WIZARD UPDATE #3

(a) There have been a number of people who love the original Wizard game and are not pleased to see the additional versions of “Wizard Magic” and “Wizard Camelot”. I sympathize with their viewpoint and will take this opportunity to explain. I had no intention of creating additional versions. However, “U.S. Games Systems” (USGS) took the initiative, created a monster version that consisted of 66 cards with really weird functions then asked me to evaluate it. I was surprised and when I strongly criticized the new version, I was asked what changes I would recommend. In response I insisted that we stay with a 60-card format and developed “Wizard Camelot”. Unfortunately, I listened to advice from others and the outcome was a flawed version which never gained general acceptance. Disappointed with my initial attempt to create a new version I then created “Wizard Magic” which attempted to challenge the invincibility of the Wizard cards. This version has become a favorite of many players. Nevertheless, I was not happy with the fragmentation of the game and wanted to return to a single item Wizard product. The creation of “Wizard Omnibus” returns the buyer’s choice to a single item offering all three versions at the same low price. It is my hope that it will become the only Wizard game available in stores.

(b) There has also been some discussion about who controls “Wizard” and the financing involved. “Wizard Cards Int’l Inc.” (WCII) is an Ontario corporation. Correctly there are 5 shareholders. The company consists of 10,000 shares. The company maintains 36% of the shares and “K. Fisher Enterprises” is the major shareholder with 35% of the shares. The other 4 shareholders hold a total of 29% of the shares.(None of the other 4 shareholders are regular players of the online game.) As mentioned in “Wizard Update 2”, “US Games Systems” of Stamford CT is licensed to market the game. Their license remains in effect as long as they have the game available for sale. “USGS” has sub-licensed the game to “Amigo Spiele” of Germany for most countries excluding North America and Australia. The royalty rate for the sales of the game is 10% which is shared equally between “USGS” and “WCII”. Although “USGS” is responsible for promoting and advertising the game “WCII” spends more money and devotes more time in both areas despite having no obligation to do so.

(c) “Update 2” outlined some of the current problems related to Victor Lawson, the programmer of the website. Our programmer, Victor Lawson informed me that he was no longer able to work on behalf of Wizard. He said that he planned to sell the rights to his gaming programme and pursue other goals. Subsequently I have been busy preparing to move our private server from his residence. However, today (Sunday, September 22) he emailed me that his ultimate goal was to make Wizard a gambling phenomenon. To quote his email, “At the end of the day Wizard will be the next Texas hold ’em if I have my way.” This is good news as the online Wizard game should continue uninterrupted for the immediate future. However, the hurdles Victor faces are considerable and he could quickly become disillusioned so I remain concerned about the future of the site.

Wizard Update 2

Wizard Update #2
"The only thing that does not change is change itself"
The Past
In the normal sequence of events a company agrees to pay a royalty to a board game designer for the exclusive right to market a game. No company showed any interest in “Wizard” so capital was raised, the game produced and local sales initiated. When sales increased, game companies became interested and eventually “U.S. Games Systems” of Stamford, Connecticut acquired exclusive rights to the “Wizard Card Game”. At this juncture Wizard’s role was to relax and wait for royalties to arrive. However, a website was developed, tournaments organized, and promotional materials developed. “U.S. Games Systems” made a number of attempts to expand sales beyond independent game stores, but the company had no accounts with the major retailers such as “Walmart” and “Target” and so “Wizard” remains unknown to most Americans. (In Canada the major chains do carry Wizard.) Stuart Kaplan, the owner and president of “U.S. Games Systems” and “Amigo-Spiele” of Germany agreed to swap their top games. This resulted in a breakthrough because the German version of “Wizard” became a phenomenal success. Sales of the game are approximately; Canada 10%, USA 10%, and Europe 80%. I am not aware of any current promotional initiatives by “U.S. Games Systems”
The Present
The “Wizard” website is located on our private server in the home of Victor Lawson, the original developer of the Wizard website. He has stated, “I am reevaluating how much longer I can sustain the current state including hosting the server, future game updates and future app updates.” Changes are coming.
(a) One option is to close everything down and be satisfied with receiving whatever royalties arrive.
(b) Move the website from our server to our current web-hosting service, “Moniker” located in Miami, Florida. However, Victor states, “It is not an option to use Moniker because the server is set up in a very specific way and the moniker servers are not.” (I do not understand this.)
(c) Move the server to the home of a Wizard enthusiast who is capable of attending to minor adjustments such as rebooting. No additional programming changes would be possible without hiring an independent programmer.
Conclusion
The quandary will remain until the programmer decides exactly what he plans to do and when he plans to do it. Until then everything is on hold. The only thing we can be sure of is ‘changes are coming”.

Pictures from the 2024 North American Wizard Tournament @ Kemptville, Ontario, Canada

Kemptville Update by Debi

On July 14, the 2024 North American Wizard Tournament took place at Pierces’ Corners a.k.a. the Marlborough Community Centre.
Wizard is a trick-taking card game designed by Ken Fisher, of Toronto, in 1984. It is based on “Oh Hell”, also called “Screw Your Neighbour”.
Of the 40 players who competed, about half were from North Grenville and the other half travelled from Ottawa, Toronto and its nearby cities, western Ontario, Montreal, Texas, New York and even Spain. Many met through Ken Fisher’s website at https://wizardcards.com; others met by playing Wizard at Pierces Corners. The winner was our own Sandra Nolan, from Kemptville.
To join the fun playing in future Wizard competitions, arrive at Pierce’s Corners between 12:30 and 12:55 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Play starts at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com

WIZARD UPDATE

Wizard Cards Update (2024-07-17) At the advanced age of 88 I am not able to adequately handle all of the demands of operating “Wizard Cards”. Fortunately, many players have stepped forward to offer their services and assistance. Carles has masterfully provided a myriad of online tournaments and taken on the responsibility for all the month-end calculations. This alone has taken a vast amount of work off my shoulders. The Wizard wrap on Jeff and Marina’s RV is another example of player-initiated promotion. Others have provided promotional support and have run live tournaments. I hesitate to mention additional names because there are so many, and I do not want to leave anyone out.
Thanks to others I am able to carry on with remaining tasks that include,
- Holding meetings of Wizard investors and issuing dividend payments.
- Meeting with our accountant to discuss taxation and record-keeping matters.
- Coordinating with “US Games Systems” on a variety of matters.
- Handling banking and payment of taxes as required.
- Making occasional changes to rules, variations and packaging of product.
- Responding to frequent enquiries from players and the general public.
- Required updates, payments and communication with the programmer. (Lawson Software)
- Required payments to the website hosting domain provider. (Moniker)
- Participating in online games.
I am pleased to see players initiating live tournaments. Debi’s recent event in Ottawa required a lot of preparation and was a great success. The upcoming event in Cochrane, Alberta on September 28 will be a smaller event but nevertheless requires a lot of planning and preparation.
Nevertheless, I am concerned about the future of Wizard. There is a dire need to attract younger players.
Recently I received an email from an 8th grade mathematics teacher in the “East Allegheny School District”, that in part reads:
“I am a middle school teacher that runs an after-school Board Game Club. I was just introduced to Wizard, and I am hooked! I would love to teach this game to the club this fall.” He will receive complimentary Wizard games and I will keep in touch and monitor his progress. It is this sort of initiative that needs to be pursued. Without young players the game will gradually fade into oblivion. It is not the normal course of events for the game inventor to promote the product but with the demise of Stuart Kaplan, the owner of “U.S. Games Systems” our greatest ally has been lost.
Starting today I intend to turn my attention to attracting younger players. I will require the cooperation and assistance of Ricardo Cruz, the current President of “U.S. Games Systems”. I will be asking him to cooperate by providing free games and promotional material to schools and other youth-related organizations interested in providing gaming activities. If you are familiar with a gaming club run by school personnel, please contact the person responsible and explore the possible inclusion of Wizard in the program. A word of caution: In the past card-playing groups have happily accepted free games of Wizard but had no intention of promoting the game. Sending free games and promotional material can be expensive so potential participants should be vetted.
I have just emailed a proposal to the “Toronto Board of Education”. The nub of it follows:
“Thousands of dollars and numerous hours are expended to provide inter-school competitions on sports such as football. These activities are limited to a few students and the activities are not carried into their adult lives. The Wizard card game has little cost, is available to all students and can be continued for a lifetime. It brings fellow students, family and friends together, cements relationships and is great fun.
An interested teacher acting as a games coordinator could be appointed to arrange competitions among 4 or 5 test schools. The schools would be provided with Wizard games and support materials at no charge. Wizard Clubs at each school would compete as an extracurricular activity. Once a school has assembled a team of its best players, they would compete with the other schools to determine a regional champion. Eventually, the program would be expanded to all City of Toronto schools.”
Including “Wizard” in after-school programs would be a massive step in the right direction. Once again, thanks to all those who enjoy playing Wizard and an extra big thank-you to all those who go above and beyond by helping out in a myriad of ways.
Ken Fisher
wizard

Rules of Card Names:WIZARD

Wizard taken from site at https://ruleofcard.com/games/wizard/ https://ruleofcard.com/games/wizard/ Wizard Card Game: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners If you're a fan of card games, you may have heard of the Wizard card game. Designed by Ken Fisher of Toronto, Ontario in 1984, Wizard is a trick-taking card game that has gained popularity over the years. It is based on the game Oh Hell and can be played with three to six players. The game is easy to learn but requires strategy to master. To understand the basics of the game, each player is dealt a certain number of cards, and they must predict how many tricks they will take in each round. Players earn points based on how accurately they predict their number of tricks, and the game ends when a player reaches a certain number of points. The game includes special Wizard and Jester cards that add an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. One of the unique aspects of the Wizard card game is the variety of variations available. Commercially, the game can be purchased with a standard 52-card deck, including four Jester cards and four Wizard cards. However, players can also use a full deck and add Jokers from three other decks. This flexibility allows for endless variations of the game. Playing the card game Wizard Understanding the Basics The Deck The Wizard card game is played with a deck of 60 cards, consisting of a regular set of 52 playing cards and 4 Wizards and 4 Jesters. The Jesters are considered the lowest cards in the deck, while the Wizards are the highest. The game can be played with a standard deck of cards, but it is recommended to use a Wizard deck for the best experience. The Players The game is designed for 3 to 6 players. Each player is dealt a certain number of cards, depending on the round. The number of cards dealt per round varies, starting with one card in the first round and increasing by one card each subsequent round until the final round where the entire deck is dealt. The objective of the game is to predict how many tricks you will take in each round. The Dealer The dealer is determined by any method agreed upon by the players. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals the appropriate number of cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed in a stack face down, and the top card is turned face up to determine the trump suit for that round. It is important to note that the dealer does not have any advantage in the game. The dealer is simply responsible for shuffling and dealing the cards. After the cards have been dealt, the dealer becomes a player like everyone else. In summary, the Wizard card game is played with a deck of 60 cards, consisting of a regular set of 52 playing cards and 4 Wizards and 4 Jesters. The game is designed for 3 to 6 players, and the objective is to predict how many tricks you will take in each round. The dealer shuffles and deals the cards and does not have any advantage in the game. Gameplay Wizard is a trick-taking card game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. In this section, we will explain how to play the game, including the bidding, trick-taking, and scoring. Bidding At the beginning of each round, players must bid on the number of tricks they think they will win. A trick is a set of cards played by each player, with the highest card of the leading suit winning the trick. The player who wins the bid becomes the “trump” and can choose any suit as the trump suit. To bid, you must take into account the number of cards in your hand, the strength of your cards, and the cards already played. You can bid any number of tricks from zero to the total number of cards in the round. If you win the number of tricks you bid, you will receive points equal to your bid plus 10. If you fail to win the number of tricks you bid, you will receive negative points equal to your bid. Trick-Taking After the bidding, the player who won the bid becomes the “trump” and can choose any suit as the trump suit. The trump suit outranks all other suits, and any card of the trump suit can beat any card of a different suit. The player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick by playing any card from their hand. Each player must follow suit if possible, meaning they must play a card of the same suit as the leading card if they have one. If they do not have a card of the leading suit, they can play any card, including a trump card. The player who plays the highest card of the leading suit or the highest trump card wins the trick and leads the next trick. Scoring After all the tricks have been played, players score points based on the number of tricks they won and their bid. If a player wins the exact number of tricks they bid, they receive points equal to their bid plus 10. If they win more or fewer tricks than they bid, they receive negative points equal to their bid. Players keep track of their scores on a score pad or with a scorekeeper. The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds, and the player with the highest score at the end of the game is the winner. That’s all you need to know about the gameplay of Wizard. Remember to bid wisely, choose your trump suit carefully, and play your cards strategically to win the most tricks and score the most points. Key Elements When playing the Wizard card game, there are several key elements that you need to be aware of to succeed. These include Wizards, Jesters, and Suits. Wizards Wizards are the highest cards in the game. There are four of them in the deck, and they can be played at any time. When a Wizard is played, it automatically wins the trick. However, you can only play one Wizard per round, so use them wisely. Jesters Jesters are the lowest cards in the game. There are four of them in the deck, and they can be played at any time. When a Jester is played, it automatically loses the trick. However, if you play a Jester when you don’t have any cards in the suit that was led, then the Jester becomes a trump suit and wins the trick. Suits There are four suits in the game: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. Each suit has 13 cards, from the Ace to the King. The suit that is led in a trick is the suit that all players must follow. If you don’t have any cards in the suit that was led, then you can play any card, including a Wizard or a Jester. In addition to these key elements, there are also Fantasy Wizards and Elves in some editions of the game. These cards have special abilities that can help you win tricks and ultimately win the game. However, they are not present in all editions of the game, so be sure to check the rules before playing. Overall, understanding the key elements of the Wizard card game is crucial to your success. By mastering the use of Wizards, Jesters, and Suits, you can outwit your opponents and emerge victorious. Strategy and Tactics To become a successful Wizard player, you need to have a solid strategy and tactics. Here are some tips to help you improve your gameplay: Know Your Cards To play Wizard efficiently, you need to know the value of each card in the deck. Unlike other card games, the Wizard deck has four suits, including the standard Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, and Clubs, and four additional cards – Wizards and Jesters. The Wizards are the highest-ranking cards in the game, while the Jesters are the lowest. Knowing the value of each card will help you make informed decisions when bidding and playing. Accuracy is Key Accuracy is crucial in Wizard. You need to be precise when bidding on the number of tricks you will take in a round. A single incorrect bid can cost you points and potentially the game. Therefore, it’s essential to assess your hand carefully and bid accurately. Play to Win While playing Wizard, always strive to win as many tricks as possible. You can achieve this by playing your highest-ranking cards first, especially if you have a strong hand. However, be cautious when playing high-ranking cards, as your opponents may have a higher card in their hand. Challenging Your Opponents Challenging your opponents is an effective tactic in Wizard. If you believe your opponent has overbid, you can challenge their bid by calling them out. If you’re correct, you’ll earn bonus points, and your opponent will lose points. However, if you’re wrong, you’ll lose points, and your opponent will gain points. Therefore, only challenge when you’re confident in your assessment. Bluffing Bluffing is another useful tactic in Wizard. You can use it to trick your opponents into thinking you have a higher-ranking card than you actually do. However, be careful not to overuse this tactic, as your opponents may catch on and call your bluff. By following these tips, you can improve your Wizard gameplay and increase your chances of winning. Remember to stay focused, be accurate, and play strategically.

Super Quiz & WIZARD

ARTICLE in "PELHAM NEWS".May 2024. Ken Fisher a 'Wizard' when it comes to developing games Fonthill resident's two games 'Wizard' and 'Isaac Asimov presents Super Quiz' have sold millions of copies Ken Fisher's Super Quiz is syndicated in North American newspapers and has many different book editions. At 88 years old, Ken Fisher says he may have asked and answered more questions then anyone ever. This in thanks to his game Super Quiz, which originated as a series of books, evolved into three best-selling board games, and eventually ended up as a syndicated newspaper column appearing in about 48 papers in the United States. Fisher says he spends a couple of hours daily writing new quizzes. “It's much easier today,” he admits. “In the old days, I would have to type them up, proofread them, and mail them down to the States. Now, of course, I can do it on the computer. Push a button, they've got it and that's great.” The Super Quiz website boasts spme 28,000 Q&As. As an English as a Second Language teacher in Toronto, Fisher said they would do little quizzes at parties with prizes. This proved to be a hit and Fisher decided to start putting together a list of quizzes. It took while, he said, for Super Quiz to gather interest. Dembner Books showed interest, so the book form was solidified. The company also enlisted a well known-name name to attach to the book: Isaac Asamov, who wrote a forward. "Isaac Asimov presents Super Quiz by Ken Fisher" was enough of a hit to generate at least four editions. Each game features three skill levels. “I learned a lot and I still learn a lot about trivia by researching everything,” said Fisher. Super Quiz is not the only success Fisher has had. He, with the help of his wife, Joan, developed and sold a card game called Wizard. Based originally on a game called Oh Hell, Fisher said Wizard was meant to be playable with small groups, easy to learn and challenging enough to stay fun. Wizard is played with a standard deck of cards with the addition of four wizard cards and four jester cards. The 60 card deck he said works well because “because three, four, five and six all divide evenly into 60.” Wizard depends on bidding skill like bridge. Players declare how many tricks they will take in each hand, and are rewarded or punished for being right or wrong. Each round begins with a card dealt to each player, increasing in number of cards round by round until the deck is used up. Wizard and Joker cards add to the unpredictability and fun. In total, the game has sold more than three million copies. Fisher said the games sells about 20,000 copies in Canada a year. He attributed the sales efforts to his wife who worked hard to get them sold in the early days. It was first published by Waddington Publishing in 1986. In 1994, the game was licensed in the United States to U.S. Games, who Fisher says are now known mostly for tarot cards, The game is more popular in Europe compared to North America, accounting for about 80 per cent of sales. The game was been translated into more then 20 different languages. There is even a Wizard app for Android and Apple as well as an online version of the game. Live tournaments regularly occur and there is World Tournament held every year in Europe, with each country limited to two players. “We have never won but have come second,” Fisher said on Canada's performance at the championship. Fisher, who now lives with with wife, son and cat in Fonthill, has other ideas for a game, one based on critical thinking skills that is still under development. To learn more about Wizard, visit wizardcards.com To check out Super Quiz, visit superquiz.ca