Puerto Rico: #1 game in the world

Links to Games on Mini-Poll

Here are the www.boardgamegeek.com links to the descriptions of the games in the mini-poll (number in parenthesis is the rank out of a possible 2179):

1. Risk (1814) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/181
2. Mare Nostrum (387) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/3931
3. Settlers of Catan (8) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/13
4. Acquire (38) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/5
5. Chess (211) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/171
6. El Grande (4) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/93
7. Pinochle (496) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/4583
8. Puerto Rico (1) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/3076
9. Pirate's Cove (250) : http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2987
10. Other*

* I own over 65 games, not all of them worth playing. But some of the multi-player titles may be worth taking a look at if you are interested: Axis and Allies (first ed.), Carcassone and many expansions, Cartagena, Castle Risk, Civilization, Conquest of the Empire, Edel Stein and Reich, Tigris and Euphrates, File 13, Formula De, Java, John Prado's Third Reich, Krelim, Lowenherz, Merchant of Venus, Mexica, Princes of Florence, Quiddler, Settlers of Catan variants like Seafarers, Shogun, Ticket to Ride, Tikal, Traders of Genoa.

Here's a list of the Top 10 All Time Games as rated by the thousands of players on the Geek (boldface I own):

1. Puerto Rico
2. Tigris and Euphrats
3. The Princes of Florence
4. El Grande
5. War of the Ring
6. Power Grid
7. Memoir '44
8. Settlers of Catan
9. Wallenstein
10. 7 Ages

All of the top four games are "gamer's games", i.e. they require some thinking. Incredibly rewarding titles, they have it all: player interaction, some minor chance elements, variable set-up, anyone can win, fantastic components, everyone's involved all game (i.e. no Risk or Monopoly-style elimination). Anyone interested in these?

Games Suggestions

Over the last 20 years or so, I have taken on the role of "game-introducer" in our game groups. I often organize the gatherings, buy the games, teach the rules, etc. This is quite enjoyable, and I hope to continue doing it as long as friends are interested in playing. When that ends, my kids will play with me! :)

But I have taken on the role of introducing and organizing gaming events mostly because no one else would! I enjoy playing games more than hosting, but hosting is usually the only way to be able to play...

The "mini poll" at the bottom of the site is a way to get YOUR feedback on what you want to play, and to hopefully start some dialog on what makes a good game for you. I know you guys have invested in some titles, and have your favorites - which one do you want to play again?

Click the poll below, and then leave some comments here! - - Dave

How do I add comments?

I have been asked this a couple times now:

You click the "x comments" link right next to the name of the person who posted, and the time.

"posted by David Oberheu 10:39 AM 0 comments " for example.

After clicking, register with Blogger (if you have an interest in making your own), or post anonymously. Leave your name in the text of the message (so we know who you are). That's it!

Originally, I envisioned this blog as a way me to keep in touch with my friends. Then I thought to share some of the interesting info that I stumble upon now and then. Finally, I thought it would be a great meeting point for us to organize our gaming sessions.

Games to teach work?

Stumbled across this on www.slashdot.org, and had to pass it along. Talking with my brother, it appears that my employer is going to be using a version of the videogame "Sims" to teach employees how to run their own business. An amazing idea, this would surely work well with today's video game driven employee. Check out what else is going on in this area:

http://www.wistechnology.com/article.php?id=1504

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Found this one, about High School, "What you'll wish you'd known" http://paulgraham.com/hs.html was interesting reading as well... Much truth here.

And a site that I recommend EVERYONE who has kids in school check out: http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/. Especially this one, http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/index.htm which is the "Underground History of Education".

Not exactly game related material, but I found it interesting! - - Dave

Carcassone: T&B

Cracked open "Carcassone: Traders and Builders" expansion tonight. Grayson and I played 3 straight games... They were excellent! We mixed the expansion with the original Carc, with the river tiles added.

Adding the Trader to road segments speeds up the game slightly, and gives a neat 'bonus' to the road building. It also adds a nice incentive to do so. The Builder portion of the game really encourages you to complete mid-sized (3-4) cities with the commodity icons. These icons would be too tasty if not for the enhancements to the roads, so it's a great balance.

Gray immediately dubbed this the 'best Carcassone ever!' which pretty much sums up my feelings. Good fun.

Boardgaming: changes

Read this very interesting article on the history of boardgaming. A quote:

"In the early 1980s, about the time I became a computer professional (my schooling was in history), I "left" the game hobby, no longer writing articles, no longer designing games, ignoring it completely... I thought that role-playing on the one hand, and video games on the other, would destroy the boardgames hobby. I was wrong, though we all know that the board wargames hobby was "on the ropes" and has only revived (some) because of German/Euro games." http://www.pulsiphergames.com/Articles/WhyChangesinHobby105.htm

This was written by a a guy named Pulsipher, at his site: "http://www.pulsiphergames.com/gameindex.htm"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Todd tried to help me on my "meta refresh" issue with Microsoft, where there service will not let me redirect my new domain name (www.brettspielcafe.com) to this site. Unfortunately, Microsoft prevents this for some strange reason... More to come.

Dave O Playing Risk at GOF 1

Good read: Abstract gaming

Used to play some abstract games in the past (Chess, Twixt, Abolone for example). Stumbled upon this fascinating article about the a game designer and his experience in the business. A very interesting read: http://www.msoworld.com/mindzine/news/iview/burm_maker.html

Kevin and Marci will be stopping by on Sunday - I'm sure we'll be watching the Colts versus whomever they are going to beat up (Denver?). Should get a game in of something (Cartagena?).

Snow day in CS

Had a snow day tonight, meeting canceled. Paul family stopped by, and we played Tigris and Euphrates (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/42). It was the first time for Jamie and James, and we played 3 player.

It was my first game, although I had played solitare once, and have 3 online games on "the geek" (www.boardgamegeek.com) right now. (Game id: 11856, 12252, 12484). I am losing all three games, but learning quite a bit.

It took over an hour, and was probably not the best choce for the night, as James was tired, and T&E is (as I have discovered) very very heavy, quite a thinker. If you are not paying attention, or make a bad play, you get punished.

James, Grayson and I finished with Cartagena, which James won, and we played "Tortuga" version which allows for much more planing. Twelve cards are played on the table, and all hands are played open, making for tough decisions. (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/826)
I really like this simple game, playable in 30 minutes.