INTRODUCCIÓN
Board games are a timeless way of coming together with friends and family to enjoy a shared experience, stimulate your brain, and indulge your competitive spirit. Whether you’re an enthusiast who spent your childhood decked out in Monopoly money, or a novice who sees “Settlers of Catan” as a foreign language, this beginner-friendly guide is here to introduce you to the captivating world of board games.
WHAT ARE BOARD GAMES?
Broadly speaking, board games are games played on a flat surface – usually accommodating two or more participants – involving movement of game pieces according to a pre-determined set of rules. The history of board games traces back to ancient civilizations, with the Egyptians playing Senet around 3100 B.C.
Although the fundamentals haven’t changed, modern board games have evolved to include a wide variety of themes, mechanics, and levels of difficulty. There are strategic games like Chess or Go, luck-based ones such as Snakes and Ladders, thematic adventures like Dead of Winter, or cooperative games like Pandemic.
Board games can transport you from being an estate builder in the Middle Ages (Carcassonne), to a power plant mogul (Power Grid), or even an adventurer skydiving into forbidden lands to retrieve artefacts (Forbidden Island).
CÓMO FUNCIONA / CÓMO EMPEZAR
The first step to starting a board game is understanding the rules, which are usually provided in a rulebook within the game. Setup generally involves laying out the game board, distributing game pieces to each player, and preparing any necessary decks of cards, tokens, or timers.
Gameplay primarily revolves around players taking turns, with the sequence of play being determined by the game’s rulebook – some games may have a fixed turn order while others may have dynamic turn orders. During their turn, players may move their game pieces, execute actions, draw or play cards, interact with other players, strategize their next move, or even negotiate or form alliances.
The objective of most board games is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game, complete a specific task before other players, or be the last player standing. Victory points can be gathered by building structures, achieving objectives, gaining control of territories, accumulating resources, or many other ways depending on the particular game.
LO QUE NECESITAS PARA JUGAR
Each board game comes as a complete kit with everything you need to play. This typically includes a game board; pieces or tokens to represent each player; game-specific items such as dice, cards, or tiles; and a rulebook. Some games may also come with score pads or player aids to help keep track of things during the game.
Beyond these basics, a comfy space around a table with ample room for all players to easily read and access the board and their components can significantly enhance the gaming experience.
CONSEJOS PARA PRINCIPIANTES
1. Start Simple: If you’re an absolute beginner, start with classics like Scrabble or Monopoly before working your way up to more complex games.
2. Master the Basics: Fully understand the rules of the game before you start. If you’re confused about a rule, there are plenty of online resources that provide clarification.
3. Practice: Tactics and strategy are important in board games, but these skills come with practice. Always be observing and learning.
4. Healthy Competition: Remember, while being competitive can be fun, it’s really all about enjoying the experience.
5. Patience: Learning new board games can be complex and time-consuming, so patience is key. You’ll get the hang of it with practice!
RECURSOS ÚTILES
YouTube is a great resource for learning new games, with channels like Tabletop, Dice Tower, and Shut Up & Sit Down offering tutorials and reviews. For online communities, there’s Board Game Geek’s forum and the r/boardgames subreddit, where you can engage with fellow board game enthusiasts.
GLOSARIO
1. Meeple: A game piece representing the player’s “workers” in a game.
2. Strategy: Long-term game plan usually established at the start of the game.
3. Tactics: Short-term decisions made based on the current game situation.
4. Victory Points: A common method for determining the winner in board games.
5. Co-op Game: A game where players work together to win against the game itself.
6. Player Elimination: Some games eliminate players before the game ends.
PRÓXIMOS PASOS
Now, it’s time to choose a game and start playing! Visit a local game shop and talk to the staff, they’re usually a wealth of knowledge. Or, browse online to find a board game that fits your interests and the group you’re planning to play with. Read reviews, watch tutorial videos, and before you know it, you’ll be hosting game nights with confidence. Remember, the goal is to have fun and enjoy shared experiences with friends or family. Let the games begin!
