Games and Theory

Board games have been a source of entertainment and social interaction for centuries, captivating players with a diverse array of mechanics. One of the most traditional and straightforward mechanics is the “Roll and Move” mechanism. This classic gameplay element has found its place in numerous board games, from the iconic Monopoly to the family-friendly Snakes […]

Remember the old Cheapass games in the late 90s? I do. Headed up by James Earnest, Cheapass attempted to open our eyes to the fact that most games are very samey. I personally have known this for a while; all games have three main “phases” so to speak. A setup, a Play space manipulation, and

This week as a new feature of our game nights, I experimented with offering free games to the attendees. The concept is simple. I have a bunch of games on a table and anyone can take them. The only limits are that each person take only one and consider donating to the group if they

One common and crucial mechanism that frequently appears in board games is hand management. Hand management involves strategically deciding which cards or pieces to play, hold, or discard from your hand, shaping the course of the game and influencing your chances of success. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of hand management, exploring

Gaming is dying. Let’s face it. If it weren’t for games like Warhammer, Poke`mon and M:tg, we’d have no FLGSs. Even with the efforts of distributors to curb online sales, online retailers are gonna end us as a community. See, when you buy a game online, it doesn’t come with players. If we lose the

I had a chance last month to visit my old stomping grounds in SW lower, MI and I realizes that there were no less than three game stores per city in MI to our one per city here in South Florida. It got me thinking, “Why do they have so many more FLGS than we

In the world of board games, there are countless mechanics that make each game unique and captivating. One such mechanic that lies at the heart of many successful games is resource management. Resource management mechanics challenge players to strategically allocate limited resources to achieve their objectives and outwit their opponents. At its core, resource management

Board games have come a long way since the early days of Monopoly and Scrabble. Today, a plethora of creative and captivating board game mechanics exist to challenge players and keep them engaged. One such mechanic that adds excitement and strategic depth to gameplay is bidding. Bidding in board games introduces a thrilling element of

In the vast realm of tabletop gaming, where imagination and competition collide, there are few mechanics as captivating and intellectually stimulating as card drafting. This engrossing gameplay element has found its way into numerous popular games, captivating players with its blend of strategy, decision-making, and anticipation. Card drafting is a game mechanic that involves players

I’ve been asked in the past why I don’t offer the games in my collection for loan. The obvious reasons of chasing people down for returns; replacing missing/damaged components; and outright theft are tertiary at best. The distinction between games and gaming experiences aligns with the two ways in which players typically interact with games: