If you are getting burned out with action-packed, "shoot-em-up" computer games and looking forward to some of the old classics, there still there - and on the Internet.

Yahoo! Games is single best source to learn about and play Chess, Poker, Blackjack, Bridge, Hearts, Spades Cribbage, Backgammon, Checkers and more. All of the games are well documented, easy to use and, since the site is supported by advertisement, free for everyone.

After filling out a very short registration form, select the game you are interested in and the "room" or "lounge" related to your level of play. Lounges usually include beginner, intermediate, advanced, social, ladder and sometimes blitz.

The first three lounge types are self-explanatory.

A social lounge is one where the participants enjoy banter and conversation as much as the actual game play. For obvious reasons, these games are on a bit more relaxed-pace and less competitive.

Case's Chess Ladder has a good explanation of what ladder games are, "We call it a 'Ladder' because each player has a unique rank or 'rung' that represents their standing among other players. The highest ranked player holds the #1 position. Someone ranked #2 is ranked below the #1 player. So, the goal is to 'climb' the Ladder all the way to the top." Ladder games can be very competitive.

Blitz games are intended to be fast-paced, no-chatter games with quick endings.

Once in a room, you can view a listing of all the games in progress, see whose playing whom and their rankings, ask to join in a game, lurk (which is watching someone else's game) or create your own table..

When you first sign on, you are ranked exactly in the middle. From there, your rank is moved up or down based on wins and losses and your opponents' ranks.

If you create a table you become the Host of it and can choose your seat, player icon and game options. You then wait for someone to stop by (which usually happens very quickly) or invite someone yourself.

Game play is fun and easy and usually involves selecting or dragging a card or game piece from one location to another on the virtual game board.

One of the most exciting, and certainly the most unique experiences related to online gaming who you can play against. I have played chess against Russians, Germans, British, Chinese, Tongans, Koreans and more. Playing online games makes it very clear that races and nationalities have nothing to do with intelligence, creativity or wisdom and seems to bring other countries that much closer to our own.

While almost anyone hooked to the Internet can play on Yahoo! Games, you will need version 3.0 or later of Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer and sorry, WebTV users, Yahoo! Games is just another great site that WebTV can't run on.

So, whether you are looking for a long game of cribbage with your old buddies or prefer checkers with a stranger, Yahoo! Games has the place to meet and play them.