***The High Romance***

When my wife says "Let's play a game together," I just know it has nothing to do with romance. But what I know may not be so!

For one thing, intimacy to grow needs nourishment through play and conversation. What better way to have fun, yet create an atmosphere relaxed enough to talk about anything, than play a game together. Of course, if there's a highly competitive individual in the house (or two of them!) maybe this isn't a good idea. But for the rest of us, a game of hearts, backgammon, or chinese checkers may be just the thing after a long day apart.

Backgammon alone is an astonishingly versatile game. Many varying versions exist -- any Hoyle's book of games will offer various rules for Acy-Ducy, Backgammon, Russian Backgammon, and so on. The strategy / chance continuum seems more evenly balanced in Backgammon than you'd think. An excellent introductory primer on Backgammon can be found at Backgammon Galore, a site offering not only game rules but also a long list of freeware and shareware versions (DOS, Windows, and Mac) of backgammon for download. Gnu's freeware backgammon is very nice for Windows and Linux folks.

And the "old standby" games aren't the only ones available. A number of relationship games exist, all the way from g-rated "get to know one another" games to Xtacy related sex games. Some of the latter are not High Romance, due to their focus on genitals and fetish-like behaviors rather than man and wife relationships. Here's a few we know of that pass muster...

Getting to Know You.... Better is a cool game that a newly engaged couple or couple of fifty years married can play. It consists of a simple board, dice, and cards. You move around the board, picking up cards as instructed and answering questions regarding yourself and/or your relationship. The winner gets a prize (chosen at the beginning of the game by her/his partner). But the real prize is a new way to playfully learn about each other.

An Enchanting Evening (I know, corny title!) is much like the above game, but with a bit more sensuality possible. Not required, however! The two players choose how "hot" or not to make the game. Cards say things like: "First Impressions often last. If you saw your partner at a party, what might first attract you?" Silly, even superficial, but still... Another card reads, "The 'How Much Feeling Can You Put Into a Kiss' contest has just begun.
You are a contestant. Give your partner the winning kiss." Hmm. That's pretty nice.

Romantic Sensations is also a bit warmer, er, more spicy. "Think of your fingers as paintbrushes," says one card. "Your partner is the canvas. Paint a masterpiece on him / her." Or, "Dab a bit of whatever you're drinking somewhere on your partner's body and then taste it." Whew! This one comes with lotion and oil to help fulfill all the cards -- and one's partner -- may require of you!

Speak Love, Make Love is a two-sided game. One board side is about relationships and communication verbally, while the other offers an erotic tour of one another's landscapes. "Share one commitment you have for yourself, your partner and your relationship," says a space on the "Speak Love" board. "From behind, massage your partner with romantic delight." You can guess which board that suggestion comes from.

Whether you play an overtly sensual, romantic game or just good ol' Backgammon, the game is secondary to that electricity between the two of you. And the High Romance is a winner every time....