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">From here, you can find the block that you want to fill the area. If you know that its name starts with a certain couple of letters, type those letters, and then press Tab for a narrower search. After you see which block you want to use, type it after the <b>minecraft:</b>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press the spacebar again, and enter the data value of the block.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">This is 0 by default — if you select another number, it chooses a variant of the block. For example, wooden planks have a different color based on the data value you give them.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Steps 9 and 10 are optional — however, if you complete Step 10, you <i>must</i> complete this one as well.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press the spacebar again, and enter a keyword indicating how to handle blocks that are already inside the fill area.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">You can pick one of five different keywords:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>replace:</i> With this keyword, when you fill the target area, any block already in that area is replaced. Alternatively, you can type <b>replace</b> followed by a space and then the name of another block (see Steps 7 and 8). This makes it so that the <span class=\"code\">/fill</span> command replaces every block of that type only in the target area rather than filling up the whole area.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">Note that <span class=\"code\">replace</span> is the default keyword. At this point the command should look like <span class=\"code\">/fill 1123 20 16 1122 30 -16 minecraft:wool 1 replace</span>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>destroy:</i> All existing blocks in the target area are destroyed, just as though a player mined them.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>keep:</i> This command does not affect blocks already in the target area (except for air, of course).</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>hollow:</i> With this command, only the outer layer of the target area is filled with blocks — all blocks on the inside are replaced with air.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>outline:</i> Only the outer layer of the target area is filled with blocks, but blocks on the inside remain as they were.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nDon’t be put off by the length of these instructions — the more you practice, the easier (and faster) it is.\r\n\r\nThe process in the preceding step list works best when you don’t quite know the size of the area you want to fill. But if you want to fill an area that you know is 10x10x20, for example, there’s a faster way to do it:\r\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Go to a corner of the area you want to fill.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">This part is just like the other method, but it’s done for a different purpose.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press F3.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">In addition to pulling up a menu, the F3 button changes the crosshair in the center of the screen into a symbol composed of a red segment, a green segment, and a blue segment where green is the Y direction, red is the X direction, and blue is the Z direction. These segments point in the positive x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction, respectively.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Use the crosshair to figure out the relative coordinates of the opposite corner.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">For example, if the crosshair numbers read <span class=\"code\">~100 ~-5 ~2</span>, the opposite corner is 100 blocks in the X-direction, -5 blocks in the Y-direction, and 2 blocks in the Z-direction.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Open the chat menu and type <span class=\"code\">/fill ~ ~ ~ </span>[relative coordinates].</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">For example, to create a platform 100 blocks long and 100 blocks wide, where one corner is where you are and the opposite corner is at <span class=\"code\">99 ~ ~99</span>, type <span class=\"code\">/fill ~ ~ ~ ~99 ~ ~99</span>.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Complete the process as usual. (See Steps 7–10 in the preceding step list.)</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ol>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9344,"name":"Adam Cordeiro","slug":"adam-cordeiro","description":"","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9344"}},{"authorId":9345,"name":"Emily Nelson","slug":"emily-nelson","description":"","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9345"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33906,"title":"Minecraft","slug":"minecraft","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33906"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":210066,"title":"How to Earn Experience Points & Level Up in Minecraft","slug":"how-to-earn-experience-points-and-level-up","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/210066"}},{"articleId":207490,"title":"Minecraft Modding For Kids For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"minecraft-modding-for-kids-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/207490"}},{"articleId":203229,"title":"How to Run Your First Minecraft Mod","slug":"how-to-run-your-first-minecraft-mod","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/203229"}},{"articleId":203228,"title":"How to Share Your Minecraft Mods with Friends","slug":"how-to-share-your-minecraft-mods-with-friends","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/203228"}},{"articleId":203226,"title":"How to Write Your First Minecraft Mod","slug":"how-to-write-your-first-minecraft-mod","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/203226"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":210067,"title":"Creating a Customized Skin in Minecraft","slug":"creating-a-customized-skin-in-minecraft","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/210067"}},{"articleId":210066,"title":"How to Earn Experience Points & Level Up in Minecraft","slug":"how-to-earn-experience-points-and-level-up","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/210066"}},{"articleId":210065,"title":"How to Build a House in Minecraft","slug":"how-to-build-a-house-in-minecraft","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/210065"}},{"articleId":210062,"title":"Using the Minecraft Inventory and Crafting Grid","slug":"using-the-minecraft-inventory-and-crafting-grid","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/210062"}},{"articleId":210063,"title":"How to Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft","slug":"how-to-make-a-nether-portal-in-minecraft","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/210063"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281779,"slug":"minecraft-modding-for-kids-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119050049","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119050049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119050049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119050049-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119050049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119050049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/minecraft-modding-for-kids-for-dummies-cover-9781119050049-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Minecraft Modding For Kids For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"9091\">Sarah Guthals</b>, Ph.D. is the CTO of ThoughtSTEM and has dedicated her life to coding education.</p> <p><b data-author-id=\"9092\">Stephen Foster</b>, Ph.D. is the CEO of ThoughtSTEM, a company that teaches computer science to kids across America.</p> <p><b data-author-id=\"9093\">Lindsey Handley</b>, Ph.D. is the COO of ThoughtSTEM and has hundreds of hours of experience as a classroom instructor for Minecraft based science and computer science classes.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9091,"name":"Sarah Guthals","slug":"sarah-guthals","description":"Sarah Guthals, PhD, is a social software engineer, entrepreneur, and former engineering manager at GitHub. She is coauthor of Helping Kids with Coding For Dummies.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9091"}},{"authorId":9092,"name":"Stephen R. Foster","slug":"stephen-foster","description":"Stephen Foster, PhD, is the CEO of ThoughtSTEM, a company that teaches computer science to kids across America. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9092"}},{"authorId":9093,"name":"Lindsey D. Handley","slug":"lindsey-handley","description":"Lindsey Handley, PhD, is the COO of ThoughtSTEM and has hundreds of hours of experience as a classroom instructor for Minecraft-based science and computer science classes.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9093"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;online-games&quot;,&quot;minecraft&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119050049&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6230d465100ec\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;online-games&quot;,&quot;minecraft&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119050049&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6230d465107e7\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Solve","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-02T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":147656},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:52:28+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-14T14:49:46+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-14T18:01:09+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Card Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33890"},"slug":"card-games","categoryId":33890},{"name":"Bridge","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33891"},"slug":"bridge","categoryId":33891}],"title":"Bridge For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"bridge for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"bridge-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn how to tell your trumps from your notrumps with these handy bridge tips covering bidding, scoring, and game play etiquette.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Arguably, bridge is the greatest card game ever. Not only is it a lifelong friend, it also <em>enables</em> you to make lifelong friends because it's a partnership game. From the four phases of playing a bridge hand to some expert advice on bidding, get started with playing bridge and then refine your game to increase your chances of winning.","description":"Arguably, bridge is the greatest card game ever. Not only is it a lifelong friend, it also <em>enables</em> you to make lifelong friends because it's a partnership game. From the four phases of playing a bridge hand to some expert advice on bidding, get started with playing bridge and then refine your game to increase your chances of winning.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10014,"name":"Eddie Kantar","slug":"eddie-kantar","description":"Eddie Kantar is a grand master in the World Bridge Federation and a two-time world bridge champion. He's a writer, a teacher, and an inductee to the Bridge Hall of Fame.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10014"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33891,"title":"Bridge","slug":"bridge","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33891"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":224164,"title":"10 Great Bridge Resources","slug":"10-ways-better-bridge-partner-2","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224164"}},{"articleId":224161,"title":"10 Ways to Be a Better Bridge Partner","slug":"10-ways-better-bridge-partner","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224161"}},{"articleId":224158,"title":"The Bridge Tournament World","slug":"bridge-tournament-world","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224158"}},{"articleId":224154,"title":"Learning Bridge from Software Programs","slug":"learning-bridge-software-programs","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224154"}},{"articleId":224146,"title":"How to Score a Chicago Wheel in Bridge","slug":"score-chicago-wheel-bridge","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224146"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":232898,"title":"Playing Bridge in Four Acts","slug":"playing-bridge-four-acts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/232898"}},{"articleId":232895,"title":"How to Start a Bridge Game with the Right Stuff","slug":"start-bridge-game-right-stuff","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/232895"}},{"articleId":224164,"title":"10 Great Bridge Resources","slug":"10-ways-better-bridge-partner-2","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224164"}},{"articleId":224161,"title":"10 Ways to Be a Better Bridge Partner","slug":"10-ways-better-bridge-partner","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224161"}},{"articleId":224158,"title":"The Bridge Tournament World","slug":"bridge-tournament-world","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/224158"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282022,"slug":"bridge-for-dummies-4th-edition","isbn":"9781119247821","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119247829/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119247829/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119247829-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119247829/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119247829/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/bridge-for-dummies-4th-edition-cover-9781119247821-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Bridge For Dummies, 4th Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"10014\">Eddie Kantar</b> is a Grand Master in the World Bridge Federation and a two-time world bridge champion. He wrote <i>Complete Defensive Play,</i> a book listed as a top ten all-time bridge favorite, and is the author of the first three editions of <i>Bridge For Dummies.</i> </p>","authors":[{"authorId":10014,"name":"Eddie Kantar","slug":"eddie-kantar","description":"Eddie Kantar is a grand master in the World Bridge Federation and a two-time world bridge champion. He's a writer, a teacher, and an inductee to the Bridge Hall of Fame.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10014"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;card-games&quot;,&quot;bridge&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119247821&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-622f82e58fca2\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;card-games&quot;,&quot;bridge&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119247821&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-622f82e590eb7\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":178903,"title":"The Four Phases of a Bridge Hand","slug":"the-four-phases-of-a-bridge-hand","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/178903"}},{"articleId":178857,"title":"Bidding Tips for Winning Bridge Games","slug":"bidding-tips-for-winning-bridge-games","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/178857"}},{"articleId":178914,"title":"Bridge Etiquette: Bidding Do's and Don'ts","slug":"bridge-etiquette-bidding-dos-and-donts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/178914"}},{"articleId":178913,"title":"Points Scored by Making Your Contract in Bridge","slug":"points-scored-by-making-your-contract-in-bridge","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","bridge"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/178913"}}],"content":[{"title":"The four phases of a bridge hand","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Each hand of bridge is divided into four phases, which always occur in the same order: dealing, bidding for tricks, playing the hand, and scoring. Here&#8217;s a summary of each phase:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Dealing</p>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The game starts with each player seated facing their partner. The cards are shuffled and placed on the table face down. Each player selects a card, and the one who picks the highest card deals the first hand, but not before the player to the dealer’s left cuts the cards. (After each hand, the deal rotates to the left so one person doesn’t get stuck doing all the dealing.)</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The cards are dealt one at a time, starting with the player to the dealer’s left and moving in a clockwise rotation until each player has 13 cards (yep, you deal the entire deck of cards).</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Wait until the dealer distributes all the cards before you pick up your hand. That’s bridge etiquette. When each player has 13 cards, pick up and sort your hand, using the following tips:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">You can sort the cards in any number of ways, but consider sorting your cards into the four suits for easy reference.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Alternate your black suits (clubs and spades) with your red suits (diamonds and hearts) so that you don’t confuse a black card for another black card, or a red card for another red card. It’s a bit disconcerting to think you’re playing a heart, only to see a diamond come floating out of your hand.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hold your cards back, way back, so only you can see them. It’s difficult to be a winning bridge player when your opponents can see your hand.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Bidding for tricks</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Bidding in bridge can be compared to an auction. The auctioneer tells you what the minimum bid is, and the first bid starts from that point or higher. Each successive bid must be higher than the last, until someone bids so high that everyone else wants out. When you want out of the bidding in bridge, you say “Pass.” After three consecutive players say “Pass,” the bidding is over. However, if you pass and someone else makes a bid, just as at an auction, you can reenter the bidding.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">In bridge, you don’t bid for cars, art treasures, or precious gems; you bid for something really valuable — tricks. The four players each place a card face up on the table, and the highest card in the suit that has been led takes the trick. Because each player has 13 cards, 13 tricks must be fought over and won in each hand.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Think of bidding as an estimation of how many of those 13 tricks your side (or their side) thinks it can take. The bidding starts with the dealer and moves to their left in a clockwise rotation. Each player gets a chance to bid. The least you can bid is for seven tricks, and the maximum you can bid is for all 13. A player can either bid or pass at their turn.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The last bid (the one followed by three passes) is called the <i>final contract</i><i>,</i> which is simply the number of tricks that the bidding team must take to score points.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Playing the hand</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">After the bidding for tricks, the play begins. Either your team or the other team makes the final bid. Say that you make the final bid — for nine tricks. Therefore, your goal is to win at least nine tricks in the hand.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">If you take nine (or more) tricks, your team scores points. If you take fewer than nine tricks, you’re penalized, and your opponents score points.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">After the bidding determines who the <i>declarer</i> is (the one who plays the hand), that person’s partner becomes the <i>dummy </i>(no offense intended). The person to the declarer’s left <i>leads,</i> or puts down, the first card (called the <i>opening lead</i>) face up in the middle of the table. The opening lead can be any card of their choosing.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">When the opening lead lands on the table, the game really begins to roll. The next person to play is the dummy — but instead of playing a card, the dummy puts their hand face up on the table in four neat vertical rows, one row for each suit, and then bows out of the action entirely. After they put down their cards, they say and do nothing, leaving the other three people to play the rest of the hand. Ever heard of the Sphinx?</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The 13 cards that the dummy puts down are also called <i>the dummy.</i> Yes, the dummy puts down the dummy. Because the dummy (the player) is no longer involved in the action, each time it’s the dummy’s turn to play, the declarer must physically take a card from the dummy (meaning the dummy player’s hand) and put it in the middle of the table. In addition, they must play a card from their own hand when it’s their turn.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The fact that the declarer gets stuck with playing all the team’s cards while the dummy is off munching on snacks may seem a bit unfair. But they do have an advantage over the defenders: they get to see their partner’s cards before they play, which allows them to plan a strategy of how to win those nine tricks (or however many tricks they need to make the final contract).</p>\n<h3>Following suit</h3>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The opening lead determines which suit the other three players must play. Each of the players must <i>follow suit,</i> meaning that they must play a card in the suit that’s led if they have one. For example, pretend that the opening lead is a heart. Down comes the dummy, and you (and everyone else at the table) can see the dummy’s hearts, as well as your own hearts. Because you must play the same suit that’s led if you have one, you have to play a heart, any heart that you want, from the dummy. You place the heart of your choice face up on the table and wait for your right-hand opponent to play a heart. After they play a heart, you play a heart from your hand. <i>Voilà: </i>Four hearts now sit on the table. A trick! Whoever has played the highest heart takes the trick.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">What if a player doesn’t have a card in the suit that has been led? Then, and only then, can a player choose a card, any card, from another suit and play it, which is called a <i>discard.</i> When you discard, you’re literally throwing away your card, knowing that it’s worthless because it’s not in the proper suit. A discard can never win a trick.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">In general, you discard worthless cards that can’t take tricks, saving good-looking cards that may take tricks later. Sometimes, however, the bidding designates a <i>trump suit</i> (think wild cards). In that case, when a suit is led and you don’t have it, you can discard from another suit or take the trick with a trump card.</p>\n<p class=\"Warning\">If you can follow suit, you must. If you have a card in the suit that’s been led but you play a card in another suit by mistake, you <i>revoke.</i> Not good; if you’re detected, penalties may be involved. Don’t worry, though — everybody revokes once in a while.</p>\n<h3>Playing defense</h3>\n<p>Approximately 25 percent of the time, you’ll be the declarer; 25 percent of the time, you’ll be the dummy; and the remaining 50 percent of the time, you’ll be on defense! You need to have a good idea of which card to lead in the first trick and how to continue after you see the dummy. You want to be able to take all the tricks your side has coming. Remember, defenders can’t see each other’s hands so they have to use signals (yes, legal ones) to tell partner what they have. They do this by making informative leads and discards that announce to partner (and the declarer) what they have in the suit they are playing.</p>\n<h3>Winning and stacking tricks</h3>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The player who plays the highest card in the suit that has been led wins the trick. That player sweeps up the four cards and puts them in a neat stack, face down, a little off to the side. The declarer “keeps house” for their team by stacking tricks into piles so anyone can see how many tricks that team has won. The defender who wins the first trick does the same for their side.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The player who takes the first trick <i>leads first,</i> or plays the first card, to the second trick. That person can lead any card in any suit desired, and the other three players must follow suit if they can.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The play continues until all 13 tricks have been played. After you play to the last trick, each team counts up the number of tricks it has won.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Scoring</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">After the smoke clears and the tricks are counted, you soon know whether the declarer’s team made its contract. You then register the score.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Play continues until one team bids and makes two game contracts, which is called winning a <i>rubber.</i> When the rubber is over, everyone can go home or start playing another rubber. If you play tennis, think of winning a rubber as winning a set, not necessarily the match.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n"},{"title":"Bidding tips for winning bridge games","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>In bridge, bidding is considered the most important aspect of the game. It&#8217;s a given that a good bidder equals a winning bridge player. Here are a few bidding tips to start you off:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Before opening, add your high card points (HCP): Ace = 4, King = 3, Queen = 2, Jack = 1. If you have 12 or more HCP, open the bidding.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To open 1♥ or 1♠, you need at least five cards in the suit.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">With two five-card suits, open in the higher-ranking suit first.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">The rank of the suits, from highest to lowest, is spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">With two four-card suits, one a major (hearts or spades), one a minor (diamonds or clubs), open in the minor. With two four-card minors, open with the higher minor (1♦).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Open 1 notrump (NT) or &#8220;no specific suit&#8221; with 15 to 17 HCP plus a balanced hand (no suits with zero or one card, or two suits of only two cards each, also called voids, singletons, or two doubletons).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">If your partner opens, pass if you have fewer than 6 HCP. With 6 or more HCP, bid your longest suit at the one level, if possible. Responding at the two level in a new suit requires 11 or more HCP. A response of 1NT shows 6 to 10 HCP and denies a four-card major if your partner opens 1♣ or 1♦.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Supporting your partner&#8217;s first bid major suit requires three or more cards in the suit; supporting <i>any</i> second bid suit requires four or more cards in the suit.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">A primary objective in bidding is to locate an eight-card or longer major suit fit between your hand and your partner&#8217;s.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Bridge etiquette: Bidding do's and don'ts","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>In bridge, bidding is an exchange of information. During bidding, you&#8217;re trying to telegraph details about your cards to your partner. Your first impulse may be to develop some special bidding conventions that only you and your partner know. According to the rules of the game, however, you can&#8217;t have any bidding secrets with your partner; the same goes for your opponents. So even though the opponents may be bidding their heads off, you at least will know what their bids mean.</p>\n<p>Here are some tips to help you keep your bidding on the straight and narrow:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Do try to use the minimum number of words possible when you bid.</b> If you want to pass, say just one word: &#8220;Pass.&#8221; If you want to bid 3♣, say &#8220;Three clubs.&#8221; No more, no less.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Do be careful about how you use your voice.</b> You may be tempted to bid softly if you have a weak hand or loudly if you have a strong one. Remember to keep all your bids at the same decibel level.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Don&#8217;t use body language. </b>If your partner makes a bid you don&#8217;t like, don&#8217;t throw any looks across the table and don&#8217;t use any negative body language. If your partner makes a bid that you do like, you also must refrain from any telltale signs of glee.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Don&#8217;t give in to emotional reactions or breakdowns,</b> no matter what happens during the bidding. Bridge is too great a game to mess it up with illegal signals, so keep an even keel.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Points scored by making your contract in bridge","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>This handy table for bridge players shows how many points you score if you make your contract. Your bridge score depends upon which suit you end up in (including notrump) and how many tricks you take. For example, if spades are trumps and you bid for 8 tricks and you take exactly 8 tricks, read across the spade line to see that you scored 60 points. If you don&#8217;t make your contract, you don&#8217;t have to worry about this table because you don&#8217;t score any points, the opponents do!</p>\n<p><b><i>Note:</i></b> Game = 100 points. There are bonuses for bidding and for making 100 points or more on one hand.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Tricks Taken</th>\n<th>7</th>\n<th>8</th>\n<th>9</th>\n<th>10</th>\n<th>11</th>\n<th>12</th>\n<th>13</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Notrump</td>\n<td>40</td>\n<td>70</td>\n<td>100</td>\n<td>130</td>\n<td>160</td>\n<td>190</td>\n<td>220</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spades</td>\n<td>30</td>\n<td>60</td>\n<td>90</td>\n<td>120</td>\n<td>150</td>\n<td>180</td>\n<td>210</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hearts</td>\n<td>30</td>\n<td>60</td>\n<td>90</td>\n<td>120</td>\n<td>150</td>\n<td>180</td>\n<td>210</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Diamonds</td>\n<td>20</td>\n<td>40</td>\n<td>60</td>\n<td>80</td>\n<td>100</td>\n<td>120</td>\n<td>140</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Clubs</td>\n<td>20</td>\n<td>40</td>\n<td>60</td>\n<td>80</td>\n<td>100</td>\n<td>120</td>\n<td>140</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-24T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208369},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:55:31+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-24T19:25:46+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-25T00:01:04+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Puzzles","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33907"},"slug":"puzzles","categoryId":33907},{"name":"Crosswords","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33908"},"slug":"crosswords","categoryId":33908}],"title":"Easy Crosswords For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"easy crosswords for seniors for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"easy-crosswords-for-seniors-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Keep your synapses firing strong well into your golden years by solving crossword puzzles with these basic tips.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Working crossword puzzles is great exercise for your brain — and great fun as well. To maximize your enjoyment and your mental workout, take some time to learn basic tips for solving crossword clues. Then, create the right environment so you can focus, move at your own pace, and give the crossword your best effort. And when you’re ready for a different type of challenge, consider working other types of puzzles as well. Your synapses will thank you!","description":"Working crossword puzzles is great exercise for your brain — and great fun as well. To maximize your enjoyment and your mental workout, take some time to learn basic tips for solving crossword clues. Then, create the right environment so you can focus, move at your own pace, and give the crossword your best effort. And when you’re ready for a different type of challenge, consider working other types of puzzles as well. Your synapses will thank you!","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33908,"title":"Crosswords","slug":"crosswords","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33908"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209509,"title":"Crosswords For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"crosswords-for-seniors-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209509"}},{"articleId":208294,"title":"Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies Cheat Sheet (Australian Edition)","slug":"cryptic-crosswords-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-australian-edition","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208294"}},{"articleId":196540,"title":"Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"basics-of-working-crosswords-for-seniors","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196540"}},{"articleId":191219,"title":"Tips for Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"tips-for-solving-crossword-puzzles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191219"}},{"articleId":175866,"title":"Helpful Hints for Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"helpful-hints-for-solving-crossword-puzzles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/175866"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;puzzles&quot;,&quot;crosswords&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62181c4021e63\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;puzzles&quot;,&quot;crosswords&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62181c4022811\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":191219,"title":"Tips for Solving Crossword Puzzles","slug":"tips-for-solving-crossword-puzzles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","puzzles","crosswords"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191219"}},{"articleId":191221,"title":"Using Crosswords to Exercise Your Brain","slug":"using-crosswords-to-exercise-your-brain","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191221"}},{"articleId":191218,"title":"Trying Out Other Puzzle Types","slug":"trying-out-other-puzzle-types","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191218"}}],"content":[{"title":"Tips for solving crossword puzzles","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You don’t have to be a crossword puzzle expert to enjoy solving easy puzzles or even more challenging ones. But when you sit down to work on any crossword grid, you’ll likely enjoy yourself more if you keep these simple tips in mind:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Work in pencil.</b> By working in pencil, you give yourself permission to guess and make mistakes. And mistakes make you a better puzzler in the end.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Be loyal to a puzzle editor.</b> When you’re first starting to work crosswords, stick with puzzles you find in a single source (one book or one newspaper, for example). Doing so allows you to become familiar with what to expect from the puzzle editor (the person who compiles and styles each puzzle). This familiarity can simplify puzzles for you.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Think about theme.</b> If a puzzle has a title, it indicates the theme of that puzzle. Usually the theme relates only to some of the clues — usually those that require longer answers — not all of them.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Fill in the blanks first.</b> The fill-in-the-blank clues often are the easiest type to solve, so you can get a good start on your grid by cracking these first.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Focus on small (three-to-five-letter) word entries.</b> Puzzle constructors just don’t have as many of these short words to choose from in the English language. So, as you work more puzzles, you’ll get familiar with the short words that constructors and editors use over and over. By filling these in early on, you may break open your grid and be able to solve a few of your more difficult clues.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Visit </b><a href=\"http://www.crosswordese.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Crosswordese.com</b></a><b>.</b> At this site, you’ll be introduced to short, often unusual English words that puzzle constructors love.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get trivial.</b> Because they’re usually fairly straightforward and don’t involve wordplay, trivia clues also may be fairly easy to answer. Plus, you can locate trivia answers in outside resources when you’re stuck.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Eye abbreviations and acronyms. </b>If an answer needs to be an abbreviation or acronym, the clue tells you so. If you see “Abbr.” in the clue, or if the clue itself is abbreviated or an acronym, that’s your tip. Again, these smaller clues can help you answer the more complex surrounding clues you may be stumped by.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Go global. </b>If an answer is in a foreign language, the clue informs you by specifying the language or using words from that language.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pick out plurals.</b> When you’re stuck, look for clues written in a plural form. Using a pencil, write an S at the end of each grid entry that you know must be a plural word or phrase. Often (though not always), the S will be correct.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Tap outside resources.</b> Most people can’t work a crossword puzzle without a little outside help. But don’t just type a clue into an online search engine; be picky about the resources you use. Keep a quality dictionary, thesaurus, quotation resource, atlas, and almanac on hand. You can use hard copies of these sources, or you can choose their electronic forms.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Ask for help.</b> Make a crossword a social experience by asking help from friends or family members when you’re stuck.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Check off each clue that you solve.</b> Marking your progress gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps you focus on those clues that remain.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Don’t stress.</b> If a puzzle stops being fun and starts feeling like work, simply walk away and come back to it a little later. The answers may come more easily after you take a breather.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Using crosswords to exercise your brain","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>One of the side effects of enjoying a crossword puzzle is that it gives your brain a great workout. Rarely will you work a puzzle from start to finish without learning something new. And if you work puzzles from the same source on a regular basis, you’ll start memorizing words that your puzzle editor uses frequently.</p>\n<p>To maximize your mental workout, try doing the following:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Find your focus.</b> Figure out what type of environment helps you boost your concentration. Many people find it helpful to sit in a comfortable chair with good lighting and to keep noise to a minimum. Soft music in the background works well for some people; others require silence.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Allot enough time.</b> Whenever possible, set aside an hour or more for your crosswording. Providing yourself with plenty of time allows you to try to complete an entire puzzle from start to finish without interruption.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Start your own crosswordese list.</b> Crosswordese is a group of short words that you run across in crossword puzzles but don’t often use in everyday speech. For example, consider the following:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Aerie:</b> High nest</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Epee:</b> Dueling sword</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Nee:</b> Formerly called, or precedes a maiden name</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Poi:</b> Polynesian food</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">These words can help puzzle constructors get out of jams, and each puzzle constructor has certain favorites. Keep a list of the short, obscure words you run across more than once when solving puzzles, and store that list with your crosswording sources. (And if you want to mess with your friends, try working these words into your conversations!)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Look up what you don’t know. </b>While some crossword purists pooh-pooh the use of outside resources, others are realists. These folks realize that most people need at least some help to finish a crossword. When you’re truly stuck, don’t just turn to the crossword solution. First make the effort to find the answer yourself in trusted print or online resources. Then pat yourself on the back when you learn something new.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Trying out other puzzle types","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When you have had enough of crossword puzzles for one day and are looking for other fun ways to boost your brain power, consider the puzzle possibilities listed here. If your newspaper doesn’t carry these puzzles, look for puzzle books or Web sites that feature them. Some of the most popular puzzles include the following:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Cryptograms:</b> A cryptogram is a sentence or phrase that’s encrypted, meaning each letter has been substituted with a different letter. To figure out what the sentence or phrase says, you have to figure out each substitution.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Word scramble:</b> With this type of puzzle, you look at groups of letters placed in random order and rearrange them into words using every letter. Sometimes letters within the solutions are circled, and the circled letters answer a clue provided by the puzzle editor.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Cryptic crosswords:</b> This type of puzzle is tough. The crossword grid doesn’t follow the same rules as a regular crossword. For example, you find lots of unchecked squares on a cryptic crossword. Unchecked squares are white squares that are used in an Across entry but not in a Down entry, or vice versa. Ramping up the difficulty level even more are the types of clues the puzzle constructor creates. No fill-in-the-blanks here; and no trivia either. Each clue is constructed based on wordplay, so you have to essentially solve a riddle or figure out a pun to find the solution. If you’re up for the challenge, look for a book of cryptic crosswords or search online for some examples to try. You can be sure that your synapses will break a sweat!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Sudoku:</b> You can find books full of Sudoku puzzles everywhere — probably even in your grocery store checkout lane. Most newspapers publish them as well. The basic Sudoku puzzle is a 9 x 9 grid (it contains nine rows and nine columns) and is divided into nine 3 x 3 grids or boxes. To solve the puzzle, you write in the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column, and 3 x 3 box. The puzzle constructor gets you started by filling in a handful of entries. Each puzzle has a unique solution; you can’t solve it in more than one way. Sound easy? It isn’t. But it’s definitely fun!</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Word searches:</b> When you need a break from the hard work these other puzzle types require, try a word search. You’ll still get your brain focused on the task at hand, but success is pretty much guaranteed.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-24T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208876},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:47:06+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-24T19:09:26+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-25T00:01:04+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Online Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33904"},"slug":"online-games","categoryId":33904},{"name":"Minecraft","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33906"},"slug":"minecraft","categoryId":33906}],"title":"Minecraft Modding For Kids For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"minecraft modding for kids for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"minecraft-modding-for-kids-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Make large interactive modifications to your Minecraft worlds with a simple click of a button by learning coding skills with LearnToMod.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Modding Minecraft allows players to make large interactive modifications to their Minecraft worlds with a simple click of a button. Although you can build infinite mods, this book focuses on creating Minigames within Minecraft, where players can compete in single-player and multi-player mode. Designing and coding the Minigames requires coding, but with the help of LearnToMod, you can create your own Minigame to play with friends!","description":"Modding Minecraft allows players to make large interactive modifications to their Minecraft worlds with a simple click of a button. Although you can build infinite mods, this book focuses on creating Minigames within Minecraft, where players can compete in single-player and multi-player mode. Designing and coding the Minigames requires coding, but with the help of LearnToMod, you can create your own Minigame to play with friends!","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9091,"name":"Sarah Guthals","slug":"sarah-guthals","description":"Sarah Guthals, PhD, is a social software engineer, entrepreneur, and former engineering manager at GitHub. She is coauthor of Helping Kids with Coding For Dummies.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9091"}},{"authorId":9092,"name":"Stephen R. Foster","slug":"stephen-foster","description":"Stephen Foster, PhD, is the CEO of ThoughtSTEM, a company that teaches computer science to kids across America. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9092"}},{"authorId":9093,"name":"Lindsey D. Handley","slug":"lindsey-handley","description":"Lindsey Handley, PhD, is the COO of ThoughtSTEM and has hundreds of hours of experience as a classroom instructor for Minecraft-based science and computer science classes.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9093"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33906,"title":"Minecraft","slug":"minecraft","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33906"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":210066,"title":"How to Earn Experience Points & Level Up in 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Modding For Kids For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"9091\">Sarah Guthals</b>, Ph.D. is the CTO of ThoughtSTEM and has dedicated her life to coding education.</p> <p><b data-author-id=\"9092\">Stephen Foster</b>, Ph.D. is the CEO of ThoughtSTEM, a company that teaches computer science to kids across America.</p> <p><b data-author-id=\"9093\">Lindsey Handley</b>, Ph.D. is the COO of ThoughtSTEM and has hundreds of hours of experience as a classroom instructor for Minecraft based science and computer science classes.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9091,"name":"Sarah Guthals","slug":"sarah-guthals","description":"Sarah Guthals, PhD, is a social software engineer, entrepreneur, and former engineering manager at GitHub. She is coauthor of Helping Kids with Coding For Dummies.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9091"}},{"authorId":9092,"name":"Stephen R. Foster","slug":"stephen-foster","description":"Stephen Foster, PhD, is the CEO of ThoughtSTEM, a company that teaches computer science to kids across America. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9092"}},{"authorId":9093,"name":"Lindsey D. Handley","slug":"lindsey-handley","description":"Lindsey Handley, PhD, is the COO of ThoughtSTEM and has hundreds of hours of experience as a classroom instructor for Minecraft-based science and computer science classes.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9093"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;online-games&quot;,&quot;minecraft&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119050049&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62181c40166f1\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;online-games&quot;,&quot;minecraft&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119050049&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62181c4017094\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":142788,"title":"Learning Basic Coding Skills to Mod Minecraft","slug":"learning-basic-coding-skills-to-mod-minecraft","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142788"}},{"articleId":142795,"title":"Designing Your Minecraft Minigame","slug":"designing-your-minecraft-minigame","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","online-games","minecraft"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142795"}}],"content":[{"title":"Learning basic coding skills to mod Minecraft","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>To mod Minecraft, you have to write code. Luckily, the LearnToMod Software walks you through that! One of the first things that you should learn is <a href=\"/programming/programming-games/minecraft/how-to-make-and-use-drones-in-minecraft/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to make drones in Minecraft</a> and use them to build structures.</p>\n<p><i>Drones</i> are invisible robots that can move and place blocks of certain types, or even spawn entities (like Creepers)!</p>\n<p>For example, this code:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Creates a Drone and names it <i>d</i>.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Tells <i>d</i> to place a Brick block in Minecraft.</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480593.image0.jpg\" alt=\"The code you use tells your drone what to do.\" width=\"535\" height=\"190\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">The code you use tells your drone what to do.</div>\n</div>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Since Minecraft always starts with the function named ‘main,’ what you will see when you run this mod in Minecraft is this:</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 221px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480594.image1.jpg\" alt=\"You can do cool stuff with your code.\" width=\"221\" height=\"170\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">You can do cool stuff with your code.</div>\n</div>\n<p>You can also move drones. For example, if you wanted to make a row of bricks, you could do this:</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480595.image2.jpg\" alt=\"Make your drones do your bidding.\" width=\"535\" height=\"280\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Make your drones do your bidding.</div>\n</div>\n"},{"title":"Designing your Minecraft minigame","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Before writing all the code to make a <a href=\"/programming/programming-games/minecraft/minecraft-mini-games/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minecraft Minigame</a>, you need to design your game. The Gameplay Loop is a simple process that you can follow to make sure your game is fun, challenging, and complete.</p>\n<p>The Gameplay Loop has four parts:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Start: Create a basic scene.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Goal: Add a way to win and lose.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Challenges: Make winning more difficult.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rewards: Make your players want to win.</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 375px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480597.image0.jpg\" alt=\"The Gameplay Loop.\" width=\"375\" height=\"245\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">The Gameplay Loop.</div>\n</div>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>You iterate (repeat) this loop until you are happy with the game you have. For example, if you were making the game of Spleef, you might do the following:</p>\n<p><b>Iteration 1:</b></p>\n<p><b>Start:</b> Make an arena:</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 305px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480598.image1.jpg\" alt=\"Where kind of arena will you make for your player?\" width=\"305\" height=\"232\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Where kind of arena will you make for your player?</div>\n</div>\n<p><b>Goal:</b> Make it so that the player starts in the middle of the arena if they respawn:</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480599.image2.jpg\" alt=\"Remember to think about what the player will see as a result of your code.\" width=\"535\" height=\"184\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Remember to think about what the player will see as a result of your code.</div>\n</div>\n<p><b>Iteration 2:</b></p>\n<p><b>Challenge:</b> Make blocks disappear below the player:</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 373px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480600.image3.jpg\" alt=\"Don’t forget code to make the blocks disappear.\" width=\"373\" height=\"425\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Don’t forget code to make the blocks disappear.</div>\n</div>\n<p><b>Reward:</b> Congratulate the player on destroying blocks:</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/480601.image4.jpg\" alt=\"Players always appreciate a pat on the back.\" width=\"535\" height=\"37\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Players always appreciate a pat on the back.</div>\n</div>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Don’t forget to test your Minecraft Minigame often and with friends!</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-24T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":207490},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:58:36+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-23T14:30:11+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:07:36+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Games","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884"},"slug":"games","categoryId":33884},{"name":"Betting","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33885"},"slug":"betting","categoryId":33885}],"title":"Casino Gambling For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"casino gambling for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"casino-gambling-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Before you head to the casino, here are some great tips on which games have decent odds, which to avoid, and how to manage your money.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Casino gambling can be fun, exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. Knowing which casino games have good odds in your favor (gamble on these!) and which ones to avoid will help you to keep your cool — and as much of your money as possible. By making your money last, you extend your playtime; so manage your money wisely.","description":"Casino gambling can be fun, exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. Knowing which casino games have good odds in your favor (gamble on these!) and which ones to avoid will help you to keep your cool — and as much of your money as possible. By making your money last, you extend your playtime; so manage your money wisely.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10593,"name":"Kevin Blackwood","slug":"kevin-blackwood","description":"Kevin Blackwood is one of the most successful blackjack players in the world. He writes for magazines such as Casino Player and is a contributing editor for Midwest Gaming and Travel. Blackwood was a semi-finalist at the World Series of Blackjack and a featured guest on the World Blackjack Tour.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10593"}},{"authorId":10594,"name":"Max Rubin","slug":"max-rubin","description":"Max Rubin is a professional gambler who also runs a consulting business with casinos throughout the United States. He is the author of the book Comp City: A Guide to Free Gambling Vacations. Rubin is one of only 12 members in the Blackjack Hall of Fame.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10594"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33885,"title":"Betting","slug":"betting","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33885"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":200979,"title":"Meeting the Casino's Cast of Characters","slug":"meeting-the-casinos-cast-of-characters","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200979"}},{"articleId":200830,"title":"Preparing to Play Blackjack","slug":"preparing-to-play-blackjack","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200830"}},{"articleId":199952,"title":"Improving Your Odds at Roulette","slug":"improving-your-odds-at-roulette","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199952"}},{"articleId":199807,"title":"Navigating the Casino Maze","slug":"navigating-the-casino-maze","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199807"}},{"articleId":196325,"title":"Casino Gambling Games with Decent Odds","slug":"casino-gambling-games-with-decent-odds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196325"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":270844,"title":"MLB Games—Betting Against the Public","slug":"mlb-games-betting-against-the-public","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270844"}},{"articleId":270841,"title":"MLB Systems and Angles","slug":"mlb-systems-and-angles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270841"}},{"articleId":270836,"title":"Starting Pitching and MLB Odds","slug":"starting-pitching-and-mlb-odds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270836"}},{"articleId":270831,"title":"Baseball Bets and Odds","slug":"baseball-bets-and-odds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270831"}},{"articleId":270828,"title":"NFL Betting Fundamentals","slug":"nfl-betting-fundamentals","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270828"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282060,"slug":"casino-gambling-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119873129","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119873126/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119873126/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119873126-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119873126/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119873126/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119873129-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Casino Gambling For Dummies, 2nd Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"10593\">Kevin Blackwood</b> is one of the most successful blackjack players in the world. He writes for magazines such as Casino Player and is a contributing editor for Midwest Gaming and Travel. Blackwood was a semi-finalist at the World Series of Blackjack and a featured guest on the World Blackjack Tour. <b data-author-id=\"9184\">Swain Scheps</b> is director, data and analytics platforms, at Nike. He has written extensively on gambling topics and is a veteran sports bettor and industry expert. He has provided gaming advice and instruction in the Fodor's Las Vegas travel series.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":10593,"name":"Kevin Blackwood","slug":"kevin-blackwood","description":"Kevin Blackwood is one of the most successful blackjack players in the world. He writes for magazines such as Casino Player and is a contributing editor for Midwest Gaming and Travel. Blackwood was a semi-finalist at the World Series of Blackjack and a featured guest on the World Blackjack Tour.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10593"}},{"authorId":9184,"name":"Swain Scheps","slug":"swain-scheps","description":"Swain Scheps is director, data and analytics platforms, at Nike. He has written extensively on gambling topics and is a veteran sports bettor and industry expert. He has provided gaming advice and instruction in the Fodor's Las Vegas travel series.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9184"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;betting&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119873129&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb58c6284\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;games&quot;,&quot;betting&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119873129&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb58c6c10\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":196325,"title":"Casino Gambling Games with Decent Odds","slug":"casino-gambling-games-with-decent-odds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196325"}},{"articleId":196327,"title":"Bets to Avoid in Otherwise Safe Casino Gambling Games","slug":"bets-to-avoid-in-otherwise-safe-casino-gambling-games","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196327"}},{"articleId":196306,"title":"Casino Gambling Games to Avoid at All Costs","slug":"casino-gambling-games-to-avoid-at-all-costs","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196306"}},{"articleId":196324,"title":"How to Manage Your Money at a Gambling Casino","slug":"how-to-manage-your-money-at-a-gambling-casino","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","betting"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196324"}}],"content":[{"title":"Gambling games with decent odds","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>For gamblers, four casino games offer decent odds. That is, if you made a hundred $1 bets at these recommended casino games, your average loss would only be about a buck. These odds aren’t good enough to retire on, but they stretch your bankroll as far as possible, even if you’re on a limited budget.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Neither life nor gambling offers any guarantees, and your actual daily results may be far different than your theoretical loss, so plan accordingly.</p>\n<h3>Jacks or Better video poker (the 9/6 version)</h3>\n<div class=\"page\" data-page-number=\"1\" data-loaded=\"true\">\n<div class=\"textLayer\">Jacks or Better video poker is considered full-pay when you are paid out 9-for-1 for a full house and 6-for-1 for a flush. When you’re looking for a machine, check the payouts because the 9/6 version is the only one that’s worthwhile. Tips for playing this game well include:</div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Always play the maximum coins to get the best odds —even if that means finding nickel or quarter machines.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Never keep a kicker (a high card along with a pair).</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Throw away a small pair (10s or lower) if you have four cards to a flush or three cards to a royal flush.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3 class=\"textLayer\">Blackjack</h3>\n<div class=\"textLayer\">The way to win at blackjack is to get better cards than the dealer. The aim is to have your cards add up to a maximum of 21. Keep these tips in mind:</div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Play the table with the least number of decks.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Stay away from games that pay 6-to-5 on a blackjack. Find games that pay 3-to-2.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">If you can, get more money in play by splitting or doubling down when the dealer shows a bad card (2 through 6).</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Stand on 13 to 16 when the dealer shows 2 throug h6.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Hit on 12 to 16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Never take insurance.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Avoid gimmicky side bets. They might promise a big payout, but the house edge is huge.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3 class=\"textLayer\">Craps</h3>\n<div class=\"textLayer\">A new player’s first roll is their come-out roll. Other players wager for or against the shooter throwing a certain number twice before throwing a 7. The smartest strategy is to avoid the array of bets with a high house edge and stick to the following bets:</div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Pass Line bet with full odds.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Come bet with full odds.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Don’t Pass bet with full odds.</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Don’t Come bet with full odds.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<div class=\"page\" data-page-number=\"2\" data-loaded=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"textLayer\">Baccarat</h3>\n<div class=\"textLayer\">Despite its reputation as a game for the elite, this is a fun game with a low house edge. There are only three possible results of each hand, and there’s no skill involved — it’s strictly the fall of the cards. Here are a couple of tips for doing well:</div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">Bet on the banker for the lowest house edge (1.06 percent).</li>\n<li class=\"textLayer\">You can also bet on the player’s hand. (The house edge is only slightly worse than the banker’s hand at 1.24 percent.)</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n"},{"title":"Avoiding bad bets in disguise","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Some casino games are safer to gamble on than others, but even these have versions or bets that&#8217;ll drain wallets. Avoid these casino game versions or bets at all costs:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jacks or Better video poker (6/5 version): The payouts are for medium hands stink in this version. Play only 9/6 Jacks or Better.</li>\n<li>Blackjack —the insurance bet: This side bet pays back 2-to-1 when the dealer has a blackjack, but the true odds are closer to 2.2-to-1, making this a losing bet over time. Besides, who needs insurance when you’re playing to win?</li>\n<li>Craps — one-throw bets: Betting on propositions, the field, and the big 6 and 8 are wallet slayers with a huge house edge. Stick with Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets where you’re wagering for or against the shooter to hit a number twice before rolling a 7.</li>\n<li>Baccarat —tie bets: Every now and then, the house and player hands end up the same, and you can bet on it happening. Unfortunately, the house edge is over 14 percent.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Games to avoid at all costs","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you’re gambling in a casino, you know that the odds nearly always favor the house. But the games with the worst bets take the house advantage to another level. Unless preserving your bankroll isn’t a priority, when you see these games, walk right on by:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Three-Card Poker</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Let it Ride</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Red Dog</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Roulette</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Big Six Wheel</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Keno</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"How to manage your money at a casino","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Successful casino gamblers understand the math behind the games, but knowledge is only powerful if it comes with the discipline to manage your money. Use these tips to keep yourself in the safe zone:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Never borrow money while gambling.</b> Whether it’s a credit card or a generous friend, borrowing money to gamble is a surefire way to make your financial situation worse.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Only bet what you can afford to lose.</b> Gambling with money that’s already earmarked for expenses like food, rent, or tuition is a major mistake.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Set and stick to a budget.</b> Write it on your forehead if you have to, but no matter what, when you hit that number, leave the casino.</p>\n</li>\n<li><b>Limit your playing time.</b> Taking a break keeps your mind sharp.</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Hotel rooms have beds — use them.</b> When you only gamble a few times a year, it’s tempting to play marathon sessions. But your body and your bankroll aren’t built to handle the casino’s pulsating 24/7 schedule, so make sure you sleep and rest.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Consume alcohol moderately while playing and gambling</strong>: There’s a reason casinos serve drinks for free and go easy on cannabis users. Gamblers under the influence lose more.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Remember the law of gravity — what goes up must come down. </b>Casino profits soar when players get greedy. Quitting with a small win is far better than losing your shirt.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Don’t play any game you don’t understand.</b> One of the fastest ways to burn through your cash is to jump into a game where the rules or strategies confuse you.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Never lie about your wins or losses.</b> If you can’t be honest with people in your life about your time in a casino, it’s time to find a new hobby.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-01-31T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209476}],"_links":{"self":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=0"},"next":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=10"},"last":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33884/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=375"}}},"objectTitle":"","status":"success","pageType":"article-category","objectId":"33884","page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{"categoriesFilter":[{"itemId":0,"itemName":"All Categories","count":385},{"itemId":33885,"itemName":"Betting","count":35},{"itemId":33886,"itemName":"Board Games","count":47},{"itemId":33890,"itemName":"Card Games","count":192},{"itemId":34389,"itemName":"Computer Games","count":3},{"itemId":33904,"itemName":"Online Games","count":60},{"itemId":33907,"itemName":"Puzzles","count":34},{"itemId":33915,"itemName":"Role Playing","count":14}],"articleTypeFilter":[{"articleType":"All Types","count":385},{"articleType":"Articles","count":355},{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","count":20},{"articleType":"Step by Step","count":5},{"articleType":"Videos","count":5}]},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"success","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-05-16T12:59:10+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!--Optimizely Script-->\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- comScore Tag -->\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? 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385 results
Role Playing Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-26-2022

When you’re creating a character for your Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition game, you want to choose the best powers, feats, skills, and gear for your character’s race and class. This Cheat Sheet provides tips for making wise power, feat, skill, and gear choices when you’re creating a new Dungeons & Dragons character. Once you get started, use the printable battle grids for roleplaying encounters.

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Chess Chess For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-20-2022

Unless you have amazing powers of visualization (à la Beth Harmon from The Queen's Gambit), chess requires a chess set and a board for you to play on. The chessboard is divided up into sections called ranks and files, and the set is composed of different chessmen with different movements and powers. After you understand all of these topics, you can start playing the great game of chess, with checkmate as your goal.

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Crosswords Crosswords For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-25-2022

Discover how solving crossword puzzles can benefit your senior brain by strengthening memory, mind function, and more. Next, dive into crossword-puzzle tips for seniors that can enhance your efficiency and enjoyment and hone your puzzle-solving skills.

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Betting Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-23-2022

People have been betting on horse races since horses have been running. Betting on the outcome of formal horse races can be fun and profitable if you know what you’re doing and can beat the odds. Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies offers lots of info to help better your odds including advice on what to pay attention to and what tools can help you at the track as well as the mechanics of placing a bet, the types of bets you can place, and your odds of winning.

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General (Card Games) Rummy: Understanding the Rules and Starting a Game

Article / Updated 03-15-2022

Rummy is a card game in which you try to improve the hand that you’re originally dealt. You can do this whenever it’s your turn to play, either by drawing cards from a pile (or stock) or by picking up the card thrown away by your opponent and then discarding a card from your hand. You can play rummy with two or more players (for six or more players, you need a second deck of cards). You'll also need a paper and pencil for scoring. Learn how to play rummy and other basics including rules, scoring, and how to win! The objective of rummy Your aim is to put (or meld) your cards into two types of combinations: Runs: Consecutive sequences of three or more cards of the same suit Sets (or books): Three or four cards of the same rank. If you are using two decks, a set may include two identical cards of the same rank and suit. This figure shows some legitimate rummy combinations. This figure shows an unacceptable combination. This run is illegal because all cards in a run must be of the same suit. In most rummy games, unlike the majority of other card games, aces can be high or low, but not both. So, runs involving the ace must take the form A-2-3 or A-K-Q but not K-A-2. The first person who manages to make their whole hand into combinations one way or another, with one card remaining to discard, wins the game. How to play rummy Follow the rules and instructions below to understand how to play rummy from start to finish: Each player is dealt a certain number of cards from the deck. When playing rummy with two, three, or four players, each player gets ten cards; when playing with five players, each player gets six cards. With more than five players, you must use two decks of cards and a hand of seven cards. The two-player game can also be played with seven cards each. Designate a scorer and a dealer at the start of the game. Then, the dealer deals out the hands and puts the undealt cards face-down on the center of the table as the stock, placing the top card, turned upward, beside the stock as the first card of the discard pile. The player to the left of the dealer plays first. They can either pick up the card on the discard pile or the top card from the stock. If they can put some or all of their hand into combinations, they may do so. If not, they discard one card from their hand, face-up onto the discard pile, and the turn of play moves to the next player. The next player can either pick up the last card the previous player discarded or the top card from the stock. They can then meld some or all of their cards down in combinations. The play continues clockwise around the table. When the stock runs out, shuffle the discard pile and set it up again. Other rummy rules and tips Now that you know the objective of the game and the basic instructions to play, here is a small list of additional rummy rules and common tips to abide by: You cannot pick up the top discard and then throw the card back onto the pile. If you pick up two cards from the stock by accident and see either of them, you must put the bottom card back, which gives the next player an additional option. They can look at the returned card and take it if they want it. If they don't want it, they put it back into the middle of the stock and continue with their turn by taking the next card from the stock. When you pick up a card from the stock that you don’t want, don’t throw it away immediately. Put the card into your hand and then extract it. No player, regardless of skill level, needs to give gratuitous information away. Rummying with wild cards You can play rummy with wild cards by adding jokers to the deck, or you can make the 2s or some other number wild. You can substitute the card represented by a wild card when it is your turn to play. So, if a combination including a joker, standing in for the king of clubs is put on the table, the next player can put in the king of clubs and pick up the joker for use elsewhere. If you put down two 8s and a joker, you do not have to announce which 8 the joker represents, but with a run, such as 5-6-joker, the assumption is that the joker represents the 7. When playing with wild cards, you may not want to put combinations containing wild cards down immediately; you don’t want to give another player the use of a wild card by way of the substitution. Of course, if you feel obliged to put down the set or run, try to ensure that the card your wild card replaces has already been played in some other set or run. Once you've mastered the game of rummy, you might want to try the slightly more interesting and challenging gin rummy.

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Minecraft How to Fill Areas in Minecraft with the Fill Command

Article / Updated 03-15-2022

One of the most commonly used construction commands in Minecraft is /fill. You can use this command to place lots of blocks in a certain area instantly. To use this command, follow these steps: Go to a corner of the area you want to fill. The Fill command affects blocks in a box-shaped region, up to 32,768 blocks in volume. Pick any of the 8 corners of the box you want to fill. Press F3. This step displays a bunch of information about the current game. Record your coordinates. Part of the information displayed in F3 mode is a line that says Block: followed by three numbers. These numbers tell you where exactly your character is. The X and Z coordinates of your character tell you where you are on the plane parallel to the ground, whereas your Y coordinate tells you your height. Make a note of these numbers because you’ll need to write them into the command. Move to the opposite corner of the area you want to fill. Record the coordinates there. Alternatively, use relative coordinates: A tilde (~) in a command indicates that a coordinate is relative to your own position. So ~ ~ ~ indicates your current position, and ~ ~-1 ~ indicates the block below you. Press the “T” key to open the Chat menu, and type /fill [your first coordinates] [your second coordinates]. For example, you might enter /fill 1123 20 16 1122 30 -16. Enter a space, and then type minecraft: (or press Tab as a shortcut). Every block in this game has a technical name, such as minecraft:stone, minecraft:planks, or minecraft:redstone_torch. The first part is necessary only for autocompletion purposes, as described in Step 8. If you already know the technical name of the block, don’t type only minecraft:; go ahead and type minecraft:stone or minecraft:planks or whatever the name is, and then skip to Step 10. If you don’t know the technical name of the block, stick with Step 7 as written and then go on to Step 8. Press Tab to see a list of block names. From here, you can find the block that you want to fill the area. If you know that its name starts with a certain couple of letters, type those letters, and then press Tab for a narrower search. After you see which block you want to use, type it after the minecraft:. Press the spacebar again, and enter the data value of the block. This is 0 by default — if you select another number, it chooses a variant of the block. For example, wooden planks have a different color based on the data value you give them. Steps 9 and 10 are optional — however, if you complete Step 10, you must complete this one as well. Press the spacebar again, and enter a keyword indicating how to handle blocks that are already inside the fill area. You can pick one of five different keywords: replace: With this keyword, when you fill the target area, any block already in that area is replaced. Alternatively, you can type replace followed by a space and then the name of another block (see Steps 7 and 8). This makes it so that the /fill command replaces every block of that type only in the target area rather than filling up the whole area. Note that replace is the default keyword. At this point the command should look like /fill 1123 20 16 1122 30 -16 minecraft:wool 1 replace. destroy: All existing blocks in the target area are destroyed, just as though a player mined them. keep: This command does not affect blocks already in the target area (except for air, of course). hollow: With this command, only the outer layer of the target area is filled with blocks — all blocks on the inside are replaced with air. outline: Only the outer layer of the target area is filled with blocks, but blocks on the inside remain as they were. Don’t be put off by the length of these instructions — the more you practice, the easier (and faster) it is. The process in the preceding step list works best when you don’t quite know the size of the area you want to fill. But if you want to fill an area that you know is 10x10x20, for example, there’s a faster way to do it: Go to a corner of the area you want to fill. This part is just like the other method, but it’s done for a different purpose. Press F3. In addition to pulling up a menu, the F3 button changes the crosshair in the center of the screen into a symbol composed of a red segment, a green segment, and a blue segment where green is the Y direction, red is the X direction, and blue is the Z direction. These segments point in the positive x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction, respectively. Use the crosshair to figure out the relative coordinates of the opposite corner. For example, if the crosshair numbers read ~100 ~-5 ~2, the opposite corner is 100 blocks in the X-direction, -5 blocks in the Y-direction, and 2 blocks in the Z-direction. Open the chat menu and type /fill ~ ~ ~ [relative coordinates]. For example, to create a platform 100 blocks long and 100 blocks wide, where one corner is where you are and the opposite corner is at 99 ~ ~99, type /fill ~ ~ ~ ~99 ~ ~99. Complete the process as usual. (See Steps 7–10 in the preceding step list.)

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Bridge Bridge For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-14-2022

Arguably, bridge is the greatest card game ever. Not only is it a lifelong friend, it also enables you to make lifelong friends because it's a partnership game. From the four phases of playing a bridge hand to some expert advice on bidding, get started with playing bridge and then refine your game to increase your chances of winning.

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Crosswords Easy Crosswords For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022

Working crossword puzzles is great exercise for your brain — and great fun as well. To maximize your enjoyment and your mental workout, take some time to learn basic tips for solving crossword clues. Then, create the right environment so you can focus, move at your own pace, and give the crossword your best effort. And when you’re ready for a different type of challenge, consider working other types of puzzles as well. Your synapses will thank you!

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Minecraft Minecraft Modding For Kids For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022

Modding Minecraft allows players to make large interactive modifications to their Minecraft worlds with a simple click of a button. Although you can build infinite mods, this book focuses on creating Minigames within Minecraft, where players can compete in single-player and multi-player mode. Designing and coding the Minigames requires coding, but with the help of LearnToMod, you can create your own Minigame to play with friends!

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Betting Casino Gambling For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-23-2022

Casino gambling can be fun, exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. Knowing which casino games have good odds in your favor (gamble on these!) and which ones to avoid will help you to keep your cool — and as much of your money as possible. By making your money last, you extend your playtime; so manage your money wisely.

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