Advice

What Makes for a Good Licensed Board Game and 14 of the Best Licenced Board Games – Ask The Bellhop

November 14, 2019 by Moe T. 1 Comment

Today I will be talking about what makes for a good licenced board game, by which I mean games based on popular media or intellectual properties. This topic stems from a question from Danielle Thomas who asked a related question during one of our AMA live show.

Danielle asked: “There are a lot of boardgames that come out linked to popular media. ie. movies. What is the best and the worst you've played?” [ READ MORE ]

Halloween Hangout Live Q&A – Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

November 5, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

This is the 65th episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast, an edited version of our live show recorded on October 30th, 2019. Join us as we stream live every week on Wednesdays at 9:00 PM Eastern on Twitch. If you like some video with your audio, you can also watch/listen to individual segments from this show on YouTube.

Halloween Hangout LIVE Q&A, we answer questions from our fans live. We talk about games to bring to a Halloween party, our favourite Halloween Treats, Dealing with one player who doesn't want to play what the rest of the group wants to play, significant others joining groups, top three board games to play when drinking alcohol and more. Also our initial thoughts on Vinhos, a first play for Gold West and another public Halloween game night. [ READ MORE ]

A Discussion on Tabletop Game Player Aids – Ask The Bellhop

October 10, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

Let's take a look at player-aids. Fan created game aids, and ones that are included with the games we play. Today I'm answering a series of questions about player aids.

Long time Tabletop Bellhop fan Ryan Peach asks:

What are your thoughts on fan-created game aids? Are they table clutter, or do they actually help? Are they better for new players or will veterans also benefit? If you use them, in your experience, which aids or kinds of aids help the most and least? Are there games that you wish had aids, but do not yet? Are there games where you feel they aren't needed? Has a player aid like a rules summary ever replaced a games rulebook for you? [ READ MORE ]

What are some of the Best Gateway Area Control Games? – Ask the Bellhop

October 1, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

Today I'm going to be talking about some great gateway area control and area majority board games. We discussed this topic a bit on our AMA episode but I thought it would be worth taking a deeper dive into introductory area control games.

Ralph asks:

What’s the best gateway area control game? [ READ MORE ]

What’s the Problem – Discussing Potentially Problematic Games – Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

September 17, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

This is the 58th episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast, an edited version of our live show recorded on September 11th, 2019. Join us as we stream live every week on Wednesdays at 9:00 pm. Eastern on Twitch. If you like some video with your audio, you can also watch/listen to individual segments from this show on YouTube.

What’s the Problem. Discussing potentially problematic themes in tabletop games. Starting off with a review of Tanto Cuore. Also, first thoughts on Zombicide: Invader and Imhotep Builder of Egypt. Finally, a return to Lotus and Eminent Domain also hits the table after a long hiatus. [ READ MORE ]

Great Story Games and Board Games to Bring Camping – Ask The Bellhop

September 4, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

At the time I'm writing this it's the Tuesday after Labour Day which pretty much marks the end of Camping Season, so I'm a bit late with this question. Today I'm going to talk about tabletop games that are great to bring with you when you go camping.

Like Shiras asks:

What are the best games for camping? [ READ MORE ]

Treasure Hunt – Tips for Finding Rare, Out-of-Print Games – Episode 56 Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

September 3, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

This is the 56th episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast, an edited version of our live show recorded on August 28th, 2019. Join us as we stream live every week on Wednesdays at 9:30 Eastern on Twitch. If you like some video with your audio, you can also watch/listen to an unedited version of the show over on YouTube.

Ep 56 - Treasure Hunt - tips for finding rare, hard to find and out-of-print games. Also our Extra Life Warmup Wrap up including a first look at the Teotihuacan expansion. [ READ MORE ]

Where to Find Rare and Out-of-Print Board Games – Ask The Bellhop

August 28, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

Today I'm talking about finding a place to buy, older, out of print, tabletop games. This question is based on feedback I've gotten about how we always talk about these great games on the podcast that people can't actually go buy and due to also getting a question about this topic.

Todd Crapper asks:

I am looking for an older out of print game, Atlantic Star. I was wondering if you knew a place I could get this or a place that sells older out of print games like this. [ READ MORE ]

Take The Shot – Tips For Running Public Play One-Shot RPGs – Episode 55 Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

August 27, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

This is the 55th episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast, an edited version of our live show recorded on August 21st, 2019. Join us as we stream live every week on Wednesdays at 9:30 Eastern on Twitch. If you like some video with your audio, you can also watch/listen to an unedited version of the show over on YouTube.

Ep 55 - Take The Shot. Tips for running public play one-shot role playing games. Also a first look at Tower of Madness, playing King of the Dice with adults and a return to the card game Lotus. [ READ MORE ]

GM Tips for Running a One-Shot Role Playing Game in Public – Ask The Bellhop

August 20, 2019 by Moe T. Leave a Comment

There is a big difference between running a roleplaying game campaign versus running a one-shot. There is also a big difference in running an RPG for your home group as opposed to running one in public. In this article, I will be talking about running a one-shot in public based on a question I got on Twitter.

Nate Parker Tweeted to ask:

I was hoping I could twist your arm into doing a write-up or podcast episode covering how to run a good RPG session for a gaming event (con/public event/etc.). I feel like it is different from regular sessions you have with known players, and I would love to hear some experienced people talk about it. [ READ MORE ]