I am going through the biggest financial struggling year of my life, yet am at the World Board Game Championships in a resort in Pennsylvania. We had put money down on the rooms in January when life was quite a bit better and since they were paid for we then went all in, ate ramen all week and had a blast. Life is..weird.
First let’s address why Jenn Hayward is at a board game convention. I’m Jenn Hayward if that helps you follow along.
My husband and I cohabitate with another couple and they annually go to this convention. We are their best friends and this is our second “tag along” year. I enjoy board games but 10 days last year was quite a bit for me so I spent the week mostly babysitting the toddler. This year I decided to carpe diem (that’s yolo) for young folks and play many games.
Last night I was not feeling well and went to bed early, not being able to play the game I wanted. I was sad. Tonight, the same thing happened. What on earth?
It turns out that gaming is draining. Fun, so much fun but draining. These are not your “scattegory” type party games, but strategy, brain draining games.
Tonight though I do not feel bad about missing out. First, it was only a month ago my doctor called me with blood results to let me know I was severely deficient in Vitamin A, B12, D, E and Iron and my hemoglobin was LOW. So, spending the days playing games and doing work in between is a bit much and it is okay to be “peopled” out.
Is this thread about my health and whining about my hotel room? Nope, it’s about the games. Let me tell you how it all went down, these are the games I learned/played, moments from the convention, and hopefully, you all learn a bit more about board games and the people that love them. I am not a full convert, but I sure am having fun, when I have the strength to do so!
Ticket to Ride: This is a game I used to always play with my teens and something I am pretty good at. I had four heats and came in a 1rst, 2nd, 3rd and 4rth. My husband was in one game with me and beat me for the first time in 10 years and says he is retiring. I made it to quarterfinals and as of this post, I am sure I will not make it further.
Wingspan: It is a game about birds and is quite intricate. I learned it from our friends and won two games while here. That put me in the semi finals. Listen, I have done a LOT of things in my life that are noteworthy, but for our gaming friends I can say that they have never looked prouder than that moment. I showed up to the semi finals and got my butt handed to me. These people KNOW every card, every move and more. They do have fun though and it was an honor to lose to them.
Sante Fe Rails: It’s another train game I just learned. I drew the card that put me at a table with three long time veterans of the game. I lost. Big Time. I had fun though!
Ra! Dice: I learned this game five minutes before it began and I won. Then I won again. It is a game fully based on luck and, well, I was lucky. I did enjoy it!
Splendor: I play this game online and am AWFUL at it, but somehow won my game. I did not play again as I slept through the next heat. It’s fun, but I still have no idea how it really works; I’m not that strategic!
Lost Cities: A FUN card game. It’s like solitaire but not at all. (as a storyteller I do suck at explaining games). I also lost this game but highly recommend it for fun!
Pirates Cove: Sarah, my best friend is the reigning world champion, so we are there to support her, and to be fair to also try to dethrone her! I LOVE this game. It has a lot of aspects but with a good game master, it runs smoothly. The first time I ever played, one of Sarah’s daughters convinced my husband and I to fight the pirate with her, and then she BAILED!!! We died and she won the game. It’s a fun game and I will play it again and again and again!
They also have open gaming, and both times I played with a 13 year old I did not know and both times I lost. Badly.
So tomorrow I have an epic amount of games from noon onward, and who knows, maybe I will be the next champion in something or I win something called “laurels”. I asked what laurels are and they said “bragging rights”. Oh…if I win….could I have a cupcake instead? Next year I am making a t-shirt that says “will trade laurels for cupcakes”. I have met some great people, and next year I hope to learn more games and have more energy to make those late night games, but for now, time for bed!
Wish me luck and soon I'll be home, back in Canada where certain things are legal that are NOT down here, and as fun as the games have been, I really miss my dogs and my um….stuff that is not legal here.
I am Jenn Hayward and this is my life.