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How to Turn them into Gamers in 10 Games or less - My Path to success
JP LaChance
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060708
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This is a list of how I have successfully (I think) Turned my family into gamers. My wife was what I would call a non-gamer, although she was raised on a strong dose of Card Games, she never played any board games.
....hint - Start with the kids, pick games that the non-gaming wife will enjoy because it looks nice, is fast to play, doesn't have a ton of rules, or she gets to watch her child grow.

If this list was helpful please feel free to leave a tip and recommend this list to others.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
Edited On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41

1. Super Scrabble [Average Rating:6.76 Overall Rank:1366]
JP LaChance
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060708
Scrabble was technically my wife and I's first board game. My wife still enjoys this game but I have not had her ask be to play this over LOST CITIES.
I don't feel this game is part of the 10 step plan.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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2. Stratego [Average Rating:5.92 Overall Rank:1840]
JP LaChance
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Stratego was the first good board game that my wife and I played. This was also the game that bit my son to give him the bug.... YEA!
Another game that is not part of the 10 step plan but did play an integral role in getting my son interested in boardgames.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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3. Octiles [Average Rating:6.65 Overall Rank:1115]
JP LaChance
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STEP ONE

Octiles - This was the first game of the start of our collection. I picked up my son from after school care and he was playing a CCG with an older boy. I sat and watched him playfor a while and although I didn't know (or care) what was going on in the CCG he seemed to know the rules and enjoyed playing. Later that week I did some research on LGS's near us and we went and purchased our first REAL GAME. This is the one that started it all, about 3 months ago. This game was purchased on the advice of the FLGS staff member who took about 30 minutes with us to find out what our interests / backgrounds were. We are Greatful to the FLGS.
My wife enjoys the game but admidts she is not very good at the spatial relations / planning part of the game. It was easy enough for a 6yr old and a GREAT FIRST GAME.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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4. Carcassonne [Average Rating:7.57 Overall Rank:52]
JP LaChance
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Carcassone - This was our second purchase based on rating here on The GEEK. There were several lists on "good games for an 8yr old", Best Kids Games, etc.
This is the one that seemed to pop up in all of the lists.
Thanks guys & gals.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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5. Ticket to Ride [Average Rating:7.61 Overall Rank:42]
JP LaChance
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TTR was purchased due to reading on the geek. This was out most often played family game until we discovered Scotland Yard. This is the first game in our collection that my wife really enjoys playing.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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6. Apples to Apples Kids [Average Rating:6.73 Overall Rank:896]
JP LaChance
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Apples to apples Jr 7+ edition. Another fun family game. This was the one that helped to win my wife over the the idea that playing board games is more fun and builds a stronger family than watching TV.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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7. Memoir '44 [Average Rating:7.69 Overall Rank:36]
JP LaChance
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Mem '44 - We got this game after purchasing the TTR computer game and viewing the "demo games" DVD included with the computer game. My son sat transfixed to the TV watching that demo DVD. At the point in the DVD where they mentioned that this game was for older kids my son almost snapped his neck turning to see if I had caught that little bit of information ( He had GREAT HOPES that dad was not paying attention) Our next trip to the game store came on a cold rainy saturday afternoon and my son say this game and immediately asked "Dad, I know I am too young for this game but can we get it and you can teach me how to play?"
How could I say no?

The DoW Game Demo DVD was a great help, in fact after he watched the DVD we had to start counting the trains by the rules in TTR, We had been counting only one point for each train played (because I thought the other scoring would be too difficult for a 6yr old to grasp)...Thanks a lot Days of Wonder.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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JP LaChance
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Memoir '44 is the only game in the collection that my wife will not play. "It's a wargame, it doesn't seem like fun". My son and I have played Pegasus bridge 4 times. My son won the second game we played. The boy is either a really lucky or one outstanding dice roller. The game he won I didn't have a chance. We have had fun with this game but at 6yrs old he is still a bit too young to fully enjoy it.
Mary Weisbeck
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040506
I hope your wife will give this a chance eventually. It's war "lite" and I think it IS fun.
8. Quicksand [Average Rating:6.10 Overall Rank:1407]
JP LaChance
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Quicksand - Our first venture into "deduction" style of play. This game was a hit with everyone. My wife was finally won over, and turned into a gamer by this game. She marveled at how well our son was able to keep his own color a secret, and at how quickly and how well he strategized at when to use his quicksand cards to stop other players.
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Posted On: 2006-04-24 22:29:41
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Cranky old Jess, the thumb-happy malcontent!
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0405060708
I've missed this game before, this looks perfect for my family!
9. Through the Desert [Average Rating:7.41 Overall Rank:77]
JP LaChance
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Through the Desert - Our first journey into "area control", Another game that my wife enjoyed as she got to watch out son have to think his way through the next move.
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