If you have not yet heard about "The Settlers of Catan", a game by Mayfair games, you will soon. Settlers of Catan was originally a German game and was translated to English. In its essence, it is a cross between Risk and Monopoly. The game is very fun and very re-playable.

The original game is designed for 3-4 players, with an optional 5-6 player expansion you can buy separately. There are also 2 other expansion sets that add even more aspects to the game, "Seafarers" and "Cities and Knights". Personally i only like the C&K expansion.

To learn how to play, you really have to get the game, then sit down and read the instructions carefully with other people who are willing to learn. After you learn the instructions you can teach other players quite quickly.

It is kind of hard to find the original game in stores, but i was able to find the original and 5-6 player expansion for under $45 online, and also found the C&K expansion with the C&K 5-6 player expansion for under $45. Search on the internet for the best deal, but make sure you are getting the original "Settlers of Catan", NOT the "card game".

Once you learn how to play, you can also play online at http://games.asobrain.com but again you really have to learn how to play with the game in front of you.

Its sweeping the country, but for good reasons, its fun! Texas Holdem has become huge recently with the world series of poker on ESPN. People are holding tournaments at their houses as a fun entertainment night, everyone throws in $10 and the winner gets the pot.

There are a number of places you can play online, for real money or for fun. You should not play for real money unless you are prepared to loose any you play with.

If you are looking for a really fun free website to play poker online, check out www.triplejack.com. It has a Macromedia Flash cartoon-like interface that makes the game very fun. It also has a ranking system with "Points" that is separate from the play money so you know who is good and who isn't.