Variant: How Do You Learn a New Game?
Teaching Euros (Image via philipcoppens.com)
I love new games. Every game is a different experience and, usually, an enjoyable one. But, you’ve got a new game in hand, you’ve got to learn to play it. So, this week’s question is how do you typically learn to play a game for the first time?
Of course, there’s always the rulebook. In my game group, I’m the designated rule reader and game explainer. And, honestly, I prefer to learn a game by the rulebook. Always, learning a game for the first time includes mistakes. And, I find that I make less if I go by the rulebook rather than by learning from another player. Plus, for whatever reason, I remember things I read better than any other method.
But, that’s not the only way to do it. Others prefer to learn from someone who already knows the game. Not every rulebook explains the game in the most intuitive and straightforward manner. Having someone explain it can put things in context. And, better yet, they can answer the questions directly rather than needing to flip through the rulebook and find the right page.
Another way I’ve learned is through a computer or app version. These can be great because its impossible to get a rule wrong. But, sometimes you don’t know why a certain move is legal or illegal. So, it can be tough to figure out the whole game.
So, how about you? How do you usually learn a new game? And what method do you prefer?
My group has nominated me the official rule reader. Often I read them to myself first then explain step by step how to play the game. We tried having them read out load but on big box games this often took most of the gaming session. We usually do a few practice turns then make any adjustments that we need and start over more competitively.
Since I’m the primary game buyer I’m also the rule explainer.
I always read the rule book to get an understanding of the rules. I’ll read through all the examples to understand them. For some games I will make notes for the smaller rules that may be missed during the first game (like Dominant Species). Then I’ll check boardgamegeek to see if their are any game play explanation vidoes – like the type that Undead Viking creates.
I may also check the “rules” questions on boardgamegeek to see the common mistakes people make – and if there are any updated FAQs for the games.
This all depends on the amount of time I want to put in before player the game. It also depends on the complexity of the game. Something like Troyes took a while for my mind to wrap around some of the concepts. We ended up screwing up one rule when we finally played the game.
I need to watch a game most of the time to really get the basics of strategies and whatnot. Three games I’ve recently tried and had poorer experiences with have been Nightfall, Elder Sign (sold my copy) and Through the Ages. It seems like with games like this, I really just need to sit down with someone who’s previously played it to grok the rules and basic gameplay.
Rules are very hard to explain in general. Playing a sample round has started to work better for me and watching online videos or tutorials helps as well.
Here’s a tool you can use to learn a board game: Go to boardgamegeek.com, look up the games page & read reviews posted by players. The reviews help with rule clarification & game flow. Also, people post instructional videos on how to play & also give reviews. These tools are very valuable & effective.