GoHoops: Tabletop Basketball can be ‘Addictive’ as well

LYNDHURST, NJ – For years the video games have provided a pleasant diversion. Yes, I religiously purchase Madden every August. The basketball simulations as NBA Live and NBA 2K as well as the college games (I always seem to do great with Xavier) are also favorites. Unfortunately no one released a college video game this season but that’s another story.
For a convenient, easy to play and enjoyable game, GoHoops is highly recommended. In addition, it’s ideal for travel.
GoHoops produced by GoZone games is a dice basketball game. GoZone is known for its dice golf games and football. The company added basketball to its sports line the latter part of 2009. The company out of Los Gatos, California bills itself as ‘the simplest, fastest , coolest dice games ever conceived’.
GoHoops , as in regular basketball, has each team alternating possessions. Six dice are rolled in a cup. One white die determines a normal possession, foul or turnover. The red dice determine a two point field goal, three pointer or a ‘.’ that tells you the possession continues. If a possession expires without a field goal, it is a missed shot rebounded by the defense.
Dice that are circled are automatic scored regardless of a blank in the mix. ’Coaching’ can be a factor. For instance, you can get an automatic 2 pt FG on the first try but keep going if you want and/or need a three.
There are fouls, including technicals but they enter about the same rate as a normal game.
The game affords and encourages flexibility. You can play a game of each team having the score sheet suggested twenty four possessions, 10 possessions or the old playground style of 21 wins and you win by two.
The score sheet pad is provided to record possessions and score. On the reverse side is a GoHoops Tournament racket. Including brackets was just a natural on the part of GoZone. With the plethora of tournaments in the college game, brackets are in our college basketball conversation on a daily basis. Not such a bad thing. The GoHoops tournaments can accommodate 4, 8 or 16 teams. Let the imagination run wild and play that matchup (West Virginia-UCLA or how about Marist-Rutgers women?) you dream about. And regarding the latter example, why not? GoHoops is basketball. You can play simulated NBA, college, women, even high school games if you so choose.
Taking it even farther, scoring can be broken down. Three point field goals given to guards. Forwards score two point field goals and two point field goals with a circle, are attributed to post players. Free throws made can be allotted at the discretion of the player rolling.
The game can be played head to head against an opponent or solitaire.
The box, shaped in a neat cube shape has the picture of a half court on the top. Along the side is the disclaimer as ‘very addictive’. The first time I tried it was hooked. ‘Addiction’ can be a harsh word but appropriate in this context.
Years ago the late, great Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp said one of the great things about hunting is, ’the alumni don’t write any letters’. Same with GoHoops. No letters, no chat boards lighting up, not a second guess on a blog. Just a great deal of fun.