INTRODUCTION
Welcome! If you’re new to the exciting world of board games or are planning to dust off your old ones and dive back into the fun, this beginner-friendly guide is perfect for you. Board games can be an excellent way to bond with friends and family, inject laughter and fun back into an evening, and challenge your strategic thinking skills. Whether you’re looking for action, intrigue, strategy, or just plain fun, you’ll find it in this guide.
WHAT ARE BOARD GAMES?
A board game is a tabletop game that involves counters, pieces, or tokens moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or “board”, according to a set of rules. Commonly, the games involve some form of goal that a player aims to achieve.
The existence of board games dates back to ancient civilizations where games were sometimes ritualistic or used for divination. Today, board games encompass multiple genres, from classic strategy games like Chess and Scrabble to party games like Pictionary and Monopoly.
HOW IT WORKS OR HOW TO GET STARTED
A typical board game has a unique set of rules that dictate how it should be played. The rules generally relate to the movement of game pieces, achievable objectives, and interaction between players. A game usually starts with a player or team selected to go first, often randomly, such as by a dice roll.
For example, in a game of Monopoly, players take turns rolling two dices and moving their game pieces around the game board, buying and trading properties, and developing them with houses and hotels. Players collect rent from their opponents, aiming to drive them into bankruptcy. A player’s turn concludes when a turn card is drawn, a double is rolled on the dice, or a turn resulting in bankruptcy is concluded.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY (SUPPLIES, GEAR, SETUP)
Every board game comes with its own set of necessary materials, often supplied within the game itself. This could typically include the game board itself, dice or spinners to dictate movement, game pieces for each player, and cards or tokens representing various game elements.
Some games might also include play money (like Monopoly), notepads for score-keeping (such as in Scrabble), and timers (like in Pictionary). To create the perfect board game ambiance, you might consider investing in a round table and comfortable seating.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Familiarize yourself with the rules: Before playing a new board game, take the time to read through and understand the rules.
2. Begin with simpler games: As a beginner, start with games that have simpler rules and themes, and gradually level up to complex ones.
3. Focus on Fun: While winning is exciting, the main aim of board games is to have fun.
4. Try Different Genres: Don’t limit yourself to one type of game, try out different ones to find out which ones you enjoy the most.
5. Patience: Like any other new thing, learning and enjoying board games may take time.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Websites like BoardGameGeek provide detailed information, user reviews, and forums about thousands of games. YouTube channels like “TableTop,” where celebrities play and explain board games, can be very entertaining and educational.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Strategy Games: A type of game where the players’ decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome.
2. Co-Operative Games: Board games in which players work together to achieve a common goal rather than competing against each other.
3. Roll-and-Move Games: A common mechanic in board games, where a player rolls dice and moves a game piece accordingly.
4. Player Elimination: When board game rules include a way for players to be removed from the game.
5. Open Hands: When all players can see each others’ cards.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you’re armed with the basics, it’s time to dive into the world of board games. Go pick up a starter game from your nearest store or check out some online. You’re just a few dice rolls away from endless fun!
