What to play?

Don’t know what to play? The biggest suggestion we have is to know your players. It takes a very different mentality to play a strategy game like Serenissima than it does to play a fun party game like Apples to Apples. Depending on your players, you might want to avoid games that require extensive setup or have pages and pages of complicated rules. However, even standard games like Risk and Monopoly can be daunting the very first time you play. Make sure that someone at your event has at least read the rules. Remember also that for a new game, the suggested ages and playing time on the box may be off. A game that experienced players can play in an hour may take newbies twice as long (or more) to muddle through.

Unless you’re planning a record setting game marathon, you should also put in breaks between games. Giving people a little time to socialize or grab a snack will help keep your event fun. Also think about alternating games such as going from that intense board game to a quick and fun card game.

Mix up the visual styles if you can. There’s a reason manufacturers like putting in neat pieces into games; the attractiveness of a game helps draw the players into the game. Compare this playing spades, hearts, rummy and bridge – after a while it gets boring seeing the same old cards over and over again. Bring out a board game and let the dice start rolling! Or maybe play a tile based game like Mah-Jongg or dominoes.

You should always have some fallback games, something quick and fun that you can pull off the shelf and get playing. If the mood gets too intense or people start getting tired, it’s always good to be able to start up a new, fun game that will help people relax and have fun. Having fun is the idea, after all.