Bella Sara is a collectible card game that is geared toward young girls. Bella Sara features horses. You can take the codes from the cards and enter them in the Bella Sara website, creating your own virtual horse.

From there you can brush her hair or take her out of the stable. You won’t need any equestrian clothing to enjoy having a horse. Bella Sara reinforces positive ideas, so it helps to boost self-esteem of young girls. So, unlike a lot of card games, this one has a different goal. It’s not about game play but the positive message behind each card.

The latest expansion is Native Lights that is available in some stores like Target.

I saw the card game for Are you smarter than a 5th grader? in the store yesterday. The game lets you test yourself at home if you are indeed smarter than a 5th grader. It comes with so many questions that a fifth grader should know.

Some questions are really hard since it deals with subjects or ideas that you may have learned in school but haven’t had a reason to recall in quite sometime. I like the game as it is fun to watch and the kids are really cute on the TV show. I’m not sure I want to be tested because I have a feeling that I am not smarter than a 5th grader. Still, it looks like a cute card game that comes in its own carrying case much like the Deal or No Deal card game. Too bad the card game doesn’t come with a Jeff Foxworthy cutout and a recording of his voice to ask the questions. I’m not sure playing the game would be the same as watching it on TV without him. It could be fun especially for those who love hard or obscure trivia.

Last night while strolling through the toy section, we came across a wide selection of games on sale. One game was In a Pickle. Since it was half off, I tossed it in the shopping cart since it’s one I’ve been wanting to play for a while.

In a Pickle consists of playing cards of items that will fit into one another. Once a run of four cards have been played, you can pick them off of the playing field. In a Pickle looks like a fun game, so I can’t wait to play it.

We have a busy weekend, so I’m not sure if I will get to play over the next couple of days. I hope so because I then can write a full review sooner than later. With the move it’s been a while since we’ve played games. It’ll be nice to enjoy a card or board game again.

Since we play a lot of card games, we would love to trade in our kitchen table for something like these poker tables. We usually eat while sitting on the couch, so why not get a table that we would really use for its intended purpose?

A card table would be perfect for us. We play a lot of card games and poker tables are laid out to make the most use of the table for playing. Some even have drink holders, which is a must since it can be hard to round up more than four coasters at any given time.

A card table is a definite accessory for any gamer. We are into a collectible card game, so the table not only would serve the purpose to having a place to play but a place to sort cards.

It’s just one of the many things we need for our game room, which is on hold until we get settled again. It’s still nice to dream, though.

Last night I attended my first Moms play date event. The kids weren’t invited to this one as it was for Moms to get out of the house and enjoy a night away from home. First step one evening away, the next step earn some rewards with leisuretime promotions for a few days to myself.

Pokeno was a lot of fun. I had to bring two gifts. Each winner got to choose one gift. After two rounds, all the gifts were gone. Then begins the take away round where winners can either steal a gift(from someone with two or more gifts) or claim one of their gifts as off limits to be stolen. I won a game, so I got to bring home a nice prize. Some ladies were big winners. I think the key to winning is complain about never winning. Get all of that negativity out and you’ll win. Well, at least it seemed to work last night.

I can’t wait for next month as I’m already plotting and planning the gifts to bring. My husband says that I’m trying to “one up” the other ladies but I want my gift to be chosen first. Gifts are wrapped, so I plan to make them look superb. It’s almost like a mini-competition, bragging rights that you brought the gift chosen first or the gift stolen most often. Yeah, I guess I am competitive after all.

So, I joined a local moms group and the first event I’ve signed up for is Keno night. After reading the description, it looks to be more Pokeno, which is Poker/Keno/Bingo all rolled into one fun game.

Each player has a game card that has playing card pictures on it. One person is the dealer or caller. The dealer shuffles the deck, then draws one card at a time. If a card called is on your board, put a poker chip on it. When you have scored five in a row, you win and get to be the dealer the next round. Some play until every one has five in row and the winner is the person with the best poker hand using those five cards. There are variations to the standard play where the winning board will be the one to make a certain poker hand.

I’m not sure which rules will apply in the game Tuesday night. I do know that I have to bring two gifts for prizes and $2 for the coverall game. It should be a fun night. My husband thinks it’s funny that I joined a Moms play date group and the first event I’m going to is sans kid. Moms want to have fun, too.

My husband has become obsessed with spider solitaire. Tonight he was saying how he needed to do some computer work. So, he cranks up the computer only to play spider solitaire for hours!

He had to take a break while we watched Drive on Fox’s website. He is now back at it though. I think once he wins a hand, he’ll be satisfied. He is like a man possessed. He could be playing Pirates!, Neverwinter Nights, or any of a slew of casual games we have. But there he sits playing solitaire.

It’s amazing what game will totally engross him at any given time.

Have you seen the Uglydolls? They live up to their name alright. Now they have their own card game that is fast and fun. There are 70 cards. Shuffle the deck and remove the top five cards. All the rest of the cards need to placed face down on a flat surface. Cards should be spread apart. It’s OK if they lap over one another. In fact, the more they lap, the better it is.

Uglydoll is probably more fun for kids. You are looking for three identical uglydolls as players take turns flipping over cards. When you have found three, try to snatch as many as you can. Other players will no doubt try and go after the cards, too. If there is a tie over a card, the first person to yell “ugly” three times wins the card. The player with the most cards when no more matches can be made wins.

Fun and fast game. It takes all of 15 minutes or less to play.

While at the favorite local gaming store, we played a game of Pit. Pit is a fun game and took all of 2 minutes to learn how to play.

The idea is to corner the market on one commodity. You must have 9 of a kind to do that. You can have 8 of a kind and the bull - essentially a wild card. You can’t win the game with the bear in your hand.

All cards are dealt out to the players. The oversized Corner card is placed in the middle of the playing table, so everyone has equal access to it. Next the dealer will open up trading. You announce your trade like if you have three cattle to trade, you say “three.” Do not announce which commodity it is you are trading. All trades must be of the same commodity. The one exception is the bear that can be traded by itself or with any other commodity.

When you have your 9 commodities, slap the corner card and yell “Corner.” You earn points noted on the commodity. The first player to 500 points wins.

Pit is really fun. The more players, the better the game can be. Trades happen really fast, and it’s fun to take part in the scramble to get 9 commodities.

Pit also makes a great party game since many can play at one time, and it is easy to pick up the rules.

Hocus Focus is a card game featuring wizards. The game tests how observant you are. Hocus Focus is a great game for younger kids.

Rows of wizards from the deck are laid onto a common playing area. Each player takes the top wizard from the deck and places it face up beside the deck. Next all players look for a wizard that is totally different from the flipped over wizard. Different body type, different color robes, wand, and shoes are all items that must be completely different from the flipped over wizard to score points.

If you have a good eye and want to test your skills, then check out Hocus Focus.