Learning and Gaming (Part 2 of 3)
What have you learned from playing board and card games?
I told you last week that I wouldn’t talk about poker too much… and I have learned so much from playing poker I have to include at least one story.
About 10 years ago I was playing a game of poker just north of Bellingham, WA. My brother and I had found this little casino (The Nooksack) and went to go play some No Limit Texas Hold’em. I had only been sitting at the table for an hour when I landed a monster hand. I had a set of eights and there was a ton of money on the table. I pushed all my chips in and got called by a guy chasing a flush. One card to go and I was the 75% favorite.
He hit, I lost. Sometimes life works out that way.
This is part two of a three-part blog series exploring some of the lessons I have learned in the arena of board and card gaming.
We would love to hear from you as well! Share some lessons you have learned from gaming in the comments section below.
So, what else have I learned?
How to Cooperate
Working with a group towards a shared objective is an essential skill in life. A game genre I have been enjoying more and more lately are known as cooperative games. (e.g. Pandemic, Castle Panic, Dead of Winter, etc...)The idea behind these is that either that you all win as a team or all loose as a team. So much fun. (If you want some recommendations on some great titles in this genre hit us up!) Whether cooperative or team-based, these kinds of games force you to make decisions and act as a group.
You can get better at playing nice with others through board games!
How to Play by the Rules
If you are going to cheat, why even play the game?
In a game at least, losing to someone who cheats doesn’t feel like a loss. Winning when you cheat doesn’t feel like a win. Perhaps you have experienced someone cheating in a game you were playing with them? Feels gross right? Don’t do this to someone else.
Push the rules, stay competitive, and keep the playing field fair for all involved.
The best creativity comes out amid restraints.
How to be Sneaky
Some games require deception. Learning to control and use your poker face is so valuable someone should teach a class (and I'm sure someone does). Games are one of the best platforms to practice this 'skill of the sneaky' and hone your skills. They are also a great place to get better at catching deception in the act.
“I didn’t see that coming!” is one of my favorite things to hear in a game.
Cooperate, play by the rules, take the indirect route.