Zombicide, is actually a great game to get into. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.

I have been teaching board games for like 4 years already. I didn’t start out that way though. I got into this because we started a restaurant and we wanted to add something interesting since we were starting out. I introduced board games. I wasn’t an expert on it, but I really wanted to share the fun of playing games without relying on video games.

Video games is a more personal experience and it’s not easy to share when you’re favorite games are designed for playing alone. I personally wanted to hold a video game party at my home, but when your favorite game is a single player experience, you really don’t get people to share your experience. It’s just you and the game, and if you have friends, they only watch. And not everybody likes just watching. People want to engage, to join in the experience. Which is why I like board games.

While with board games, most games require you to play with a group of people and the results can be unpredictable, regardless if you are an expert on the game or not. Board games also have some solo playing games, but board games are more fun with people around. Sometimes, things can surprise you. And here, I discovered that I am happier teaching and watching people play than me playing them, although I love playing medium to heavy strategy games. I suppose this is the effect of the love playing Civilization on the PC.

With the 4 years learning the hobby, I feel like a youngster compared to other people who have been into this hobby. I know people who have been into playing board games like, all of their life. I only started very recently compared to them. But there is no denying that I enjoy teaching the games. Regardless if it’s a game a like or I hate. I can teach it without any issues, and even show that I can enjoy a game I don’t really like.

Love Letter is a great introductory game, it’s easy to learn and it’s pretty fast which a lot of people like.

There was one time, someone else was teaching me a game, it took him a whole 30 minutes to explain the entire process of one turn and the whole group couldn’t get the rules because there were so many. We just decided, to teach one step first and play, then teach the next step and play, and so on and so forth. And the process got faster, and we understood each step. We enjoyed it, there were many steps, but it was fun.

I can’t say I’m an expert with teaching games, but I do love learning new ones and I love teaching them. It scares me a bit teaching a new game, because I might make a mistake. So I watch different versions of how to play videos, read the manual several times just to make sure I got it right. But sometimes, some games don’t have a proper manual, and there are no videos to speak of. I do warn people when I am teaching a new game. So, I inform them that I might make mistakes and we can only discover that when we are in the process of playing. A lot of people are open to that and we learn together in the process.

X-Wing is actually simple to learn, but kind of overwhelming to look at. Sometimes, that alone turns off some people. But with the right people, they can enjoy this amazing game.

At first I ask people, what do they want to play, and how long do they want to play.It’s funny when people ask me “Yung masaya” (something fun). Because based on my experience, it’s hard to tell what is fun for some people. Some people like strategy, some people like luck, some people like dexterity, some people like other stuff. It really depends. But I usually try to get details on what they want to try, mostly how long will a game take. Once I get details, then I compile games that I can think of that can work for them. I describe a game as quick as I can, but I also tell them that a brief summary can’t do any game any justice.

I tell them that playing any game, must be played a few times, not just once. Then from there, I let them choose the game. In my experience, I noticed that generally people like party games, something quick to learn and end fast. Which is why this confuses me, why in the world would they want to play Monopoly considering that game can take forever. But once in a while, I do find people who like heavy strategy but not a lot.

Listening to someone teach you the game is not easy, whatever explanation they tell you, it’s usually hard to grasp the rules since most people think the rules are like Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly or UNO. Which is why playing while teaching is the best way to teach the game. Because teaching everything at the start, takes too long and people might not absorb all the rules on the get go, and setting up can also take forever.

You definitely don’t want the teaching process to get too complicated like this video from Funny or Die!

When teaching games, always expect that the game will take twice or three times as long because of the setup and all the explanation. I try to do it fast, but not too fast because we want to keep the game running but once in a while we have to pause for a few explanations if needed. Sometimes people rush you by asking a lot of questions, I just keep telling them that we’ll get to that point.

Another fun game with large groups.

I noticed, the best way to learn is to actually just play it rather than just watching someone play it, or listening to a long lecture. While playing, its there you discover if you are doing something right or wrong. Keep on playing, and it just keeps getting better. So far, with my experience, just keep playing, and you find yourself having fun after a few trials. Sometimes, the game evolves, sometimes with better or worse ideas. But it’s fun to experiment. I presume, people who don’t want to join immediately doesn’t want to look like a fool while playing the game, or they are afraid to loose. Note, just have fun. Don’t expect to win, winning is just a bonus. The important part of playing is the experience you have with friends. Win or lose, have fun.

One thing that makes me sad about teaching games, is when they don’t pay attention because they presume it’s the same as playing Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly or UNO. And when they start playing, the don’t get it and they drag other players who are almost getting it, and that one particular person just tells the rest of the group to change to something more familiar because they think it’s more fun. Not realizing that other games can be fun too, as long as they are open to new ideas and concepts.

This is Civilization, it takes a while to teach, but it is a fun game. It just takes a while to get into it.

Teaching games is not simple, because I keep looking at peoples expressions based on how I speak and all the actions that I do. I keep in mind that I might turn them off, which still happens once in a while. But it’s always a learning process. Based on how they react, I change my approach. Do, I go slower, do I go faster, do I stay to make sure that they get the game. I generally stay for 1 round or more depending on how they have absorbed the rules of the game. At times, I have to stay for an entire game, since I see in their faces that they will get lost as soon as I leave, even though they say that they already get it. Most of the time, they don’t. And what happens is that, they loose interest in the game, and choose another game instead, all because they forgot and skipped some of the rules. Which is why I usually choose to stay, until I am sure that they already get it.

It’s sad when I see a group immediately quit a game because they didn’t get it after one try. Because I know, they can have fun if they just try more of it. In general, most games, you don’t get it on the first try. So, don’t end it after just one game. Keep on going! Play more of it.

I am usually invited to play with a group, but the problem with me joining a play group is that I must leave at some point because I must teach other tables too. I can’t focus on one table alone. Which is why I must decline, even though I’d love to join in and play. Also, it gives a level playing field. If I join in, I know the rules and the strategies (I’m not saying I’m good at these games), but it’s a better experience for everyone to experience the game all at the same time.

It’s great seeing people have fun.

I love seeing the faces of people when I see that they get it. Watching them having fun, with smiles all around and that is so rewarding. Every time that I see that they get it, I slowly move away from the table. But once I see that they really understand the game as a while, I ask the group if they get it and politely ask if they have any additional questions before I move on to another table. Once I see that they have learned and have fun with the game, I always look forward to teaching them something new.

If you want to meet me in person and teach you some games, come to Captain’s Sweet Galley.