5 Helpful Tips To Improve The Way You Teach Board Games

Board Game

The way you teach a board game is more important than you might think. Learning a game the right way will decide how good a player will play. A bad teaching session can ruin a game for someone before it’s even played. Find out 5 tips to make board game teaching simple and efficient.

Whether you are an adult or a kid, opening up a game is still similar to the thrill of opening up a new toy as a toddler. Everyone loves it when it is fresh and shiny. While getting a new game is fun, the problem arises when you need to learn how to play it. And what if you have to teach it?

It can be a big challenge to explain a new board game. But it is not an impossible task. We have listed some simple techniques that can be very helpful in teaching board games;

BEGIN WITH THE GOAL

Of course, the ultimate goal is to win. But that’s not all, it is more important to know how to win. Start by talking about how combat works, what gold resources do, and similar major things that are important to win. For instance, you know that the goal is to get to a hundred points, you need to teach how to get those points first. 

EXPLAIN WITH THE THEME 

It isn’t always about the enjoyment that entices people to play a board game. Sometimes a good theme is what attracts players to become engrossed. Learning about the theme of the game will help the players’ to stay motivated within the game system. It will also help you to remember easily forgotten or situational rules.

LEARN ABOUT THE GAME

There can be nothing worse than buying a new game, opening it for the first time, and then reading the rules aloud to everyone. While it can be confusing, it can also be quite boring for players to sit there and be lectured. Plus you will have no clue how to answer any questions.

If you want to teach a new game, make sure you know it in advance. To do this, read the rules beforehand. If you find it bit complicated you can read them a few times at your own pace. It can also help to set it up and play a mock round by yourself. This will provide some context for the rules, laying down a foundation for you to teach the game to others.

EXPLAIN GAMES IN TURN STRUCTURE

Generally, board games come with a lot of phases. There are many turns involved that can call for an action and then a crisis. While you are explaining the game, it is important for the players to get a sense of how each of the turns and actions will flow from one to the next.

Additionally never start with the Crises, even though they are important. One by one cover the various turns and how would they impact the game. Once a player knows how to handle their turn, handling the crisis is an easy thing to explain.

USE LIGHT STRATEGY TIPS

For those who have a lot of experience and are teaching something to new players, don’t forget to describe the pitfalls or give light strategy advice. 

We hope you find these tips helpful the next time you are teaching a new game to your friends. Let us know if you have any tips or tricks that you use.