Board Games for Everyone

Interesting Questions and Answers For Board Games

Remember all of the fun times you had gathered around a table with friends all playing a board game? The board game, itself, has been around for centuries and has a long following. The games can be as simple or as difficult as you wish. There really is a board game for everyone. And in these tough economic times it can be the perfect way to have an enjoyable, albeit inexpensive, fun time at home with family and friends. Board games have a long and rich history and in this article you can find out the basics. Before long you will be challenging friends and family members to a fascinating game to help pass the time and improve your mental abilities.

What are board games?

Board games are basically any type of game that is played out using some kind of board. They have varied greatly over time but most often when you mention a board game, someone automatically thinks of multiplayer games where there are set rules, maybe a token of some kind to move and an action that happens within the game. As technology has changed, so too has the board game. Before you could only play a board game with someone present. Today's games are now being played out online through the internet on your computer. There are hundreds of different types of games for you to choose from. Some may only be for two players or there are others that can have many players. There are even games now that combine the board game with DVD's and actions that you have to perform when it becomes your turn. One of the most common themes of a board game is that they are turn based. You perform your turn and then the other player(s) perform theirs in sequence.
##
What is the history of board games?

If you think that the board game is a recent invention from your childhood, you would be off by several thousands of years. In fact the earliest example of a board game dates back to 3500 BC and was found during the Jiroft civilization. Around the same time there was a game called Senet that was discovered in Predynastic Egyptian burial chambers. Those board games may not be familiar to you and actually a lot of the information regarding those earliest games was not documented or actually researched that much. But if you have heard of backgammon then you should know that it dates back to 3000 BC. It was discovered in the Burnt City located in Iran. Later, around 220 to 265 BC that same game became popular in China. It was not called backgammon though; the Chinese called it t'shu-p'shu. One of the most popular board game of all time has been Monopoly. And Monopoly has actually been around since 1930. Though the face of Monopoly has changed over time with different landmarks and methods of playing, it still remains a very popular favorite today.
##
Can board games help people learn?

Believe it or not but board games can often teach people how to think analytically and how to strategize. There are many games that also teach counting and how to play fairly. If you think about some of your favorite games, think about what it takes to play that game. Take for example the popular game Trivial Pursuit. It is a gamed specifically designed to test one's knowledge of a variety of different subjects. The game is so popular that it has sprouted off into different genre's such as a Trivial Pursuit for kids, one for sports fans, one for pop culture fans and even one that takes advantage of someone's knowledge of music. Three very popular games throughout history have been chess, checkers and Mancala. Each teaches a different set of strategies for winning. And each one helps a player learn how to anticipate a move by his or her opposing player.

Have there been studies performed on board games?

There actually have been extensive studies performed on board games. Two of the most commonly studied games are chess and checkers. Chess is probably the most studied game though and there have been countless books written on the subject. It is a worldwide game that brings two players into a head to head matchup. The idea is to capture the other person's King and gain control of the board. The game is about first knowing how each piece moves and what its limitations are. Secondly the game is about knowing how to plan out each move ahead of time and thirdly it is about anticipating your opponent's actions. The reason why this is one of the most studied games is because it garners so much international attention. There are rankings involved for the best players throughout the world and there are thousands of tournaments played each year.
##
What are some of the most popular board games of all time?

Backgammon, Mancala, chess, checkers, Risk and Monopoly are some of the most popular board games of all time. Each of the games requires a different skill set but helps develop the mind. In recent years there have also been other very popular board games such as Sorry, Trivial Pursuit and even games such as Scattegories. Though the rules for each game are different and there are often different actions performed, these games have provided countless hours of fun for people of all ages.
##
What are some good board games to use with small children?

The first thing you have to take into account when choosing board games for small children is their motor skills and their ability to follow directions. There are however, some games specifically designed for children. Usually the only two basic skills required are the ability to maneuver the game pieces and small counting. Two classic children's games are Chutes and Ladders and Candyland. The rules for each of these games are very simple and can be easily explained to a child. The games do provide some mental awareness as well. By learning to take turns the child learns to be patient. As the child ages and acquires more skills, other games can be introduced that help them expand their mindset.

Are there board games for just two players?

There are many, many board games for just two players. Obviously chess, checkers and Backgammon are just three. There is also Mancala and variations of strategy games that are designed with just two players in mind. Even some of the most popular board games can still be played with only two players. An example would be Risk. Granted, though, some of these games are far more fun and complicated with more than just two players.

How has the internet and computers changed the face of board games?

Technology has changed many aspects of people's lives. The board game is simply one of them. Many people are now turning to the internet and to computer versions of their favorite games. This way if they are the only one around to play a game, they can find online competitors to play with them. Or in the case of computer board games, they can play against the computer. Will all board games eventually be overshadowed and taken over by the internet and computers? Probably not because there is still an element of teamwork and fun that the real life version of the board game offers but it is interesting to note that there are many games that now incorporate visual gaming (such as on a television) with the actual board game.
##
How are board games categorized?

A board game is usually categorized into two distinct groups. The first is luck and the second is strategy. Now it is interesting that some games use a combination of both. Take the board game Sorry or Monopoly for example. A large part of your movement is based on luck. You roll the dice and move the required amount of squares. But you also have to strategize on how you overtake another player (Sorry) or how you buy certain property to eventually gain control over the board. You could actually say that most games combine the two elements though chess purists would argue that strategy is the only component involved in their game.
##
Where can I buy board games?

You can actually buy board games in tons of places. Department stores or retail stores often carry wide selections of games. You could try Wal-Mart, Target and even specialized gaming stores to find your favorite game. At certain times many of the classic games are released as Special Editions that focus on one theme. You can also buy games online at certain websites or even bid on games from Ebay.

Related topics about board games

Games Board
You can also create your own custom Monopoly board through several different methods. At www.mymonopoly.

Board Games
Often, the ability of manufacturers to morph board games over time and attract new generations of fans is the key to their success. For instance, the Monopoly board has changed from showing typical tycoon, Scotty dog, and iron and thimble characters to a number of different themes. Today you can buy a boardgame based on movie themes (like Transformers, The Wizard of Oz and Pirates of the Caribbean); TV themes (like The Simpsons, Family Guy and Seinfeld); sports teams (like the Boston Celtics, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Braves); hobbies (bass fishing, snowboarding or golf); pets (cats, dogs or horses); music (Elvis or The Beatles); collectibles (Ford Thunderbird, Harley Davidson or John Deere); cartoons (Peanuts, Sponge Bob or Rudolph); and the list goes on forever.

Boardgames
The 2009 American International Toy Fair in New York City introduced some great new boardgames this year. Pants on Fire (3 or more players, ages 10+) is a fun story-telling game, where a player writes brief stories about each of the three topics revealed. For example, a "bad date" or a "first job," and the other players have to guess if the story is "true or false.