Tabletop gaming is on the rise and new games are being released every month. With this long loved hobby coming back into mainstream gaming, it can become intimidating for new gamers to get into the swing of things.
Boards, Dice, & Advice is a column for new and beginner gamers. I have been working in the Tabletop industry for about 2 years now and I love what do. I am learning new things with each new game I play, but there is so much to learn when it comes to tabletop games and it can be intimidating. I plan on sharing what I do know and as I continue to learn along the way I’ll be bringing it all to you.
Let’s start off by defining what tabletop gaming means to me:
Tabletop gaming pertains to board games, collectible card games, miniature games, dice based games, tile based games, and pretty much any other game that can be played on a tabletop/flat surface.
Tabletop gaming covers so many categories and subcategories, the main categories that will be covered on Boards, Dice, & Advice are; board games, card games, dice games, and a little bit of RPGs. I want you, as the reader, to go on a journey with me. As the articles come out they will be touching on the very basics of gaming; how to get started, choosing your first game, and how to host your first game night. As time goes on the articles will progress into more complex subjects like; when to buy expansions, expanding on home based rules, and how to run a weekly/monthly gaming group.
Starting off as a newbie in the gaming world can actually be incredibly fun! There is so much to learn and it will be picked up in time. So to start you off here are some commonly asked questions by beginner gamers:
1)Where can I go to play board games?
- There are many places that you can go. One of the best places to go is your FLGS (Friendly Local Game Store). There are also gaming cafes and if you are looking for a smaller setting there are personal gaming groups you can find through online message boards, or the old fashioned message boards in FLGS’. Personally, I would start off with a FLGS. They tend to have a wider selection of games as well as a knowledgeable staff to help you.
2) Is there a way to test out a game to see if I like it?
- Most FLGS and game cafes have library copies or demo copies of games that you can check out and play there. You can also join in on a game that is about to be played. That might be a bit intimidating but most gamers are open to having more people join in on the fun. This also helps out when the time comes for you to purchase your first tabletop game
3) I am afraid that someone will make fun of the fact that I don’t know how to play a certain game. How do I avoid this?
- I completely understand how scary this can be. There is no promise that this can be avoided but please trust me when I say that this is not common. If this does happen to you, please do not become discouraged and move on to another group or try and start your own gaming group with some of your friends.
4) What are some websites that I can use as a tool to learning more about tabletop games?
- There a ton of websites out there that will help you learn more about tabletop games but the one that is the most informative is www.boardgamegeek.com. They have thousands of forums, popular lists, and a very large database of information for every game that has ever been published.
If you have any more questions you can always write to us at TwoGeeksAndAPodcast@gmail.com, we’re here to help and build a community of life long gamers. Let the journey begin!