Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Table for Ten: Board Games for 10 Players Oct 04, 2026

Show notes

Today we’re answering questions from someone looking for good games that play up to ten players and someone else looking for games that are good well past their on the box player counts.

To go with that we’re got reviews of three board game expansions for games that we would happily play with ten players: the Codenames Fairy Tales and Sci-Fi Expansions, the Panda Royale Expansion Set, and the Skull King Expansion Pack.

We usually try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/314

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN

(00:02:13) Announcements Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is hitting October 6th and 7th, due to this we won’t be recording next week.

Be sure to watch our Tabletop Gaming Deals Landing Page: https://tabletopbellhop.com/tabletop-deals/ and Tabletop Gaming Deals on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamedeals.bsky.social

Our next live show will be TUESDAY October 13th

(00:03:11) Ask The Bellhop
(00:27:05) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(00:35:47) The Game Room - Codenames Expansions (Fairy Tales, Sci-Fi) Review
Pick up the Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dSU73p
Pick up the Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VfXbAm
Visit the CGE Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/4AD4GkS
Check out our Codenames Duet review to see why we prefer that version of Codenames: https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/codenames-duet/
Check out our other CGE content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=CGE

(00:42:12) The Game Room - Panda Royale Expansion Set Review
Check out our Panda Royale Review: https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/panda-royale-review/
Pick up Panda Royale on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4y3FUYT
Pick up the Panda Royale Expansion Set direct from Last Night Games: https://lastnightgames.com/games/panda-royale/expansions/panda-royale-expansion-set.html?ref=tabletopbellhop
Check out other games from Last Night Games: https://lastnightgames.com/?ref=tabletopbellhop

(00:51:45) The Game Room - Skull King Expansion Pack Review
Check out our Skull King Review: https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep263/#t=00:58:03
Save 15% off when buying direct from Grandpa Beck’s Games (US and Canada) Pick up Skull King: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/products/skull-king%C2%AE?sca_ref=9131133.6jeLXLbaBX
Pick up the Skull King Expansion Pack: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/products/skull-king-expansion-pack?sca_ref=9131133.6jeLXLbaBX
Visit the Grandpa Beck’s Games Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/4hCmy6D
Check out our other Grandpa Beck’s Games Content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=grandpa%20beck

(01:03:41) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

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Wordless: Board Games That Don’t Require Reading Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

We answer a couple of questions from folks who are looking for games that don’t require any reading. Games that are great for younger kids as well as adults who struggle with words or people who don’t know, or are just learning, English.

In addition to that, we share the games we’ve personally been playing lately, talking about our latest local events, then wrapping up with reviews of three games with no reading needed: Beacon Patrol, BLORP! and, Ice and Idols.

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 313 was recorded on September 23rd, 2026. Episodes are recorded live on Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/313

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) Checking In
(00:02:10) Ask The Bellhop
(00:22:50) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(00:40:40) The Game Room - Beacon Patrol Review
Pick up Beacon Patrol on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rxzb7B
Check out the Pandasaurus Games Store On Amazon: https://amzn.to/4z1lMrd
Check out our other Pandasaurus content:https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=pandasaurus

(00:52:28) The Game Room - BLORP! Review
Pick up BLORP! on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4yRobo6
Visit the Smirk & Dagger Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/4iIThcR
Check out our other Smirk & Dagger/Smirk & Laughter Content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=smirk%20%26%20Dagger

(01:01:28) The Game Room - Ice and Idols Review
Pick up Ice and Idols on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4z1UCk0
Check out other games from Canadian publisher Inside Up Games: https://insideupgames.com/
Listen to our review of Earth, their most popular game on Episode 275: https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep275/

(01:18:03) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Cottage Country: Springwood Resort and Vacation Gaming Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

After spending a week at a Canadian gaming cottage resort, we talk about why you may also want to check it out. We then tell you all about all of the great games we played while on vacation and wrap up with reviews of two games designed by Reiner Knizia, My City and Rebirth.

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 312 was recorded on September 10th, 2026. We try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/312

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN

(00:02:24) Ask the Bellhop

(00:29:30) The Bellhop’s Tabletop

(01:33:50) The Game Room - My City
Pick up My City on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gNkytl
Visit the Thames & Kosmos Amazon store: https://amzn.to/4h0OYqW
Our other KOSMOS content https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=Kosmos

(01:58:42) The Game Room - Rebirth
Pick up Rebirth on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iZESJe
Check out the Cranio Creations Amazon store: https://amzn.to/4gO98Wb
The full 2026 Spiel Des Jahres awards list: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/en/bestof2026/

(02:11:18) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

More Than Just Green Cubes: Theme in Board Games Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

We answer a couple of questions about our opinions on theme in board games, and give examples of games where the theme helped, hurt, or didn’t matter at all.

We also talk about our recent game plays, including first thoughts on Hedge Mage, Return To Dark Tower, Doomlings, A Place for All My Books, and Unmatched Lee Vs Ali.

Plus a rare preview, String Theory, and two game reviews, one much more thematic than the other, Cats Knocking Things off Ledges and Cats Vs Cucumbers.

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 311 was recorded on August 12th, 2026. Episodes are recorded live on Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

We usually try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/111

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN

(00:02:38) Announcements
(00:03:21) Ask The Bellhop
(00:44:12) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(01:25:27) The Game Room - Preview - String Theory

Sign up to be notified when the String Theory Kickstarter goes live: https://launch.tessellationgames.com/?ref=tabletopbellhop
Check out other games from Tesselation Games LLC: https://www.tessellationgames.com/?ref=tabletopbellhop
Check out our other Preview content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=preview

(01:44:55) The Game Room - Cats Knocking Things Off Ledges

Pick up Cats Knocking Things off Ledges: https://amzn.to/4qhgl4h
Visit The Ops’ Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/4wqJg7f
We’ve reviewed a lot of games from The Op, check it out: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=the%20o p

(01:52:03) The Game Room - Cats vs Cucumbers

Pick up Cats Vs. Cucumbers on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4zmgVBL
Check out the Envy Born Games Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/4geN3yv
Check out Levity games on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LevityGames
Check our our other Envy Born Games Content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=envy%20born

(01:58:02) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Looking for a Group, Finding people to play board games with Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

We answer questions from folks looking to find other people to play games with, including organising game groups, dealing with anxiety, and age gaps.

We share first thoughts on Terminus and get FlipToons to the table and wrap up with three game reviews: Crabs in a Bucket, Our Secret Society, and The Ticket Booth

We usually try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/310

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN
(00:02:19) Announcements
(00:03:07) Ask The Bellhop
(00:29:00) The Bellhop's Tabletop

(00:42:19) The Game Room - Crabs in a Bucket
Pick up Crabs in a Bucket direct from Blue Rondo Games: https://shop.bluerondogames.com/products/crabs-in-a-bucket-1
Check out the Shrimpocalypse expansion: https://shop.bluerondogames.com/products/crabs-in-a-bucket-shrimpocalypse
Get both, with a playmat in a bundle: https://shop.bluerondogames.com/products/super-bundle-base-game-shrimpocalypse-collectors-box-play-mat

(00:56:03) The Game Room - Our Secret Society
Pick up Our Secret Society direct from uloomi: https://www.uloomi.com/games/our-secret-society
Check out our review of uloomi’s other game The Vibe: https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep304/
Pick up a copy of The Vibe: https://www.uloomi.com/games/the-vibe

(01:04:13) The Game Room - The Ticket Booth
Remember you can always save 15% off when shopping direct from Grandpa Beck’s Games with our code BELLHOP

Pick up The Ticket Booth: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/products/the-ticket-booth?sca_ref=9131133.6jeLXLbaBX
Check out their other games: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/collections/all?sca_ref=9131133.6jeLXLbaBX
Visit the Grandpa Beck’s Games Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/4wZebsg
Check out our other Grandpa Beck’s Games Content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=Grandpa%20Beck%27s

(01:14:34) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Table for One: Exploring Solo Board Gaming Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

We answer several solo board gaming questions, including many single player game recommendations. To go with that we review two solo games, 20 Strong and Hercules and the 12 Labors.

We also share what we’ve been playing lately including first thoughts on Flip Toons, Ape Town and String Theory

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 309 was recorded on July 29th, 2026. Episodes are recorded live on Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep309/

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) Checking In
(00:02:21) Announcements
(00:03:11) Ask The Bellhop
(00:43:45) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(01:18:22) The Game Room - 20 Strong: Solar Sentinels
Check out the 20 Strong Value Bundle direct from Chip Theory Games: https://chiptheorygames.com/products/20-strong-all-in-bundle?ref=tabletopbellhop
Shop the Chip Theory Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3S8EqgT
Visit Chip Theory on Gamefound: https://gamefound.com/en/creators/chip-theory-games?ref=tabletopbellhop

(01:34:48) The Game Room - Hercules and the 12 Labors
Pick up Hercules and the 12 Labors on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4yN36fj
Visit the Envy Born Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/4w6GXG9
Check out the Envy Born games Website to see what’s coming next: https://envyborngames.com/?ref=tabletopbellhop
See some of our other Envy Born content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=envy%20born

(01:52:45) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Board Game Podcasting Tips on The Bellhop’s Birthday Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

A special eighth birthday episode where we will be answering some questions about the podcast, podcasting in general and offering up tips on how you too can create something that lasts eight years.

In addition we’ve got first thoughts on The Mire, Lairs, Vivo, and Looney Tunes Hunting Wabbits, and detailed reviews of Above and Below Haunted from Red Raven Games and Sanctuary from Capstone Games

We usually try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/308

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN

(00:02:43) Ask The Bellhop
(00:47:01) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(01:19:04) Contest Announcement
(01:21:26) Above and Below: Haunted
Pick up Above and Blow Haunted on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4wpD9kz
Visit The Red Raven Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/4hxCaKl
Visit the Red Raven Games Website: https://www.redravengames.com/?ref=tabletopbellhop

(01:43:50) The Game Room - Sanctuary
Pick up Sanctuary on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4vKu18R
Check out the Capstone Games Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/4vUf3gK
Check out our other Capstone Games Content: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=capstone

(02:09:19) Closing The Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Then and Now, How our board game tastes have changed Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

We answer a question about how our tastes in games have changed over the years, especially as tabletop game content creators. We share first thoughts on Sumo, Boop Shuffle, Kindling, Compania, and Mother of Frankenstein, and wrap up with detailed reviews of Scurry Up from Up Games, Cover your Assets from Grandpa Beck’s Games and Perch from Inside Up Games

We usually try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN
(00:02:26) Ask The Bellhop
(00:34:54) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(01:05:52) The Game Room - Scurry Up!
(01:16:08) The Game Room - Cover Your Assets
Pick up Cover Your Assets direct from Grandpa Beck’s Games: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/products/copy-of-cover-your-assets
Remember you can always save 15% off on all of Grandpa Beck’s Games using code BELLHOP: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/collections/

(01:33:24) The Game Room - Perch
Pick Up Perch on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3T7fBlD
Visit the Inside Up Games Amazon store: https://amzn.to/3T7fBlD

(01:49:17) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Great Travel Board Games Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

We answer a question from a fan curious about good games for travel and give a bunch of travel game recommendations. We also catch you up on the games we’ve played since getting back from Origins. We wrap up with three great travel game reviews, Flamecraft Duals, Thrive, and 3 Witches.

We usually try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/306

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) CHECK-IN
(00:02:11) Announcements
(00:03:37) Ask The Bellhop - Great Travel Board Games
(00:40:51) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(01:40:52) The Game Room - Flamecraft Duals
Pick up the Standard Edition: https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2148483010/
Pick up the Deluxe Edition: https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2148418060/
Check out what else Cardboard Alchemy is up to (be sure to check out Whisperwood): https://cardboardalchemy.com/

(01:58:09) The Game Room - Thrive
Pick Up Thrive: https://amzn.to/4f800tk
Check out other games from Adam’s Apple Games: https://amzn.to/3QYbiIJ
Learn more about Adam’s Apple Games: https://adamsapplegames.com/

(02:11:20) The Game Room - 3 Witches
Pick up 3 Witches direct from Allplay: https://www.allplay.com/board-games/3-witches
Check out the other games in the Tiny Games Series: https://www.allplay.com/board-games/tiny-games
Visit the Allplay Amazon shop: https://amzn.to/4wD1cMD

(02:26:15) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com

Great Times and Games of Origins Game Fair 2026 Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to an all Origins special episode of The Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast. We start off by talking about Origins Game Fair 2026 in general, and then get into all of the great games we got to try at this annual tabletop game convention.

We try to record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/305

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) Checking in

(00:02:19) Ask The Bellhop - How was Origins 2026?
Origins Game Fair Website: https://www.originsgamefair.com/

(00:52:39) The Bellhop's Tabletop - Games played at Origins 2026

(02:42:38) Closing the Doors

Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com deanna@tabletopbellhop.com or sean@tabletopbellhop.com