Bring on the board games

Think board games are boring? Then think again.

BOND WITH BOARD GAMES: Play as a family

Are you thinking “Why would I want to play board games when I can play on my Gameboy or PSP? Are they even available?”

Here's some food for thought. In today's day when video games are selling like hot cakes, one would think that traditional board games would make a silent exit. However, rather than heading the path of extinction, a new generation of designer and more sophisticated games are joining the prevailing games. This is fuelled by the need to spend more together-time and surprisingly, a need to get away from all things electronic! A kind of getaway to the good old times. Some board games, like chess, even have international championships.

Unlimited fun

There are a number of reasons why you would want to try out board games, not the least of which is the cost factor-unlimited fun at affordable prices. It also gives you an opportunity to spend quality time with your folks at home.

“I love playing scrabble with my mom, and sparring with words. Not only does my vocabulary increase, but it gives me a chance to spend time and have fun with her,” says 14-year-old Anamika Patel.

“My dad, mom, brother and I play a lot of monopoly on holidays. I enjoy the strategizing, and the feel of making money and putting up hotels. It's a long game, but time just flies,” says Ria Agarwal.

Another good thing about board games is that they are portable. “Sometimes, we carry a board game to a picnic, and play it after food, when we are all too lazy for physical activity,” says Aarit Sharma, a Std. V student.

“Ludo is a cool and fun timepass, and it gives me something to keep my kid brother occupied!” says Radhika Sharma. Depending on your interest, you can find a suitable board game for yourself. If you liked Monopoly and the building aspect, try Carcassonne. If you enjoy war games, there are tons like Battlelore and Memoir '44. If you want to test or increase your general knowledge, games like Go To The Head Of The Class and Trivial Pursuit are more your types.

Board games can broadly be divided into three types: luck, strategy, and knowledge. Board games based on luck are usually controlled by dice. The winner is usually determined by the one who can luckily roll the desired number on the dice.

Games of strategy on the other hand are a game of wits, skills, and logic. There are also games that require the player to be knowledgeable on certain topics like quizmasters and scrabble. There are also board games that do not require only luck but also strategy in all aspects of the game. A classic example of this is monopoly, where a dice is rolled and players try to create an empire within the board.

Whatever be your preference in board games, there is a lot of life-experience and learning in them. It can teach you to respect other people's time; negotiate, lose and win; build strategies and jog your memory. And of course, the most important: it's loads of fun!