All Questions
35
votes
2answers
1k views
Which property group colour gives the best ROI , undeveloped or fully developed, in Monopoly?
Everybody always goes for the dark blues in Monopoly (Mayfair and Park Lane in the UK edition), but I'm convinced that the cheaper colour groups offer a better return on investment, partly because you ...
18
votes
8answers
856 views
Lasting games in the past century [closed]
One of the appeals of traditional games such as Chess, Go, Backgammon, or Poker is the depth that they have acquired over the years; long-standing communities and traditions, wide range of players ...
13
votes
2answers
801 views
Which computer board game designer works best for card games?
I've heard of a few computer board game designers, such as Vassal, Cyberboard, and Zun Tzu. Which would work best for building a custom card game? Note, I am willing to use one I haven't heard of, so ...
21
votes
5answers
4k views
How does Intrigue change your general Dominion strategy?
I've seen a lot of discussions about the basic strategies newcomers to Dominion develop:
First you buy as many action cards as you can get you hands on.
After several games, someone discovers Big ...
17
votes
3answers
595 views
Evaluating tactical situations in Puerto Rico
I've been playing a bit of Puerto Rico against computers (AIs) lately. I'm doing quite well against the easier AIs so I think my overall gameplay isn't so bad but I've realized that I still have ...
12
votes
3answers
257 views
Abstract “move holding” service for simultaneous-move board games
Background
I am looking to play a variant of Diplomacy over email or other messaging system. The specifics of Diplomacy and of the variant are not important, suffice it to say that the root trouble ...
23
votes
3answers
1k views
Which of the 5 resources in Settlers of Catan (base version) is most important? Why?
Experienced Settlers of Catan players know that the answer to this question will vary based on many board setup factors such as resource productivity, 2:1 ports, whether you can corner the market for ...
20
votes
4answers
4k views
Beginner Power Grid strategy
Tonight I'll be playing Power Grid for the second time with my game group. It's the second time for all of us.
What key strategy or tactic should I focus on to give me the best chance of winning?
19
votes
3answers
651 views
What is the most balanced/competitive character set in Citadels?
In Citadels, most versions that are currently available for sale also include the Dark City expansion. Since those extra characters are available, what arrangement of characters do you find the most ...
14
votes
7answers
11k views
Which Settlers of Catan expansions are recommended?
I was introduced to Settlers of Catan just a few weeks ago here. I plan on buying it and I would like recommendations as to which expansions I should get.
10
votes
10answers
356 views
What are great gamer games that are still great for uncompetitive groups. [closed]
I play games almost exclusively with my wife and older children. They learn and enjoy playing games like Puerto Rico, Diplomacy, 7 Wonders and Dominion so I am looking for gamer games, not Apples to ...
29
votes
8answers
1k views
Why is the strong 1NT so prevalent in Bridge?
Bridge is widely considered to be the queen of card games on both sides of the Atlantic. However, there's one huge difference between the way that (most) Americans and (most) Britons play. In ...
27
votes
9answers
2k views
What techniques should I use to teach my 5-year old to play chess?
The other night while playing checkers with my 5 year old, he told me that he wanted to make up a game using the checkerboard which had different pieces that could do different things. I told him that ...
26
votes
6answers
910 views
What's the difference between a tactic and a strategy?
Some people consider tactics and strategy to be distinct (as they apply to boardgames), while I regard them both as "structured methods and plans to win".
Are they distinct? And what are the ...
23
votes
7answers
7k views
Munchkin as a two player game
Has anyone had any experience with playing Munchkin with 2 players? If so, what variant/house rules do you play with, and how do you feel the experience compares to 3+ player Munchkin?
21
votes
1answer
422 views
Seating orders effect on Puerto Rico
Within my group its taken for granted that some seats in Puerto Rico are better (if only slightly) than others. There's a general consensus that 3rd and 4th seat are strictly better than 1st, where ...
21
votes
2answers
2k views
Is it possible to play 2-player, 2-character Arkham Horror successfully?
I've tried playing Arkham Horror with 1, 2 and 4 players. I've found that the game seems extraordinarily difficult with less than 4 characters. Simply put, you don't have enough gos to do everything. ...
18
votes
3answers
2k views
What are good strategies against counterspell decks?
I'm currently honing a white-green tokens deck for Standard tournament play. I feel like I have a good handle on my game-plan for most of the other common archetypes, but I'm really stymied playing ...
17
votes
2answers
480 views
Are the A-sides and B-sides of the wonder boards really balanced?
I know the rules claim the sides are balanced and can be mixed in the same game, but I have my doubts. In general, the B-sides feel a little stronger to me, but it's sometimes hard to compare because ...
17
votes
8answers
2k views
Why Does Magic Use The “Paris Mulligan” Rule?
In the early days, Magic had crazy, subpar mulligan rules: you could shuffle up and draw a new 7 if your hand had no lands or all lands, otherwise you were out of luck. A long time ago the Paris ...
17
votes
8answers
1k views
Playing with less or more than 10 Kingdom card types in Dominion
In Dominion you choose 10 of the 25 Kingdom cards to play with in a given game, generally at random. Is it possible/advisable to play with less or more sets? I've considered playing with less to make ...
16
votes
4answers
4k views
Can someone explain the Damage on the Stack rule change?
I played Magic: The Gathering when Unlimited first came out, and quit shortly after Antiquities were released. About a month ago I started playing again.
I was trying to find what the biggest ...
15
votes
12answers
442 views
Where can I find reviews of board games?
Before buying a board game, I would like to read some detailed reviews. It's also hard to tell if the review is just a paid announcement from the publisher.
Is there any website that is "the ...
14
votes
1answer
10k views
How can I tell the difference between early Magic: The Gathering card editions?
I have a few Magic: The Gathering cards whose editions I'm having trouble identifying. They are obviously from either Alpha or Beta, since they have black borders and the same design as the Unlimited ...
13
votes
1answer
4k views
What Are The Official Rules for Carcassonne: The River?
I played a game of Carcassonne last night with some friends, using amongst other expansions, the river.
Their "house rule" was that both the river Source and Lake tiles do NOT wrap around: on each ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
When should you avoid a third bean field in Bohnanza?
I've played Bohnanza(BGG|Publisher) a few times, and it seems that most players will buy a third bean field card as soon as possible. A third bean field card costs 3 gold, but through the course of ...
11
votes
3answers
302 views
Why is card counting considered illegal in Blackjack?
As far as I can see, a card counter is still subject to the same mechanic as any other players, but they are able to perform better then most people within these confines. So why is card counting a ...
11
votes
2answers
229 views
Is there a best character in Button Men? Is there a worst character?
Button Men is a free Print&Play game for 2 players. Each player chooses a character card, and the polyhedral dice associated with that character, and takes turns trying to capture their opponent's ...
11
votes
5answers
543 views
If I have 8+ coins and no Gold, should I buy a Gold or a Province?
When playing Dominion, I have developed the habit of buying a Gold the first time I can afford one, even if I could afford a Province instead. Is this a good rule of thumb?
My reasoning is that if I ...
10
votes
5answers
625 views
Maximum attainable points for a single player in a two player game of Carcassonne
Let's start this question with the following assumptions about a game of Carcassonne:
It's a two player game.
The game is using the current basic set of rules/tiles. edit: just to be clear, I'm ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Is It Possible To Win 2-Player Agricola Without Taking Wood?
A few months ago I visited a friend who'd recently taken up playing Agricola with her husband. "We think there should be a bigger handicap for going second," she said, "Otherwise the person who keeps ...
10
votes
2answers
409 views
Watchtower when someone uses a Masquerade
As a reaction card, Watchtower can be revealed whenever you gain a card.
Does this apply to the card you receive from other players during a Masquerade?
10
votes
3answers
4k views
How do the expansions for Carcassonne change the game?
There are a ton of different expansions for the Carcassonne base game. What are some of the differences between them?
What does each one add to the game?
How does each one change the strategy and ...
10
votes
5answers
343 views
How can I recognize games I should avoid buying if I only play with non-hardcore gamers?
I started with this question about good games for new players and got plenty of good answers. But now I want to look at things from the other end and figure which games I should definitely avoid.
I ...
8
votes
4answers
6k views
Axis & Allies - Opening strategies for the U.K.
I haven't played Axis & Allies in a while, and I'm currently getting my butt handed to me in an online match (partly due to a failed Kwabang attack).
I've got what I feel is a solid grip on ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I make Dominion play better with 5+ players?
I just got Intrigue, and it seems cool that it opens up the game to 5 or 6 players. However, the common consensus seems to be that its possible, but not recommended. Is there anything I can do to make ...
6
votes
2answers
480 views
How can I make Shadows Over Camelot play better with 3 or 4 players?
I recently bought Shadows Over Camelot and its a great game, but it seems a shame that it only really works well with 5+ players. Is there anything I could do to combat this and make 3-4 player games ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Why was Gifts Ungiven so popular?
Back in Kamigawa Block, Gifts Ungiven was a very popular card, showing up in a good percentage of blue decks. I don't understand why it's considered useful. What made this card so popular?
3
votes
1answer
3k views
How can a blue control deck be made more efficient?
It seems like my games last a long time and I don't do that much damage. Is that what it's supposed to feel like when using a control deck? How can I win more efficiently?
Here is my deck:
Lands
19x ...
1
vote
1answer
359 views
Can an optimal strategy for Roll Through the Ages be created for two player games on modern hardware?
Yahtzee has been weakly solved* for single player, and uses about the same dice on average. The game is probably only slightly more complex than Yahtzee.
Can an optimal strategy for Roll Through the ...
27
votes
3answers
2k views
In Magic, when can I tap my opponent's creatures to prevent them from attacking?
Whilst I haven't played Magic in a while, use of the stack was something that I always found a little confusing. When I first started out, our group could tap an opponents attacking creature after ...
23
votes
4answers
545 views
Protecting the surface of your board games…
Is there something anyone knows of that you can apply to the surface of a board game to protect it against wear so that it lasts longer?
22
votes
4answers
2k views
When you King's Court a King's Court, when must you pick the three target cards?
Bear with me here. In Dominion: Prosperity you can play King's Court and choose another King's Court as the target:
The rules are clear on the basics of what happens here: you pick three cards and ...
21
votes
1answer
795 views
Why is Pandemic's Bio-terrorist Challenge not recommended with five players?
The rules say the bio-terrorist challenge is for three and four player games and is explicitly not recommended for five players. Why is that? If it's a difficulty issue, couldn't the number of ...
19
votes
3answers
638 views
Public knowledge in Settlers of Catan?
Settlers of Catan has a lot of public knowledge. For example, a player cannot hide how many resource cards or development cards they have.
Are any of the following public knowledge?
Size of the ...
18
votes
3answers
418 views
Restoring worn-out deck of cards.
Many board games have a special deck of cards and over time get worn out.
When they start to get worn out, they get "sticky" and difficult to shuffle.
Is there a way or a product that can be applied ...
17
votes
1answer
2k views
How is the “Longest Route” calculated in Ticket to Ride?
This had never even crossed my mind as an issue before, but someone brought it up in a comment on another TTR-related question, and having checked the USA rulebook I'm no longer 100% sure:
When ...
17
votes
10answers
2k views
How Unethical Is A Purely “Blocking” Move In Ticket To Ride?
Here's a scenario to illustrate my question. My wife and I were playing Ticket To Ride: Nordic Countries earlier this evening - apologies if you don't own this particular edition, but hopefully the ...
17
votes
3answers
2k views
Winning Race for the Galaxy Without 6-cost Developments?
My brother-in-law bought me Race For The Galaxy for Christmas so I've been playing a few games recently. Obviously we are nowhere near mastering it; but what I've been seeing in all of our scorelines ...
17
votes
6answers
1k views
What expansions for Carcassonne add variety without changing the character too much?
I've been playing a fair amount of Carcassonne with the basic tiles and the original River expansion. What other expansion packs will add a bit of variety to the game but without changing the ...
