Contact the Advisor, Bill 

Why a board and table games group?

The definition of board and table games covers a wide range including classic board games like Monopoly, dice games such as Yahtzee, paper and pencil games such as noughts and crosses, role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, strategy games such as Go or Chess, tile-based games like Carcassonne. They vary in type, complexity, and number of players, and may include boards, tiles, playing pieces etc.

Many members have accumulated games over the years and, often, with families growing up and leaving home, don’t get the chance to play them. A board and table games group is a wonderful opportunity to socialise with other u3a members and enjoy playing a range of games, some familiar and some not, which also serves to keep the mind active.

About the adviser

I am the convenor of two separate Board and Table Games Groups within my local u3a, each of which runs quite differently and has given me an insight into the challenges of setting up such a group. I also give presentations on how board and table games developed in Britain and the history of board games in general.

The groups I run meet to play a range of board games of different types, durations, complexity etc. We have a basic definition of what we do and don’t do, which you might find useful as a starting point if you are thinking of setting up a board and table games group, but please feel free to contact me with any queries.

Sample definition from an existing board and table games group

• We play games for (usually) 4 or more people (they can be played with fewer but only when the number of attendees make it necessary). We do not play 2 player games; no Chess, Backgammon etc.
• We don’t play games where there are already other u3a groups covering them; no Mahjong, Rummikub etc.
• We avoid games where some people can get eliminated early and have to sit and watch others play, or where one person can race ahead and there’s no catching them; no Monopoly, Risk etc.
• We don’t play standard card games; no Bridge, Cribbage etc.

Sample list of types of games such a group is playing Games played by local u3a group.pdf (117.22 KB)

Things to think about when setting up a board and table games group

In addition to the normal things to think about (frequency of meetings, size of group, costs and charges etc) there are some things which are more specific to a board and table games group.

• Where are the games coming from: games can be very expensive so it’s a good idea to watch charity shops, eBay etc, and encourage members to bring their own games and to lead on how to play as they have the experience;
• Layout: the main things to consider here include table space (some games need hardly any space to play, while others require a sizeable playing surface) and seating (some games require constant leaning forwards, checking boards etc while others just need to be able to reach a discard deck);
• Location: large groups will often hire a venue, but one issue with board and table games is that many games have a lot of playing pieces and when you get home and check the box and fine a key piece is missing it’s more of a problem than if you gather in someone’s house;
• Rules: generally play by the rules stated (it’s surprising how many people don’t play Monopoly as the rules are actually written!) but if, for some reason, you decide to deviate (they are ambiguous, one rule makes the game far too long etc) then change them – but make sure everyone knows the “house rules” (and that the convenor is the adjudicator!).

Get in touch

Please contact me if you would like to discuss the challenges of setting up and running a board and table games group or would like to discuss the actual games we have played in more detail.