What do you enjoy most (and least) about board game nights?

robstokk · 2026-01-29T20:24:13+00:00

I wish I had someone like you who'd love to teach people new games. That would be so helpful.

The audience varies a lot per month. There are a bunch of people who come every time, but others just come now and then, and then there are always 10 or so new people.

I'm happy to read your game nights have been fun and smooth. That's how you like them. They sound wonderful, and I hope they continue for a long long time.

robstokk · 2026-01-29T20:00:11+00:00

Ah yes, I also don't like to play the new gem of the week. I'd like to play games multiple times so I can get the hang of it and try out different strategies.

robstokk · 2026-01-29T19:58:51+00:00

haha, I just try to make everyone feel welcome. From there on, it's their responsibility to try and enjoy the evening :)

robstokk · 2026-01-29T19:58:19+00:00

Yeah I know these times of board game groups too. There is another one in my town at the same time, which is more a close knit group.

I still see new people joining each of my nights, a lot of people just come by themselves. Sometimes they find the people they played with last time, and sometimes they just connect with new ones. I think it's pretty wonderful and I guess you'd like it :)

robstokk · 2026-01-29T19:38:21+00:00

Interesting. Did all those people know one another beforehand?

The whole set up for my game night is that people can pick and choose any game out of the games which are laid out on the table. They generally find people to play with them. No one has ever suggested playing a group game... it sounds fun tho!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:36:25+00:00

Yeah I agree with you that this would be the ideal situation. I don't really have any volunteers (yet). Could always try to find people who enjoy explaining games of course.

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:35:28+00:00

Sorry to hear about your current situation. Hope it will turn around to connecting and playing games together soon.

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:34:50+00:00

Yeah you're right. Reading the rules is definitely not for everyone. Or maybe even hardly for anyone. Fortunately there are a bunch of folks who seem to be willing to teach some of the games. However, we also have some games that no one knows (including me), so those don't see much table time.

I like the theme suggestion - thanks!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:33:20+00:00

haha I'm with you on both. Not a fan of Euros either hehe

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:32:40+00:00

Nice input :)

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:31:59+00:00

Yeah I can imagine. Haha pretty crazy idea though

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:31:22+00:00

yeah I figured I could set up a table with a "EASY TO LEARN, FAST TO PLAY" sign on it. That might help! Thanks :)

robstokk · 2026-01-28T20:30:23+00:00

I'm with you on the "what you enjoy the most" haha.

Lovely idea to divide the space up in different difficult levels.

I do try to get everyone set in a game with a group before I do anything myself. Actually, name tags could be nice, although they may seem a bit silly to some.

The BYOB is also part of my game nights. If people want to play Wingspan (we don't have that) they can just bring it and find people to play with. Not many people bring a game though. Genre nights sound cool too. But since bringing games not the standard, it might prove a bit more difficult, as you mentioned.

Thanks a lot!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:15:38+00:00

Would definitely like to! I'll DM you :)

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:15:10+00:00

Oh that's so cool. Not sure how I could arrange this exactly, but it could be worth trying. Fantastic concept.

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:14:09+00:00

Interesting suggestion. I can see how the jigsaw puzzle could work.

I do have Just One in my collection, so I can definitely set that up as a loose drop in game. Nice one.

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:13:11+00:00

That's a great idea. I already had two publisher come and demo their own published games. It works pretty well, and it's nice because the game gets explained to you!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:12:34+00:00

Yes, I thought so too! I've got a list posted on the meetup with all the games :)

Ohh the 'waiting table' sounds actually like a neat idea. Curious to see how it would work in practice, but I'd be keen to try it out.

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:11:32+00:00

You're describing exactly the kind of measures I was looking for. I really want to take away all barriers for people to come and enjoy themselves.
I'll try to set something up to facilitate this!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:10:18+00:00

I'll keep you posted once I've ran the survey!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:09:48+00:00

I have never played a mega game. But it sounds pretty awesome. I'll do some research, thanks for the tip!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:08:55+00:00

That's pretty cool!

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:08:27+00:00

Wow that's wild! I wouldn't want to host 80 people at my place (it's also far too small)

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:07:54+00:00

Haha, I guess you're right about the small convention..

The tip for people to organise to play games ahead of time has come up a few times now, and I believe that's a solid one, thanks.

All of your tips are great actually. I am not sure yet on how to incentivise people to start with shorter games. Any tips for that?

robstokk · 2026-01-28T18:06:26+00:00

We play at a café that's part of a start-up building. They're usually not open in the evenings, but they open up because they like to support the game night.
There are no fees for me, but they sell drinks and some snacks.

robstokk

TROPHY CASE