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.

I recommend deciding on how many games you want to play before you get started.

Also, if you'd like me a change your thread's name, I can do that. Maybe a specific casino, or adding Cardsharks to your names. Just let me know.

Hi Jeanne.

How many games would you like to play? Would you like to see how the first goes then decide or start with a small amount 2 - 5 and then go from there?

Whew! I found you. I like the idea of starting slow and then decide. So how about 2-3 and then decide. Do you think that's enough?

Jeanne wrote: "Whew! I found you. I like the idea of starting slow and then decide. So how about 2-3 and then decide. Do you think that's enough?"

Yes ma'am. I'll post in the check for out cards/hand

Jeanne's cards -



Shan's cards -

Lanelle wrote: "Jeanne's cards -

Lanelle, Do we tell each other what card we are picking? I mean, obviously I have to pick 5, but I'm not sure I understand exactly what will happen after that. Do we keep playing until one of us gets 21 or goes over? Of does the one with the best hand after round 2 win that round? Sorry, I am confused.

Shan's cards -

"

Do we tell each other what card we are picking?

Jeanne wrote: "Do we tell each other what card we are picking?"

Yes. Say something like, "I'm going to keep the 5." :D

And Shan might say, "I'll keep the Jack."

I'm keeping the Jack

I think I'll keep the 5.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 1
CARD: 5 of hearts
BOOK READ: A Christmas Escape by Anne Perry
RATING: 4 stars
DATE READ: 9.8.2021
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: This book was published in 2015

Lanelle
What is meant by "rating?" I didn't see anything in the directions explaining what a "rating" would be. Sorry, I'm sure I should have asked that question before the game started.

Jeanne wrote: "Lanelle
What is meant by "rating?" I didn't see anything in the directions explaining what a "rating" would be. Sorry, I'm sure I should have asked that question before the game started."

The rating is how much you liked the book; 3 stars or something like that.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 1
CARD: Jack of Hearts
BOOK READ: Always Only You by Chloe Liese
RATING: 4 stars
DATE READ: 09/09/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: Title starts with A

Jeanne's cards -



Shan's cards -

I'm keeping 9

Lanelle wrote: "Jeanne wrote: "Lanelle
What is meant by "rating?" I didn't see anything in the directions explaining what a "rating" would be. Sorry, I'm sure I should have asked that question before the game sta..."

Thanks! Probably should have figured that out.

I'm keeping the 6.

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 2
CARD: Nine of Diamond
BOOK READ: Double Dare by Jeanne St. James
RATING: 3 stars
DATE READ: 09/14/21
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: Published in 2009

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 2
CARD: 6 of Spades
BOOK READ: Clouds in my Coffee by Julie Mulhern
RATING: 5 stars
DATE READ: 9.14.2021
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: This book was published May 10, 2016

I choose to stand with 19

I choose to take another card.

Lanelle,
I know that you're busy, but If possible, I need a card.

Jeanne wrote: "Lanelle,
I know that you're busy, but If possible, I need a card."

I'll see your request sooner if you post on the 'request your new cards here' thread.

Jeanne's cards -

Lanelle wrote: "Jeanne wrote: "Lanelle,
I know that you're busy, but If possible, I need a card."

I'll see your request sooner if you post on the 'request your new cards here' thread."

Sorry, somehow I missed that instruction. Won't happen again.

I'm keeping the 9 of diamonds.

Jeanne wrote: "Sorry, somehow I missed that instruction..."

No problem :)

GAME #: 1
ROUND #: 3
CARD: 9 of Diamonds
BOOK READ: Crime in the School by Catherine Moloney
RATING: 3 stars
DATE READ: 9.23.2021
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: This book was published April 30, 2019

reply | edit | delete | flag *

Jeanne, looks like you won with your 20 to my 19. Do you want to play another game?

Sure, I could play another! I just got lucky. So one of us doesn't have to get a 21; it must be high score without going over. I didn't see that in the questions or rules any where. Do you want to play another?

I'm not sure if we actually have to get 21, but at this point I would think we would both go over. (If I knew how to add an emoji right now it would be a shoulder shrug, lol)

I'm going to request new cards for us

Jeanne's cards -



Shan's cards -

While intuition tells me to pick the 4, I am going with the odds and picking the 8 of spades.

7 it is for me

Jeanne, there is a request for cards posted a little over 2 hours ago. Is this a mistake?

No. I believe it asks for cards for Game 2, Round 2. I didn't see any other request from us. Is there something wrong?

Jeanne wrote: "No. I believe it asks for cards for Game 2, Round 2. I didn't see any other request from us. Is there something wrong?"

It's just that I gave you new cards on the 24th, and then there was a request for cards on the 25th. Just a bit confused.

You are good to go :)

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 1
CARD: 8 of Spades
BOOK READ: The Butter Did It by Phyllis Richmond
RATING: 4 stars
DATE READ: 9.28.2021
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: This book was published May 6, 1998

Lanelle wrote: "Jeanne wrote: "No. I believe it asks for cards for Game 2, Round 2. I didn't see any other request from us. Is there something wrong?"

It's just that I gave you new cards on the 24th, and then the..."

My bad. I think I had a senior moment and asked for the wrong cards. Can't think why else I would have done that.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "7 it is for me"

How are you coming Shan?

I jumped on 7 thinking it would be easy to find a book that fits. None of my books work so far. I'm now looking for a book that expressly fits this task.

Sorry for the delay.

No problem on the delay. Heaven knows I have enough to keep me busy. Can I help in any way?

Jeanne wrote: "No problem on the delay. Heaven knows I have enough to keep me busy. Can I help in any way?"

Any romance recommendations that fit?

Well, yes I think. I am a mystery reader, but I have a couple suggestions.
1. The Boy Next Door by Ella James. 268pp. The problem with this one is that Goodreads says pub. 5/10/2017. But Amazon says pub. 12/14/2020. If you are willing to go with GR, this sounds like a good book.
2. Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios. 360 pp. pub. 6/13/2017
3. True to You by Becky Wade. 373 pp. pub. 5/2/2017
4. Mister Romance by Leisa Rayven. 341 pp pub. 4/30/2017

As Romance is not my favorite genre, I have not read any of these, but look them up and see what you think. And if you like any of them, please let me know as I especially liked the synopsis of The Boy Next Door.

Thank you, Jeanne. I really appreciate that.

I'm starting Mister Romance in the morning on my way to work. Thank you for the recommendations

GAME #: 2
ROUND #: 1
CARD: 7 of Clubs
BOOK READ: Mister Romance
RATING: 4 stars
DATE READ: 10/13
HOW IT FITS THE CARD: Published in 2017

Jeanne's cards -



Shan's cards -

I'm going with 4