Ark Nova is full of moments when things seem messy on the board and your pile of bills gets smaller. You might find yourself with three action cards, needing a display folder to complete a goal, but buying it would leave you broke after next break. That’s the friction point: where good players turn into … Read more

At first glance, Terraforming Mars look like a race to the end. But most of the game is played when you’re not taking your turn. It’s not about planting grass and warming planet. It’s about out-maneuvering three other people, each with their own secret agenda. While it starts as a logistics puzzle early on, it … Read more

Losing is not the worst part about playing a game of Star Realms. Losing because you purchased the wrong card three turns ago is. You stared down the trade row, saw that shiny combat ship, and snatched it up without even glancing to see whether or not you can actualy afford the follow-up. How do … Read more

Add in the Trader role and things becomes different around the table. While five players attempt to play it cool, they’re also doing some mental math. What do you have? What’s in the trading house? Should I sell something yet? For most player, this role becomes an income button. You pick a good. You receive … Read more

Jaipur: You have a hand of good cards and you’re standing in market of Jaipur. Do you sell them now? Or wait until there is a better time? That’s the tension of a fast-paced turn. Sell something that’s in-hand or pick up some new cards from the market. You cannot do both. Players often fumble … Read more

Gaia Project can be frustrating. One reason for this is failed federation plans. They spend turns placing structures that increase power value, only to find they is not connected with enough satellites. Looks great on paper but in reality the cost was too much, the path wasn’t there. Don’t do this to yourself. Plan ahead. … Read more

But Seven Wonders seems easy to score in science: pick green cards for three ages; watch as your pile of gear and compasses and tablets accumulates. Looks good! Then comes the scoring and you realize that another player has less organized-looking hand but still gets more points. That’s a mistake many people make (duplicate cards … Read more