If you're building a collection of games from around the world, chances are you'll be introducing games to your friends and family for the very first time. If you don't feel confident in teaching games, don't worry. It's a skill that's developed over many years. I'm going to give you some tips that will help your friends not only understand how to play, but feel fired up and excited for the first turn!
The important thing is to start with light, short games to get some practice in. In a later entry I'm going to write about my suggestions to build your very first game collection, including simple games that are easy to pick up and learn. Without further ado, my four tips for teaching games.
The important thing is to start with light, short games to get some practice in. In a later entry I'm going to write about my suggestions to build your very first game collection, including simple games that are easy to pick up and learn. Without further ado, my four tips for teaching games.
1) Learn the game beforehand playing by yourself.
When you first buy a game, set everything up and play the game on your own, taking the moves for imaginary players. Get an idea for how the flow of the game works. If something doesn't make sense, you can spend as much time as you want reading the rulebook.
Chances are, if something doesn't make sense to you, it won't make sense to anyone at the table when you play your first game! And nothing breaks confidence in your fellow players than holding up a rulebook the entire time and making them wait to find out what happens next. On the flip side, you don't want to exude confidence and play the game completely wrong! Be a good role model and leader at the table - KNOW YOUR GAME!
When you first buy a game, set everything up and play the game on your own, taking the moves for imaginary players. Get an idea for how the flow of the game works. If something doesn't make sense, you can spend as much time as you want reading the rulebook.
Chances are, if something doesn't make sense to you, it won't make sense to anyone at the table when you play your first game! And nothing breaks confidence in your fellow players than holding up a rulebook the entire time and making them wait to find out what happens next. On the flip side, you don't want to exude confidence and play the game completely wrong! Be a good role model and leader at the table - KNOW YOUR GAME!
2) Start off with an anecdote about the game to entice players.
Whenever I introduce a game, I always try to tell players about a theme or plot that pulls the game together. In Alhambra, I'll usually talk about the history of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, since I've been there myself and the history's pretty interesting. I'll meet quite a few players who don't care and just want to learn the rules, but a brand new board game involves a lot of uncertainty, and that's uncomfortable for a lot of people Teaching a board game for the first time is like reading a story to children, it's important to start strong! How would you like your story to begin?
a. Each turn you'll choose between taking a money card or buying a tile. Then you play a tile in front of you and end your turn. You can also redesign your Alhambra. You'll win if you have a diverse number of buildings in your Alhambra at the end of the game.
b. It's the 14th Century. A Moorish Prince approaches you and asks if you can build the most prestigious palace for his family and armies. The catch? There are five other builders who are competing against you. Whoever the prince chooses will have the opportunity to live in the palace and live a life of luxury for the rest of his days! The rest? To the dark alleyways of the Albayzin to dine amongst the rats and thieves. Design the most diverse and prestigious Alhambra to win!
Some would call the storytelling excessive, but I call it pulling your gamers in, and you would be surprised how a small anecdote can go a long way.
3) Explain the basic concepts of the game - don't recite the rulebook.
In nearly all my games, the rules can be summed up in just a few minutes. Rulebooks set out to explain every little detail, but players don't need to know everything! Tell them the minimum information possible, such as what they can do each turn, how the game flows, and how they can win. If something doesn't make sense during the game, you can always clarify it later!
Chances are if you're playing a game you don't like to lose. So you'll probably ask me "what should I do during my turn?" or "what's the best move?" When people ask me those questions, I say 'there is no right answer'. Part of the fun of board games is figuring them out! I might have a strategy in mind, but another player could come up with a wild strategy and win the game! The excitement of board games lies in the discovery - and impressing everyone at the table with something they didn't expect. That's what will bring them back to the gaming table!
I do recommend strategy "guidelines" to prevent players from making mistakes that would put them at an unfair disadvantage to everyone else. If someone's about to do something that will put them far behind, you might want to tell them about it.
If there's one tell-all strategy tip I tell new players, it's "pay attention to what the other players are doing, and act accordingly". It's vague, but it promotes social interaction and gets people curious as to their options each turn.
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Being an engaging teacher is not always easy, and you might fail the first few times you try. Beyond all else, it's important to pick games that you enjoy. If you're passionate about the game you're teaching, it will show in your words and tone of voice.
I hope you find this helpful for any game you teach in the future. Let me know what you think, and feel free to share any other tips you might have about teaching games in the comment section!
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