Abstract: A card reader reads encoded game cards and supplies the information read to a logic system such as a microprocessor. With such information the logic system causes changes in the current state of the game. A financial asset or commercial market game employs the card reader and encoded game cards plus a display for indicating current prices of the financial assets and, a game board having a plurality of squares by which players acquire information prior to that of other players or gain or forfeit sums of money. Optionally, a video display or television set interface may be used for the display of said prices. A music identification game employs the card reader and another set of encoded game cards and plays portions of music compositions encoded on the cards. A player limits the amount of the portion of the composition played through control circuitry connected to the card reader.