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Big Boy games v. Little Boy games

Tuesday Dec 13, 2005

Fantasy Football v. Techmobowl. Poker v. Go Fish. Sky Diving v. Going down a slide.

Adult men and their younger counterparts share a love of gaming. From an early age most males enjoy playing. Whether it be videogames, race cars, or sports, boys get their game on. Men are no different, or are they?

For my 5th birthday I received the revolutionary NES 8-bit system (Nintendo). At that time there were only 4 or so games and its predescesor Atari seemed to hold the upperhand... Until it exploded and everyone across America and beyond got caught up in the Nintendo craze. Better graphics, better sound, better games (see Zelda, Tetris, Super Mario Bros.), and better control.

20 years later I still rave about the original Nintendo as well as its sequel system Super Nintendo. But I don't play those games anymore. I don't even own a video game system anymore. The games I play now aren't for little boys... They are the Big Boy games.

Fantasy Football. This is a new game for me. In fact I've yet to even play it for money so in a way you could say it is just like a video game. Only instead of being a game of action it is merely a game of decisions (and luck). For most men (people) who play fantasy sports, this is a major form of gambling (big boy play). While I am now in the Semi-finals due to what I believe to have been very good strategic play, I really just got lucky and played teams that got unlucky at those same moments. I'd say this big boy game is about 10% preparedness/research, 10% decisions, and 80% luck.

Poker. While this game isn't new to me, large successes and failures playing it are. I've gone from playing 3-6 limit poker to being a high stakes no limit and tournament player. The swings are tough to stomach and this ain't no mille bourne (some card game we used to play). I found myself at another final table last night and recovered my losses from the weekend. A definate big boy game that is about 10% preparedness/focus, 50% decisions, 40% luck.

I think besides money, the only difference in Big boy and little boy games is the factor of luck. The idea that if you try your hardest you can succeed applies to youth, but in adulthood you must pick your spots and still hope that luck is on your side.