INTRODUCTION
Do you remember the enjoyable, competitive, and fun-packed evenings of childhood involving monopoly, chess, or perhaps scrabble? Well, you’re never too old to revisit those memorable times and, even better, explore the exhilarating world of board games that’s far beyond Snakes and Ladders or Tic-Tac-Toe. Welcome to your beginner-friendly guide to board games – an in-depth exploration of this exciting escapade.
WHAT ARE BOARD GAMES?
At their most basic, board games are tabletop games that can be played by moving different pieces or counters around a pre-marked surface or ‘board’. These games have a rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations, and have always been a source of entertainment and thrill for people of all ages. Today, they form an exciting universe filled with strategy, fantasy, trivia, and so much more. From iconic games like Chess and Clue to modern classics like Catan and Ticket to Ride, board games cover an impressive range of genres, themes, and play styles.
HOW BOARD GAMES WORK?
There’s no uniform way that board games function, as each comes with its unique rules, objectives, and ways to win. But to get started:
1. Choose a game of your preference: Think of your interest area, whether it’s strategy, storytelling, trivia, or party games.
2. Understand the rules: Every game comes with a rulebook. Reading and understanding the rules is the first step to play.
3. Setup: Often, games require a bit of a setup. This includes arranging the game board, distributing game pieces or cards to players, etc.
4. Game Play: Usually, games take turns, and each player gets to take actions in their turn – this can involve moving pieces, playing cards, or making decisions.
5. Winning: The rules define the objective or the winning condition of the game, like collecting a certain amount of points, or being the last man standing.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY?
Typically, all you need to play a board game is the game itself which usually includes the game board, pieces, cards, and of course, the rulebook. Details of all these will be mentioned on the game box. For some games, you might need additional accessories like a pencil, paper for scorekeeping, or even a timer. As a beginner, starting with ‘entry-level’ board games like ‘Ticket to Ride’ or ‘Catan’ is advisable.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Start simple: Don’t jump into complex strategy games right away.
2. Read the rules thoroughly: Understanding the rules properly is key to enjoying the game.
3. Be patient: Most board games involve a learning curve and become fun as you understand them better.
4. Take it easy: Remember, at the end of the day, board games are about enjoyment.
5. Try different types of games: There are several genres and styles, so explore to find your favorite!
HELPFUL RESOURCES
YouTube Channels like ‘TableTop’, ‘Dice Tower’, and ‘Board Game Geek TV’ offer a wealth of board game content. Websites like BoardGameGeek.com provide valuable insights and discussions on various board games. Subreddits (r/boardgames) and communities on Discord are also excellent platforms for board game enthusiasts.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Rules: Guidelines on how to play the game.
2. Strategy: A high-level plan to achieve a win in the game.
3. Board: The surface on which the game is played.
4. Pieces: Also known as pawns or tokens, these are what you move on the board.
5. Turn: Part of the game where one player gets to act.
NEXT STEPS
Now that you have a basic understanding of board games, it’s time for the fun part – playing! Whether it’s purchasing a game online, or downloading a board game app to play digitally, the exciting world of board games is ready for you to explore. Remember, every step towards mastering the game increases your enjoyment, so keep playing, keep learning and most importantly, have fun!
