My guide how to teach any game to get the best experience…
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My guide how to teach any game to get the best experience
I am the teacher and typically the one who introduces new games to the people I play with. After many many sessions I wanted to share what I've learned because teaching is a heavy role that can make or break your game night.
1. Learn the game before you introduce it - Nothing kills the mood faster than reading the rules out loud front to back at the table. You don't have to memorize every niche mechanic, but you should generally know how the game plays out and give an overview without the rulebook.
2. You don't need to explain *everything* - Players won't remember how every interaction or scenario works even if you explain it. It takes up extra time and sometimes confuses players even more if they feel overloaded with information. Most games have rules that don't have major impact until they show up while playing. Teach how to play, but only explain whats necessary to actually start playing and your table knows what they're working towards.
3. Explain win conditions as soon as possible - Most rulebooks are structured with scoring/end of game last, which makes sense logically but doesn't translate to teaching. As soon as you explain how player turns work/what the main options you can take on your turn, explain how the game ends/how you score points. Its much easier to understand mechanics and game interaction if you know what the end goal is.
4. Be patient and loose with rules on first plays - You'll probably have to explain things multiple times, its part of the teaching process. Be patient and dont act annoyed when someone doesn't get everything after the first explanation. In a similar vein, don't be a stickler, people are going to make mistakes and break the rules on accident. If you notice it in real time, politely point it out and have them make a different move. If someone realizes 20 minutes in they've been doing something they're not allowed, just say no big deal and correct it moving forward.
5. Don't be a try hard - no one likes getting absolutely destroyed even in casual games. You don't have to throw the game, but don't play cut throat and steamroll everyone because you know strategy they don't. Try new things, play unoptimally to see what happens, players are much more likely to want to play again if the outcome isnt crazy one sided. Similarly, point out bad moves if you see them and let them change their decision. Let them make their own decisions, but jump in if they are making an objectively bad move and explain why they shouldn't do that.
6. Ask for feedback after you're done playing - A big reason I've improved as at teacher over the years is changing my approach based on player feedback. Also about the game itself, find out specifically what players liked or disliked. You can get a better feel for what types of games they enjoy and introduce games catered towards the mechanics or genre they liked.
Thats about it! Obviously these change here or there based on what you're playing, but these points have had the most noticeable positive impact on my experience introducing new games to people. If you have any to add I'd love to hear them!
#games
source
I am the teacher and typically the one who introduces new games to the people I play with. After many many sessions I wanted to share what I've learned because teaching is a heavy role that can make or break your game night.
1. Learn the game before you introduce it - Nothing kills the mood faster than reading the rules out loud front to back at the table. You don't have to memorize every niche mechanic, but you should generally know how the game plays out and give an overview without the rulebook.
2. You don't need to explain *everything* - Players won't remember how every interaction or scenario works even if you explain it. It takes up extra time and sometimes confuses players even more if they feel overloaded with information. Most games have rules that don't have major impact until they show up while playing. Teach how to play, but only explain whats necessary to actually start playing and your table knows what they're working towards.
3. Explain win conditions as soon as possible - Most rulebooks are structured with scoring/end of game last, which makes sense logically but doesn't translate to teaching. As soon as you explain how player turns work/what the main options you can take on your turn, explain how the game ends/how you score points. Its much easier to understand mechanics and game interaction if you know what the end goal is.
4. Be patient and loose with rules on first plays - You'll probably have to explain things multiple times, its part of the teaching process. Be patient and dont act annoyed when someone doesn't get everything after the first explanation. In a similar vein, don't be a stickler, people are going to make mistakes and break the rules on accident. If you notice it in real time, politely point it out and have them make a different move. If someone realizes 20 minutes in they've been doing something they're not allowed, just say no big deal and correct it moving forward.
5. Don't be a try hard - no one likes getting absolutely destroyed even in casual games. You don't have to throw the game, but don't play cut throat and steamroll everyone because you know strategy they don't. Try new things, play unoptimally to see what happens, players are much more likely to want to play again if the outcome isnt crazy one sided. Similarly, point out bad moves if you see them and let them change their decision. Let them make their own decisions, but jump in if they are making an objectively bad move and explain why they shouldn't do that.
6. Ask for feedback after you're done playing - A big reason I've improved as at teacher over the years is changing my approach based on player feedback. Also about the game itself, find out specifically what players liked or disliked. You can get a better feel for what types of games they enjoy and introduce games catered towards the mechanics or genre they liked.
Thats about it! Obviously these change here or there based on what you're playing, but these points have had the most noticeable positive impact on my experience introducing new games to people. If you have any to add I'd love to hear them!
#games
source
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