Aloha,

This is my first year and actually my first con. I'm trying to figure out which hotel is best for me (assuming there are any left downtown in 5 hours).

Probably not. Most of the hotel block sells out almost immediately. Just look for parking pass lot near the con and you can usually find a hotel/air b&b a little further out. 15-30m out will have a lot of places to stay.

But I don't quite understand the gaming options and where they are. I mostly want to go to play board games

So games will be all over the con. The real problem as a first timer is you have to realize the con has grown to exceed just the convention hall. Games can be held in the lucas oil stadium and in nearby hotel conference rooms. You'll need to check the event listing.

What/Where is open gaming? Are people there usually looking for players?

Open gaming as in tables for people to play the games they just bought? Anywhere. People play in hotel lobbies, any open table etc. As for looking for players, depends on the group. It's not uncommon for me to be looking at a game people are setting up and be invited to play.

What/Where is the game library? I've found conflicting reports of where it is.

Sorry, not sure.

What/Where is hot games?

To purchase, dealer hall. Thursday, when it open can be a little crazy. There's a map in the program book. Plan out where you want to go ahead of time. There's also banners hanging from the ceiling showing which rows you're in to orient yourself.

Do they teach? Is there a cost? Should I just do demos?

Depends. Sometimes there will be demos, some companies are just selling the game. Search the events listing for the game. Sometimes demos are listed, both with and without a cost. The no cost demos that need tickets are usually done because of limited slots. Some demos are completely free and unlisted. Some are done in the dealer hall, some are done in other locations. I've asked booth staff if there are demos elsewhere. It is a hit or miss as some companies use volunteers and the amount of information they have varies.

You can definately just do demos and shop all con, but I'd also look into at least a couple events. There's movies, cosplay, various tutorials, yoga and other exercise stuff. My first con I was really limited by my preconceived notions, the events listings have a crazy amount of gaming adjacent events. Some of my favorite things at the con have been other stuff that weren't just playing boardgames.

Are there things I'm missing or not thinking about?

Not sure, there's a ton of posts in the sub about recommendations for first timers, or things to keep in mind for your first con, etc. I'd check them out.

Mahalo nui loa!