Lore Lore 295: Making Your Luck
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Dec 15, 2025 Explore the intriguing link between ancient games and prophecy, from Senet's ties to the afterlife in Egypt to Madagascar's Fanarona predicting political shifts. Discover Wild Bill Hickok's fabled Dead Man's Hand and the superstitions that haunt poker players. Journey into the world of lotteries and dream books, where numbers guide fortunes. Learn about clever conmen aboard luxury ships and their nail-biting escape during the Titanic disaster. This captivating blend of history and mystique keeps the thrill of risk alive!
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Origin Of Cluedo During The Blitz
- Anthony E. Pratt invented the board game Cluedo (Clue) while sheltering during the Birmingham Blitz.
- He and his wife designed characters like Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum to recreate parlor murder mysteries in miniature.
Games As Ancient Divination Tools
- Ancient board games often doubled as divination tools, like the Royal Game of Ur predicting fortunes via zodiac-marked squares.
- These games blended entertainment with cultural beliefs about fate and status.
Senet's Ritual Role In Egypt
- Senet shifted from a two-player pastime to a ritual tied to the soul's journey and afterlife in Egypt.
- Pharaohs like Tutankhamen were buried with elaborate Senet boards to accompany them beyond death.
