At The Table with The Dice Tower - To Go Order
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In this episode of 'At the Table with the Dice Tower,' hosts Eric Sommerer, Julie Ahern, and Tom Vassell dive into the art of traveling with board games, discussing practical solutions like the Cavern Hold and Quiver bags, and the importance of packing only 'banger' games for spontaneous play. Julie shares her emotional farewell from Van Ryder Games, hinting at new adventures in the board game industry. The hosts then explore a mix of new and personal favorites, including the quirky dice-and-card game Bare Bones, the thematically rich Coming of Age, and the charmingly light Jewelbox and Cinnabelle. A humorous tale of horror unfolds when Eric confronts a friend eating Cheetos during a game session, sparking a discussion on setting boundaries with tact. The episode concludes with deep dives into the solo trick-taking game For Northwood and the two-player civilization builder Rising Cultures, both praised for their creativity and strategic depth despite some complexity. The hosts reflect on the joy of games as portable companions and the evolving nature of play in everyday life.
Pack only 3 high-quality, easy-to-teach games for spontaneous play to maximize enjoyment and minimize clutter.
Use compact, multi-functional bags like the Cavern Hold or Quiver to carry games without sacrificing space for travel essentials.
Set boundaries around food and game care with humor and non-confrontational language to preserve both games and relationships.
Choose games with strong themes and low setup time to engage new players and facilitate quick, seamless gameplay.
For travel, prioritize games with small footprints and minimal components to fit in tight spaces like hotel lobbies or bus seats.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Spring and the Board Game Traveler's Dilemma
The hosts kick off the episode with springtime banter and excitement for Dice Tower East and the upcoming Cruise. They introduce the theme of portable gaming, emphasizing the need for quick, spontaneous play during travel or social events.
Julie's Farewell and the Art of the To-Go Game Bag
“I have my bag with me, and I think I have six Button Shy titles in the bottom of the bag, which I didn't realize I had that many in the bottom of the bag.”
The Cheetos Incident: A Tale of Horror and Boundary Setting
“I flat out said, Those things are just as bad and messy as Doritos, so if you're going to eat those while we play a game, I'm just going to pack this up and we can play something else.”
Bare Bones, Coming of Age, and the Light Game Renaissance
“It's clean. It's light. I was not at all looking for it, but walking through the vendor hall. The pretty, the pretty caught my eye.”
Solo Magic: For Northwood and the Puzzle of Exact Bidding
Tom dives into the solo trick-taking game For Northwood, praising its adorable theme and clever mechanics. The exact bid system creates a satisfying puzzle, though the endgame can be tense due to uncertainty.
“I flat out said, Those things are just as bad and messy as Doritos, so if you're going to eat those while we play a game, I'm just going to pack this up and we can play something else.”
“There are videos out there. I'm starting to think, though, that the real culprit of board gaming isn't cheese puffs and Doritos and whatever because they're so obvious.”
“You're like, I was just being firm and saying my opinion. People are like, you yelled at me.”
Hosts
Julie Ahern
person
Tom Vassell
person
Eric Sommerer
person
Coming of Age
media
Bare Bones
media
Rising Cultures
media
Quiver
product
Van Ryder Games
organization
For Northwood
media
Jewelbox
media
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