Abstract: A system and method for real time data exchange which includes a game server having a multi-threaded, multi-processing operating system is and located at an ISP head end. The game server is equipped with a back end communication system for full duplex communications over the Internet. The system employs a plurality of personal computers each having means for connecting to the internet and logging onto the game server together with a plurality of handheld game playing devices each having a data communications link to one of the personal computers. Each of the personal computers has a first component of game software operating thereon. The game server has a second component of game software operating thereon and a game database operating thereon.