bool GameBoard::CompareHTable(int first, int second)
{
    bool compare;   // state of the predicate

    // if the heuristic values are equivalent
    if( hTable_[first] == hTable_[second] )
    {
        // if the distance is greater than or the same
        if( dTable_[first] >= dTable_[second] )
            compare = true;     // then this one comes first
        else    // otherwise
            compare = false;    // first doesnt belong here
    }

    // otherwise if the heuristic value is lower
    else if( hTable_[first] < hTable_[second] )
        compare = true;     // then choose this one

    else    // otherwise
        compare = false;    // choose second to come first


    return compare;     // return the decision of the predicate
}