Does it matter if I play F2 before F1.I heard F2 was a better game than F1 so I wanted to play F2 first.Does it really matter or is it best I play in order?

Without getting too much into it, there are some references of the first game sprinkled throughout the sequel. You won't get these little nods by playing the second game first. If you only have access to the second game at the moment, then play that one. Otherwise, I say play in order.

Best to play in order. I wouldn't say fallout2 was a better game I'd say it has more features and I found it difficult to go back to playing fallout 1 after playing fallout 2 becasue I missed the new weapons they added and the car.

I made the mistake of playing fallout 2 before fallout 1 because my friend let me barrow his disk to install it and I was very confused and gave up. I never got past the begining! Then I decided to go out and try to find the first one and eventually found a website that sold fallout 1 and 2 in a bundle. I could not find this damn game in any of the stores! Then I played fallout 1 all the way through then played fallout2 it made a whole lot more sense.

Indeed, they will reference the events on FO1 in a few places, Especially NCR. Playing in order is best.

I'd always play games in the chronological order, even if I hear the sequel is better. Because I don't want to miss out on the story.

Playing Fallout will help you understand Fallout 2 better.

Defiantly play it in order. It will help you understand F2, F3, and FNV better.