Don't just leave us all hanging like that, P-C! What is the etymology of the name?

Oh, I thought everyone knew about it. You're Buffistas.

The word comes from a combination of back and gamen. That is, the name LITERALLY MEANS "the game on the back." Because it's on the back of a checkerboard. I find that terribly amusing.

Of course, I believe I am entirely wrong, but I know I read it that way somewhere. I like my way better.

I've enjoyed playing backgammon but it's been so long I think I may need a refresher course. I'm pretty sure I've seen boardless pips for sale at one of those "Games" stores in a mall.

What are your favorite card games? I've recently learned and am really digging Pinochle. I also love Euchre and our old family standby is "Oh Hell."

Hi, gaming thread! I am mostly cards, board games, and on line word games. I need to get in on some scrabbulous, but so far all I've done about it is create an fb account. phone posting gets old fast. I'll be back.

If there's any RPGers with an Xbox, PS3 or PC get Oblivion. Seriously. It's gaming crack. It's set in a massive, massive gaming world where you can do anything, pretty much. There's day, night, rain, snow, cities, towns, villages, thousands of people going about their daily lives... You can break into houses and steal stuff, join guilds, you get the picture. I've had it for 18 months now and I've still not seen half the gaming world.

Downside: I've worked out if I was playing it 9 till 5, monday to friday, it equates to about a month of my life so far.

I hadn't realized you have to join Facebook to play Scrabulous. I don't keep up with my myriad of on-line communities already. Oh the pressure.

favorite card games?

The old standards. Gin rummy, 500 rummy, hearts, spades, bridge.

500 rummy

Known as Rummy 500 in our household, the mere mention gets my blood pumping, the shouted, "I want that card!" of my siblings ringing in my ears. I only ever think I've had more fun playing Spoons, one cold and rainy Minocqua Wisconsin summer with all the kids in the campground gathered around a long rickety table, a mismatched assortment of spoons spread carefully before us on the stained plastic table cloth. I can almost feel my mosquito bites itching.

My favorite card game ever is called Russian Bank. I've never met anyone outside of my family who had ever heard of it before, although I've heard rumors of others.

My favorite card game ever is called Russian Bank.

Looks interesting. I think the closest I've come is Double Solitaire. I sometimes played quadruple solitaire with Mom & both sisters.