How to Turn them into Gamers in 10 Games or less - My Path to success

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

Recommend

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.

Your Tags:	Add tags Tags (separate by space):
Popular Tags:	[View All]

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

1. Board Game: Super Scrabble [Average Rating:6.52 Overall Rank:1945]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

2. Board Game: Stratego [Average Rating:5.98 Overall Rank:1983]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

3. Board Game: Octiles [Average Rating:6.51 Overall Rank:1915]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

4. Board Game: Carcassonne [Average Rating:7.46 Overall Rank:86]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

5. Board Game: Ticket to Ride [Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:74]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

6. Board Game: Apples to Apples Kids [Average Rating:6.38 Overall Rank:1904]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

7. Board Game: Memoir '44 [Average Rating:7.56 Overall Rank:61]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

Posted Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:48 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Mary Weisbeck

(sodaklady)

United States
Black Hawk
South Dakota

Even virtual dice hate me!

I hope your wife will give this a chance eventually. It's war "lite" and I think it IS fun.

Posted Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:40 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

8. Board Game: Quicksand [Average Rating:6.12 Overall Rank:1765]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

Captain Fox

(Jatoha)

United States
Southwestern
Michigan

Fox by Miss Turtle Artist attended Starfleet academy by Jess and furthermore, I think tipping in GeekQuestions should be fixed.

I've missed this game before, this looks perfect for my family!

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:42 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

9. Board Game: Through the Desert [Average Rating:7.16 Overall Rank:191]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

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.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

10. Board Game: Lost Cities [Average Rating:7.14 Overall Rank:195]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

Lost Cities - A man can not win at this game when playing against his wife. My Wife LOVES THIS GAME.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

(travistdale)

United States
Brooklyn
New York

Hmmm.. if this is true, then I am not a man? Or rather... that was not my wife?!

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:58 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Derek H

(gamesbook)

South Africa
Durban

Quote:

Hmmm.. if this is true, then I am not a man? Or rather... that was not my wife?!

Your problem, buddy, not ours!

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:16 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

11. Board Game: Scotland Yard [Average Rating:6.53 Overall Rank:703]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

Scotland Yard - Deduction with Co-operation is a sure winner. One person is "MR X" and the rest of the players are all out to "Find Mr. X". My wife likes the ability to co-operate with our son and find "mr X" as opposed to always trying to beat him. This is out most popular game to date.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

12. Board Game: For Sale [Average Rating:7.20 Overall Rank:177]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

FOR SALE - When we stopped into the game store one evening and my wife suggested we buy this game I knew I had accomplished my mission. We (I) had gone in expecting to buy Ingenious, but my wife saw this game sitting on the shef and asked about it. Our FLGS owner took the time to explain the game to my wife and we walked out of the store with this game. After watching a demonstration of Ingenious my wife suggested we get FOR SALE.

Moral of the story - I WIN.... My wife wanted to buy the game, and it only took about 4 months to take her from non-gamer to buying her first game to add to our family collection.

0 comments

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

13. Board Game: Wooly Bully [Average Rating:6.16 Overall Rank:1530]

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

JICYRFU - NOT A TYPO - Golfers who play on courses with yardage books may know what the accronym means.

Wooly Bully - Substuite this game for Carcassone if you are having trouble with the scoring rules, or want something simpler to start out those non-gaming wives. My wife likes this better than Carcassone because it is faster and simpler.

3 comments [Hide]

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am

William Hostman

(aramis)

United States
Eagle River
Alaska

Gaming in Greater Anchorage area, Alaska since 1978. Looking for Indy-willing RPG players in Eagle River (or willing to drive to Eagle River). Geekmail me if interested.

Yes, this really is what I looked like when I uploaded that avatar. Not that it's quite current anymore.

Just In Case You Really F* Up

There seem to be a number of "simplified Carcassonne clones"

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:47 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

I am not sure it is a "clone" of Carcassonne. This game is more of a tile laying game combined with area control. I think it plays very differently from Carcassonne.

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:33 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Jeremy Carlson

(hughthehand)

United States
Wheaton
Illinois

No...he's right, its a simplified Carc.

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:45 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

6 comments [Hide]

Post Comment

Jeremy Carlson

(hughthehand)

United States
Wheaton
Illinois

Whew....you had me worried with this list. I started reading the first entry...and it says this is not part of the 10 games. Then I get to the second entry...and what the...this is also NOT part of the 10 games. Almost stopped there.

Also, just so you don't think I am an a-hole for not agree with you on that Sheep Carc, I own it too. I got it for my non-gaming parents who like the CRAZY games I play, but don't seem to like putting in the effort of actually remembering a lot of rules. Fits the bill, but I when I play, I keep thinking I'd rather play Carc:H&G.

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:49 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

What does the H&G "expansion" add to Carc to make it better?

Thanks
JP

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:57 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Michelle Z

(caesarmom)

United States
Mesa
Arizona

H&G isn't an expansion for regular Carc, it's a standalone game. Many people find it addresses many of the perceived problems with regular Carc (like farmer scoring).

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:23 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Drew1365)

United States

Wisconsin

Hunters and Gatherers isn't an expansion. It's a standalone Carcassonne game. Instead of Cities and Roads, you're completing Forests and Rivers. Instead of the Farmers/Fields, you're placing Hunters on the Meadows, and scoring for the Hunters is a bit easier than for the Farmers in regular Carc.

I like it, although I prefer original recipe Carc with a few expansions.

Ark of the Covenant is a good combination of original recipe Carc with a Hunter/Meadow type of scoring for the fields.

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:27 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Drew1365)

United States

Wisconsin

Also, Ark of the Covenant is another standalone Carc with a "tribes of Israel in the Promised Land" pasted-on theme.

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:28 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Mary Weisbeck

(sodaklady)

United States
Black Hawk
South Dakota

Even virtual dice hate me!

Congratulations, JP. You've done a wonderful job of creating your own game group.

One question lingers in my mind: did you and your son try Memoir? If so, we need to hear about it!

Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:30 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote