In a current DCC game being prepped I am using a game of poker between the PCs and an NPC as a way to introduce a treasure map (but they have to win the actual poker game, and the player controlling the map could become an issue). If they can't win it, there are other options to acquire the map...

The players are also considering real poker games as a way to divide fictional loot after adventures. It adds a bit of a roguish quality to the game and also gives us a chance to play a different game for a while.

I'd like to hear if you use games in your games?

Do your characters regularly draw lots, use dice games, or gamble (especially Wild West themed RPGS)?

Also, with the importance of sports/ games in every culture, do you ever use game mechanics for races, sports, wrestling matches (in a non-combat way) within your game?

Looking for some future ideas and appreciate it in advance.

Quote from: MonsterSlayer;732345Do your characters regularly draw lots, use dice games, or gamble (especially Wild West themed RPGS)?

Played poker in Boot Hill and Sidewinder: Recoiled campaigns.

Played chess and some dice game from Space Gamer for a Traveller campaign.

Want to play hazard and landsknecht in my Flashing Blades campaign, but the adventurers are really cautious about gambling.

Just last night one of my Dark Albion players played a hand of Taroc to win a heavy crossbow on a one-pound bet.

RPGPundit

Sure.  I've used tarot cards to simulate card games, and my world has a popular positional game that's something like chess, for which I've used a Xiangqi set to simulate the exotic nature of the same.  

As far as sporting events go, frequently.  In the capital city out of which my players operate, there are a number of consortiums which contest a twice-annual months-long athletic competition.  These feature combat and wargames (including gladiatorial blood sports), but also more traditional athletic competitions, as well as a couple of team sports ... including baseball, a relic of my whimsical decision a few decades back of putting my team in an APBA dice baseball league in my fantasy world and in that particular city.  There've been occasions over the years to game these out.