How to Make Helmets From 1-Gallon Water Bottles

One gallon bottles turn into fun and exciting helmets that children can wear and play with for hours. The bottles take just a few hours to make, or they can take even less time to make if you skip the painting process. A gallon bottle helmet can turn into almost any type of helmet, such as modern, scary and medieval.

• 1

  Wash and dry the water container with soap and warm water. Allow the water carton to dry overnight to remove all liquid from inside the carton.

• 2

  Draw an outline around the top of the water jug and around the handle. Make sure the top is flat where you cut it, and not rounded. The top of the water jug will turn into the bottom of the helmet, so it has to be wide enough to fit over the child's head and neck.

• 3

  Cut out the top and handle from the water container. Round all edges so that there are no sharp edges on the helmet. Fit the helmet over the child's head to adjust the size of the helmet if necessary. Make sure all edges are round and do not dig into the child's ears, neck or jaw.

• 4

  Draw the outline of the pattern onto clear, polyurethane film with a permanent marker. Number the pattern pieces so that you know how to fit them together once you cut them apart. Cut apart the different pieces with scissors.

• 5

  Punch two holes into the sides of the helmet with a hole punch. Cut a strip of acrylic plastic large enough to fit comfortably over the child's face. Make sure his nose is not squished or breathing impaired. Punch two holes into the sides of the acrylic sheet as well.

• 6

  Stick two brads through the holes punched into the sheet of acrylic and the helmet to make a clear visor for the helmet. Cut slits in the acrylic sheet to create a knight's helmet, or leave it solid for a race-car driver or other modern helmet. Paint the visor as desired.

• 7

  Have the child paint the helmet according to his or her wishes. For a knight's helmet, use gold or silver paint. For motorcycle helmet, use bold colors.

How to Change a Registered User WoW Account

World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). It is popular with players from all over the world. The game is available for a cost, and you have to download it onto your computer. It also has several available expansions, all with intricate graphics. If you are interested in changing something about your account, you can, but sometimes it will cost you a fee.

Changing Basic Account Information

• 1

  Log in to your World of Warcraft "Account Management" page. You can access this from the main World of Warcraft page.

• 2

  Change your password, address, subscription information, email address and phone number(s) by clicking the appropriate link on the left-hand side of the screen. You will need access to your email address, however, to change your email or phone number(s).

• 3

  Call 1-800-592-5499 to speak to a World of Warcraft's billing and account services representative if you are missing vital information to change one of the above items.

Changing Character Names

• 1

  Log in to the "Account Management" page. Under the heading "Paid Services," locate "Paid Name Change," and click it.

• 2

  Review the next page, which warns you that you'll have to pay $10.00 and provides other information about the change. Click "Continue."

• 3

  Select the realm that contains the character whose name you intend to change. A table will appear with the names of your characters within this realm. Click "Change Name" beside the appropriate character.

• 4

  Enter the new name into the box provided and click "Continue." When you've entered a name that is both available and valid, type "I agree" into the box when prompted, then "Continue."

• 5

  Enter your payment information and click "Continue." Your character will now bear the new name.

Granny in Paradise Tips

• The septuagenarian heroine and her wandering pets take a vacation in "Granny in Paradise," the sequel to "Super Granny." In this platform-style game, Super Granny traverses a series of levels, collecting her lost cats and bringing them to the exit while avoiding dogs, tiki men, robots and gorillas that chase after her. Each level in "Granny in Paradise" is a puzzle.

Flowers

• Tiny flowers are strewn throughout the levels in "Granny in Paradise." The flowers can be difficult to see at first, with only two small, green petals visible, but they'll fully bloom once Super Granny walks past them, and you'll see a number indicating the percentage of flowers you've found on that level. If you achieve 100 percent, an arrow will point at the location of a super bonus flower, which gives you bonus points if you walk across it. You'll receive an extra life each time you find 100 tiny flowers, so walk through all the platforms in a level to get every flower, particularly in the early, easier stages.

Secret Ladders

• Some areas of a level will appear to be inaccessible at first. On some levels, additional blue ladders will appear once you've rescued all of the cats. Use these secret ladders to find any remaining flowers before you move on to the next level.

Shovel

• Granny always has a shovel on her, and you can press the "Spacebar" key to dig in any soft dirt and create a hole for the enemies to fall through. Timing is important, however, and you need to finish digging the hole before the enemy starts to cross it in order for the trap to be successful. When you see an enemy approaching, stake out a position several steps away and prepare your hole. Give yourself an escape option, such as a ladder to another platform, in case the hole doesn't trap the bad guy.

Items

• Some levels feature helpful items like umbrellas, which allow Super Granny to glide from a higher platform to a lower one, and a watering can, which is used to grow tall vines that Super Granny can climb. Others, like the purse and the bomb, can be used to fight off enemies. These items last for 30 seconds, and a countdown above Super Granny's head lets you know how much time you have left. Once the time runs out, the item will appear again in its original location, and there's no limit to the number of times you can use it.

How to Install a Fast Strap Watch Strap

Replacing the strap on a watch is a relatively easy task that can be accomplished by just about anyone. Any store that sells watches can usually replace the strap for you at no cost, however it can be done at home, for those who prefer to just fix the strap without making a special trip over it. There are several key things that need to be considered first. Keeping these key points in mind will make changing the fast strap watch strap as easy as taking the old one off and putting the new one on.

• 1

  Start by removing the broken or old strap. Place the watch face up on a piece of cloth. Use the spring bar tool to push down on the shoulder of the spring bar on the strap holder. Pushing in on this bar releases the tension and allows the bar to be removed from the fast strap watch strap. If you do not have a spring bar tool, pushing in on the bar with an ink pen or similar object also works.

• 2

  Set the old strap aside. Once the spring bar has been removed from the watch proceed to grasp the strap and remove it by pulling gently. The spring bar was the only thing fastening the fast strap to the watch. With it gone, the strap will simply lift away. Repeat the process on both halves of the watch strap.

• 3

  Insert the new fast watch strap. Slide the shoulder spring bar into the bar sleeve on the new watch strap. Once this is done, gently insert the spring back into its appropriate slot on the watch lug. This is done by pushing the bottom end of the spring bar into the hole, then clicking the top half into place. The bar will extend to full size to lock itself into place on the watch lug. Repeat this process to connect both halves of the watch strap.

Armor Hints for "Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters"

• "Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters" is an action-adventure game on the PSP that gives players the opportunity to make and use several different types of armor. There are six types of special armors that require finding very specific items and placing them on the correct part of the body. These armors will strongly protect players against specific types of attacks.

Fire Bomb

• The Fire Bomb armor helps protect players from fire-based attacks. Create it by placing a mega bomb on the head, body and boots of your main character. Place Wildfire on your gloves to complete the ensemble. Once all these items are in place, you will automatically begin wearing the armor.

Shock Crystal

• Shock Crystal armor will absorb the attacks of electricity and electrical-based enemies. Place the Electroshock on your head and on your boots. Place the Crystallix on your body and on your hands. The armor will automatically equip once you have placed these items.

Wildburst

• The Wildburst armor will protect strongly against sludge- and mud-based attacks. These attacks can weigh you character down and make it hard to move, so this armor is very useful. Place Wildfire on your body, hands and boots. Complete the armor by placing Sludge Mk 9 on your head. Wear this armor in swamp areas.

Triple Wave

• Wear Triple Wave armor in underwater levels. It will help defend you against enemies who use water and water-based attacks. Equip Wildfire to your head to start. The Electroshock should be equipped to your body and boot sections. Place the Sludge Mk 9 on your hands to complete the armor.

Ice II

• The Ice II armor protects against ice-based attacks. It is similar to Ice I but protects more fully and against stronger attacks. Start by placing the Hyperborean on your body, hands and boot sections. Place the Crystallix on your head to complete the armor.

Stalker

• The Stalker armor has good protection against all types of attacks. Unlike the rest of the armor, it doesn't favor protection against one type of attack, making it useful in situations where you'll run into multiple attack types. Create this armor by placing Wildfire on your head, Chameleon on your body and boots, and Sludge Mk 9 on your hands.

Xbox 360 HDD Tools

• The Xbox 360 is a full-featured console including an internal hard disk drive (HDD), an internet connection and the ability to use tools for the console. Many of the tools available for changing and editing the hard drive are considered hacking the system, which means XBox 360 HDD tools are generally not supported by Microsoft.

HDPrepar

• The Xbox is compatible with a number of external hard drives, but the drives aren't always readily compatible with the Xbox. This is why programs like HDPrepar exist; they prepare the hard drives for use with an Xbox, writing the partitions and basic lines of code needed to function with the system.

Xplorer360

• The Xbox 360 console can access videos and music files on your computer, and you can access the 360's files on your computer. However, if you want to see the other files that are hidden in your Xbox's hard drive, you will need something like Xplorer 360, a program that lets you explore the hard drive in the same explorer window you use to explore your Windows PC's files.

HDDhackr

• If you use a Western Digital hard drive and want to connect it to your console, you may have difficulty without an application like HDDhackr, which is designed solely for getting a Western Digital brand HDD onto an Xbox 360.

wxHdd

• A program like Xplorer functions as a Windows Explorer window for the Xbox 360, but wxHdd also includes a file viewer that lets you look at the image files stored in your Xbox -- which means you can use some of the images stored in theme files on your computer.

How to Unlock Super Smash Bros. Challenges

"Super Smash Bros. Brawl" is a fighting game with a number of modes, including a challenge-based mode known as "Event Mode." In this mode, you complete events by meeting certain goals. Additionally, there are a large number of secret events that become accessible if you complete a certain number of initially available events and finish other in-game tasks.

• 1

  Complete seven of the first 10 available events to unlock events 11 through 20.

• 2

  Complete the game's adventure mode "The Subspace Emissary" to unlock events 21 through 28 and Co-Op events 9 through 13.

• 3

  Unlock all of the game's hidden characters to unlock events 29 through 40 and Co-Op events 14 through 20.

• 4

  Complete 40 events to unlock event 41.

• 5

  Complete 20 Co-Op events to unlock Co-Op event 21.

Do You Have to Have a Modchip for the Xbox?

In order to "hack" the Xbox 360 or classic Xbox, you do not need to have a modchip. You do, however, need a hard drive and modding software installed on the hard drive in order to run homebrew applications that Microsoft prohibits on an Xbox.

Hard Drives

• The classic Xbox required the installation of a new Western Digital hard drive in order to apply mods. Modding technology evolved, however, and the Xbox 360 can be modded with the factory hard drive. This is called softmodding.

Custom Firmware

• To run mod software on the Xbox 360 or classic Xbox, modifications to the operating system must be made. The easiest way to do this is by installing custom firmware or bootstrappers such as XBReboot, XeLL or iXtreme.

Homebrew

• Microsoft enabled the development of homebrew for the Xbox 360 with no modifications whatsoever through XNA Game Studio. However, for some users the features provided by Microsoft were insufficient. In this situation, homebrew applications can be found on the web for download and installation on the Xbox 360.

How to Break a Pause in the Xbox Madden Game

First released in 1988 by EA Sports, "Madden NFL" is the longest running football-simulation video game. Games from the series are available for most consoles, including the Xbox and Xbox 360. While newer versions of the game contain fewer technological glitches than earlier game versions, occasionally you may find your gameplay halted by a freeze or pause. There are several techniques you can implement to break this pause in your Xbox Madden game and return to playing.

• 1

  Press the "Start" button. If the game suddenly freezes, it may be because you accidentally pressed the "Start" button, which pauses the game. Pressing the button again will break the pause.

• 2

  Check the controller's batteries. If your controller's batteries die, your game may freeze. When you try to press the "Start" button to unpause the game, nothing will happen if the controller's batteries are dead or weak. Replace the batteries or recharge the controller, and press the "Start" button again to break the pause.

• 3

  Turn off the game console and remove the disc. This should only be used as a last result, and only if the game is completely unresponsive to your effort to break the pause with the "Start" button. In this case, the game has frozen and you need to take the disc out and restart your console to restart the game. Unfortunately, your current game data will be lost with this method.

• 4

  Report any misuse of game pausing or timer pausing during online game mode to the Microsoft Xbox Support Center at 800-469-9269.

Wii Specs

• The Wii game console was released in 2006 by Nintendo and is the company's fifth game console release. The console puts more emphasis on interactivity than other game consoles with its use of nunchucks and wireless remote technology, meaning that the gamer often becomes part of the game, performing actions that characters in the game will perform. It is capable of playing GameCube games as well as Wii games and downloadable games from older consoles.

Processing Power

• The Wii's IBM Broadway Central Processing Unit runs at 729 megahertz while the ATI Hollywood graphics processing unit runs at 243MHz. This allows the Wii to support a 480p screen definition and means it can consume up to 18 watts of power.

Physical Attributes

• The console has a built-in Dolby speaker and yet is still very light and portable, measuring 8.48 by 6.18 by 1.73 inches and weighing in at only 3.84 pounds. Given this, the Wii is lighter on memory than its rival consoles with 88 megabytes of system memory, 512MB of flash storage and one SD card expansion slot. It also has space for two GameCube memory cards to be inserted.

Wireless Remotes

• The Wii Remote, or Wiimote, connects to the console through the use of infrared detection and built-in accelerometers. This means that the Wii can automatically determine its position in relation to a user-placed LED bar containing movement sensors and adjust the Wiimote and the onscreen actions accordingly.

Connectivity

• It is possible to connect four Wiimotes to the console via Bluetooth or four GameCube controllers via a port, or a mixture of both. The Wii has two USB ports, and the wireless Internet runs on a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g connection. It also uses an AV multi-output port, allowing connection to S-Video, Composite and Component leads.

Tips on "SimCity Creator" for Wii

• The 2008 Nintendo Wii title "Sim City Creator" features a new interface that utilizes the motion controls of the Wii remote. This game allows players to create (or destroy) a metropolis using 13 different city styles from world culture. You can also unlock bonuses by achieving certain accomplishments in the game.

Smart Power

• One of the first tasks in the game is to build a power source. Think about where you want your city to grow, and build your power plant a good distance away so as not to pollute the populace. You also should avoid building a power plant near a water source to avoid polluting the drinking water.

New Building Sets

• Unlock bonus building sets in the game by giving your city a certain name. For example, if you call your town "Become Wild," you will open the Jungle theme. Get the Sci-Fi theme by using the name "Future Picture." The code "Mummy's Desert" will yield the Egyptian building set while the name "Ancient Culture" nets the Greek set.

Smarter Citizens

• As your population's eduction level increases, you unlock bonus structures. Raise the education level to 75 to earn a high school. Get it to 100 to build a museum. Increase the level to 115 and you can construct a nuclear power station.

Exploding Population

• You earn new structures by growing your population. These new features add to the overall culture of your city, enticing even more residents to locate to your town. Build four small gardens and grow the population to 50,000 to get a large garden. Do the same with small parks to net a large park. Grow the city to 350,000 residents to earn a stadium and television station.

How to Get the Destroy UFO in "Saints Row 2"

"Saints Row 2" features a vast city to explore and a number of vehicles available to do the exploring. It also has several unlockable vehicles that can be added to your garage through the use of a dialed phone number, and the "Destroy UFO" is one of these vehicles.

• 1

  Pause the game. Select the "Phone" option from the menu. Choose "Dial."

• 2

  Enter "#728237" (without the quotes). Select "Call"; you will see the message "Cheat Added."

• 3

  Go to "Cheats" in the same "Phone" menu. Select "Vehicles" and click on "Destroy." Go to the rooftop of your hideout.

• 4

  Walk to the floating key and press "Y" to access your garage. Select "Destroy" and then "Retrieve Vehicle." Enter the Destroy UFO to fly it around town.

How Do You Get to the North West in "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass"?

"The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" bring the adventures of Link to Nintendo's hand-held device, the DS. Link must search the seas in hunt of the mysterious Ghost Ship that has kidnapped Princess Zelda. To pursue the ship, Link must uncover a number of sea charts that help him navigate the treacherous waters. The Northwest Sea Chart is one of the first charts Link will use to travel across the waters in this adventure.

• 1

  Get the Northwest Sea Chart from the Temple of the Ocean King, which is located on the island on which the game begins.

• 2

  Walk back to the dock and talk to Linebeck. Link will pull out the map and show it to the captain. Blow into the DS microphone to clear dust from the map.

• 3

  Plot a course for the northwest. Your ship will be blown back by a tornado, forcing you to find another way, but a rock wall blocks the alternate path.

• 4

  Sail to the small circular island nearby and enter the house near the dock. The man inside will tell you that Master Eddo is building a cannon, but it is not quite ready. Eddo has barricaded himself in the other part of the building and the only entrance is from the other side of the island.

• 5

  Explore the island by following the trail around it. Once you reach the end you can talk to Eddo and buy the cannon, which Linebeck will automatically install on the ship.

• 6

  Sail to the rock wall that blocks the path and destroy sections of it with your cannon. You can now sail through to the northwest section of the map.

Boss Dice Rules

• Boss dice requires two players and a total of 10 dice. Robert Kirk/Photodisc/Getty Images

  If you've got extra dice lying around and are looking for a simple game to play, try boss dice. The game, played like a mix of poker and Yahtzee, requires two players. You can play the game in rounds or single hands. Boss dice requires players to throw a series of poker hands to win the game.

Basics

• You need 10 dice (five for each player), two dice cups and two players for a game of boss dice. The object of the game is to get a higher poker hand with dice in just two rolls. The poker hands that beat each other in order are five of a kind, four of a kind, full house, three of a kind, two pairs and one pair.

Details and Exceptions

• Larger numbers beat lower numbers. For example, if one player has three of a kind with fives and the other player has three of a kind with twos, the player with the fives wins. There are no straights in boss dice.

  Two pairs don't count on the first roll, but they do count on the second roll. For example, if one player rolls two pairs of ones and twos and the second player rolls a pair of threes, the second player is the boss. If both players get the same hand on the first or second roll, the hand is a tie and can be replayed.

Game Play

• Both players roll their dice simultaneously. The player with the best poker hand is the boss. If neither player has a poker hand, they continue to roll simultaneously until one player does have a hand. The boss then takes what he has in his poker hand (for example a pair of fives) and rolls the rest of the dice. However, the boss doesn't want the other player to see what he rolled the second time. The boss then looks at his hand and looks at his opponent's hand to figure out his next move.

Strategy

• If the boss feels that the other player can beat her hand with a second roll, the boss can say "pick 'em up" and the hand is over. If the boss feels she can win the hand, she'll say "come up." Then her opponent can decide what to keep in his hand (if anything) and what dice to roll again. Once he rolls, both players show both their hands. The one with the highest poker hand wins the round.

What Is Akatsuki?

The Akatsuki Organization, a group of ninjas made up of criminals, performs the role of antagonist in the popular Naruto television series. The Akatsuki are a group of mercenaries who fight only for themselves with no allegiance to any country.

History

• Akatsuki translates to English as daybreak; "Aka" and "tsuki" translate to "red" and "moon," respectively. Compiled of "S-Ranked" criminals, the Akatsuki recruits homeless ninjas from destroyed villages. The organization seeks to control the world and attempts to do so by controlling the inter-village wars by producing the cheapest fighting force.

Description

• The Akatsuki are recognized by their black cloaks with red interiors and red cloud insignias, forehead protectors with a scratch and clan rings. The organization is proficient in the fighting style of jujsu and earns money through mercenary work. Members are often seen wearing a traditional bamboo hat used to mask their identities. As of October 2010, the majority of the Akatsuki organization has been killed; only three active members survive.

About Naruto

• Naruto is an anime-style television series about protagonist Naruto Uzumaki, who seeks to be the most powerful ninja in the world. Naruto strives to progress alongside his peers in the fight against the Akatsuki Organization.

How to Get Infinite Money on "Dead or Alive Xtreme 2"

"Dead or Alive Xtreme 2" was released by Microsoft for the Xbox console in December 2006. Gameplay involves controlling your player in a series of water sports, casino games and beach activities, on the vacation resort of the fictional Zack's Island. The game can also be played online where you compete against other players. In-game virtual money is earned by participating in several activities including tug of war, the beach race and pool hopping. The game character can participate in more activities once he gains enough cash.

Casino

• 1

  Move your game character to Zack's casino.

• 2

  Go to either the blackjack or roulette table.

• 3

  Bet all your in-game money on either game.

• 4

  Collect the winnings if you win. Power the game off if you lose and reset the game for the same day.

• 5

  Repeat the process to gain as much money as required.

Marina Race

• 1

  Participate in the Marina Race. Money is easy to win in this race.

• 2

  Play the Marina Race in-game, morning, noon and night for three days to earn millions of Zack Island dollars. Obviously, time is quicker in-game rather than real time.

• 3

  Continue to play the Marina Race to earn the required amount of cash.

How to Build a Vintage Go Kart

You can make a simple, fast and easy-to-drive go kart with the extra wood around your garage. Go karts do not have to be made out of metal or be difficult to build. Include an engine for a fast-driving go kart, or build a gravity-powered wood go kart for fun on your neighborhood hills. Vintage go karts often do not use engines, but small engines from lawnmowers can power their drive train if you prefer.

• 1

  Cut wood for the body of the go kart. The base of the kart should be at least 2 feet wide by 4 feet long. The sides will need to be 4 feet long and you can design the shape to slope down toward the front. For a vintage go kart feel, use plywood to design the shape of it. The front piece of plywood should be shorter than the back to allow for better aerodynamics.

• 2

  Assemble plywood pieces to form the go kart body. Use 2-inch screws to attach the plywood pieces of the frame to each other. This is best done by using 1-by-1 supports in the corners. The 1-by-1 wood is not necessary but will provide more stability.

• 3

  Attach the wheels to steel rods that act as the axles for your vintage go kart. Use one bushing and one bolt on each end of the wheels.

• 4

  Attach wheels to the body of your go kart. Using one axle assembly for each wheel, attach the axle directly to the plywood go kart frame. Tighten bolts securely to ensure the axles and wheel will not loosen.

• 5

  Using a steering wheel bracket, attach the steering column directly to the front axle. The steering system is an essential part of a vintage go kart because it does not have brakes. Be certain to attach all bolts securely.

• 6

  Screw in the seat to the plywood go kart base. Add a seat belt for safety and you are ready ride.

• 7

  Paint your vintage go kart to add your own style to the design. Use exterior paints and add a varnish to finish the top coat and help the paint last longer.

Instructions for the V Rocker Gaming Chair

The V Rocker Gaming Chair is a small, portable chair intended to be used during video game play. It has a personal surround sound audio system that can be connected to video game equipment. The chair has its own control panel so the user can manipulate the headphone input and other audio.

• 1

  Flip the V Rocker Gaming Chair over so the back is facing up and the seat is facing the ground. Take the small pin in the packaging and slide it through the connector on the back of the chair.

• 2

  Flip the chair to its upright position. Plug the appropriate end of the power adapter that was packaged with the chair into the control panel on the side. Connect the other end to an AC wall outlet.

• 3

  Unplug the audio input cables from the video game system from the television.Leave the video cables plugged in. Carefully string the audio cables to the chair and connect them into the audio input jacks on the control panel on the side of the chair.

• 4

  Turn on your game console and the television. Push the "Power" button on the V Rocker Gaming Chair control panel. You will not hear audio from the television, but will be able to control the volume from the audio using the volume control on the control panel of the gaming chair.

Spanish vs. Indian Chess Sets

The Spanish and Indian types of Chess sets are very different from each other. The time periods they were created in as well as cultural differences make them stand apart.

History

• The style that would become synonymous with Spanish Chess sets was first seen around 1700 in Europe, but did not originate in Spain. Its true origin is unknown. It wasn't until later that Mexican Chess set designers liked the style and coined the term Spanish Chess sets because they believed incorrectly that the style came from Spain. Indian Chess sets date back to 465 A.D.

Appearance

• The Indian set has more traditional Indian elements and art work, including a rook who rides an elephant. Spanish sets are more traditional and resemble many sets from France and other European countries, but with subtle native American undertones. The main aspects of a Spanish set are the wide stem of the king and the thin stem of the queen.

Names

• The Spanish Chess sets have the common names of the pieces such as king, queen, knight and rook, but Indian names are based on Indian equivalents. For example, king is raja, which is a direct translation. The queen is mantri, which translates to minister, and the rook is ratha, meaning chariot.

Poppit Strategies

• Pogo Games features "Poppit," a game with a board filled with balloons of different colors. The player must pop some of these balloons in a strategic manner to connect balloons of the same color. In each of the 15 columns of balloons, there is a prize. When players release all 15 prizes, the game is won. "Poppit" can be downloaded directly to your PC or played on-line while you chat with friends.

Grouping Colors

• Look for long strings of balloons that are the same color. You may find shorter strings of a different color. If you find individual balloons surrounded by different-colored balloons, pop the outsider and look for other short strings consisting of only a few balloons to pop. You may find only a few pink balloons in your game, so pop these. As you eliminate colors for which there are fewer balloons, you increase the odds of joining other strings of balloons and earning a higher score.

Starting Over

• If you start a game and no color seems to be underrepresented -- that is, there may be an equal number of red, pink, or yellow balloons -- select "New Game" until you are satisfied with the game conditions. You will not be penalized for each time that you click "New Game," so taking advantage of the feature could help novice players hone their skills.

Undo Feature

• Take advantage of the "Undo" feature of the game when you make mistakes by clicking on it. This will remove your last move, enabling you to make the move again. There is no penalty for using "Undo," and it can also help you improve your skills. You can click it as many times as you want in each game. This can help you click on more balloons that have a "prize," which increases your chances of winning badges and advancing through the game ranks.

Column Length

• Try to keep each column roughly the same length. Columns that are widely varied in length can lead to fewer opportunities for the player to match balloons. Avoid letting columns on the far right or left of the game screen become much longer than other columns.