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

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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 ]

Being Picky – How to Pick What Games to Play – Episode 53 Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

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 This is the 53rd episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast, an edited version of our live show recorded on August 7th, 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 53 - Being Picky - How to pick what games to play on game night. Also a review of Raiders of the North Sea and some double date night gaming. [ READ MORE ]

Board Game Suggestions for a Casual Game Night (with 4-6 players) – Ask The Bellhop

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Today I've got some casual board game suggestions that aren't just Catan and Ticket to Ride. I'm going to be suggesting lighter games for 4 to 6 players. This is based on a question from long time fan Emmett O'Brian.

Emmett asks,
What are some good games for a casual group (4-6 players)? Everyone knows Catan, Ticket to Ride etc. For a beer and pretzel kind of night. I'm extra interested in cooperative games or building games cause that's what my wife likes. [ READ MORE ]

Geeking about The Geek – Discussing Boargamegeek.com – Break Room #1 – Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

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 This is a special bonus episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast. This discussion was first recorded on November 6th 2018. We've been saving it for a week we cannot record a normal episode. With Moe away at Origins, the time has come. We do apologize for the quality of this show, we've learned a lot since we first recorded this. 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.

Break Room #1 - Geeking Out About The Geek - A discussion about Board Game Geek, one of the best board gaming resources on the web. This is a special bonus episode of the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast. [ READ MORE ]

Pros at Cons. Tabletop Gaming Convention Preparation Tips – Episode 45 Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

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 This is the 45th episode of Tabletop Bellhop Live, an edited version of our live show recorded on June 5th, 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 45 - Pros at Cons. Con Prep Suggestions. Also a look back at Alhambra and initial thoughts on the epic Sci-Fi game Twilight Imperium 4th Edition. [ READ MORE ]

Gaming Convention Preparation Tips – Ask the Bellhop

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Today I want to take some time to talk about gaming convention preparations and share some of my tips and tricks for game con prep.

The Origins Gaming Conventions, in Columbus Ohio, one of the biggest tabletop gaming conventions in North America is just under one week away. Coming up about a month later is Queen City Conquest in Buffalo New York.
These are both cons I will be attending and right now I'm in the middle of prepping for both. I figured this is the perfect time to talk about some of what I do to prep for a con. [ READ MORE ]

East Meets West – Discussing the Euro vs. American Board Game Debate – Episode 44 Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

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 This is the 44th episode of Tabletop Bellhop Live, an edited version of our live show recorded on May 29th, 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 44 - East Meets West - defining and discussing the board game terms Eurogame and Ameritrash. Also an initial impression of Teotihuacan and some more plays of Xia, Strasbourg, and digital Roll for the Galaxy. [ READ MORE ]

Trying to Define the Difference Between a Eurogame and an Ameritrash Game – Ask the Bellhop

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When consuming board game media you will often hear the terms German-game, Eurogame, Ameritrash, or Amerithrash. Today I'm going to talk about what those terms mean in answer to a question from a fellow Windsor area gamer.

Mike Murphy asks:
What’s the difference between a Euro game and an American game? I see reviews where they describe a game as a Euro type game what are they referring to? [ READ MORE ]

Looking for Games with a Similar feel to Catan – Ask the Bellhop

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The first question we ever answered here at Tabletop Bellhop was about The Settlers of Catan. Today I'm answering a question that goes way back to that first blog post.

David RY, clicked Ask The Bellhop to ask:
I have some friends who ONLY want to play Catan (I got invited to what I thought was a board game night but was actually just their regular Catan tournament style night), and I’m wondering what would be some good follow up games? They’ve been interested in Ticket to Ride and Takenoko but neither have the same feel of the trading/player interaction and the dice-rolling/chance part of the resource collecting (plus they all love the ability of the robber to screw someone over). Any help? [ READ MORE ]