Have you heard of the Middle Eastern version of Checkers?

Games touch everyone and every culture.

This week, we wish our friends and acquaintances who are followers of Islam a blessed Ramadan!

Aside from centuries-old customs and traditions, Islamic culture also has a footprint in games. And you’d be surprised to know that Alquerque is basically Middle Eastern Checkers! Even if the board looks different, the way it’s played and the rules are very similar to each other.

It’s quite interesting that no matter how old something is, it still finds a way to relate to something in the present. Speaking of old and classy, our upcoming podcast episode specializes in classic puzzles like Sudoku and Crosswords!

But this week we have something special: A game that originated in a car stuck in traffic and is one of Bill Gates’ favorite math games. Check it out here.

Five game insights we think will pique your interest!

Speaking of Alquerque and Checkers, even the Philippines has its own version of it! Dama is known as Filipino Checkers. Comparing the three games, Alquerque and Dama bear the most striking similarities, especially on the board design. While all these games look the same, there are small differences that set them apart and keep them from being direct copies of one another!

Interested in playing another classic board game? Then try Trivial Pursuit! It’s fun, colorful and educational! Not familiar with how to play it? No problem, here’s a short guide on how to play Trivial Pursuit!

Wine and other alcoholic beverages are very common, especially in ceremonies and holy events like this month’s Ramadan and Easter. Aside from ceremonial significance, did you know that drinking wine could actually help you solve puzzles better?

Are Checkers and Trivial Pursuit not enough for your board game craze? Then time to bring out the big guns of Battleship! Well, it doesn’t really involve holding cannons and torpedoes, but it’s definitely a tactical board game that will blow your expectations out of the water!

Playing competitive games like Chess, Checkers and Battleships requires more than just skill and wit; honor and integrity are also key components to any kind of match or competition. Imagine competing in a game of skill and your opponent just keeps cheating, wouldn’t that kill the original purpose of competition?

So if you want to pursue a hobby or even a career that revolves around competitive games, remember that there’s always more to just winning. And to that, we share the words of Peter Ueberroth, American Sports and Business Executive:

“The integrity of the game is everything.”

That’s it for our weekly newsletter. This month’s filled with religious celebrations, so if you’re looking for something to listen to while on a journey, our podcasts and interviews are always here!

And if you want to learn more about what we’re up to at Hey, Good Game, you can find out more right here. 

It makes you chuckle to think that maybe even the first card game or board game players finished their sessions with a:

Hey, Good Game!