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How To Win at Some of Life's Hardest Games
Other | Thursday 25th September 2014 | Annalisa
Winning is everything. Whether it's on our games consoles or in tradtional sport, we are always looking for that winning edge, always on the lookout for ways to beat the competition. With the latest consoles coming out all the time, we are immersed in a more and more competitive atmosphere.
We don't always win, of course; life is tough and it presents us with challenges. But when you find yourself losing at some of life's hardest games, here are a few tips on how to turn things around and get back to winning ways...
Blackjack
There are millions of online guides out there on how to play blackjack, but it's a game which still manages to baffle even the most seasoned card players. One super-effective strategy for the budding bettors amongst us is the Martingale strategy. It's an old strategy from 18th century France and involves doubling a bet after every loss. Every time the dealer issues a hand, the player can set a betting stake, then they can double it if they lose or keep it the same if they win. In theory the bettor should have around a 50 per cent winning rate this way.
Minesweeper
A golden oldie, but a classic in the computer game world. The premise involves clicking on squares which will reveal a set of numbers around them – the higher the number, the more mines there are around them. Clicking one mine ends the game, so the player has to ensure they read the numbers carefully.
That's easier said than done. But there are a few tricks you can pull out of the bag to avoid a world of frustration. Start the game by clicking one of the four corner squares – this will more often than not reveal a huge amount of blocks. Next you can tread carefully by putting a mark on all the potential mines that look obvious. For example, if there are eight number ones surrounding an un-clicked square, you know it's probably a mine.
Finally, holding down both the left and right mouse buttons will open all the blocks around a number that already has its mines discovered. This method will take around 10 attempts to perfect, but it's more than worth it.
Angry Birds
Flappy Bird may have been one of the most annoying games of the century. But after it was pulled due to the creator receiving death threats, smartphone owners started going back to the ever popular Angry Birds. As everyone knows, the aim of the game is to destroy pigs and other obstacles by aiming a bird in a catapult at the enemy. It sounds simple enough, but the frustration comes if you misalign your bird by even a millimetre. But don't worry, there are a few tricks you can pull out to stop this happening.
First off, make sure you zoom in on the screen – this will reveal a line of dust from your previous bird's trajectory, helping to guide you in your next move. Also you don't have to attack from left to right – you can aim your bird upwards to increase your chances of hitting those little piggies. You'll have to put the hours in but, trust us, these techniques will help you go far.
