Bards of the Board

Latest Episodes:

Our Favorite Board Game Mechanics Ft. Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games!! Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

Today we welcome our first guest to the channel, and yall it’s one who we never dreamed would be possible! Jamey Stegmaier is a Board Game Business Owner, Game Designer, Game Publisher, and Disc Golfer!! He’s a perfect guest to have on the show with Jason and Robbie, and today we’re talking Board Game Mechanics. Whether it’s Dice Chucking, Push Your Luck, or a little Deception with Hidden Role there are hundreds of game mechanisms out there. Today’s episode the Bards and Jamey discuss their favorites showcasing that if a game has “THIS” mechanic…they are likely to love it. What mechanics intrigue them the most?? You’ll have to watch to find out!

To Check Out Jamey’s Content and Stonemaier Games! Head to the following Links!!

https://www.youtube.com/@JameyStegmaier

https://stonemaiergames.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jameystegmaier/

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!

https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:26 What We've Been Playing

14:17 Our Favorite Mechanics

30:55 Beginners Reasons to Enjoy These Mechanics

1:08:06 Final Thoughts

The Game of Risk but Magical?? Small World Board Game Review | Ep 14 Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Risk is one of the most classic board games of all time. World domination is the goal and for many folks it is their first real dive into a more strategy intense game. In today’s episode we’re going to talk about a Modern Hobby Gaming alternative that brings a little more whimsical fun to world domination. Small world is inhabited by a zany cast of characters such as dwarves, wizards, amazons, giants, orcs, and even humans, who use their troops to occupy territory and conquer adjacent lands in order to push the other races off the face of the earth. How does it pan out for our Bards?? You’ll have to watch to find out!
You can find Small World for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/48RDBvq
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:50 What We've Been Playing
21:15 Small World
1:00:05 Cookie Scale

Our Most Complicated Game Yet!! Stone Age Board Game Review | Ep 13 Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

Released in 2008 we head back in time of Modern Hobby Gaming to head to the STONE AGE!! In this Introductory Euro style game you'll be using worker placement with your tribe to gather resources and advance your way towards Buildings and Civilization in today's game. A classic in Jason's house while being a first time play for Robbie...it's sure to have an effect on the Cookie Scale. How does it shake out?? You’ll have to watch to find out!
You can find Stone Age for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/42R7Rov
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:54 What We've Been Playing
32:05 Stone Age
1:03:44 Cookie Scale
1:13:11 Final Thoughts

Our Second Double Double Doozie?? The Crew Board Game| Ep 12 Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Trick Takers Unite!! Whether you come from Hearts, Spades, or even Rook today we dive into a massive genre of games and tackle The Crew! In this game, you and your crew are traveling through space trying to complete a series of 50 missions that increase in difficulty as you go. We thought Jason and Robbie had a bond, and them playing today’s game together took the friendship to an entirely different level! So what brings this game so much fun and joy?? You’ll have to watch to find out!

You can find The Crew for yourself at:

https://amzn.to/3HPMY3u

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!

https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

5:55 What We've Been Playing

23:32 The Crew

46:52 Cookie Scale

50:06 Final Thoughts

The Inspiration for Modern Deck Builders?? Dominion Board Game Review | Episode 11 Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

"You are a monarch, like your parents before you, a ruler of a small pleasant kingdom of rivers and evergreens. Unlike your parents, however, you have hopes and dreams! You want a bigger and more pleasant kingdom, with more rivers and a wider variety of trees. You want a Dominion!" In this CLASSIC Deck Builder you'll experience what is sitting just outside of the Big 3 in Modern Hobby Gaming. Is this a Double Doozie of a Game?? You'll have to watch to find out!!
You can find Dominion for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/3OfB8U3
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:50 What We've Been Playing
21:52 Dominion
54:03 Cookie Scale
1:01:30 Final Thoughts

Top 10 Games to Get Your Board Game Collection Started With!! | Episode 10 Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to the Table, and if you're our target audience for this podcast...this episode is ESPECIALLY for you!! In today's episode, the Bards sit down and discuss the top 10 games you should consider acquiring if you're looking to start a modern hobby-gaming collection. Now we've set up some special parameters to not just list our previous 9 episodes while also including some classic hobby games. With both Jason and Robbie keeping their lists a secret, will there be overlap?? You'll have to watch to find out!!
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:33 What We've Been Playing
25:33 Honorable Mentions
28:47 Jason's 10
30:33 Robbie's 10
32:38 Robbie's 9
34:25 Jason's 9
37:21 Jason's 8
39:07 Robbie's 8
42:59 Robbie's 7
44:46 Jason's 7
48:21 Jason's 6
51:21 Robbie's 6
55:17 Robbie's 5
1:01:05 Jason's 5
1:04:38 Jason's 4
1:07:00 Robbie's 4
1:09:04 Robbie's 3
1:11:14 Jason's 3
1:14:09 Jason's 2
1:16:30 Robbie's 2
1:20:40 Robbie's 1
1:22:35 Jason's 1
1:28:36 Final Thoughts

Mayor For a Day?? Machi Koro Review | Episode 9 Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

In this dice-rolling extravaganza, we welcome you to the LOVELY city where you'll be the Mayor! Constructing new structures like fields, restaurants, and even a mall if you're lucky! This is an evergreen game that sits just outside of the classics of modern Hobby Gaming, and our bards have some mixed feelings!! Our first episode where someone changes their cookie rating mid-episode?? Who flips?? You'll have to watch to find out!!
You can find Machi Koro for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/3TGzKgr
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
5:13 What We've Been Playing
23:18 Machi Koro
51:33 Cookie Scale
59:37 Final Thoughts

Reading Through History with HerStory the Board Game!! | Ep 8 Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

History is filled with iconic and powerful figures who have helped shape the world as we know it today. Let's take a minute to be honest though: most of the history books tell the stories of the men throughout. In today's game we get to learn Her story. HerStory introduces us to the stories of powerful and amazing women who helped influence history! We play the role of authors documenting these incredible stories in the game. How does it play out?? You'll have to watch to find out!!
You can find HerStory for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/41jj2FT
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:30 What We've Been Playing
17:24 HerStory
53:01 Cookie Scale
1:04:00 Final Thoughts

START YOUR ENGINES!! Time for Downforce the Racing Board Game!! | Episode 7 Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Whether it's F1 or Nascar or even Derby Racing...there is something to the thrill of speed. Watching vehicles fly around corners whilst pushing the limits of physics can feel like an absolute rush. Even if you live a less adrenaline-filled life and prefer racing in the realm of Mario, we can all find some form of motorsport we enjoy. Finding a BOARD GAME that meets that thrill?!? It can be tough for most, but not once you've experienced the rush of today's exciting game!! What do the Bards have to say about it? Are we due for another Double Double Doozie?? You'll have to watch to find out!!
You can find Downforce for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/3uALDtX
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Zombie Dinosaurs vs Alien Robots?? Smash Up Review Episode 6 Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

We are the Bards of the Board and we welcome you to our podcast!! Here we are in our 6th episode taking you to a different part of the Tabletop world!! Our first game isn't really a board per se (Splendor had tiles laid out) but this card game will make any Yugioh/Magic/Pokemon TCG player ecstatic to get to the table. One of Robbie's favorite games ever, Smash Up has extreme strategic complexity with a very simple layout. With over 90 factions available and thousands of possible combinations, this is sure to be an exciting episode!!
You can find Smash Up for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/3R0fkxl
Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!
We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

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