The End of an Era: Is It Time to Call the End of the TSM Dynasty?

16 August 2019

A Brief History

After five years and a record-setting 10 back-to-back appearances in the LCS Final, the team that has for so long defined North America failed to make it out of the Quarter Finals in the Season 8 Spring Split, dropping a best-of-5 series to newly formed team Clutch Gaming 1-3.

The team came back fighting in Summer Split, battling their way to a 10-8 record and taking a close 3-2 win over Echo Fox to advance to the Semi-Finals, where they again fell short of the Finals after losing 2-3 to Cloud9.

After winning the third-place match and securing a place in the Regional Qualifier, the team hit another first after losing 0-3 in the Grand Final to Cloud9 and missing their first-ever Worlds.

The team took the off-season to retool their roster to fare better in the now much more competitive domestic region, replacing Hauntzer and Mithy with Turkish top lanerBrokenBlade and former Echo Fox support Smoothie respectively. That took them to another Grand Final in the Season 9 Spring Split, where they got reverse swept by juggernaut Team Liquid, but they once again fell on their faces in the Summer Split as they fell out once again in the Quarter Finals to Clutch Gaming in a horrifically similar 1-3 loss.

Is TSM’s Time Up?

With the team failing to make the Grand Finals in three of the last four Splits, and the roster circus that’s followed them around the jungle position, many viewers and analysts have begun to question whether it’s time to stop hyping up TSM.

Such claims had begun to stir last year after TSM failed to make it to the Grand Final in Spring, and again when they failed to make Worlds at the end of Summer.

Many of these remarks were quickly shoved aside by the community: “TSM had taken a big risk bringing in the star European bot lane duo of Zven and Mithy from G2,” they’d say, “MikeYeung had failed to live up to his Phoenix1 play level. They could easily fix those problems and pick up the star talent they always seem to have an eye for.”

This denial when it came to TSM’s decline was further exacerbated by their upset victory of Cloud9 in the Season 9 Spring Semi-Finals, and their near-victory over Team Liquid in the Grand Final. But the Summer Split has finally ripped the bandage off of the wound, so to speak, and really laid bare just how far TSM has fallen.

The team has had 10 different players play for it across all roles in the last two years: that’s two full teams worth of players, most of which came out of the jungle (four of the ten are junglers, or one every split), and the rapid succession of changes to the starting lineup indicates a problem not just at the team level but the organizational level as well.

As PetarVukobrat has been covering over at EsportsTalk.com, TSM has been up and down across the split, and whether they show up and dominate or flounder varied day to day and game to game. You never knew whether you’d get Grig and his Baron steals or Akkadian and his aggressive ganking for a match, and towards the Split’s end whether you’d see either of them at all or rookie Spica.

You could lever the same claims, of course, at teams like Cloud9 or 100Thieves, both of whom also rotated through their roster throughout the Split. The difference, though, is that those teams felt like there was actually a plan to the moves; a rhyme or reason behind swapping Deftly for Sneaky, or FakeGod for Ssumday to allow Ryu to come on for Soligo.

With TSM, however, it’s constantly felt like they just made changes for the sake of change. Whether that was changing a style that’s worked for weeks because they lost a single game, or saying they had absolute faith in Akkadian as their starting jungler only to swap him out two weeks later for Spica, the team just seems to make changes to react and hope that what they do will make their problems go away.

These aren’t the strong and tactical roster maneuvers the team has been known for in the past: this is throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks. It’s honestly heartbreaking to see a once-proud organization laid so low like this, and to be honest, I couldn’t tell you who or what in the org needs to exactly change to get them on the right track considering the team is so quiet about why they do what they do.

But if TSM ever wants to be the lions of North America they’ve traditionally been, a big shakeup is all but certainly in order. Not just the coach or a player or two, but the whole organization needs a major shakeup to get out of the stupor it now finds itself in.

I don’t think they’ll make it in time to run the Gauntlet, it’s just too soon, but there is hope that Regi and the team can do what’s necessary before the start of Season 10 next year.

Based on how things have gone for the team in the past, I honestly don’t think it will, but, as someone who wants to see all the teams be competitive in the league, I pray they do.

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Featured image: realsport101.com

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Learn How To Play Card Games Now That Will Be Popular In The Future

Over the last decade, card games have become more popular than ever. Live tournaments, online casinos, and mobile gaming apps have all helped spur this along, with more card games becoming popular with every passing year. Here, we’ll be looking at three card games that are already receiving a lot of attention and will surely become more popular in the future. 1. Baccarat: While poker may be the first strategy card game that pops into any player's head, baccarat requires just as much tactical intelligence and often appears alongside poker games at live and online casinos. A standard game begins with the player betting on either their own hand or the banker’s hand before the cards are dealt. Once this has been done, the dealer will then give two cards each to the player and banker, all of which must be face down. The dealer then slides one card out from the player’s hand, placing it face up before doing the same with the banker’s hand. Two more cards are dealt, and the maths begins. Tens and face cards have no value while an ace is worth just one point and all other numbered cards represent their exact value. For instance, if the player has a nine and a six their total is 15. However, you don’t necessarily want to have a bet on the highest total if you are the player, as it is the number closest to nine that wins. Of course, the best-case scenario is that the hand the player bet on is a ‘natural win’, meaning that the first two cards dealt a total of either eight or nine, but this is rarely the case. More often than not, the dealer will have to decide if the player should receive a third card, which is allowed only when the player’s cards total 0 to 5 and the banker’s hand doesn’t already total eight or nine. The banker may also receive a third card under the following circumstances: The Player’s third card was 9, 10, ace, or a face card, and the Banker’s total is 0-3. Player’s third card 8, and the Banker’s total 0 – 2. Player’s third card 6 or 7, and the Banker’s total 0 – 6. Player’s third card 4 or 5, and the Banker’s total 0 – 5. Player’s third card 2 or 3, and the Banker’s total 0 – 4. Once all the cards have been dealt, it’s time to recalculate and see which hand’s total is closer to nine. If there’s a draw, neither hand wins, and the game either starts again or players may leave the table. Clearly, baccarat isn’t one of those card games that you can just sit back and relax through while the cards are being dealt. You must be vigilant, pay attention to the cards, and, most importantly, you must have a strategy in mind. Fortunately, there are plenty of baccarat strategies you can apply including the one-sided baccarat strategy, the trend switches combat baccarat strategy, and the breaking the doubles strategy. Each of these requires quick-thinking, quick maths, and an ability to accept when you’ve lost a game, so you may want to practice before going for the big money. 2. Rummy: Over the last decade, many card games have become popular at online casinos often receiving numerous different makeovers and versions to ensure there are all sorts of different styles to play. Rummy, on the other hand, seems to have gone down a different techy road and is probably most popular as a mobile game. A simple search on the Google Play store will bring up dozens of rummy games (sometimes known as gin), many of which even enable you to play live with other rummy enthusiasts around the world. Whether you’re playing on your mobile or face-to-face, though, the same rules apply. First of all, the amount of players decides how many cards everyone is dealt: 2 to 4 players: 10 cards each 5 players: 6 cards each 2 or 5+ players: 7 cards each A scorer and dealer must have been designated at the start before the dealer shares the hands out and places the rest of the deck face down in the center. The card at the top of this pile (known as the stock) is turned over and placed beside the larger pile. The game can now begin with the player on the left of the dealer, who must decide whether to pick the upwards facing card up or choose the top card from the stock. Which one they choose depends on whether the upwards card will help them create a run (a consecutive sequence of three or more cards of the same suit) or a set (three or four cards of equal value), known as a meld. If they can make a meld, they may set those cards aside, but if not one card from their hand (never the one they just picked up) must be placed on top of the upwards card (also facing upwards). Each player must do the same in turn, shuffling the stock and starting again until it is depleted completely. The players with the most runs and sets are victorious. 3. Bridge: Finally, we have a bridge – a card game that has been passed down for generations. It’s sophisticated, subtle, and more popular than ever, with ITV reporting in 2015 that over 300,000 people play in Britain on a regular basis. We can probably assume that this number has grown even larger over the last few years, as the bridge has received both the casino and mobile app treatment. This isn’t surprising at all, considering its already long-established popularity and the fundamentally social nature of the game, which has only become more apparent in online and mobile games. So, how is the bridge played? There must be four players divided into teams of two, with players sitting opposite each other forming partnerships are known as North-South and East-West. Bidding is then started, but it’s important to know how the game is played first. A total of 13 cards are then given to each player, starting with the player left of the dealer. Each suite has a different ranking for bidding purposes, with spades being the highest followed by hearts, diamonds, and finally clubs, though this isn’t necessarily important during play. That is unless one suit has been labelled ‘trumps’, which means it beats all other suits. As for the value of cards, numbered cards retain their inherent value while aces are the highest followed by kings, queens, and jacks. The aim is to collect ‘tricks’, a collection of four cards one taken from each player, with 13 tricks up for grabs in a single deal. A player will be designated to play the first card in a trick, known as a lead, which can be any card. However, the three other players must then play cards of the same suit if they can; if not, the obligation is voided. Once four cards have been played, assuming that no trump suit has been named, whichever team played the highest value of the lead suit wins the trick. However, if a trump was declared, then the highest-valued card of that suit wins the trick. Before any player can actually start, bidding will have taken place with players stating the number of tricks they believe they can take during a deal. The dealer is the opener, beginning a sort of auction where players continue raising the number of tricks until three players inevitably say pass and the final bid is labeled the contract. Whoever declared the final bid is known as the ‘declarer’ and must then ask their teammate to be the ‘dummy’, where they place their cards face up for all to see and are no longer allowed to participate. Instead, the final bidder plays their hand as well as their own. If at the end of the game, the declarer and dummy team have the contract amount of more, it is converted into points. If they have not, the defending team receives points. Whether you’ll be playing bridge to get those tricks, downloading rummy on your mobile, or booting up baccarat at an online casino, we’re sure you’ll have loads of fun. After all, that’s why these card games continue to be played by thousands of people around the world and why their popularity continues to grow in the digital era. Read Also: Golden Tips For Responsible Gambling Popular Two-Player Board Games for Date Night

The 11 Best PC Gaming Desk Accessories

If you are a hardcore gamer, this is the best place for you. You want to make the time you are sitting at your gaming desk enjoyable. As such, besides the main gaming problems, you will probably want to be comfortable. Not only comfortable, but you'll also want to have the best and latest gaming desk accessories and gadgets on the market. This will help you maximize your playing time and enjoy it to the fullest. You will also want to get in the mood and stay in it for the duration of your gameplay. Immersion is a must when going through the long gameplays or FPS games. You would want to feel like you are really into it. Your concentration should be undisturbed. Here are the top 10 gaming desk accessories that every gamer should have. In order for you to be comfortable, you might wish to get a height-adjustable standing desk. However, this can also be bypassed by getting an adjustable monitor rack. This rack might help in getting the monitor to the most comfortable height for your eyes. As such, you'll be avoiding eye strain. Here are the 11 Best PC Gaming Desk Accessories 1. Gadgets and Gaming Desk Accessories: When we are talking about gadgets, it's mostly in terms of effective ones that do no harm to your health. Some look great in the dark, some are multipurpose but one thing we are sure of is that they are all useful gaming desk accessories every gamer should have. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, you should always be playing games in a way that is healthy. In order to do so, you’ll have to surround yourself with the best gadgets and accessories there is for gaming. As such, we’ll be doing the research for you. So just get comfortable in your seat and scroll down for more. 2. Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset: With the Logitech Gaming Headset, take your gaming experience to the next level. You'll experience an advanced audio performance with this powerful headset. This makes it possible to experience audio that is usually found in high-grade audiophile headphones. You will also get a real-time gaming experience since this headset replaced the in-game sound effects perfectly. The latter is also wireless. This means you can still enjoy the sound up to 15 meters. Talking about healthy accessories, this headset is very lightweight. In addition to that is also durable. It is perfect for any games with its 15-hour battery life. The act is volume adjusting is made easy. This is done using the volume control roller on the left ear cup. If you wish to be immersed and see through your ears, then this wireless headset is a must-have. 3. Redragon K556-RK RGB LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard: The K556-RK keyboard is a very convenient one. It provides both a soft and tactile click feel. You'll find that switches are brown. They are mostly inspired by typewriters and anti-ghosting. The keys also light up once plugged. Thanks to this, playing in the dark won't be much of a problem. Even though it is a gaming keyboard that is a part of gaming desk accessories, it can also be used for other typing projects. Most gamers prefer this keyboard since it can withstand more abuse. That is because it is mechanical. Being constructed with mechanical keys, the K556-RK can bear 50 million more keystrokes than the usual membrane keyboard. Don't worry about having to change your keys of switches since a keycap is provided with it. Not only does it help in replacing keys but it is a great help in cleaning as well. 4. The Autonomous Gaming Desk – The Number 1 Choice for Die-Hard Gamers: It is now possible to play while standing or keeping the correct posture while gaming. The answer is the autonomous gaming desk accessories. Since bad posture limits how well and long you can play, this set helps correct that. You don't want to cause permanent physical damage to your spine. The autonomous desk lets you program it up to 4 height presets. This is done so that you can adapt the desk to you. It is possible to return back to the present with only a button. They are also well built and able to withstand a lot of weight. Those weights are in terms of any gear you might be using. They are also very spacious. It is possible to store speaker, consoles, accessories, and monitors onto it. The slick design also makes it blend well in any room. It will blend in very well since it is of high quality. Overall it is one of those accessories you use and have no regrets when purchasing. With so many benefits, it is a must-have for any hardcore gamers out there. 5. hOmeLabs 3 in 1 Ionic Air Purifier with HEPA Filter: If you're playing for long hours at night and in a closed room, you might notice that it smells. In addition to that, it becomes more difficult to breathe and the air seems to contain more dust. With this air purifier, you can play while it recycles the air and gets rids of any pollutants that might cause you allergies. In addition to that, it is very quiet and thus, it won't disturb your gaming. Now if you have allergies, then this is a must for you. It is perfect for people with a stuffy nose. With all the filters it contains, it captures all the larger as well as the smallest airborne particles. It is one of the best gaming desk accessories. With this, the gaming desk, or the area will be free from any bad smell. With its 360-degree air inlet, it will kill any unwanted order. Once set up, you'll be breathing the freshest air to prolong playing time. Its main benefit though is that it promotes a healthy playing session. With the different indicators, you'll know when the battery is low and when it is time to recharge. 6. Pluggable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter: This is another one of the best sellers. This Bluetooth adapter is being used by thousands of gamers in order to add Bluetooth connectivity to most of their devices. Once purchased, it is possible for you to utilize your pc for remote, speaker as well as a lot of other things. The latter also works with most PCs and operating systems. Some of them are Windows 7, 8, and 10. In addition to that, it also supports Fedora, Mint, and other Linux computers. It supports headsets, speakers, phones, and much more. With its tiny design, it can stay plugged while you are traveling. If you wish to have an all in one Bluetooth accessory, then this is the one to have. It can be connected to your gaming headset, monitor, and much more. So don't waste your time and get one. 7. IPS Monitor - Acer R240HY Abmidx 23.8" Full HD: Now, what would gaming be without a great IPS monitor? You want the best monitor for you in order to have the best gaming experience. That is true whether it is console or PC. With the ACER R240HY, you will probably be getting one of the best monitors on the market. With its 1920 x 1080 widescreen resolution, it is perfect for gaming. At a refresh rate of 60 Hz, and the response time of 4ms, you will be able to play the most game on it. It supports HDMI, VGA, and DVI with the cables included. This monitor is perfect for HD gaming and any other multimedia applications. One of the best things about it is the zero frame design. This is ideal for building video walls. Since the monitor is affordable, two isn't really a problem and you can then use them side by side. You'll have a comfortable viewing with the tilted angles. 8. Gaming Chair – Essentials Racing Style Leather Gaming Chair: When gaming you want to be in the most comfortable position. Your spine should not be under any strain. In order to benefit from all of that, you should be getting the essential chair. It is almost like a bed to your back. You'll be getting the best comfort during intense gaming sessions or those long gameplay. Your arms will be welcomes in those padded armrests. This case is the same for the back of your head, with its contoured segmented padding. Your height doesn't really matter since it has a height adjustment feature. In addition to that, you have recline controls and 360 degrees of swivel. Overall, the chair looks soft and has a really aggressive style to it. It is available in a lot of colors. The latter is also durable and can be lost for a long time since it is made from the heavy-duty material. It is one of those ergonomic chairs that you should really have. You won’t regret taking a look at it. It is one of the good gaming accessories for gamers. 9. Gamer Coffee Mug: Talking about gamer mugs, the majority of gamer’s favorite drink is coffee. That is understandable since most of them play at night or even after work and school. So why not get a gamer mug on your desk. This one is very comfy to hold and made of the material that can withstand a lot of heat. It will probably stand out on your gaming desk accessories and make your coffee taste better. Any of your friends who see it might also envy you. Microwave and dishwasher safe, you won't tire yourself cleaning it as well as heating your coffee. It is also hilarious with its "Noob slayer" tag which might give you more motivation when playing shooting games. 10. Cable Management Sleeve: Source Cables are annoying and you don't have to be a game to understand that. With the number of cables you are going to have, it can get pretty messy. Now if you have the height adjustable desk, it is actually getting worse. You don't want your cables to be shooting everywhere like spider webs. Now, most people try to stick them together and "organize". It works for some time but then it gets back to the same. Since this happens a lot, it might be wise to get a cable management sleeve. This cable management sleeve is affordable and simple to use. It is one of the most convenient solutions for managing all of the cables for your gaming platform. It provides easy access and conceals your cables easily via the zip-up solution. Since it is made of neoprene, it is rather stretchy. Thus, it allows each sleeve to hold up to 10 cables at once. The latter is very easy to use. You just need to gather the cables. Once that is done, just wrap the sleeve around it and all is clean. 11. Gaming Webcam – Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920: Source Why you need a webcam? Well, the answer is simple. The gameplay world has evolved so much that now it can be a profession. Now people can play games while recording themselves and chatting with their followers or audience. This can be done through sites such as Twitch. A high-quality webcam is needed in order to do that. This webcam meets all those criteria as it is full HD. It works well with most devices and operating systems. You'll also get high-quality audio which is great for your audience as well as for recording. The built-in dual stereo has automatic noise reduction. This will make your voice clearer. Overall, it works well with a lot of other accessories. Conclusion: Overall, most gamers will need these gadgets and gaming desk accessories. All of them play a huge part in having healthy gaming sessions. Some of them are for convenience and flexibility. One thing that you cannot deny those is that most of them are of high quality. They will make your life easier while others will make sure you are operating at your best. Immersing yourself and getting the best gameplay is now possible. You just need to take a look at all those individual gaming desk accessories. Once you go through them, you'll know what you already have and what you need exactly. So don't give yourself an excuse for staying in good health and having the best gameplay. Try any of them that fits you best. Read also: 5 Addictive Time Killing Games To Play Online 7 Inexpensive Games For Teen Girls How to Improve Your Online Gaming Experience 8 Ways For Computer Games to be Educational Techniques

Racing games and accidents; is there a link?

The steady improvement in the gaming industry has brought driving reality right into gaming consoles. Unfortunately, most racing games advocate reckless driving, including performing dangerous stunts, over speeding, ignoring traffic signals among others. This has significantly affected how the games drive. According to a recent study, there has been a rise in the number of accidents due to careless driving but not by the combative driving in racing games. The research showed that racing games influenced driving behavior but not negatively. Subjects who had not played racing games before made life-risking decisions when on the road. People who have never played racing games in their lifetime are more than the ones who have played driving games. These people are also involved in accidents and hence it is improper to suggest that racing games and accidents could even have a link. A previous report claimed that the racing games’ intensity has long-lasting effects on the brain, which affects the conditioning of the gamer on the real road. On one hand, racing games amplify emotions while suppressing composure levels on the other. Allegedly, adolescents who indulge in racing games find it hard to manage their self-control and restraint levels 100% in real-life circumstances. But all adolescents are difficult to manage. It is that time of life when they are growing up and they need all the support. The pent up rage dissipates when they play these games and hence they are far more restrained. Just imagine their anger if they did not have an avenue to vent it. Hence racing games are a godsend for many parents. Little gamers are more likely to be influenced Today, kids are initiated to racing games at an early age. Certainly, this may affect the driving behavior of these future drivers. They will be more inclined to careless driving than the previous generations. New racing games need to teach kids the importance of driving safe. Racing games can be a great learning experience for little gamers. Will racing games rank among the major causes of motor crashes? Despite the popularity of racing games, there are no tangible statistics for it to be considered as one of the major causes of road accidents. Currently, distracted drivers rank first, followed by drunken driving, fatigue, over speeding, and finally bad weather. Reducing the speed in racing games is probably the solution to this On the brighter side, speed can help you evade a crash. However, the disadvantages are devastating; speeding not only increases the risk, but it also intensifies the severity of the accident. In fact, all the other major causes are linked to over speeding. If speed in racing games are reduced then the chances of reducing risks in real life also increase. Reasons why people continue to indulge in racing games Racing games actually make sense and are easy to learn. Everything done in a racing game can be achieved in real life. You are absolutely sure of what to do, where to go, and how to do it. In fact, anyone including your grandpa can compete on the first attempt! If you love racing games then take it up seriously because even world-class racers take these games seriously. They learn a lot from racing games. There’s not much difference between the game track and the real one, being good at one takes care of the other. The fans want to play what their heroes are playing. Finally, even the most recent versions of racing games are quite affordable compared to their counterparts. Though accidents happen it should not be due to over speeding and recklessness of the driver. Hence gaming companies need to put in speed breakers or even reduce speed in their games. Read also: TIPS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE IN A CAR Along For The Ride: Passenger Rights In-Vehicle Accidents Overcrowding In Cities Causes Increase Road Traffic Accidents

The End of an Era: Is It Time to Call the End of the TSM Dynasty?

A Brief History

Is TSM’s Time Up?

3 Tips to Find the Best Mobile Crossword Game to Kill the Time

Boomtown has the Best 5 Bingo Sites to Play Online, as well as Many Other Game Bonuses!

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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