The Challenge Factory discussion

This is a partner challenge. Two card players (aka partners) will try get closest to 21 without going over. After signing up, each pair will receive a thread, where they will compete with each other. Your card game will end when both partners decide they are ready to stop.

♣ Books must be 140 pages.
♣ Re-reads and audio books are okay.
♣ Page count for audio books will be determined by the first paper version shown on Goodreads. From the book's page, select “all editions”, then find the first paper edition as your guide.

How it works:

Round One
Step 1 -The moderator will use random.org to draw two cards for each player and post it on your thread. (Note that each time cards are drawn, it will be from new deck.)

Step 2 - Each player will decide which one of their two cards they will keep.

Each player will then read a book associated with the card they kept.
♣ For 2 - 10 (worth their respective numbers), read a book that:
is that number in a series
has that number of words in the title (including 'a', 'an', 'the')
the number is found in the title (once, twice and so on count) (pun intended :)
was published in a year that matches your number (1995 or 2010, must be the last number of the year)

♣ For Jack (worth 10 points), read a book with a title that begins with 'J', 'A', 'C', 'K'
(you can use or ignore 'a', 'an', 'the')

♣ For Queen (worth 10 points), read a book written by a female

♣ For King (worth 10 points), read a book written by a male

♣ For Ace (you must first decide whether it will be a 1 or an 11; it will remain that number for that game) read a book that is the first in a series or a standalone

Step 3 - when you have finished reading your book, post a Completion Post in your thread.

Completion Post must include:
GAME #:
ROUND #:
CARD:
BOOK READ:
RATING:
DATE READ:
HOW IT FITS THE CARD:

Round 2 will go just like Round 1.

If at the end of Round 2 you have 21, you win.

If at the end of Round 2 you are afraid that receiving another card will put you over 21, you can "Stand'.

If your opponent chooses to "Stand", Round 3 continues as the other Rounds, but the one player will receive cards, pick one to keep, and read for it. The Rounds continue until that player gets 21 or goes over.

Then Game Two begins.

Game Count

Games Played: 1
Leslie Wins: 1
Lanelle Wins: 0

*****************************************************

Leslie, I know you have fond memories of getting kicked out of the Apache Gold Casino, so I thought it would be a great title for our thread :)

How many games would you like to do?

Did we get kicked out? I remember thinking how much money they were wasting and could have just given to me, the college student.

We can do a handful or so. Hit me!

Leslie wrote: "Did we get kicked out?"

I remember you being too young to be in there and told you had to leave.

Leslie wrote: "I remember thinking how much money they were wasting and could have just given to me, the college student."

I know that your grandparents blew through their retirement fund and had to declare bankruptcy :(

Leslie's cards -



Lanelle's cards -

I'm currently reading the 4th in a series, so I'm going to be lazy and keep the 4.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 1
CARD: 9
BOOK READ: Ravished
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/1/2021
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: it was first published in 1992

Leslie, I'm sorry. The 9 needs to be the last number in the published year :(

I'll add a few words to clarify that in the rules.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 1
CARD: 4 of Clubs
BOOK READ: A Place of Confinement: The Investigations of Miss Dido Kent
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/1/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: the book is the 4th in the series

Well nuts. Um, looks like MacKenzies Mountain was published in 1989, so I will read that one real quick.

Leslie wrote: "Well nuts. Um, looks like MacKenzies Mountain was published in 1989, so I will read that one real quick."

Sorry. Take your time. You know I have other challenges I can work on :)

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 1 (attempt #2)
CARD: 9
BOOK READ: Mackenzie's Mountain
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/3/2021
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: it was first published in 1989

Leslie wrote: "...(attempt #2)..."

:D

Leslie's cards -



Lanelle's cards -

Um, I think I'll keep a 3 :)

By the way, I added a score board to Message 3. If you think of any more info that should be there, let me know. Maybe a Round by Round score?

Oy! Another 9, I suppose I could take the 2. Maybe 11 is a better position than 18?

I don't think you need a round by round score. It shouldn't be too hard to keep track of game by game. But whatever

Leslie wrote: "Oy! Another 9, I suppose I could take the 2. Maybe 11 is a better position than 18?

I don't think you need a round by round score. It shouldn't be too hard to keep track of game by game. But whatever"

Actually, 11 might be a better position assuming you get a face card or an ace the next round. Just thinking.

Okay, assuming I am correct, I can choose "Fabulous Beast" for the 2 card because it has two words in the title?

Leslie wrote: "Okay, assuming I am correct, I can choose "Fabulous Beast" for the 2 card because it has two words in the title?"

Yep.

I'm going to read The River Knows for my 3 card. It fits because it has 3 words in the title.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 2
CARD: 3 of Diamonds
BOOK READ: The River Knows
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/4/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: the book's title has 3 words

My total is now 7.

GAME #:1
ROUND #:2
CARD: 2
BOOK READ: Fabulous Beast by Jayne Ann Krentz
RATING: ****
DATE READ: Sept 5th
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: title has two words

My total is 11

Leslie's cards -



Lanelle's cards -

*sigh* I just finished a book with 6 words in the title.

I assume you'll keep the 10?

Lol, well that stinks.

Yes, I found one I would be willing to read thay was published in 2010, If He's Wild.

GAME #:1
ROUND #:2
CARD: 10
BOOK READ: If He's Wild
RATING: ****
DATE READ: Sept 6
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: published in 2010

My total is 21, lucky first round, that is how they hook you!

Leslie wrote: "...that is how they hook you!"

Yep :)

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 3
CARD: 7 of Hearts
BOOK READ: Second Sight
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/6/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: the book was published in 2007

My total is now 14.

Okay. Now for my next cards.

Lanelle's cards -



I can't keep the 9 because that will put me over 21. The 3 of Spades then.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 4
CARD: 3 of Spades
BOOK READ: Blood for Ink
RATING: ***
DATE READ: 9/7/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: the title has 3 words

My total is now 17.

Lanelle's cards -



And both of those cards put me over 21. You win. Congratulations!

You ready for Game 2?

Yep. Deal me in

Leslie's cards -



Lanelle's cards -

Wow. random.org liked you a lot better than me :D

I'd say so. I am going to keep the Ace for 11 pts.

Neither of the books I'm reading right now matches the two cards I have. I need to finish Murder on Astor Place before I can start a book for this challenge.

So take your time :)

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 1
CARD: Ace
BOOK READ: Waking the Beast
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/10/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: it is the first of a series

My total is now 11

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 1
CARD: 5 of Hearts
BOOK READ: To Walk in the Sun
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/11/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: there are 5 words in the title

My total is now 5.

Leslie's cards -



Lanelle's cards -

I'm going to keep the 6 of Clubs. I figure with the 5 I already have, that puts me at 11. Hopefully I will get a 10 with the next hand and reach 21! *fingers crossed*

Okay, I am keeping the 5 and reading an Amanda Quick from 1995, I think.

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 2
CARD: 6 of Clubs
BOOK READ: The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/13/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: there are 6 words in the title

My total is now 11.

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 2
CARD: 5 of spades
BOOK READ: Mystique
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/15/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: It was published is 2005

My total is now 16. This is gonna be close...

Leslie wrote: "This is gonna be close..."

Keeping my fingers crossed for a 10, Jack, Queen or King!

Leslie's cards -



Lanelle's cards -

Nope :(

I'm not sure which card I'll keep. I'm going to think about it.

Well, I don't have much of a choice. I have a book published in 2014 for 4 of clubs.

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 3
CARD: 4 of clubs
BOOK READ: Smiley
RATING: ****
DATE READ: 9/17/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: It was published in 2014

My total is now 20. I think I will stay. The odd of getting an Ace are not good.