Whether you're unveiling the latest BGG chart-topper, setting up a sprawling dungeon-crawler, or introducing an "easy" party game to new players, one inevitable question stands between you and gameplay: "How do you play this?" Rules are the foundation of board games, and to commence the collective experience of playing one, someone - quite possibly yourself - must be prepared to guide others through the mechanics.
This hurdle can be daunting for both learners and instructors alike. We're committed to dismantling these obstacles, so we've assembled these practical tips to streamline the teaching process and get your group playing more swiftly.
Teaching Board Games Effectively
Understanding Your Players and Options
Before delving into specific techniques and strategies, you have to think whether your intended approach and chosen game suit the circumstances.
Firstly, you've got to be familiar with the people round the table. What games have they experienced previously? Understanding whether you'll need to explain fundamental concepts and gaming terminology, or whether you can reference similar mechanics from other games, will help you tailor your explanation to their level.
You might adapt your approach based on their preferred learning styles. For instance, when playing complex games like Twilight Imperium with experienced gamers who regularly teach others, suggesting reading the rulebook ahead of time could save considerable setup time. Try sending a PDF version in the group chat, if you can find one online. For groups less inclined to read rules independently, consider finding an instructional video to watch collectively or recommend as pre-game homework - even if you're uncertain about teaching despite this guide.
Even with limited knowledge of your players, maybe they're new to the group, it's essential to consider the setting and verify your game selection. If you're not sure about the level of experience in the group, opt for one of many excellent gateway games rather than more intricate experiences - this benefits both the teacher and learners.
Pre-game Prep
You've acquired your brand new game and assembled your group. Priority number one - ensure you thoroughly understand the rules yourself! Nobody enjoys learning from someone merely reading the rulebook aloud, so investing time in preparation is crucial.
The most effective approach is to experience the game first-hand. Set up the board and observe how everything appears on the table. Play through several rounds, assuming different player roles and grasp how various actions and decisions unfold during gameplay. It's perfectly normal during initial attempts to frequently consult the rulebook for clarification - better to address these queries during your practice session, without the pressure of other players present. This preparation will significantly boost your confidence when answering questions during the actual gaming session.
However, if you play a solo mode of a game to practice it may have different rules to a multiplayer play-through. Even if you utilise solo play to familiarise yourself with the core rules, it's worthwhile arranging a brief multiplayer session to identify any variations in gameplay dynamics.
Identify which aspects of the game flow naturally and which require more detailed clarification. Should any questions remain unresolved after consulting the rulebook, explore BoardGameGeek's resources or pose queries to its community for assistance.
On game day, consider preparing the setup in advance when possible. Teaching flows much more smoothly when the game is ready to begin and all components are properly positioned, rather than attempting to simultaneously sort pieces and explain rules.
The Teach
With everyone gathered around the table and everything prepared, how do you effectively convey the game's mechanics?
Begin with an overview. Provide a comprehensive summary of the game: explain the context of the setting and storyline in the game, player roles, primary objectives, and the general path to victory. This foundation helps engage participants in the learning process and establishes a framework for more detailed rule explanations. Incorporate thematic elements throughout, even if they seem somewhat superficial - theme-based explanations enhance memory retention, sometimes particularly when they're slightly far-fetched.
After this, the next logical step typically involves explaining the game's flow. Continue building upon your established foundation before delving into specific actions. For instance, when teaching Pandemic, explaining the various actions available during a turn becomes more comprehensible once players understand the broader sequence: actions, drawing player cards, and infecting cities. After covering this framework, you can revisit each element in detail, elaborating on specific mechanics.
Throughout your explanation, incorporate practical demonstrations. Utilise the game components in front of you - gesture towards specific elements, manipulate pieces, and encourage other players to mirror these actions as you explain. When illustrating particular scenarios - especially complex rule exceptions - create examples that involve your fellow players: "Sarah might choose to give a zero-value clue, particularly since James and Emma were dangerously close to the assassin in their previous turn and need to be redirected." These interactive techniques actively engage your players in both the game and your explanation, significantly enhancing how much they're going to remember.
Don't forget that your primary objective is to facilitate understanding for other players. Maintain regular communication with them throughout. Are they following your explanation? Do they have any questions? Don't be discouraged if they do; it's exceptionally rare to complete a rules explanation without any queries arising. However, be mindful of maintaining your explanatory flow; postpone questions about elements you haven't covered yet, and actively create appropriate pauses for questions rather than allowing them to interrupt at potentially awkward moments.
Handling Issues
Here are several common challenges that come up when teaching games, along with how to solve them:
Memory Trouble: While earlier advice suggested avoiding simply reading from the rulebook, this doesn't mean you should completely abandon it during teaching. Consulting it to follow its structure, verify specific details, or ensure comprehensive coverage can significantly boost your confidence in delivering an effective explanation.
Mid-game Recollections: Despite thorough preparation, you might remember overlooked rules during gameplay. Before addressing such oversights, carefully evaluate their impact. Would introducing this rule now disproportionately benefit you or potentially undermine another player's strategy? If so, consider waiting until after the game to mention it - or explain it but agree to implement the forgotten rule after the current situation. Playing with an unintentional house rule often proves preferable to creating discord among players who might feel disadvantaged by selective rule implementation.
Strategic Guidance: When teaching games you're familiar with, you might be tempted to share strategic advice alongside rules explanations. While moderate strategic guidance can enhance the learning experience by highlighting key concepts or initial focus areas, excessive advice risks overwhelming your explanation and may leave players feeling overly directed in their gameplay choices. When in doubt, prioritise explaining the rules and allow players to discover their own strategic approaches.
Players struggling with rules: When encountering frequent questions and your clarifications aren't proving effective, consider shifting to practical demonstrations. Position a few game pieces appropriately and walk through specific scenarios, incorporating the questioning player into your examples. Once you've established the fundamental concepts, you might suggest: "We can go over additional rules as they become relevant during play; shall we start?"
Managing player interruptions: Keep in mind that your teaching aims to facilitate learning, and occasional questions or comments from players typically indicate positive engagement and enthusiasm. However, excessive interruptions can disrupt the flow and distract from core concepts. In such situations, diplomatically employ phrases like "We'll explore that aspect shortly", whilst remaining attentive to whether these frequent interjections might signal that players are no longer absorbing new information. Assess whether they're still following your explanation or if it would be more beneficial to commence playing and address remaining rules during gameplay. Always remember: enjoyment is paramount, so adapting your teaching approach to ensure everyone's having a good time should guide your decisions.
