We had 11 people show up for our first Board Games Club meeting. All sorts of games were played, and I think everyone had fun. Colin brought the game RISK, (variant) which had different objectives which was cool. We also played a couple of games of Ca$h & Gun$, chess, and Axis and Allies too.
Steve and Jack played two rounds of Guadal canal, but Jack was able to win both times as different sides. There was also a group of us that played 2 games of the card game Munchkin. Sam won the 1st game, and the 2nd game was sort of a tie.
Our next meeting will take place in the month of May. but we really need somebody to offer to host the next session. If no host can be found, I have some other ideas as to where we might meet, but I want to offer the next session to whomever. Please e-mail me or post if you are interested in hosting. The Host gets to pick the weekend in May that best suits them.
Thanks again to everyone who attended. Also thanks to those who brought chips & various drinks. I had a lot of fun.
Another game I thought we might feature is Diplomacy. This game is one that can really test a friendship, as the back room deals you make might either cause you to win or lose it all. At first glance, the game seems unremarkable. A simple map of Europe, small army and navy markers for each empire, and at first glance sort of resembles Castle Risk. It can support up to 7 players total.
However, the biggest difference between this game and other strategy type games is this. NO DICE. There is no luck to this game, only guile. You must smooth talk, bluff, con, lie, or promise your way through turns.
Each turn comprises of two phases. A talk phase & a move phase. The moves are written down on paper after the discussion phase. So you can talk to folks, assuring them of one thing, but you may write down another. Thus, alliances form and break according to David Hume's 'balance of power Trieste' Usually forcing foes and friends to betray, or join and work towards stopping a common friend or enemy. The objective is to capture the most cities, while trying to keep the other wolves at the table from doing the same. Be prepared to pull the daggers out of your back.
A copy of a 5 minute guide PDF on the basics of the game can be found here. Or if you would rather get a bit more involved there is a full blown copy of the PDF rules. Invented in the 1950's, the Kennedys used to play this game in the White House. It's been around for a long time, but I wouldn't mind giving it a spin again.
One cool feature to having this blog, is it will allow us to post various types of games, rules, and ideas of things we might like to play. One game that has been one that Steve, Jack & I have been playing as of late is Axis & Allies - Guadal Canal.
While it is only a 2 player type game, I thought I'd make mention of it in case we have extra players on Saturday who might like to play it. Games seem to take about 2-3 hrs to complete, and don't last beyond 5 turns due to victory conditions.
The objective is to capture islands in the Solomons and build air-fields for victory points, which your planes can then land on. It does involve using a "battle box" (seen in picture) to roll dice which is kind of weird. It is fairly easy to learn how to play, and once you play 1 turn (which lasts about 20 minutes) you simply repeat the same steps. What's cool about the game is you have so many strategy options on how to open up your game. I'm sold that this is one of the best Axis and Allies titles to come down the pike.
Anyway, if you think you might be interested, Here is a link to Avalon Hill's Guadal Canal Axis & Allies page. There, you can find game information, and even a copy of the rules, should anyone wish to pre-read (PDF) them and play.
A copy of the game board in case you wish to refer to it. (click to enlarge)
On a personal note; My Uncle Bill, whom some of you may have met in the past was on Guadal Canal, and wounded in New Georgia. That was one reason I was drawn to this game, as it's kind of neat for me to have known somebody who was actually there. Anyway, I'll have this game there Saturday night in case anybody wishes to play.
Dear friends, Here is an e-mail update for next week's board gaming club meeting. We currently have 8-9 members:
Jack Damico Mike Fair Rich Foran Colin Symons (& Erin) Rob Meer Steve Leslie Cullen Farrell Jody Farr
While I understand not everyone can make it next week, I thought I would send out an e-mail to let everyone know who responded. Our first club meeting will occur next Saturday, March 7th at my house in Worthington, at 7 PM. Those who have a long drive are free to crash on my couch if they so wish. I hope we get a few solid hours of gaming in.
I will have card tables and extra seats available should we need them. I will supply the soft drinks along with Chips & dip. BYOB or snacks as you see fit. Also bring whatever board/strategy type games you wish to play. I expect we will have about 5-7 people here for the evening, although a few may arrive a bit late. For those who can't make it hopefully we'll catch you at our May meeting. (Host for May TBA - Any takers?)
The following folks have indicated that they would like to attend March 7th:
Griffin Meersky Jammer (I think, as he's now a blog follower) Doc Bluey Captain Jack Eddicus Rex Irish.
I'm still hoping to hear back from 2-3 people, but as for now we seem to have a quorum. I'll shoot out an e-mail in the coming weeks with more details.
REASONING: In this day and age of video gaming, I’ve come to realize that many of my strategy/board games tend to sit on the shelf and collect dust.One thing those games provided was an occasion to get together with friends, drink some beer, and have some laughs (in person) which video games just simply don’t provide.Oh, and I’m always up for a good strategy based match.
In an effort to achieve the above, I came up with the idea of having a Strategy board game club.Below are some of my suggestions or ideas.Feel free to offer some ideas and suggestions of your own.
MEETINGS: Meetings occur on average of every other month. As the average board game can vary in time it takes to complete, our meetings should probably start between 7-8 PM unless stated otherwise by the host.Depending on different gamer’s stamina interests or appetite for gaming, game sessions can last into the AM, so whoever hosts should be fully prepared to offer their place until the game session is done.Game sessions can be held on either Fridays or Saturdays of the Host’s choice.
If our number get high enough to justify meeting more frequently, then that is something that should be decided or discussed by the group members at a later date.
THE HOST: Each member of the club should attempt host 1 event per year.As meetings would occur once every other month or so, this would give other members advanced notice (7-8 weeks) as to when the next meeting might occur.Attendance to these sessions is not an issue.Make what nights you can, when you can, but do not feel obligated to make every meeting as things come up.
March 09:Cullen
May: 09:
July 09:
Sept 09:
Nov 09:
Jan:10
OFF SITE HOSTING: There are gaming shops that have tables for walk-in gamers.Ex. Rt 19 in the North Hills welcomes gamers to come and play in their back rooms.Oakmont’s gamer store does the same, and has an entire level of tables for walk-in gamers.Sometimes such venues may be needed in case a host were to cancel, or some such reason.
HOST’s JOB: In order to host, there are a few things that must be agreed upon.
1) The host must have enough ‘table space’ for multiple games to run per session.Card tables and extra chairs may be a good idea, depending on that night’s attendance.
2)The host is responsible for soft drinks, chips, ordering pizza or grub, which the gamers should help pitch in for the costs.The host is NOT responsible for beer.This is a BYOB type event.
3)The host is responsible for coordinating their event.Contacting members ahead of time, checking to see what games wish to be played that particular evening, giving directions to the game location, sending out e-mails during the week, etc.Basically plays the role of the ‘event coordinator’.
GAMERS: If you don’t host during a particular month, then you are a gamer.You supply the games, although the host can supply these too, if he wishes.Gamers bring the beer they wish to drink.Gamers can bring snacks if they wish, but might want to check with the host first.
GAMES PLAYED: Strategy type gaming would be this group’s primary focus.That is not to say that the group might not play what is called ‘beer & pretzels’ type games such as Munchkin, Ca$h & Gun$, Magic, etc.However the primary focus should be tactical/strategic in nature.
Examples might include, but are not limited to: Axis & Allies (Various), RISK (Various), Panzer Blitz, Diplomacy, Twilight Imperium, Chess, Go, Runebound, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Warhammer miniatures, Battle Tech, etc.Members of the club are responsible for bringing the games they wish to see or play at these gatherings.It is NOT the host’s obligation to supply the games.
BRING A FRIEND: If you have a friend who likes these types of strategy/board games, please feel free to invite or bring them along.There is no commitment other than time & driving to belong to this organization.
CLUB BLOG: This will be useful for posting articles, game rules, or feedback over the course of the year.Online polls can be used too, which might help provide direction for what sorts of board games folks would like to play.I will set this up, and it will be viewable by everyone.You may need to create a Google account in order to post messages or comments on this blog if you don’t have one already.
MEMBERSHIP & EVALUATION: A year from now the club members should reflect/discuss if this club has merit.If the group agrees the club is a worthwhile investment of time and fun, then at that time it should be extended.If not then it dies.Thus, by belonging to this club, you are only meeting 6 different times and places over a one year span.If the club does continue and a member does not wish to remain, he or she may of course quit at any time, although we’ll be sad.
We had 11 people show up for our first Board Games Club meeting. All sorts of games were played, and I think everyone had fun. Colin brought the game RISK, (variant) which had different objectives which was cool. We also played a couple of games of Ca$h & Gun$, chess, and Axis and Allies too.
