Author Topic: Board Game Suggestions?  (Read 45178 times)

Malaysia41

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Board Game Suggestions?
« on: December 17, 2014, 06:37:17 PM »
We need more non-electronic options in our house.  I want to buy a few board games to give to the family for Christmas. 

Here's the challenge: DH is not a big board game fan.  He hates Monopoly and Risk, for example. 

Other relevant info: our son is 9. 

The only game we ever end up playing is UNO.  I'm sick of UNO.   

What board games / card games / other games do you suggest we try?  I'd like to find one or two to give for Christmas.

What has your family enjoyed playing?   Suggestions? 

seattlecyclone

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2014, 06:39:37 PM »
Give Carcassonne or Settlers of Catan a try. They're good "gateway games" and can be played by 9-year-olds.

TheMoneyBadger

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2014, 06:43:45 PM »
+1 for Settlers of Catan.  The only downside is that it requires at least three players so if you and your son want to play alone, you can't do it.  There is a card-based version of the game for two players though it's a bit hard to find.  I think we picked up ours on Ebay.

lostamonkey

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2014, 06:55:50 PM »
I personally like Dominion and hate Monopoly. Just do some research and find something that you'll all enjoy.

TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2014, 06:57:35 PM »
I would recommend Cartagena as a game that has easy rules (takes 10 minutes to learn) and still retains strategy.  This is my favorite overall game to suggest because it's easy to explain, easy to setup, and you can give kids a concession (you play with an extra man, or they play with one less).  Can be played by kids who don't read.

Carcassone is good, fairly straightforward and can be played by kids who can't read. 

Settlers is good, but has more complicated rules.  Settlers Cities and Knights is also good, but I don't necessarily recommend the other expansions except the 5-6 player one if you're playing with another family.

If you can find Clue Museum Caper, I recommend it, but last I checked, it was discontinued.

Kill Dr. Lucky is fun but has a bit of dark humor, and is better with 4 people.

Pandemic is a good cooperative game (i.e. you work together to win the game and can play open-handed), but has complicated setup.  It can be played with 2 players or even solo since you can use as many or as few characters as you want.  You can easily adjust the difficulty of the game.  I'd recommend it after trying Settlers.  I didn't think Forbidden Island (same author) was as good, but it has the same mechanics.

We also like Dominion which can also be played with just two players without losing the interesting aspects.  This is a deck building game, so it may come with around 20 cards, but you select any 10 and then play a game--so there's a lot of variety game to game.

If you're ok with cartoon pictures with cleavage and humor in attacking people, Munchkin (Steve Jackson Games) is fun. 

For card games, people like Fluxx.  Don't own it myself, but have enjoyed playing it.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2014, 06:59:33 PM by TerriM »

TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2014, 07:01:14 PM »
PS:  BE CAREFUL!  If you buy Dominion, make sure you're getting the base game or base game plus expansions.  There are something like 8 expansions, but only one comes with the base game cards.

TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2014, 07:07:21 PM »
Looking at the games closet for other starter games:

Blokus (no reading involved)
Scrabble and Bananagrams if everyone likes word puzzles
Racko (very easy to learn), games aren't too long

You can look at

http://boardgamegeek.com

for rules and summaries of games, btw.

RWD

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2014, 07:10:30 PM »
I've played (and enjoyed) the following board games recently:
Small World
Tsuro: The Game of the Path
7 Wonders

Another good one is Robo Rally.

TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2014, 07:11:03 PM »
Also Ticket to Ride.  Prefer Europe over America.  Strategy is very different.

sol

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2014, 07:17:06 PM »
They key to getting your spouse to play games with you is finding a game they can beat you at.  Maybe you're really good at logic puzzles, but he's better with words, so you agree to play scrabble.

And failing an obvious solution to that problem, you can always opt for games that are mostly chance, like cribbage or backgammon.  That at least partially levels the playing field with an outwitted opponent.

edited for bad typo.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2014, 10:26:35 PM by sol »

dividendman

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2014, 07:32:45 PM »
Board:
Axis and Allies
Stratego
Chess
Go
Pictionary
Balderdash

Card:
Poker.... are there other card games?

vhalros

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2014, 07:37:09 PM »
When I was a kid I made up my own Chance and Community Chest cards for Monopoly; I even drew illustrations and had my dad scan and print them on card stock. I also noticed that sometimes the game tended to end in a stalemate, so I added rules where you could put a hit out on the other players, sending an assassin after them. It certainly made the game shorter. There were a couple of bullet proof vests in Chance and Community Chest.

And, perhaps fitting with the theme of this website, I also enjoy "1,000 Blank White Cards". Its a card game (think "Magic: The Gathering", not poker), where you play with blank white index cards, and make up the cards as you go (draw a picture, write some text). Its suggested that cards give between 50-1000 points, but of course the points don't really matter; the point is to make up zany cards.

Not home-made at all, but I also enjoy "Betrayal At House on the Hill". Its kind of like every cheesy horror movie ever rolled into a board game. Hypothetically you can run out scenarios eventually, but it has a lot and I've yet to do that. You could always make up more. Great to play around Halloween.

LouLou

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2014, 07:39:22 PM »
Fun card games for all ages: Dutch Blitz and Pit. They are fast-paced and competitive. Each round is short, so you can pick just how long you want to play.

TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2014, 07:43:32 PM »
sol mentioned Backgammon, but that can also be a good two player game for you and your son.  To even out the game, allow him to roll your dice and choose between his dice and yours.  Good way to learn probability.

Middlesbrough

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2014, 07:46:58 PM »
Settlers of catan is awesome. It is strategy based with a luck component. If you get bored you can buy expansions that take the game to whole new levels. Cities and knights expansion promotes more creative thinking than school, imho. I play the game about once a week.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2014, 07:51:50 PM by Middlesbrough »

Homey The Clown

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #15 on: December 17, 2014, 07:48:20 PM »
A card game that I enjoy and has much less luck involved is Set. When I play with someone new, I usually count to 3 after I find a set and before I call it out to make it more fair.

JoJo

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #16 on: December 17, 2014, 07:49:53 PM »
I recently played a card game called "Wizard" that was fun and you can play with any number of people.  You have to buy a special deck for this but it's only $10 on Amazon.



TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #18 on: December 17, 2014, 08:01:03 PM »
Not home-made at all, but I also enjoy "Betrayal At House on the Hill". Its kind of like every cheesy horror movie ever rolled into a board game. Hypothetically you can run out scenarios eventually, but it has a lot and I've yet to do that. You could always make up more. Great to play around Halloween.

My 10yo found that one kind of creepy and kept asking me what all the things were/meant.  I guess if you let your kids watch horror movies it wouldn't be anything new, but if you don't, might be a bit dark.

stor_stark

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #19 on: December 17, 2014, 08:05:54 PM »
There are lots of good game suggestions in this thread. I would suggest taking a look at some episodes of Wil Wheaton's Tabletop series on YouTube to get a feel for many popular modern board games, seen here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tabletop. I think the show does a good job of introducing newer board games to people who may not be very familiar with these type of strategy games. There are lots of different types of games, so  don't feel discouraged if you and/or your family don't find something you absolutely love right away.

TerriM

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #20 on: December 17, 2014, 08:15:18 PM »
I would suggest taking a look at some episodes of Wil Wheaton's Tabletop series on YouTube to get a feel for many popular modern board games, seen here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tabletop.

Woah!  Nice resource!  Thanks.

stachdownunder

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #21 on: December 17, 2014, 08:20:41 PM »
Love Monopoly Deal! Much quicker card game version of the board game!

Ozymandias

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #22 on: December 17, 2014, 09:08:52 PM »
Most of these have been mentioned, but here's my 2 cents.
Blokus - kids seem to really enjoy it, but it's best with 4 people.  There's as much strategy as you want there to be.
Wits and Wagers - This is a great game to teach your kid estimation as well as probabilities, but it's better with a group of 6 or 7 people.
Settlers of Catan
Ticket to Ride
Rummikub - Played this a lot as a kid and works well with 3 people.

Classic games that 9 year olds can play and work well with 2 players:
Cribbage, Backgammon, Boggle, Chinese Checkers, and any rummy based card game

Happy gaming!

iamadummy

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #23 on: December 17, 2014, 09:25:24 PM »
Clue
Chess board
Poker

Knapptyme

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #24 on: December 17, 2014, 09:48:38 PM »
For 2-5 players, my brother is obsessed with the game Agricola. It's interesting and has a lot of different paths/strategies even without expansion decks. His son started playing around 10 years old if I remember correctly.

samburger

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #25 on: December 17, 2014, 09:50:11 PM »
+1 for Settlers of Catan.

Hah, I came here to suggest Settlers.

That said, if your husband hates monopoly and risk, he probably won't like Settlers.

swick

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #26 on: December 17, 2014, 09:51:09 PM »
We need more non-electronic options in our house.  I want to buy a few board games to give to the family for Christmas. 

Here's the challenge: DH is not a big board game fan.  He hates Monopoly and Risk, for example. 

If your hubby is only familiar with the old school style of boardgames, I bet there is one out there that he will love - just have to find it.

There is a thread here of some of our favorite games: http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/what-are-your-favorite-board-games/

if you want a quick dice roller game, King of Tokyo is great - but it is player elimination. 

Jamaica is a great family friendly pirate racing game. It is a bit more expensive but it has awesome art work and fun pieces and has worked really well in every setting I have taken it too and have played with adults and kids. It is easy to learn but definitely has some strategy.

If you would like to try a nice family co-operative game, Forbidden Island is a great place to start. I have played it with kids as young as 8-9 and they caught on faster then the adults.

All the above games are great for family's but would offer enough variety and are different enough from the old school games your hubby would probably like them as well.

Edited to Add: If you family is fairly new to gaming as a group, I would NOT recommend Agricola. Lots of little pieces, not very engaging theme (farming) and you do have to have someone who knows how to play fairly well to explain the rules, the book is damn near indecipherable.

Dan_at_Home

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #27 on: December 17, 2014, 09:52:42 PM »
I recommend a game called Mr. Bucket.  Someone named "Board James" has a series on youtube where does reviews and in-depth analysis of various boardgames.  This one I found as a way to up the level of excitement over uno.  You can see the official review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GukmQE-WIlM

Cressida

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #28 on: December 17, 2014, 10:18:08 PM »
They key to getting your spouse to play games with you is finding a game they can beat you at.  Maybe you're really good at logic puzzles, but he's better with words, so you agree to play schedule.

And failing an obvious solution to that problem, you can always opt for games that are mostly chance, like cribbage or backgammon.  That at least partially levels the playing field with an outwitted opponent.

So true. I STINK at strategy games and so most attempts to play any game my spouse finds interesting just leave me super pissed off.

I'd love to hear more examples along the lines of cribbage/backgammon. Speaking of which, does anyone know of a good resource for cribbage rules? I used to play with my sisters as a kid, but I've completely forgotten everything, and I tried to look up the rules recently and couldn't make any sense of it. I'm sure part of that is just me being thick, but I think part of it is also lousy unclear instructions.

pksr

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #29 on: December 17, 2014, 10:46:54 PM »
Ticket to Ride (Europe) gets my vote too. 7 y.o. and wife both love it.

Also recommend Diplomacy. It is an awesome game, and about as far from Monopoly and Risk as possible. It says it's for 12 and up but I'll wager that your 9 y.o. could handle it. Caveat emptor: depending on your personalities, it could raise (albeit slightly) your risk of divorce, but isn't that true for any great board game?

GizmoTX

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #30 on: December 17, 2014, 11:21:06 PM »
One of our favorite games is called Spinner. It's a domino game that includes 11 wild dominoes. While it can be played by anyone 8+, adults enjoy it -- we first played it while marooned at an Alaskan fishing camp during a typhoon. It says it's for 2-8 players but can adjust to a few more. It's available on Amazon.com for $23.

Pit is a classic card game that is also fun for 8-adult. It is a fast paced trading game, unusual because there are no turns. Card "suits" are commodities such as wheat, corn, etc. & players blind trade like cards all at once by calling out the number -- the winner of a round is the first one to get all 9 cards of one kind to "corner" a market. There are bull & bear wild cards to make the game even more exciting. Multiple rounds are played to a point total agreed on in advance. The deluxe version includes a bell to ring for $12 from Amazon.

Will

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #31 on: December 17, 2014, 11:40:12 PM »
Not board games at all, but what I would recommend is finding out about the various games you can play with a simple deck of regular playing cards, pencil and paper, or a set of double 12 dominoes.  My father doesn't really enjoy playing games, but he will actually suggest playing dominoes.  One of our favorites is Mexican Train.  He has even taught others he knows who don't really enjoy games how to play it, and they are teaching others and playing it a lot themselves.  The suggestions you are getting above are fine, but the versatility of a deck of cards, pencil and paper, and/or some dominoes is very Mustachian, and I am sure you have cards and pencil and paper already.

Lanthiriel

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #32 on: December 18, 2014, 12:12:57 AM »
They've mostly been suggested, but I'll throw in my recommendation for:
- Skipbo
- Phase 10
- Bananagrams
- Settlers of Catan
- Dominion
- Kingdom Builder

1967mama

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #33 on: December 18, 2014, 01:49:55 AM »
I gave Blokus to my non-boardgaming sister and her family last Christmas. Apparently, they played it daily, as a family, all throughout the holidays and had lots of laughs.  It is colourful, easy to learn, tactile, and quick.  Its nothing like a classic board game. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/video/26365/blokus/learn-how-play-blokus-about-2-minutes\

I would second Dutch Blitz which is also a fast-paced game, but uses a set of cards instead of a board. It can get quite rowdy and noisy -- great fun!
http://www.dutchblitz.com (click on the video in the link to see how its played)

I've always enjoyed Yahtzee, which has been around for ages. Its a dice game where you have to come up with many dice combinations and record them on a chart.

lizzie

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #34 on: December 18, 2014, 05:43:52 AM »
Every year on black Friday we host an open house dedicated to games. If you like word games, Taboo is really fun, although you really need at least four people (unless you don't mind switching teammates each round).

Another game we play as a family is "dictionary." For each round, one player picks an obscure word out of the dictionary, making sure no one knows the definition. The other players each write down an invented definition, and the person who chose it writes down the real one. You get a point for each person who votes for your definition and a point if you vote for the real definition. If nobody votes for the real one, then the person who chose the word gets a point for each player (minus himself). Very mustachian because it just takes pens, paper, and a dictionary.

MrsPete

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #35 on: December 18, 2014, 06:08:41 AM »
Pandemic is a good cooperative game (i.e. you work together to win the game and can play open-handed), but has complicated setup. 
We LOVE board games at our house, and Christmas always adds to our stash!  Pandemic came to us last Christmas, and it's seen a good bit of play time.  It's unique in that either the group wins . . . or the plague wins; thus, it's a good choice if you have a child who doesn't take losing well. 

Our family favorite hasn't been mentioned yet:  Citadels.  It's a card game /role play game in which you change characters every round.  I like that the cards are quite lovely.

My kids love Apples to Apples.  I think it's fun but not top-notch.

Oh, and if you're looking for something suitable for all ages, consider Chairs.  It's like Jenga, but you work with little chairs instead of simple blocks. 
« Last Edit: December 18, 2014, 06:57:06 AM by MrsPete »

Jenga

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #36 on: December 18, 2014, 07:13:54 AM »
We have a board-game-hating adult in our family too.  Carcassone has been mentioned a couple times, but I wanted to mention it went over quite well her, and can be as  competitive or cooperative as you like.  Caveat:  We couldn't figure out how to play it from the instructions, but found a video on YouTube really quickly that had us up and going in five minutes. The six year old can play this one as well, with occasional prompts.

The other game that went over well with our board-game-hater was actually Apples to Apples.  The instructions are clear, and it is a good choice for kids 8 and up.  It gets pretty silly, and its hard to get competitive over this one.

Guess Who might be another option.  Again, very easy to understand and pick up, and the strategy is very simple.  Also, this game generally goes very quickly, which can be a bonus.

Good luck with your search! :)

Philociraptor

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #37 on: December 18, 2014, 07:20:09 AM »
Another vote for Settlers.

There's also a card came that we like to play called Munchkin. Goal of the game is to get to level 10 by killing a monster. You level up when you kill monsters or get certain cards. There are race and class cards, as well as armor and weapons you can equip. Players can help each other out or sabotage each other... I know all that sounds complicated, but each game you start as a simple Classless Human. Lots of math when calculating attack damage, which could be educational. Plus the cards are hilarious. Check it out!

so.mpls

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #38 on: December 18, 2014, 07:26:32 AM »
Give Carcassonne or Settlers of Catan a try. They're good "gateway games" and can be played by 9-year-olds.

In this same vein, try Puerto Rico.  Not as complex as Catan, but more interesting than Carcassonne imo.

J'onn J'onzz

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #39 on: December 18, 2014, 07:30:43 AM »
A lot of great suggestions already.

Fluxx is a pretty fun one that a 9 year old could also enjoy, they have a lot of different themes so maybe pick a theme he is interested in.


tanzee

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #40 on: December 18, 2014, 07:47:37 AM »
I would add Power Grid to this list.  It's a pretty fantastic business simulation game where you build an electricity company and compete with others.  It's got a dynamic market system in which resources change in price due to scarcity.  It seems like the type of thing Mustachians would go nuts over.  It might be a little complicated for a 9 year old, but then again, maybe not. 

genselecus

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #41 on: December 18, 2014, 08:03:23 AM »
Big fan of Ticket to Ride (Europe edition).

One that hasn't been suggested and that is a bit different is Mice and Mystics (http://www.plaidhatgames.com/games/mice-and-mystics). It is a sort of easy-to-approach board game version of Dungeons and Dragons. The players all play on the same team and work through a story line by controlling mouse characters that have different classes (priest, wizard, thief, etc.) and gain experience and items. It isn't difficult to learn, and it isn't extremely challenging, and is an interesting game to try.

rubybeth

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #42 on: December 18, 2014, 08:12:41 AM »
Because we don't have kids, DH and I are trying to collect games that are good for two people. We have a few favorites that require three players, but the two player games I think a 9-year-old could enjoy are:

Lost Cities - has a board but mostly involves collecting and laying cards in the proper color/sequence - http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/50/lost-cities

Battle Line - no board, primarily cards and tokens that you must lay in sets for maximum points - http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/760/battle-line

Careers - more of a classic board game that can be played with up t6 6 players but is fine with 2-3, and you can find different versions on eBay, but basically I loved this game as a kid (it was the 1971 version and now I own both that version and this newer one) and it was better than 'Life' because it made you realize how your choice of jobs either led to happiness, fame, or money (or all three) - http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1475/careers

Other favorites already mentioned (not sure all of these would be good for a 9-year-old, but read the rules/setup and you can decide for yourself):

Settlers of Catan (requires 3 players): http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13/settlers-catan
Ticket to Ride (US version, I also own the Nordic version which is designed for 2-3 players): http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209/ticket-ride
Pandemic (might be a bit weird/scary for a 9-year-old but maybe in a few years): http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30549/pandemic

P.S. Hating Monopoly and Risk doesn't make your DH a terrible person. I don't really like either of those games, either, but I like lots of other games. You just haven't found the right game for him yet. :)

Malaysia41

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #43 on: December 18, 2014, 08:27:08 AM »
Wow I'm overwhelmed with the responses.  Thank You.  I'm making a list of your suggestions for DH to research and tell me which ones he's interested in trying - including the mustachian suggestions w deck o cards, dominoes and dictionary.  Checking out the links too. 

I read sol's response to DH.  He laughed and then recalled the time - the first and last time - we played chess together.  He said I check mated him in 4 moves. He was so angry he upturned the board and the pieces went flying.  I remember that episode well, but honestly I don't think I check mated him in 4 moves.  I'm not that good at Chess.  I just know a few trick opening gambits, and that time one of them paid off. Oops.

After posting this question, I rifled through my parent's TV cabinet and found my old 1979 version of Clue.  We played last night.  Stupidly, I got competitive and well, smack talked and won.  DH seemed to take it okay.  Anyway, it was Col Mustard in the billiard room with the wrench. 

Again, thanks everyone.

Prairie Stash

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #44 on: December 18, 2014, 10:08:46 AM »
Around your sons age I learned 9-5-2, a 3 player card game(perfect for your family). It takes a standard deck of cards. It's meant as a casual card game to play while chatting and having coffee.

Basically the rules I learned way back are listed here. I remember it being a lot easier than they suggest, try a couple rounds and the rules will make sense.
http://jeays.net/files/952rules.htm

Mesmoiselle

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #45 on: December 18, 2014, 10:36:54 AM »
Blockus
7 wonders
Dominion

Are all easy without complicated setup.

I love Lords of Waterdeep, Catan, then for story, Arabian Nights and Mansions of Madness, but perhaps those are too intense for a 9 yr old?

yandz

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #46 on: December 18, 2014, 10:56:46 AM »
Depending on your personalities, one thing that redeemed Monopoly at my house as a kid was dealing ALL the properties before the game even started.  That means the game begins with a ROWDY round of negotiations which is really the fun part.  The whole game goes faster and is a bit more cut throat - people end up trading properties to survive early on, etc.  We loved it that way.  The traditional way was slooooow boooring death. You know you are losing, but it will take hours.

Other than that, another vote for Pandemic since there is a lot of collaboration.  I have also enjoyed Settlers, Small world, and was recently introduced to Evil Babies where you work to keep some of the worlds worst (serial killers, dictators) in line in an orphanage. Sounds bad, but actually could be fine for a 9yr old since in the game, they are classified as biters, grabby, creepy, bully...and some others which give them certain traits (biters scare babies into neighboring orphanages, etc.).  Anyway...pretty funny.  And you get to say things like, "NO! Time out, Hitler!" So, what really could go wrong?

Savvy

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #47 on: December 18, 2014, 11:00:04 AM »
Great 2 player game: Lost Cities

Great 2-4 player game: Pandemic

Great 5-10 player game: The Resistance

Have fun!

magickelly

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #48 on: December 18, 2014, 11:15:41 AM »
A really fun game in the trivia category is Wits and Wagers. Haven't seen that one mentioned yet.

I like Carcassone and Pandemic a lot so more votes for those BUT... really jumping into add another HUGE vote for Ticket to Ride. It's our favorite and we play it obsessively. We have every TTR edition. I'd rank them:

Favorites...
India
Switzerland
Nordic
Asia
US

Not as much of a fan...
Germany (bonus is tedious)
Africa (takes awhile to really get the hang of the doubling bonus strategy)
Europe (routes are annoying)
Netherlands (hate the toll structures)

I personally can't stand Apples to Apples or Fluxx. I hate arbitrary rules or games where someone is judging - makes it impossible to be strategic. I've walked away from a few games of Apples to Apples where the person who was the judge just got completely stupid and silly and who they'd pick was random. (Note: some non-Mustachian type people love this and think it's funny.)



 


DeepEllumStache

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Re: Board Game Suggestions?
« Reply #49 on: December 18, 2014, 11:16:37 AM »
Spot It - we play this one with my volunteering group with the older kids.  Simple, very portable, fast paced, and fun.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!