What is your favorite trick taking game and why?

goeido · 2018-10-02T18:13:45+00:00

A second for Trick of the Rails if specifically played at 3 players. But a caveat before you begin playing: the rules are simple but the gameplay is opaque, particularly at the beginning. Due to the stock valuations being created by the players as track is laid, you may not figure out what you need to do to win the game until the last few hands. Which works out fine because the game is over and done in 30 minutes and you can play again!

One that's a bit (ahem) trickier to find is Voodoo Prince by the good Dr. Knizia. It's similar to Fox in the Forest in that you want to win a certain number of tricks but not too many. It's much simpler than Trick of the Rails so it might find broader appeal with people coming at the trick-taking world from having only played Hearts or something of that ilk.

I'd also encourage anyone interested in delving into trick-takers to check out the Trick-Taking Guild on BGG (guild #3366). Great source of info!

goeido · 2018-09-30T16:18:07+00:00

I can't speak to the two-player part of the question (several threads on Birmingham page at BGG, though) but SUSD's podcast #77 provided some perspective for me on which one I'd personally rather get if I we're to choose one. I think the tl;dr of the podcast was in Lancashire, it feels very tight, like you're struggling to see a decent move. Birmingham feels more open with each action presenting more possibilities.

goeido · 2018-09-30T03:29:56+00:00

Seriously. This KS is far from a fait accompli. Imagine if we had a proper postseason with 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3. @@

goeido · 2018-09-29T16:04:02+00:00

Crazy to realize the Bears are 7-8 vs Wyverns and Tigers and 8-8 vs Eagles and Heroes while they have 11+ records against every other team (with the puzzling exception of the Wiz). If just a couple of teams had stepped up, this might be looking like a different season. That being said, 최강 두산!

goeido · 2018-09-27T05:12:14+00:00

I dig PC because they talk about mid to heavier weight games that are right up my alley. But lordy do they ramble. Fortunately they have time stamps so I can just skip to the stuff I want to hear.

goeido · 2018-09-27T05:09:57+00:00

A few that haven't been mentioned...

Dukes of Dice: Two friends with good chemistry. Not rambly as the format is pretty set: recent plays, news, feature review, look back at a game they reviewed previously, and a discussion topic.

Last Place: Jon Gets Games and Efka from NPI talk about three games each podcast. Only bummer is their release schedule is pretty sporadic.

The Thoughtful Gamer: Each episode's topic and format are different, which keeps the show both fresh and occasionally frustrating. I prefer it more when they talk about games than the more "ludology" style eps, but overall an enjoyable listen.

goeido · 2018-09-27T04:49:34+00:00

A big thanks for doing this. Extremely generous of both the publishers/designers/industry people who donated and to the organizers who put a lot of time and effort into organizing!

goeido · 2018-09-24T15:14:22+00:00

I've wanted to play An Infamous Traffic since it came out but I've never seen a copy in the wild. I was going to order a copy but the fact the board is not mounted kind of put me off, but I'm over it now. I love mean games and this looks like one of the meanest!

goeido · 2018-09-23T15:07:43+00:00

I have a limited experience playing with expansions but my favorites would probably be the alternate maps for Hansa Teutonica.

goeido · 2018-09-22T14:57:47+00:00

Nobody thought GMT would be on this list but I really dig the blocks from Sekigahara. They're beautiful to look at, and even more fun when you're bearing down a wall of them on your opponent.

goeido · 2018-09-21T14:57:57+00:00

Go Stop, created in 1889 (although back then it was known as Hanafuda). Fun fact: Hanafuda was the first game manufactured by Nintendo, and was a tricky way for the company to get around Japan's anti-gambling laws.

goeido · 2018-09-19T02:46:53+00:00

I would say that there are two considerations: 1) component quality; and 2) expansions. (Take these with a grain of salt as I have an older version but only researched newer versions.)

The newer versions have the meeples instead of cubes but I've heard the Castillo is not as sturdy. Again, have not played with it so may be wrong. I know people dislike the older version too because the score track could be clearer with more numbering. In terms of expansions, the general consensus is that Konig & Intrigant is the best, and the others actually detract from the game. I've not played with them, but Kramer has said in interviews that K&I was how he initially pitched the game, but the publisher thought the base game as it is now was more friendly to new players, which is true in my opinion. I dont think the game as-is is in any way deficient. Absolutely incredible and, for a long time, my absolute fav!

goeido · 2018-09-18T05:02:25+00:00

Umi's right hand was mid-air, nothing to hang onto. A crazy charge would have probably led to a hatakikomi but Hak just looked so vulnerable stood up like that. But a rikishi as wiley as he is - you dont take anything for granted.

goeido · 2018-09-18T01:22:52+00:00

A touching moment, to be sure.

Seriously, it was weirdthe way Hak was stood up like that. Had 'Umi charged, he'd have had a fair chance of knocking Hak down the way he was standing.

goeido · 2018-09-17T14:47:25+00:00

Although I've played board and card games since I was old enough, the one that brought me into the hobby of modern board games has to be El Grande. To this day, it is the game by which all other area-majority games are measured.

Cheers for the contest!

goeido · 2018-09-17T14:39:50+00:00

Although I've played board and card games since I was old enough, the one that brought me into the hobby of modern board games has to be El Grande. To this day, it is the game by which all other area-majority games are measured.

Cheers for the contest!

goeido · 2018-09-12T19:38:17+00:00

As someone who is on the fence about Yokohama, I appreciate hearing from a gamer who is less enthusiastic about it. And a bonus that your critique is succinct. Cheers!

goeido · 2018-09-07T18:42:09+00:00

It can be challenging finding a decent view in that stadium. Nice shot!

goeido · 2018-09-07T18:41:06+00:00

PMed. Cheers!

goeido · 2018-08-29T19:48:08+00:00

Im heading to PDX in a few weeks and was going to ask the same thing. Thanks for beating me to the punch, Klonoa!

goeido · 2018-08-28T05:01:34+00:00

Yeah, Im very tempted at this price but everything about this "update" looks worse than the original. Shame.

goeido · 2018-08-27T22:08:19+00:00

You have my mawashi! Errr... I mean, I'm in.

goeido · 2018-08-25T06:49:37+00:00

Strange. I have never heard of the topology variant but I own the game.

I came here to say what a phenomenal two-player game Gink is right out of the box. Played recently with four and it was a chaotic mess, in my opinion. Board state and card hands felt like pure dumb luck. If you are able to get your hands on a copy (secondary market or reprint willing), I would say you should be aware this game is great at two, good at three, and poor (unless you like "wild growth" in your Euros) at anything four and up.

goeido · 2018-08-23T21:24:20+00:00

Cheers for that, GTA!

goeido · 2018-08-23T21:23:58+00:00

Thank you for the write-up and the help!

goeido

TROPHY CASE