INTRODUCTION
Board games have been offering entertainment and joy to millions of people for centuries. Whether you’re looking for a way to bond with your family, challenge your strategical thinking or merely have fun with friends, board games present a diverse and exciting world to explore. This article will extend a warm welcome into this world. Designed with the beginner in mind, it will provide you with a broad understanding of board games, how they work, supplies you will need to play them, basic tips for getting started, and a robust set of resources to aid you on your board game journey.
WHAT IS A BOARD GAME?
A board game is a tabletop game that brings multiple players together in a structured play, with a pre-determined theme, rules and objectives. Board games can be traced back almost 5000 years, evolving from simple race games to complex strategic challenges. Today, they come in a wide range of genres, from the thrilling real-estate trading game Monopoly, the beloved guessing game of Clue, to resource management games like Settlers of Catan. Some board games are competitive, some cooperative, and others solo. Their versatility, coupled with the fun they provide, makes them a popular choice of entertainment globally.
FEEL THE THRILL – THE GAMEPLAY
Starting your first board game may seem challenging, but fear not. Here, we will simplify the process and help you understand what goes on.
A typical board game begins with players choosing a game and setting it up as per the given instructions. The game’s agenda is frequently determined by a set of rules, which describes the game’s objectives and the steps to achieve them. For instance, in a game of Monopoly, the rule is straightforward – accumulate maximum wealth and avoid bankruptcy.
To initiate the gameplay, players take their ‘turns’. During a turn, a player usually takes specific actions like moving game pieces on the board, drawing cards, or trading resources. For example, in the game of ‘Scrabble,’ your turn might involve thinking of a word and arranging the letters to score points.
CE QU'IL FAUT POUR JOUER
The basic supply of any board game is, unsurprisingly, the game board itself. Beyond that, most games will also require game pieces or tokens that represent each player, dice or spinners to randomize outcomes, and cards to drive actions or introduce chance to the game. Some games may also include scoreboards or resource banks. How about starting with an all-in-one beginner package such as the “Ticket to Ride” or “Pandemic”?
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Start simple: Choose games that are labeled as ‘beginner’ or ‘easy’, and gradually move to more complicated ones.
2. Read the rules: Understand the game’s objectives, moves, and scoring before you begin.
3. Be open to strategies: Board games are all about strategies. Be prepared to think on your feet and improvise.
4. Enjoy the journey: The main goal of playing board games is to have fun, so don’t stress too much about winning.
5. Ask for help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re having trouble understanding the rules.
RESSOURCES UTILES
1. Website: BoardGameGeek.com – A great resource to find game reviews and strategy tips.
2. YouTube: ‘Watch it Played,’ ‘Tabletop,’ – Channels with videos on how to play different games.
3. Reddit: r/boardgames – A community of board game enthusiasts.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS
1. Token: An object representing the player’s position on the board.
2. Die (plural Dice): An item rolled to produce random results.
3. Deck: A pile of cards that players draw from during the game.
4. Scoreboard: A tool used to keep track of players’ scores.
5. Turn: The moment when a player gets to take certain actions.
NEXT STEPS
Now that you understand what board games are and how they work, go ahead and try one out! Visit your local game store, pick up a beginner-friendly game, and invite some friends or family over for a fun night. Remember, the beginning might be a bit challenging, but persist, and you will soon discover how rewarding and enjoyable the world of board games can be. Good luck!
