[mcan]

The philosophy of games (as per mcan)

Most games have at least an element of pure chance to them. Chance built into a game is what makes the game easier for a beginner to be successful. A game of PURE chance means that there are NO other considerations to the game (the card game WAR, Shoots and Ladders, The lotto, slot machines, etc...) None of these games require/allow decision making or execution of strategy by a player. They play their game, take their turn, roll their dice/spin a wheel, and follow the directions and rules to see what happens to them. Games of this nature, are simply and utterly nothing more than a glorified or complicated coin flip.

The two elements of a game that elevate the game past the 'pure chance' category are decision making, and execution of that decision making. These types of games are MUCH more interesting and rewarding for the player, and especially the winning the player. I will call these types of games "skill games."


There are THREE categories to consider about a skill game.


SKILL, ABILITY, STRATEGY

**There is a subtle difference between the way I mean "skill" above and the overall blanket term 'skill game.' The phrase "skill game" is only meant to connotate that the game is NOT a game of 'pure chance.' Traditionally, the colloquial term "skill" is used by poker players who have tried to convince lawmakers that poker should be made legal, and is not pure "gambling" as many house casino games are. I like this term, and use it here**

I use these terms as distinctly different things, loosely as follows:

"skill" is a learned and seasoned technique/behavior. Hitting a golf ball cleanly and making it go where you want it to go is a "skill."

"ability" is distinct from skill, because it is based on prowess. Hitting a golf ball farther, than someone else of comparable skill means you have the same skill, but more ability (in this case you are stronger or have a faster swing).

"strategy" is fairly self explanatory. It is the plan of action, whether that plan be made well in advance, or on the fly. (you plan to lay up onto the fairway instead of going for the green). In many games, you'll find that strategy is inversely related to luck/chance, if indeed the game still has any luck built into it.


With this foundation, the question "which game is more of a thinking man's game" is easier to tackle.

Golf: golf is overwhelmingly a game dominated by skill and not by strategy. Most of the "thinking" in golf is no more complicated than "what do I do to get that ball as close as I can." On occasion, a player might think that setting up an easier next shot, that is farther away is a better decision than putting the ball as close as they can get. But this is hardly complicated. The hard part of golf is clearly, being able to hit the ball and make it go where you want it to go. this is not "thinking."

Baseball: Again, the vast vast vast majority of this sport is NOT strategy based. There are SOME strategic elements to the game, but their overall importance is dwarfed by player skills and abilities. Hitting, throwing, catching, and running are the core of baseball. And 9 players who can do this, with no strategy at all, will beat the snot out of 9 players with a great strategy and no ability or skills. Or if you want a less exaggerated example, in any game 7 of a world series, having a great strategy going into the game can NOT make up for your pitcher having a bad night.

Football: This sport is interesting, because on its face, it's a game that values a players' overall strength and athletic ability much more than baseball. Skill is devalued somewhat (except by certain positions which are actually designated as "skill positions"). But it seems that overall strategy is paramount to football in a way it is not in most other major sports. Strategy can and often DOES overcome weaknesses in the ability of your own team and capitalizes on the weaknesses in the other team. Still, there is a minimum threshold of ability a player needs in order to be able to compete... So no, it's not a pure "thinking mans" game, but I think its much closer than baseball.

Chess: This is the prototype "thinking mans" game. It also illustrates the nature of the word "skill." Colloquially, we call it a "skill" game, and many people use this kind of language to describe how good a chess player is. But according to my categories, I would call this ALL strategy. Thinking that your queen should move to D5 is the immediate strategy, and no consideration should be made as regards to how you're going to move the piece there. There are few sports that have this unique "strategy only" type of play.