Board Games To Play In Las Vegas?

[Dr Adequate]

Just a suggestion.

Yes, I know there are lots of other exciting things to do in Las Vegas, what with the booze and the gambling and the hookers, but hear me out.

I think a lot of us are into one or another cerebral sort of game: chess, Go, backgammon, bridge, Scrabble ... that sort of thing.

At TAM, you might meet an opponent worthy of your mettle.

With me, it's backgammon: I reckon that to be the game of games, and I'd love to spend an evening at it challenging all comers.

Is anyone else interested? Name your game, and let's see if we can find a match.

[Normal Dude]

Axis and Allies. :D

[UnrepentantSinner]

Axis and Allies. :D

Don't laugh. I've got a Milton Bradley version that hasn't seen a table top since 1988 and I'd be tempted to find a way to get it to Vegas just to give it one last use. :)

[kittynh]

I used to play that!

ohhhh! (I have brothers)

[Susan Gerbic]

I'm all up for this. Backgammon it is for me as well.

I also love Trivial Pursuit!

Susan

[Susan Gerbic]

Does anyone know if there will be a area that we can kinda hang out in (all night if we want) that we can bring games and play? That would be more fun than going to someone's hotel room. I know, I know.....I mean someone might want to go to sleep in their room and it is full of gamers yelling YATZEE!


I would love to learn how to play Bridge

Susan

[Kochanski]

I usually do a games night on Friday, in my hotel room and if you want to include these games in that I am all for it. I will be bringing lots of fun games including Munchkin, Killer Bunnies, Zombies, Zombie Fluxx, Kung Fu Fighting, Tiki Mountain, Treehouse, Cosmic Wimpout, Battue and a few others that are slipping my mind at the moment.

All games and gamers are welcome. If you have a game you want to play, bring it. We can also play on other nights (I expect to arrive on Wednesday and leave on Monday morning).

Let the games begin :D

[RSLancastr]

One of my favorite board games: Can't Stop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Stop_%28board_game%29)! :D

[tkingdoll]

I love board games but I'm not playing any with you, Dr A, except games of chance.

I mean, chess? Scrabble?

I'll play Snap with you.

[DiskoVilante]

Chess is the game of games. I'm sorry, but it is.

Anyway, we should play Cranium...it's a group game that mixes acting, trivia, pictionary, etc etc into one!

[bignickel]

I brought a bunch of boardgames to 2006 TAM. After one game, the rest of the group decided to play poker.

Later, some skepchicks came down from the skepchickparty, and we played Tsuro. On the very last afternoon, I remembered that we had a game of Fearsome Floors going (MoeFaux was one of the players. Pics somewhere).

[RecoveringYuppy]

Haven't had a good backgammon game for quite a while.

[Susan Gerbic]

I will be bringing lots of fun games including Munchkin, Killer Bunnies, Zombies, Zombie Fluxx, Kung Fu Fighting, Tiki Mountain, Treehouse, Cosmic Wimpout, Battue and a few others that are slipping my mind at the moment.

I don't think I have ever heard of any of these games. Are they real board games?

Haven't had a good backgammon game for quite a while.

I've been thinking the same thing since it was mentioned in the OP. No one here wants to play, but we used to play like crazy people back when I was in high school. We were too busy rolling dies to smoke pot or drink. Guess that is what is wrong with me, I never got in the habit of it.

I brought a bunch of boardgames to 2006 TAM. After one game, the rest of the group decided to play poker.

Obviously I didn't know about it, otherwise I would have been there. I wasn't really aware of this forum community at TAM6. We will have a message board up this year?

Anyway, we should play Cranium...it's a group game that mixes acting, trivia, pictionary, etc etc into one!

Backgammon is still better. But I'll play

I usually do a games night on Friday, in my hotel room and if you want to include these games in that I am all for it.

The most amazing game in the world is PIT. We play this as a family anytime we can get 5 people together at a table. The problem is that it can get so loud. Are you sure you want to play in your hotel room, do you have any idea how many people might be coming through? We need table space.

Apples to Apples is also a great game.

Anyone know if there might be a place we can meet in the meeting rooms or not? I would feel less like I was imposing on someone else's room if we met somewhere neutral. That way we could have lots of tables space, and people who wander in can join in games at different tables with other people wandering in.

The whole idea of TAM is for us to meet up and form social networks with like-minded thinkers, we want to make this more inviting for those people not on this forum but are wandering into their first TAM, and maybe their first skeptic event.

I don't think we even understand how much bigger this one is going to be, but I think we will be shocked.

Who would I ask about a meeting room?

Susan

[Kochanski]

Quote:
I will be bringing lots of fun games including Munchkin, Killer Bunnies, Zombies, Zombie Fluxx, Kung Fu Fighting, Tiki Mountain, Treehouse, Cosmic Wimpout, Battue and a few others that are slipping my mind at the moment.

I don't think I have ever heard of any of these games. Are they real board games?



Munchkin, Killer Bunnies and Zombie Fluxx are pure card games, no board involved. Tiki Mountain and Battue are board games. Kung Fu Fighting is a hybrid. Treehouse and Cosmic Wimpout are dice games, although Treehouse involves pyramids too (in a non-woo way).

[rustypouch]

You had me at booze and hookers.

[tkingdoll]

Chess is the game of games. I'm sorry, but it is.



Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being bad at chess. But I ain't playing against a mathematician.

I am, however, the queen of Cranium.

[DiskoVilante]

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being bad at chess. But I ain't playing against a mathematician.

I am, however, the queen of Cranium.

Hah! You put too much stock in my chess abilities.

I'm the King of Cranium though.

[Wolfman]

I am, however, the queen of Cranium.

I'm the King of Cranium though.Guess I'll be the Court Jester of Cranium

[Dr Adequate]

Chess is the game of games. I'm sorry, but it is. I don't like chess, it makes me too tense. Having someone inscrutably plotting my downfall ... luring me into subtle traps ... disguising their true objectives with a devilish cunning ... it's like paranoia only for real.

[NobbyNobbs]

Don't laugh. I've got a Milton Bradley version that hasn't seen a table top since 1988 and I'd be tempted to find a way to get it to Vegas just to give it one last use. :)

If you'd like to make sure it gets used, you can always send it to me! I've always wanted that game, but can't justify spending money I don't have.


I usually do a games night on Friday, in my hotel room and if you want to include these games in that I am all for it. I will be bringing lots of fun games including Munchkin, Killer Bunnies, Zombies, Zombie Fluxx, Kung Fu Fighting, Tiki Mountain, Treehouse, Cosmic Wimpout, Battue and a few others that are slipping my mind at the moment.

All games and gamers are welcome. If you have a game you want to play, bring it. We can also play on other nights (I expect to arrive on Wednesday and leave on Monday morning).

Let the games begin :D

Cosmic Wimpout....now there's a game I haven't heard about in 20 years. Wow. I wonder if I still remember how to play.

Anybody ever heard of Awful Green Things From Outer Space? Know if it's still in print?

There's also a good card game called Once Upon A Time, which would be great for this group, and something called Nightmare Chess, which is a fun two-player game.

[Lothian]

Anyone for Mousetrap ?

[tkingdoll]

Hah! You put too much stock in my chess abilities.



I meant Dr A :D

[DiskoVilante]

I meant Dr A :D

Funny, I'm a math major :D

[bignickel]

post deleted

[SkepticScott]

AGTFOS might still be in print from Steve Jackson Games. My favorite boardgame is Advanced Squad Leader.

[bignickel]

AGTFOS might still be in print from Steve Jackson Games. My favorite boardgame is Advanced Squad Leader.
Have you tried Tide of Iron yet? I picked it up 50% off, but only have been able to give it 2 full tries. So far, the complaints I've gotten is putting the plastic soldiers in and out of their bases is 'fiddly'. Then again, I'm not sure my opponent is a fan of tactical squad level games.

[Overman]

Not gonna be attending...:(

BUT! I have came across a great game recently 'Settlers of Catan' it is a strategy/market trading game, and the board is randomized each time so you get a different game each and every time...very very cool game and I'd check it out!

[bignickel]

Catan is a good gateway game... get them to play that, and then you can move them to more of the Euro stuff. To games with no cards... and even games with no random elements at all! Gasp! Well, it'll take them awhile to get them up to Caylus level.

However, Catan has too much of a luck factor for continual play, considering it's time investment. No one likes putting their prominent cities on 8's, and then watch roll after roll with tons of 6's but no 8's coming up...

I brought Primordial Soup to TAM2006, but got no takers for a game about the evolution of amoebas (some players would characterize it as more of an eatin-and-poopin game) ;)

[Ziggy66]

Backgammon would be fun, and its simple enough so we can have conversations going on and not lose concentration on the game. Its also easy to have several games going on in one room, I'll bring my set. then again, something like Apples to Apples has a great group dynamic!

[bignickel]

Apples to Apples was the game I brought that preceded poker. I thought it pretty fun.

Not much of a backgammon man myself; always wanted to get deeper into Go, but never enough time for that kind of study and play.

[DiskoVilante]

Catan is a good gateway game... get them to play that, and then you can move them to more of the Euro stuff. To games with no cards... and even games with no random elements at all! Gasp! Well, it'll take them awhile to get them up to Caylus level.

However, Catan has too much of a luck factor for continual play, considering it's time investment. No one likes putting their prominent cities on 8's, and then watch roll after roll with tons of 6's but no 8's coming up...

I brought Primordial Soup to TAM2006, but got no takers for a game about the evolution of amoebas (some players would characterize it as more of an eatin-and-poopin game) ;)

I've played Catan, it's a rather good game.

[bignickel]

I've played Catan, it's a rather good game.
Well then, I'd say it's about time to step up to VERY good games! :)

Cartagena
Carcassonne
Fearsome Floors
Ra / Razzia!
Modern Art
Power Grid
...

[Susan Gerbic]

We just bought Gloom and Munchkins on Easter. In Gloom you are trying to make your family very unhappy until you can kill them off. Pretty funny

I had an idea when listening to an old podcast of Skeptics Guide to the Galaxy last night. There is this guy Neely who takes all the psychic claims every year and finds out if they are right or not. He has been doing it for 20 plus years. Thought I might take all the headlines (cut them down a bit if they need it) put them on index cards and then use them for charades. You would get things like, "Elvis found alive at Starbucks" or "Santa arrested for molestation" What do you think?

Susan

[Michelle Lyon]

Anyone for Mousetrap ?

Here here!

I was wondering about board games. Never heard of most that are posted here. Which means I have to try them all. :)

I love card games. And magic tricks.

[Normal Dude]

I had an idea when listening to an old podcast of Skeptics Guide to the Galaxy last night. There is this guy Neely who takes all the psychic claims every year and finds out if they are right or not. He has been doing it for 20 plus years. Thought I might take all the headlines (cut them down a bit if they need it) put them on index cards and then use them for charades. You would get things like, "Elvis found alive at Starbucks" or "Santa arrested for molestation" What do you think?

Susan

I love it.

[Normal Dude]

My favorite boardgame is Advanced Squad Leader.

I have played ASL since I was 8 years old (No kidding). One of my favorite games of all time. Of course, other people to play with were rarer than hens teeth, so I haven't played in 8 years.

[Tanja]

I'm not actually going to Vegas, but I love playing board games - my favourites are Set (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_%28game%29) and Mensa Connections (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Re-creation-Group-plc-Connections/dp/B0002S6MD4) - if anyone ever wants to play them at any of the UK meetings, I would love to join in!

[Susan Gerbic]

if anyone ever wants to play them at any of the UK meetings,

Can I use this as an excuse to visit the UK? I really want to travel more, but alas my bank and family obligations do not allow me to do so right now. Vegas is about it for me this summer.

Susan

[Dr Adequate]

BTW, I was wondering if I'd be OK to bring a backgammon board through Customs.

I believe it's illegal to play it for money in the UK, I don't know about the USA, but it seems to me that bringing an illegal gambling game to the gambling capital of the world might be viewed as suspicious. I have visions of a customs officer saying: "So, Dr Adequate --- if that is your real name --- do you expect us to believe that you bring this notorious game to Las Vegas merely to enjoy the intellectual challenge?"

If I would be ill-advised to do so, then so far we have five players but only one board.

[RecoveringYuppy]

I've got a board.

[Wowbagger]

I'll bring my 5-deck Munchkin set (which may expand to more decks, next week, at I-Con). I am much better at running the game, than I was a year ago!

I know a friend who claims to know a guy who invented a system for setting up an Axis & Allies board, in less than 1 minute. Though, unfortunately, no one I know of has invented a device to make the rest of the game less boring.

[Susan Gerbic]

I have a backgammon set, but I might need reminding to do so.

I can't see there being any problem bringing a backgammon set into customs. Then again I don't travel through customs all that often. I think they are just checking for booze and such.

I'm trying to learn the Munchkin game, we have the Cathulu (probably spelled wrong) game set. I guess I get it, my kids are trying to explain it to me, but I think I might be the wrong generation, we were into Monopoly and Risk when I was a kid.

Susan

[Kochanski]

Dr A, I wouldn't worry about getting your backgammon set through customs, if the myriad gamers can get assorted odd things to GenCon from all over the world I don't think customs will give you trouble with a backgammon set. You should see the looks I get when my carry on luggage is searched and they look in my metal deck boxes ;)

[Doc Daneeka]

You know what would be interesting? Watching a group of highly intelligent and quirky people playing a game of Diplomacy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game)). Failing that, I'll happily settle for you folks:D

[Ziggy66]

BTW, I was wondering if I'd be OK to bring a backgammon board through Customs.

I seriously doubt it would be a problem, no different than bringing in a deck of cards. I bet most customs officials wouldn't even know that its possible to gamble with backgammon.

[TobiasTheViking]

I expect to be way too drunk for that

[DcTurner]

I expect to be way too drunk for that

Hear Hear :D

[Zytheran]

I expect to be way too drunk for that

Yep, perhaps a beer and pretzels game like Cosmic Wimpout is more in line?

[TobiasTheViking]

Don't know that one....

Yet

[Garrette]

Anybody ever heard of Awful Green Things From Outer Space?Heard of it. Had it. Loved it. Lost it.

Thanks for dredging up memories of what I can never have again...


Know if it's still in printNo idea. It should be though. I mean really. There should be a law or sumpin.

[Garrette]

You know what would be interesting? Watching a group of highly intelligent and quirky people playing a game of Diplomacy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game)). Love it. The game of broken friendships. Just don't make me be Austria.

[Garrette]

Yep, perhaps a beer and pretzels game like Cosmic Wimpout is more in line?Why not BAPUC (http://www.bucksurdu.com/Personal/bapuc.html)? (Beer and Pretzels Urban Combat)

The creator was a classmate of mine. Sadly, BAPUC had a very very limited run. Buck sent my son a copy about a year ago, though, when--decades after the fact--I sent him an email telling him that my copy was torn up and missing pieces. Great fun to play John Wayne, Sergeant Rock, or Alvin York.

He's had some success with other games/rules (http://bucksurdu.com/Personal/nav.html)since, though I don't have any of them.

[Michelle Lyon]

Anyone for Cribbage?

ETA: I also have Carcassonne, Operation, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Clue, Monopoly, Colorforms, Lite Brite and electronic Battleship.

ETA2: I also have Ouija and the Shakesperian Tarot.

[Wowbagger]

Ooooooo!!! Hungry Hungry Hippos!!!

[ravdin]

Chess is the game of games. I'm sorry, but it is.

Anyway, we should play Cranium...it's a group game that mixes acting, trivia, pictionary, etc etc into one!

I'm rather partial to chess myself. I play way below grandmaster strength, so I shouldn't be too intimidating an opponent (unless you're a complete duffer, that is).

I'll bring a board if there's any interest.

[MattusMaximus]

Not gonna be attending...:(

BUT! I have came across a great game recently 'Settlers of Catan' it is a strategy/market trading game, and the board is randomized each time so you get a different game each and every time...very very cool game and I'd check it out!


Settlers of Catan rules!!! :D

Count me in on that one.

[MattusMaximus]

I'm trying to learn the Munchkin game, we have the Cathulu (probably spelled wrong) game set.

Susan


Munchkin is a good time - but to get the full effect you HAVE to play it with people who have played fantasy role-playing before.

As for the other, do you mean the dreaded Call of Cthulhu? :eek:

[MattusMaximus]

One game I haven't seen mentioned yet is the card game Magic The Gathering. I have a few decks that I could easily bring along. Anyone else interested in some MTG action?

[Michelle Lyon]

You had me at booze and hookers.

Booze...hookers....Twister?

[Michelle Lyon]

One game I haven't seen mentioned yet is the card game Magic The Gathering. I have a few decks that I could easily bring along. Anyone else interested in some MTG action?

My brother plays that! I don't have the attention span for it though.

[Doc Daneeka]

Chess is the game of games. I'm sorry, but it is.

Anyway, we should play Cranium...it's a group game that mixes acting, trivia, pictionary, etc etc into one!

I tend to think that Go is the better strategy game. However, I see your point.

[lorriedjn]

Back in the 70s we played Risk all the time.....does it still exist?

[Wowbagger]

It's been many, many years since I played Magic, the Gathering. I might join in on a game for nostalgia sake, but I don't have my own deck.

I now have eight sets of Munchkin cards, though! (But, three of them I wouldn't use in games with first-time players, as they tend to complicate the rules.)

[MattusMaximus]

Back in the 70s we played Risk all the time.....does it still exist?


Yes, and I'm down for Risk as well.

[Susan Gerbic]

I love Risk, don't I think I better look at the rules again, we use house rules that might be different than the real ones. I'm calling dibs, I get to be black!

Susan

[MattusMaximus]

I love Risk, don't I think I better look at the rules again, we use house rules that might be different than the real ones. I'm calling dibs, I get to be black!

Susan


Red!!!

[lorriedjn]

I love Risk, don't I think I better look at the rules again, we use house rules that might be different than the real ones. I'm calling dibs, I get to be black!

Susan

Anyone have the boardgame? I think I can get it if not.
We used to get "under the influence" and lose our dovish tendencies.....
Pretty bad for a bunch of hippies

Peaceout Lorrie

[RSLancastr]

Not only does Risk still exist, but I noticed in Toys R Us the other day that there is Risk - Star Wars: Original Trilogy Edition (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/22551) and Risk - Star Wars: The Clone Wars Edition (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/15045)!

[Ziggy66]

Stormtroopers in Kamchatka? :-)

[MattusMaximus]

Stormtroopers in Kamchatka? :-)


Teh Horror! :jaw-dropp

[bignickel]

Yes, and I'm down for Risk as well.
Risk!? Why not play Yahtzee while you're at it.

Real gamers play Europe Engulfed and Eastern Front.

[fatewilleatyou]

My absolute favorite party game is Encore.
It's a simple game where you get a word card, and the teams battle back and forth trying to think of song lyrics using the word.
I'm particularly good at this game, as I am a 'They Might Be Giants' fan and there are a lot of words in their songs!

[Susan Gerbic]

My absolute favorite party game is Encore.
It's a simple game where you get a word card, and the teams battle back and forth trying to think of song lyrics using the word.
I'm particularly good at this game, as I am a 'They Might Be Giants' fan and there are a lot of words in their songs!

I have played Encore several times before, maybe I should say "tried to play". I just blank when I have to think of the words to a song. All I come up with are nursery rhymes.

I guess the clock is ticking, and we should try to come up with some order to this mess of what people are really bringing and where we should be going if we are looking for a good game of whatever.

I am still hopeful that someone will tell us if there will be an area open 24 hours that is TAM reserved, a place with tables and lots of chairs would be better.

Susan

[RecoveringYuppy]

I'm bringing backgammon and Risk.

[fatewilleatyou]

I am still hopeful that someone will tell us if there will be an area open 24 hours that is TAM reserved, a place with tables and lots of chairs would be better.

Susan

Hotels often have lounge areas hidden all over in the lobby. Check with the hotel to see what they could do for free. If there are any public areas suitable for the number expected. They'd probably let you play all night, possibly with cocktail waitress service. It can get pretty slow in the wee hours. Also, it would be nice if people could wander in and out informally.