How To Play Podcast » Podcast
By Ryan Sturm
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Podcast Description
Welcome to the home of the How to Play Podcast; A Podcast about learning and teaching games. We all know that the best way to learn a game is to have it taught to you by someone who knows the game well. That is what The How to Play Podcast is all about. Its like you are hearing an explanation of how to play a game from your wittiest, best looking and most charming friend. You don’t have a friend like that? Thank goodness, that guy would set the bar for me far too high, and in that case I’m sure that you will think these game explanations are fantastic. How to Play is a tool for learning, and learning to teach, games. Each explanation is carefully handcrafted for your listening pleasure. As an added bonus you might get a bit of strategy, some musings on various board game topics and assorted special lettered episodes all for the low, low price of free. Check it out.
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CleanEpisode 37 – Carson City | Carson City Teaching Guide Carson City Teaching Guide B&W Released: May 6th, 2012 Game Description: It’s Caylus … but with guns! That’s right, if you don’t like that your neighbor placed his cowboy in that box, well then just put your man in there and cock your pistol hum the good, the bad and the ugly theme song. Give this Wild West Worker Placement game a shot, I think you will have a rootin’ tootin’ good time. | 6 5 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 36x – Expansions and Spinoffs in the Catan Series | In this episode I dig into the universe of Catan and the works of Klaus Teuber. This episode will give a basic overview of the expansions, variants, scenarios, spinoffs and other assorted Klaus Teuber games. | 15 4 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 36 – The Settlers of Catan | Teaching Guide for Settlers Teaching Guide for Settlers BW Released: April 15th, 2012 Original Show Notes: Settlers of Catan is my favorite game strictly for fun player interaction. Each game involves negotiation, diplomacy and lots of laughs. This game is responsible for my rediscovery and current addiction and indirectly for entirety of the existence of The How to Play Podcast. It deserves its own episode and here it is. Everyone needs to know this game. I will take this opportunity to show off my daughter Gwen utilizing her negotiation skills… Component Pictures on BGG | 15 4 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode I: All I Really Need to Know | This is a compilation of a 5 part series that originally aired on The Dice Tower Podcast in the Summer and Fall of 2010. In this series I examine some of the deeper life lessons that can be learned from playing board games. The scripts for the five segments are posted below. All I really need to know I learned from Playing Boardgames. Part 1: Get Your Priorities Straight Aaahh Prioritization, some of my favorite games are games that make you prioritize. You need to look at a multitude of options and decide which is most important for you to do now and which you can afford to wait to do later and perhaps miss out on the opportunity to do that action. These sorts of decisions can be found in almost every game but are easily apparent through the worker placement mechanic. Think about Agricola, Caylus, Age of Empires or Stone Age. In these games, prioritization is essentially the entire game! Whoever makes the best decisions about which action is the most important for them each turn will win the game! You also see this in games involving drafting such as Notre Dame or Fairy Tale. Which card is the most important to you and which can you afford pass. Or even the staple Ticket to Ride. Do I have to play on that route now or can I get those blue cards I need? Which track should I build first, which can I build later? Those sorts of decisions are the reason why I play board games, I love trying to figure out what is my best move each turn. And you know what is great, you almost always get immediate feedback from those decisions by how many points you score and can reflect on how well you did in the game, and can use that knowledge to better your play in future games, which is why board games are way easier than actual life. It’s fun to imagine life as a gigantic game of Agricola; Where hundreds of times a day you have your one wooden disc and you have millions of squares from which to choose from. Imagine your Saturday Morning; WAKE UP – Snooze Alarm, Get Dressed or Shower BREAKFAST – Cereal, Eggs, or Coffee Shop FIRST ACTIVITY – Exercise, play with your kids, Watch TV, train for a competitive eating contest. SECOND ACTIVITY – Visit your mom, call friends, or listen to an episode of the how to play podcast. And in comparison game like Agricola is so much simpler. In Agricola you only need to get some food tokens and score metaphorical victory points. You think its hard baking bread in Agricola? How many token placements you think would be required to begin a professional career in middle class modern society. And victory points? Oh I wish it were all so simple, wouldn’t it be great if the meaning of life was all laid out for you in the obtainment of items and goals, all of which were attached a quantifiable numerical value, and by the time you croaked if you reached a certain score, you would leave this world a winner having attained complete fulfillment and joy. Ah that would be something wouldn’t it. But that is the joy of it all isn’t it? That life is hard and unpredictable and that only you can decide how to win your own actual game of life. But one thing is for sure, life is short, you have got to get your priorities straight. Part 2 – The Road Not Taken At the end of the How to Play Podcasts I try to give the listeners some basic beginning strategy tips for each game and time and time again I seem to give the same piece of simple yet effective advice, 7 simple words that always seems to be an important consideration and can generally improve your standing in a multiplayer game, no matter what that game might be.. Those 7 words are… Do what the other players aren’t doing! From the simplest to the most complex games if you focus your efforts towards areas that the other players are ignoring, you will tend to have greater success. Some examples of this from popular [...] | 10 4 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 35 – Twilight Struggle | Twilight Struggle Teaching Guide Twilight Struggle Teaching Guide B&W Released: March 25th, 2012 Game Description: USA vs USSR. The struggle to alter the course of human history. Twilight struggle is a two player card driven game with the well integrated theme of the cold war. Twilight Struggle is one of the greatest games of this generation, it’s a wonderful game experience. Learn it, teach it, play it you will be glad you did. Component Pictures on BGG | 25 3 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 29w – How to Win Through the Ages | Date Released: February 12th, 2012 Description: In this third “How to Win” episode I tackle Through the Ages with my good friend and fellow TTA fan, Geoff Englestein. | 12 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 34 – Die Burgen von Burgund | Die Burgen von Burgund Teaching Guide Die Burgen von Burgund Teaching Guide BW Released: January 17th, 2012 Game Description: A great medium weight game couples game. In this game players are simply choosing tiles and adding them to their “estate” to score points. So simple yet so many interesting decisions to make. One of my favorite newer releases. Component Pictures on BGG | 17 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode H: 2011 Review and Top 50 Update | In this episode I talk about the games that I played this year, muse on the year in gaming and present an updated list for my Top 50 favorite games of all time. I discuss all games I played many are new and some are older games. Here is the list games: How to Play’s top 50 games as of 2011 | 8 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 33 – Game of Thrones | Game of Thrones Teaching Guide Game of Thrones Teaching Guide BW Release Date: December 20th, 2011 Game Description: Game of Thrones is one of my favorite games because it lets me be a part of one of my favorite stories. It is also an excellent direct conflict game with a lot of tension and requires a lot of strategic play, enjoy! Component Pictures on BGG | 20 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 32 – Advanced Civilization | Advanced Civilization Teaching Guide Advanced Civilization Teaching Guide B&W Released: November 13th, 2011 Game Description: A classic in board games and an amazing boardgame experience. Sure it may take 10-12 hours to play, but this game is worth a whole day of gaming. Expand your people across the board, trade with neighboring civilizations, develop your technologies and seek to become the greatest civilization of all time. Component Pictures on BGG Ryan’s 2010 Advanced Civilization Session Report Ryan’s 2011 Advanced Civilization Session Report Links for Print and Play Versions: Beautiful Redesigned Map for Adv Civ with the Western Expansion Advancement Cards for Adv Civ Advancement Card Tracker for Adv Civ you could use instead of actually making cards Commodity Cards for Adv Civ Advice for making your own PnP Adv Civ Original Source for the 4 player Glory that was Greece Map Updated Version of “The Glory that was Greece Map” | 11 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe HTP Method for Teaching Games | Here is my original article on teaching games that I wrote on March 9th, 2008 with which the methods I used to eventually develop the How to Play Podcast. Feel free to read the article or listen to the audio version, Episode A, by playing the episode at the top of this page. How To Teach Games: A General Primer Class is in session! Listen up kids, today’s topic is how to teach games. Pay attention there will be homework. When playing a game with players new to a game, how well the game is taught is the most important element to whether the game is an enjoyable experience or a painful one. Most of us here on this site are the ones constantly trying to spread our hobby by introducing these games of ours to friends and family who may not be familiar with such games. If you introduce a game poorly, it is unlikely you will have earned yourself future games. If you do a great job teaching the game, not only will they wish to play that game again, but they may start to ask about other games in your closet, and you may have created some budding new gamers, who may even call you and say, “Hey do you want to come over and bring some of those games of yours?” And that is a wonderful thing. As teaching is my profession, I thought maybe it could be useful to give general pointers for how to teach a game. I hope that the advice here can be useful to people who have never attempted to teach a game and to those who have taught hundreds. I would not be surprised if someone has posted something similar to this before but regardless this is my take on teaching games. In general this post is directed at teaching medium to heavy weight euro games and does not apply toward party games, card games, lighter filler games or wargames. Examples of games that could be taught using this method include; Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Alhambra, Railroad Tycoon, Puerto Rico, Caylus, Power Grid, Agricola, El Grande La Citta, etc. etc. Teaching a game is about more than just going over the rules. Your job as the teacher is to get the players to be excited about playing the game, understand the object of the game, understand how to play a turn, know a few possible strategies, and know the most important rules ALL in fifteen minutes or less before their eyes start to glaze over. “Pre-Game Show”: Prepare by Understanding the Game Yourself In order to introduce a game well, you need to have a thorough understanding of the game. Reading the rules multiple times is a must; also it helps to refresh yourself of the rules the day you plan on teaching the game. Ideally, you will have played the game twice or more, so that not only do you understand the basic rules of the game, you are aware of the technicalities that occur and have a general understanding of the various strategies a player may employ and the pitfalls that a new player may fall into not quite understanding basic strategies of the game. Sometimes it may not be possible to play a game with others, with lighter weight games such as Ticket to Ride or Settlers, this may not be a problem. However if you are playing a more complex game than that, (such as a Puerto Rico, Caylus or Power Grid) you should find some way to deepen your understanding of the game. Three options to try would be playing some of the game solo, reading articles about the game online or playing the game online. Having a general understanding of the game will make your teaching of the game and the overall game experience more enjoyable. Why do you have to know the strategy of the game, isn’t just knowing the rules enough?? More on this later. And now, How to Teach Games in 3 easy steps….. 1. “The Hook” 2. “The Meat” 3. “The Hamster” Hook, Meat, Hamster??? Catchy isn’t it? What the *%$@ is this guy talking about? Are you intrigued… perhaps I have “hooked” you? Which happens to be our first step, keep reading…… Step One: What is this Game About?: “The Hook” (30 sec. – 1 minute) Here we get to | 6 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 31 – Airlines Europe | Airlines Europe Teaching Guide Airlines Europe Teaching Guide B&W Released: October 2nd, 2011 Game Description: Airlines Europe is the twenty year evolution of the original game Airlines. This game involves route building and stock collection is a tense, fast enjoyable experience. If you like ticket to ride and acquire you will love this. This game is also available as a full video episode courtesy of Randall Rasmussen Component Pictures on BGG | 2 10 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 30 – Troyes | Troyes Teaching Guide Troyes Teaching Guide B&W Released: August 20th, 2011 Game Description: Troyes is a game about building a medieval French city by exploiting your influence in the three realms of the nobility, the clergy and the peasants who are represented by dice. Original Show Notes: By listener request episode 30 is on the dice rolling strategy game Troyes. Oxymoron you say? I am unfamiliar with that term. I hope you are not calling me nasty names. Troyes uses dice in a unique way and is an interesting strategic game even with the rolling of 18 dice each round. Is that possible? Tune in and check it out, it’s euroriffic. Components pictures on BGG | 20 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 4x – Expansion Maps for Age of Steam | Date Released: August 1st, 2011 Game Description: In Part 2 of my conversation with Ted Alspach we talk about some of our favorite maps for Age of Steam. Exploring our favorite maps for different numbers of players, different skill levels and preview some of Ted’s upcoming Age of Steam Maps. | 1 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 4w – How to Win Age of Steam | Released: July 29th, 2011 Show Description: In this episode I get a chance to discuss strategy for my favorite game, Age of Steam with a very special guest, Ted Alspach. Ted is the designer of many games and notably over forty maps for the game Age of Steam which definitely qualifies him as an authority on all things Age of Steam. In Part 1 of this conversation we talk generally about advice for playing Age of Steam well on any Age of Steam map. Look forward to Part 2 soon in which we discuss some of our favorite Age of Steam maps. | 29 7 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 29 – Through the Ages Part 2 | -- | 19 7 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 29 – Through the Ages | Through the Ages Teaching Guide Through the Ages Teaching Guide B&W Released: July 19th, 2011 Game Description: Through the Ages is an innovative game with the classic theme of building a civilization. Through the Ages accomplishes its grand scope by using cards to represent all of the technologies gained by your civilization. Original Show Notes: Over the last year I have gotten endless requests for instruction on how to learn this game, Through the Ages. A wonderful epic game about guiding a civilization through hundreds of years of history. Over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of effort in putting this one together. It became the most difficult one to produce yet. I hope that you enjoy and learn this great game. Due to the complexity of the game for the first time ever I am breaking the episode into two (still quite lengthy) episodes. Their length is due to the fact that I not only wanted to teach you the rules of the game but give you some basic understandings in how to play the game well. In this first part of the episode, I give my general discussions on what I love about the game, discuss the complexity and some teaching suggestions. I then launch into the standard hook and a full explanation and guide to playing or teaching your first game of Through the Ages using the simple rules. In the second part, I explain how to play one of the more complex versions of the game, give a little starting strategy and a thorough run-through of all of the oft-misplayed rules. Components Pictures on BGG | 19 7 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 28 – Acquire | Acquire Teaching Guide Acquire Teaching Guide B&W Released: June 4th, 2011 Game Description: Today we cover a classic in board games, Acquire. This game from 1962 holds up with some of the greatest modern games in our hobby. If you are unfamiliar with this game, you owe it to yourself to listen to this episode and play this game as soon as possible. How does it take 40 minutes to cover 4 pages of rules you might ask? Good question, well I wax poetic about the influence and awesomeness of the game for a while, give some strategy, take about open vs. closed information give advice on editions and throw in a Wolfgang cameo. I could have made this fifteen minutes, but what would be the fun in that. Enjoy! Component Pictures on BGG | 4 6 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 15 – Caylus | Caylus Teaching Guide Caylus Teaching Guide (B&W) Also be sure to check out the “How to Win” Caylus Episode Released: May 10th, 2010 Game Description: The original worker placement game and the best. No luck, just skill in this game as you compete against your opponents to collect resources and build buildings or build in the castle. This game is a masterpiece. Original Show Notes: My love for this game caused the length for this to get out of hand because I had a lot I wanted to talk about! I start the episode with a segment trying to restore Caylus’ damaged reputation and explain why I think it is such a great game. I include a lot of beginning strategy throughout the explanation and provide some strategic path guides in the hamster. In the vegetables I give you some seed ideas on basic strategy for favors. In the musings I talk about a variety of Caylus-related topics, including a beginners guide to get started playing online at the great real time board game site BSW, at which Caylus is one of the many fantastic games. Component pictures on BGG | 10 5 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 15w – How to Win Caylus | Released: April 26th, 2011 Original Show Notes: This is the first of a potential series of episodes moving beyond learning a game to Advanced Strategy. This podcast is intended for experienced players of the game looking to take their play to the next level. | 26 4 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 27 – Race for the Galaxy | Race for the Galaxy Teaching Guide Race for the Galaxy Teaching Guide B&W Released: April 12th, 2011 Game Description: Space. The Final Frontier. Our quest: to bravely go where no card game has gone before. (besides San Juan, but that doesn’t really count cause it was sort of designed at the same time and really well this game is in space so it’s totally different.) Learn to play and teach this excellent card game that takes the ideas innovated in the great game Puerto Rico and takes them into the future! (the future in this case being 2007) Components Pictures on BGG | 12 4 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 26 – Shogun | Shogun Teaching Guide Shogun Teaching Guide B&W Released: March 21st, 2011 Game Description: In this episode we get into the exciting Japanese themed game Shogun. This unique game combines some wonderful mechanics with a well integrated theme for a great experience. You will have a great time attempting to become the next SHOGUN!!! Component Pictures on BGG | 21 3 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 25 – Hansa Teutonica | Hansa Teutonica Teaching Guide Hansa Teutonica Teaching Guide B&W Released: February 6th, 2011 Game Description: A wonderfully simple quick and exciting game. Players are competing to claim routes as traders in Germany. They claim routes to earn special abilities and score victory points. The theme is pretty unnecessary but the game play is exquisite. Original Show Notes: It’s a request episode, Hansa Teutonica. This is one of the best games to come out in the last couple of years. So download this and learn it today. Expect your typical amount of “How to Play” goofiness, also stay tuned for some exciting news regarding this podcast and more podcasting goodness! . Thanks to Mike Amos for donating this game to make this episode possible. This episode is also available in a full video version thanks to the work of Randall Rasmussen. Component Pictures on BGG | 6 2 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode G – Evolution of Game Mechanics | Released: January 2nd, 2011 Original Show Notes: So here is an extended musings to go along with Episode #24 on the evolution of board game mechanics. Fortunately I had the chance to discuss this with Gametek’s Geoff Engelstein. We have about a 40 minute discussion that ranges from the evolution of recent mechanics, to obsolescence of games to the future of board games. I hope you enjoy it. Special Note: This episode was the birth of what was to become the spin-off podcast “Ludology.” We had so much fun doing this talk together that we thought we could develop a series of analytical game discussions into a regular podcast. The show has developed a loyal following with nearly 20 episodes. If you like this episode be sure to check out “Ludology” at www.ludology.net | 2 1 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 24 – Dominant Species | Dominant Species Teaching Guide Dominant Species Teaching Guide B&W Released: January 2nd, 2011 Game Description: This worker placement game takes you through the evolution of a species. You will be forced to adapt both your species and you can affect your environment in order to become THE dominant species. Original Show Notes: Try out the latest evolution in worker placement games, Dominant Species. This is my favorite game of 2010, and in my top ten games of all time. It contains all the things I love in my games, difficult decisions, an integrated theme and a great game experience. Learn to play it from this episode. Also be sure to check out the interview that was paired with this episode. A discussion on the evolution of game mechanics with Geoff Engelstein. This is the discussion that started its own podcast the Ludology podcast with Geoff and Myself. Component Pictures on BGG | 2 1 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode F – HTP’s Top 50 Games as of 2010 | Released: December 11th, 2010 Show Description: Today you are in for a special episode. I count down my personal favorite fifty games of all time as of 2010. I give a brief description of each game, and describe why it made the list. You can view or print the list here; How to Play’s Top 50 games as of 2010 | 11 12 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 23 – Notre Dame | Notre Dame Teaching Guide Notre Dame Teaching Guide B&W Released: November 22nd, 2010 Game Description: This unique game is all about resource management. You can never run out of money or cubes, you must always fight off the rat threat and somehow in between find a way to score points. Original Show Notes: I’m back. This time I cover a favorite from 2007, Stefan Feld’s Notre Dame. If you have yet to play this one you are missing out on a gem, quick to pick up, moderate play time, but with a ton of strategy and tension. Great Fun! In the musings I discuss a new found disease in the gamer community and as a bonus give you an overview of some of my favorites of Stefan Feld’s other games. Component pictures on BGG | 22 11 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 22 – Khronos | Khronos Teaching Guide Khronos Teaching Guide B&W Released: October 20th, 2010 Game Description: This game uses a very fun theme of time travel in which players are playing tiles on three different time periods of boards and if you play in an earlier time period it appears in the future. Very cool but the rules are a bit difficult to work through. Original Show Notes: Ready for some time travelin’ fun? This game is underappreciated, most people dont like it or haven’t played it because they tried to read the rules and their brain began to melt. How to Play to the Rescue! Let me decipher this clever time traveling tile placement game to you. This game offers a really fun implementation of the theme of time travel within a strategy game, give it a shot. In this episode’s musings I discuss bad rulebooks and my 3 pet peeves of such rulebooks. Component Pictures on BGG | 19 10 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 21 – Colosseum | Colosseum Teaching Guide Colosseum Teaching Guide B&W Released: October 1st, 2010 Game Description: This is one of my favorite mid-weight games. This game is about collecting various assets such as gladiators, musicians and scenery to put on shows in your own roman colosseum. It has a lot of interactive elements and will keep you engaged the whole time. Original Show Notes: It’s great to be back. This one has been asked for multiple times, and it happens to be one of my favorite games, Colosseum. We get back to business with a good old fashioned Euro Game. In this episode I will explain to you how to put on the greatest spectacle Rome has ever seen. In the musings I will share a story about outside relationships being brought into games and compare Colosseum to Princes of Florence. Component Pictures on BGG | 1 10 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 20 – Magic Realm | Magic Realm Teaching Guide Magic Realm Teaching Guide B&W Released: September 2nd, 2010 Game Description: Magic Realm is an older game that attempted to recreate the classic fantasy roleplaying game experience and recreate it as a boardgame. In order to do so the designer included a LOT of mechanics, in order to recreate as much of the experience as possible. Original Show Notes: It is finished. Come explore Magic Realm, THE MOST COMPLICATED BOARD GAME OF ALL TIME. This 1978 classic adventure fantasy game has long been deemed unapproachable by most, hopefully this episode can change that. In this episode I will give you a basic walk through of playing the most basic version of the game. And the best part is you can play along with me using the Robin Warren’s fantastic computer version of the game RealmSpeak. (available at www.realmspeak.dewkid.com) I will help you through the basics of your first few games, teaching you the goals of the game, the basic steps of a turn and the combat system. In no time you will be able to dive in deeper with the other 15 characters, exploring the magic system, hiring the native populations and more. Enjoy exploring the Magic Realm. Component Pictures on BGG | 2 9 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode E – How to Paint Miniatures | Released: August 14th, 2010 Show Description: This episode hopes to inspire you to give painting miniatures a try. I start with a motivational speech and then launch into equipment you need to paint your game pieces. I follow that with a brief description of the basics of painting miniatures and include a few of the most popular techniques. A few years ago I taught myself to paint game pieces. It’s not the best paint jobs you will ever see but it just goes to show you that any average joe with a bit of time and effort, can paint a pretty decent set of game pieces. Ryan’s Painting Projects Shadows Over Camelot This was our first project. My wife helped me put together this set and I am happy with how it turned out. From this… To This… Robo Rally Next were these cute robots, pewter version not the plastic From this… To This… Empire Builder Time for some trains for Crayon Rails. (Note the R for ryan and KLS for my wife ) From this… To This… Age of Empires These pieces are too hard to tell apart, needs a paint job. Too many pieces? How about the “dip method.” From this… To This… Heroquest Uh Oh running out of stuff to paint.. How about this game from my childhood. From this… To This… The World Cup Game From this… To This… | 14 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 19 – Shadows Over Camelot | Shadows Over Camelot Teaching Guide Shadows Over Camelot Teaching Guide B&W Be sure to check out the episode on Painting Miniatures here to learn how to make your mini’s beautiful. Like This… Released: August 13th, 2010 Game Description: Shadows over Camelot is a cooperative game about saving Camelot by finishing quests. You will be playing against the game and perhaps there will be a secret traitor among you. Original Show Notes: From a close vote at the guild today’s chosen episode is Shadows over Camelot. Gasp! A cooperative thematic experience game, not your typical HTP material! I talk about making this experience a great one. I also discussing using the Teach as You Go technique. A technique that works well with this game particularly and have a short discussion on other similar cooperative games. Component Pictures on BGG | 13 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 18 – Alhambra | Alhambra Teaching Guide Alhambra Teaching Guide B&W Released: August 4th, 2010 Game Description: Today we cover a fabulous gateway game, Alhambra. This is a great midweight game to bring out with family or friends. This game is a clever mix of set collection and tile placement with the theme of building the Alhambra. In the musings I discuss the topic of attempting to turn your family or friends into gamers, can it be done and how? I also go over the other games in the Alhambra line and revisit my occasional tendencies towards silliness. I hope you enjoy. Component Pictures on BGG | 4 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 17 – Le Havre | Le Havre Teaching Guide Le Havre Teaching Guide B&W Released: July 21st, 2010 Game Description: Another great worker placement game. Each turn you are simply making the choice of taking a pile of resources or using a building. But which resources to take or which building to use? Decisions, Decisions… Original Show Notes: This time around I cover Uwe Rosenberg’s other game, Le Havre. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite games. The mechanics of the game are simple but navigating the strategy can be quite challenging, hopefully listening to this show can give you a leg up on your first few plays of this great game or on how to teach this game. In the musings for this game I muse on Honesty and compare Le Havre to some similar games. Special Note: In the description for this game I talk a bit about how terrible loans are. Well they aren’t quite as bad as I thought as when I recorded the episode. The reason being that no matter how many loans you have you only pay one interest. This opens up the possibility for a strategy to use loans as a way to get ahead. I always pay off my credit cards, so I tend to avoid this strategy. Component Pictures on BGG | 21 7 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode D – Overviews and Opinions of the Top 50 Games | Released: June 29th, 2010 Show Description: In this episode I discuss not my Top 50 but I examine the Top 50 games at BGG as of June 2010. I give you a short summary of the games’ themes and mechanics and my rating and personal opinion of each game. I start the episode by musing a bit about the pros and cons of the categorization of games and the differences between thematic, strategy and abstract games. I hope you enjoy it. | 29 6 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 16 – Medici | Medici Teaching Guide Medici Teaching Guide B&W Released: June 8th, 2010 Game Description: Medici is a clean and beautiful auction game. Its the ultimate game of “whats it worth?” As players bid their victory points to try to earn more victory points. A must own game. Original Show Notes: Today I cover Reiner Knizia’s excellent auction game, Medici. How to Play is also graced with our first actual real life Guest Stars, Scott Nicholson and Donald Dennis from “On Board Games” oh and the ubiquitous “Derek from Canada” I’m not quite sure what ubiquitous means but I like the way it sounds. In the musings segment we muse together on the Auction Game Genre. Enjoy! Component Pictures from BGG | 8 6 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 14 – Citadels | Citadels Teaching Guide Citadels Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: April 13th, 2010 Game Description: The game that did Role Selection and Card Drafting before it was cool. This is a wonderfully fun game about drafting a role and playing that game of doublethink. If i take this then he will take this, but if he thinks I took this then he will take this unless he thinks that I think I will take this … Original Show Notes: Citadels the game of outguessing your opponents, its ten years old this year and still going strong. This was one of very first requests and I am finally fufilling that request. Sorry about more Princess Bride references but it just kind of fit, no more Vizzini and Inigo I promise. In this episode’s musings I talk about the included expansion to the game, the games wide polarity of opinion and wide range of players, with a focus on playing Citadels with just two. I hope you enjoy it! Component Pictures from BGG | 13 4 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 13 – 1830 | 1830 Teaching Guide 1830 Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: April 4th, 2010 Game Description: This is an epically awesome railroad game. In this game you will invest in multiple railroad companies, build their tracks, and attempt to increase their stock value without getting left behind in the train technology race or going bankrupt. Original Show Notes: Here it is. The 18xx episode. 18xx; The granddaddy of train games, a legendary game design, and an unforgettable experience. This episode will teach you how to play the great game 1830, which rumours say is due to be reprinted this year. If you cant find 1830, there are plenty of other great variations of this system out there which are discussed in the show. Though the length of the show may be intimidating, dont be afraid, the major rules explanation is just about 1 hour. And for ease of digestion, I have cut the meat into six easily comprehensible chunks. Including not only the rules but some basic strategy to get you started. I hope you will give this episode a chance and think about giving 18xx a try. This episode was an immense chore but it was a labor of love and a testament to a beautiful game design. Component Pictures on BGG | 4 4 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode C – Game Quiz | Released: March 15th, 2010 Show Description: I’ve always loved game shows so I thought it would be fun to put together this quiz after episode 12. Unfortunately I found it a lot more fun than the listeners. 60 questions about the first12 games covered on the How to Play podcast. How well do you really know these games? Find out by taking this quiz. Haven’t listened to a few episodes, you may want to check those out before taking these quiz. Quiz questions range from basic to the most devilishly difficult. | 15 3 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 12 – Reef Encounter | Reef Encounter Teaching Guide Reef Encounter Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: February 16th, 2010 Game Description: A game that had me scratching my head after reading the rulebook twice. But with a quality explanation this is a hidden gem about combating coral reefs through the main mechanic of tile placement. Original Show Notes: Today by listener request our show is on Reef Encounter. A tough to explain game but I do my best. In today’s musings I discuss the concept of schemas and talk a bit about online gaming. Component Pictures from BGG | 16 2 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 11 – Abstract Games | (No Teaching Guide for this episode) Released: January 31st, 2010 Original Show Notes: In this show you get a 5 for 1 deal. I take a break from the big heavy games and take a look at some great abstract games. I will explain how to play; Take it Easy, Uptown, Blokus, Hive and YINSH, in that order. I finish the episode with some thoughts on abstract vs. thematic games. | 31 1 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 10 – Age of Empires III | Age of Empires Teaching Guide Age of Empires Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: January 17th, 2010 Game Description: A wonderful worker placement game about discovering the new world. This game utilizes the concept of getting specialist workers and integrates its theme beautifully. Original Show Notes: Hook (Intro) 4:28 Meat (Full Rules Explanation) 6:25 Hamster (Beginning Strategy) 32:30 Footnotes and Musings 38:12 In this episodes musings I wax poetic on Thematic Integration and a random collection of thoughts on Competition in Board Games. Component Pictures on BGG | 17 1 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 9 – Brass | Brass Teaching Guide Brass Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: January 1st, 2010 Game Description: This wonderfully unique game is probably unlike anything you have played before. This is a game of card management in trying to build industries in England in the Industrial Revolution. A brilliant blend of mechanics and theme by Martin Wallace. Original Show Notes: Today is my most ambitious game to date. Brass is one complex game, therefore this is the longest episode yet! But its a great game too and hopefully this tool will be useful to you in learning it. Hook 3:00 Meat 4:30 Hamster 48:00 Footnotes and musings 52:30 In this episode’s footnotes, there is a 10 question Brass rules quiz and a discussion about strategy vs. tactics. Component Pictures from BGG | 1 1 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode B – How to Choose the Right Game | Released: December 20th, 2009 Original Show Notes: In this episode for the sake of variety, I go into how to pick the right game for different situations. I discuss the factors that go into making this decision and talk about my favorite games for each specific situation. I include different player types and different player numbers. It culminates in listing “Ryan’s Essential 10.” A set of games that I think works for a variety of situations. The 10 Situations…. Situation #1 – Family Party Situation #2 – Converting NonGamers Situation #3 – Weekly Gamenight Situation #4 – Weekend GameDay Situation #5 – Game with Kids Situation #6 – Couples Game Situation #7 – 3 Player Game Situation #8 – 4 Player Game Situation #9 – 5 Player Game Situation #10 – 6 or More Players | 20 12 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 8 – Crayon Rails | Crayon Rails Teaching Guide Crayon Rails Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: December 10th, 2009 Game Description: Crayon Rails is an under-appreciated gem of a game about building track and delivering goods. It is multiplayer solitaire but it is very fun multiplayer solitaire as players draw track on the board with crayons and use that track to deliver goods. Original Show Notes: In this show I cover the game I play the most, crayon rails. Huh? never heard of it? Well you better give this one a listen as the crayon rails system is an unappreciated gem. Plus the show has gone upscale with fancy sound equipment and software, boy I hope you can tell the difference ! Hook (Intro) 6:36 Meat (Full Rules Explanation) 9:00 Hamster (Beginning Strategy) 24:08 Footnotes and Musings 27:05 In the musings for this game I discuss tips to get the most enjoyment from the crayon rails series, an overview of many of the available maps for the series and suggestions for extra equipment with which to play this game. Component Pictures from BGG | 10 12 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 7 – Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Teaching Guide Puerto Rico Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: November 22nd, 2009 Game Description: The game that really put role selection on the map. The major decision of the game is on your turn to decide which of 7 actions all players will participate in. A wonderfully elegant game of resource management and analysis of how to help yourself without helping your opponents too much. Original Show Notes: Today I discuss the granddaddy game that is Puerto Rico. Ive broken it up into 4 clean sections for your listening enjoyment; Hook (intro) 2:21, Meat (full rules explanation) 3:25, Hamster (Beginning Strategy Tips) 32:22, Footnotes and Musings 37:25. Those just wanting the explanation or using the episode for teaching purposes can listen to just the first 3 parts, those familiar with the game can feel free to skip to parts 3 and/or 4. In musings for Puerto Rico I discuss Puerto Rico’s impact on Eurogames, what BGG ratings really mean, historical sanitation in games and childish game behavior! Component Pictures from BGG | 22 11 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 6 – Stone Age | Stone Age Teaching Guide Stone Age Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: November 16th, 2009 Game Description: A lighter worker placement game that is a lot of fun. In this game as cavemen you will get resources, technologies and expand your tribe. Plus you get to throw a bucket of dice. A wonderful mid weight game. Component Pictures from BGG | 16 11 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 5 – Tigris and Euphrates | Tigris and Euphrates Teaching Guide Tigris and Euphrates Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: October 27th, 2009 Game Description: Here is Reiner Knizia’s masterpiece Tigris and Euphrates. A tile placement game where you only do two things on your turn. But deciding what to do with those two actions is agonizingly difficult. This episode is also now available in video format courtesy of Randall Rasmussen Component Pictures from BGG | 27 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode A – How to Teach Games | Here is my original article on teaching games that I wrote on March 9th, 2008 with which the methods I used to eventually develop the How to Play Podcast. Feel free to read the article or listen to the audio version, Episode A, by playing the episode at the top of this page. How To Teach Games: A General Primer Class is in session! Listen up kids, today’s topic is how to teach games. Pay attention there will be homework. When playing a game with players new to a game, how well the game is taught is the most important element to whether the game is an enjoyable experience or a painful one. Most of us here on this site are the ones constantly trying to spread our hobby by introducing these games of ours to friends and family who may not be familiar with such games. If you introduce a game poorly, it is unlikely you will have earned yourself future games. If you do a great job teaching the game, not only will they wish to play that game again, but they may start to ask about other games in your closet, and you may have created some budding new gamers, who may even call you and say, “Hey do you want to come over and bring some of those games of yours?” And that is a wonderful thing. As teaching is my profession, I thought maybe it could be useful to give general pointers for how to teach a game. I hope that the advice here can be useful to people who have never attempted to teach a game and to those who have taught hundreds. I would not be surprised if someone has posted something similar to this before but regardless this is my take on teaching games. In general this post is directed at teaching medium to heavy weight euro games and does not apply toward party games, card games, lighter filler games or wargames. Examples of games that could be taught using this method include; Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Alhambra, Railroad Tycoon, Puerto Rico, Caylus, Power Grid, Agricola, El Grande La Citta, etc. etc. Teaching a game is about more than just going over the rules. Your job as the teacher is to get the players to be excited about playing the game, understand the object of the game, understand how to play a turn, know a few possible strategies, and know the most important rules ALL in fifteen minutes or less before their eyes start to glaze over. “Pre-Game Show”: Prepare by Understanding the Game Yourself In order to introduce a game well, you need to have a thorough understanding of the game. Reading the rules multiple times is a must; also it helps to refresh yourself of the rules the day you plan on teaching the game. Ideally, you will have played the game twice or more, so that not only do you understand the basic rules of the game, you are aware of the technicalities that occur and have a general understanding of the various strategies a player may employ and the pitfalls that a new player may fall into not quite understanding basic strategies of the game. Sometimes it may not be possible to play a game with others, with lighter weight games such as Ticket to Ride or Settlers, this may not be a problem. However if you are playing a more complex game than that, (such as a Puerto Rico, Caylus or Power Grid) you should find some way to deepen your understanding of the game. Three options to try would be playing some of the game solo, reading articles about the game online or playing the game online. Having a general understanding of the game will make your teaching of the game and the overall game experience more enjoyable. Why do you have to know the strategy of the game, isn’t just knowing the rules enough?? More on this later. And now, How to Teach Games in 3 easy steps….. 1. “The Hook” 2. “The Meat” 3. “The Hamster” Hook, Meat, Hamster??? Catchy isn’t it? What the *%$@ is this guy talking about? Are you intrigued… perhaps I have “hooked” you? Which happens to be our first step, keep reading…… Step One: What is this Game About?: “The Hook” (30 sec. – 1 minute) Here we get to o | 18 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 4 – Age of Steam | Age of Steam Teaching Guide Age of Steam Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: October 12th, 2009 Game Description: My Favorite Game. This game, for me, is the ultimate gaming experience. Tension, True Interaction between the players and virtually no random elements make for a very exciting game. In this game you will be building track and delivering goods to cities, this game can be brutal as it forces all the players to try to claw their way out of debt, sometimes at each others expense. Not for the faint-of-heart. If you enjoy the game be sure to check out the special episodes on this show; Episode 4w – How to Win Age of Steam Episode 4x – Expansions for Age of Steam Component Images from BGG | 12 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 3 – Agricola | Agricola Teaching Guide Agricola Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: October 12th, 2009 Complexity Rating: “Family Version” “Standard Version” Game Description: This very popular worker placement game has a lot of moving parts. Who knew farming was this hard you will need to raise animals, grow crops, expand your house and your family all by the end of the game to be the King of the Farmers. Component Images from BGG | 12 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 2 – Tichu | (No Teaching Guide for this Episode) Released: October 12th, 2009 Game Description: Tichu is an amazing partnership trick taking card game. The big twist being that instead of just playing one card players are able to play card combinations to win tricks, leading to a lot of interesting decisions. Component Pictures from BGG | 12 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanEpisode 1 – Ticket to Ride | Ticket to Ride Teaching Guide Ticket to Ride Teaching Guide (B&W) Released: October 12th, 2009 Game Description: Ticket to Ride is the ultimate gateway game. Its a faced past modern board game that everyone can enjoy and deserves a spot in every gamers collection. The game involves collecting sets of cards and route building in order to connect cities on the board to earn points. All with beautiful production and the fun theme of building railroads. Component Pictures from BGG | 12 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanWhat is How to Play? | How to Play is an audio podcast all about teaching and learning games. Each episode contains a FULL rules explanation organized in the best way I know how to explain the game to you as if you were sitting across the table from me. It is my hope that people use this show to -learn about new games -learn how to correctly play games easily and in an entertaining way -learn how to teach games effectively The format of the explanation is based on the structure I explain in my article, How to Teach Games: a General Primer. To hear a full introduction to the show listen to Episode #0 posted above in which I introduce myself and the concept of the show. You can access the show from this website or subscribe on itunes. | 12 10 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 54 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
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Great podcast! This is how a podcast should be done, well laid out and concise. Keep ip the good work Ryan!
Like games? Like Ryan.
I haven't listened to all of the How to Play podcasts but on the strength of the 3 or 4 I've heard I rate them very highly. Ryan Sturm makes what can be a dense or dry subject (in the wrong hands) very accessible, and does so with brevity and wit. Like most gamers I'm baffled as to why many of these games aren't more widely available and/or widely played, but also like most gamers I'm unable to convince skeptics of their charm. So it's nice to hear someone address the topic so lucidly - Ryan probably won't change my wife's mind about games, but at least he can put my scrambled thoughts into some coherence. His enthusiasm is genuine but nicely balanced by a critical eye, and though I don't always agree with him, I value his opinion highly.
Love it
My first port of call if I'm struggling to grasp the concept of a new game. Delivered with wit and clarity.
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