Top 10 Board Games

So I previously did card games, but really, that is a small fraction of the game world... There is also board games. Now what is a board game in my mind? Quite simply its any game that requires you to buy its own paraphernalia to play, which may include a board, or some other device to make that game happen that isn't just a simple deck of cards. Anyway, here we go...

10. Rack-O- The fun thing about watching a list evolve, is seeing how a game you love (in this case, Rack-O) can dive bomb a list, when you realize all the great board games there are. Rack-O is simple, get a list of numbers in order (and get a streak of numbers) in your ten spots. However, its more hectic than that, and you can really tie yourself into a corner. It's not the flashiest game on this list, but its a good one. Plus Sam and Thiell both like it, and they are my two main board game opponents.

9. Battleship- I forget how much I enjoy this simple game. I played this with one of my counseling students quite frequently, because it is quite simple. This is probably the game on the list that requires the least amount of strategy, but that doesn't mean its not fun. Sometimes I don't need a challenge, but just a good family game, and this is one of them.

8. Trivial Pursuit- I suck at Trivial Pursuit, and yet I enjoy playing it anyway. It inherently has to do with my love of trivia in general. There is something about challenging people about useless knowledge. I do enjoy the updated trivial pursuit's because I know more about it. Clearly though, the game is more fun in pairs, because it moves much faster that way.

7. Risk- See, the reason there is no axis and allies is because the game is just too long (as it takes four times as long as risk). Risk, however, is still an intensely long game, one in which I am always eliminated early (as Lans and Thiell can atest too). Maybe I just don't pick the right areas, or don't conquer the continents fast enough... who knows? I have probably never even won a game of Risk in my life, but I enjoy it anyway. I love strategic games, but its always hard to convince a group of people to play Risk.

6. Pictionary- Surprisingly high for many of you here, specially because I haven't really played it in years. I love the idea of drawing fast however, and as I said above, I love the idea of guessing what something is. The key is to draw quickly enough to get it done, but also accurately enough that someone can guess it. I just wish I could play Pictionary more often, cause I am really getting a craving writing about it.

5. Taboo- The other main Theill house staple, but even more so a staple of my college life. Everyone that is anyone plays games in college, because it is the easiest time to get a group of people together to have a fun time (especially for me, because I don't drink, and my friends didn't go out every weekend). Taboo is simple, try to get as many people on your team to guess your word, by saying as many words (that aren't listed as illegal on the card) as it takes. It can be hectic, and that just makes it better. Its a game that is ideal with about six players, because that way you aren't over yelling your partners, but aren't completely alone in the game. Overall, its a great game. Its the best version of the scream out loud games, because catch phrase is somewhat luck, and password requires more people, and sometimes is a bit slow (but I do love password too, just missed out on the list)

4. Scrabble- This was my core game in high school. I used to play it whenever I visited my friends house (it is true, we were dorks) and Brent and Brody even bought it for me as a Christmas gift, which I still have. I won't explain the rules, because everyone knows them, but trying to think of words and using bonus points is what stands out in this game. Sometimes its the simplest words that can add up to huge points, and it is different than most of the rest of the games on this list, but still requires a significant amount of thinking.

3. Chess- Is Chess a board game? I mean, it does have a board and a set of pieces, so I think it has to be included. I love chess, because it is a game entirely in your head, yet sometimes you have great plans that a simple move can disrupt. I use to play online, but the fact is that when your good at chess you rarely lose; so those online just dismantled me. I used to play in tourneys in middle school though, and if there was a chess club, I would have likely joined. Sure it may be nerdy, but there is a reason its the most popular game in the world. Its simple, yet oh so complicated.

2. Clue- Everyone knows Clue, and there is a reason for that. Its a game that borders the line between simplicity and complexity. You can create elaborate diagrams to try and figure out every person's answer, and what it means, and yet it won't always point out. Whenever anyone visits my house, I at some point inevitably try to convince them to play Clue, and that is because it is such a great game. I just love asking the questions and trying to figure out the answers.

1. Stratego- So I played an extremely epic Stratego match against Sam this weekend, where she literally threatened to kill me if my flag was the tile I left completely unguarded... Sadly it was, so I was yelled at. The thing about Stratego, is that its strategic, yet it almost always is close. It can be agonizing when your opponent is one spot away from your flag, yet glorious when they don't make that move (sorry Sam for these memories). It's also still fun when you lose, at least for me, and I have lost quite frequently lately. I may not be the greatest stratego player but I do love it. Lastly, its a two player game, and that is something that shouldn't be taken for granted.