Hosting a successful board game or card game means selecting the right game for the players at the table. On every episode you will hear a solid overview and discussion on a new game, where it fits best in your arsenal of entertainment, and who is most likely to enjoy it. It is much like Kings Court only with more emphasis on who is right for the game.

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Derek brings a two player board to the game table called Mr. Jack. One works to keep Jack the Ripper’s identity safe among eight characters on the board, the other eliminates suspects until he is able to catch Jack. We had a great time challenging each other with this game and think you will have fun with it, too. Mr. Jack Publisher: Asmodee Editions Designed by: Bruno Cathala, Ludovic Maublanc Players: 2 Play Time: 30 minutes Ages: 9+ MSRP: $36.99    

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Derek introduces us to The Red Dragon Inn, a humorous game about post-adventure celebration. The iconic characters, a wizard, cleric, rogue, and a warrior have met at the tavern to drink each other under the table and gamble away their loot. The Red Dragon Inn Publisher: Slugfest Games Designed by: Cliff Bohm, Geoff Bottone, Colleen Skadl Players: 2-4 Play Time: 30-60 minutes Ages: 13+ MSRP: $35.00    

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Derek introduces another HeroCard game called Orc Wars. If you are an elf, you face hordes of orcs. If you are playing the orc’s hand, you will find knocking off the elf is quite a challenge. We had a great time working through several scenarios in the game and had fun looking at the comparisons and differences between this and the other HeroCard games. HeroCard Orc Wars Publisher: TableStar Games Designed by: Nico Carroll Players: 2-4 Play Time: 90 minutes Ages: 13+ MSRP: $24.95    

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Jeremiah takes on Battleground Fantasy Warfare. When you have a fantasy miniatures game without the miniatures, you have a much more affordable and portable fix for your combative needs. It plays great, even better that a lot of miniatures games. Check out the demo. Battleground Fantasy Warfare Publisher: Your Move Games Designed by: Robert Dougherty & Chad Ellis Players: 2 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $14.95    

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After playing several times we share Stonehenge: An Anthology Board Game. The box contains several beautiful components for use in five different rule sets that come with it. Each game uses a Stonehenge theme, but you will be surprised at how far the imagination will take you around this mystical structure of rock. Continued releases of Stonehenge games will keep you busy with this box for ages to come. Stonehenge: An Anthology Board Game Publisher: Titanic Games First five designes by: James Ernest, Richard Borg, Bruno Faidutti, Richard Garfield, and Mike Selinker Players: 3,4, or 5 Play Time: 30-60 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $49.95    

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This is probably our longest Kings Court to date, but we couldn’t stop talking about High School Drama. It is a hilarious and attractive parody of life in high school. You build your click and your popularity to rule the school. Its a great game for mixed company and a wide span of ages. High School Drama Publisher: Shifting Skies Games Designed By: Boyan Radakovich Players: 2-5 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $22.95    

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Don gives us something we can all enjoy. Patrician is about building prestige in the middle ages of Italy by building tall towers. It is a great game that casual players will be able to get into easily alongside the more serious gamer that will appreciate good strategy. Patrician Publisher: Mayfair Games Designed By: Michael Schacht Players: 2-5 Play Time: 50 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $35.00    

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Erin joins us once again to share her experience with Dungeon Twister. It is easy to tell she had a great time with this modular dungeon crawl. Your pitted against the other parties in the dungeon. Escape with as much of your party intact as you can while grabbing treasure and fighting off your opponents. Dungeon Twister Publisher: Asmodee Editions Designed By: Christophe Boelinger Players: 2 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 11+ MSRP: $29.99    

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We had an absolute blast with Wicked Witches Way. At the start of every turn you must clear your head and focus on a formula; one that will propel you through a broom race. This is a game that you can bring out for kids and your gaming buddies. Wicked Witches Way Publisher: Asmodee Editions Designed By: Serge Laget, Bruno Cathala Players: 2-6 Play Time: 30 minutes Ages: 8+ MSRP: $29.99    

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Its back to work and you have ships to fill. The market is rough and you have to procure goods, warehouse them, and then meet the demands of the ships before they set sail. We think you will agree that Before the Wind is a fun and challenging addition to your collection. Before the Wind Publisher: Mayfair Games, Phalanx Games Designed By: Torsten Landsvogt Players: 2-4 Play Time: 75+ minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $30.00    

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Flee for your lives! You have been trapped in the mall and zombies are everywhere. There is but one way to survive, make sure your friends get eaten first. Mall of Horror is a fun zombie game with a voting element and lots of spilled blood. Mall of Horror Publisher: Asmodee Editions Designed By: Nicolas Normandon Players: 3-6 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 14+ MSRP: $44.99    

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We had hoped for a long time to see Kill Doctor Lucky in a value version and we have received just that. Titan Games takes an old favorite, polishes it some more and entertains us all. Jeremiah is the lucky one today to take the game and review it for us. Kill Doctor Lucky Publisher: Titanic Games Designed By: James Ernest Players: 3-7 Play Time: 45 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $34.95    

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You have just robbed a bank and are sitting in a warehouse dividing up the cash, but how it is divided is decided at the end of a gun. The game even comes with orange foam guns to draw on your peers. We received Cash ‘n Guns on the way to our gaming night. Before everyone was done eating, Derek had the rules read and introduced it to the group. They laughed and didn’t stop playing for several games. CA$H ‘n GUN$ Publisher: Asmodee Editions Designed By: Ludovic Maublanc Players: 4-6 Play Time: 30 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $39.99    

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Derek has let a group of kids loose with Kragmortha and they had a blast with it. It seems to be a good way to generate some laughter. Players are challenged with silly behavior while they move their goblins around the board avoiding the attention of the evil overlord, Rigor Mortis. Kragmortha Publisher: Mayfair Games Designed By: Fabrizo Bonifacio, Riccardo Crosa, Massimiliano Enrico, Chiara Firlito Players: 2-8 Ages: 8+ MSRP: $35.00    

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Derek gives us a look at a game in the Hero Card system, Rise of the Shogun. The core dueling mechanic is used across a line of games and completely compatible with one another, but the board games each have their own unique flavor. This one is about the struggle for 12th century feudal Japan. We had a great time with it and are preparing for the next Hero Card system review. Also, be sure to check out the interview with game designer, Alexei Othenin-Girard for a behind the scenes look. Rise of the Shogun Publisher: TableStar Games Designed By: Alexei Othenin-Girard Players: 2 (up to four with expansions) Ages: 12+ Play Time: 60 - 90 minutes MSRP: $24.95    

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Good luck with your construction in this fault zone. If you think you can shrug off the risk and build the longest roads, you will do very well in Seismic. Jeremiah tells us about this great opportunity for a family game and is still working to figure out a good winning strategy. Seismic Publisher: Atlas Games Designed By: Ted Alspach Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $29.95    

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Is it really a game? It can be. Jeremiah walks us through a round of The Art of Conversation. We had a lot of fun with this stack of conversation starters and agree it would make a great mixer for parties and other social occasions.     The Art of Conversation Publisher: The Art of Conversation Designed By: Keith Lamb & Louise Howland Players: 2-6 MSRP: $14.99    

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Derek takes us on an Age of Discovery. Balance your fleet between the victory of oversea voyages and the trade contracts that will pay for them. This card game has some unique elements that brought us back to play several more games.     Age of Discovery Publisher: Mayfair Games, Phalanx Designed By: Alfred Victor Schultz Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 45 minutes MSRP: $30.00    

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Collect treasure as quickly as you can before you opponents take it away from you! You will find elements of strategy and luck in this easy to learn card game. Use your dice to bring cards in and out of play and manage the odds with your hand. Listen as Derek tell us more. Treasures & Traps Publisher: Studio 9 Designed By: C Aaron Kreader Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 10-60 minutes MSRP: $12.95    

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Derek reviews Alchemist. It is a bard game of concocting potions. You represent your school at an alchemical contest, mixing potions and promoting your school’s favorite ingredient. This game does a great job of capturing the apprentice magician feel. Alchemist Publisher: Mayfair Games Designed By: Carlo A. Rossi Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 50 minutes MSRP: $35.00    

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Derek reviews Pillars of the Earth, a board game based on the novel by Ken Follett. This one stood out as soon as we opened the box because it is absolutely beautiful. As we started to play we realized the game mechanics were just as masterful. We had a blast playing with it. You have to balance your spending, your resources, and your ability to convert those resources. There are branching strategies and always something to entertain your brain with. The theme is to work together to build a cathedral but it is your personal victory points that will grant you the win. Pillars of the Earth Publisher: Mayfair Games, Kosmos Designed By: Michael Rieneck and Stefan Stadler Players: 2-4 Ages: 12+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes MSRP: $49.00   For today’s promo we revisit our friends at All Games Considered where they do just as the name implies.  

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Jeremaih reviews Elvish Checkers. Its a an abstract strategy game stylized with a fantasy theme. This fun and simple game is played on a unique cloth playing board and designed with portability in mind. Elvish Checkers Publisher: Three Sages Games Designed By: David Waino Players: 2 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $12.95   Today’s promo was for the Weekly Anime Review. It is exactly what you would expect and a great way for us to get our anime education before heading to Anizona next month.  

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Jeremiah reviews Iliad. Its a card game about the legends surrounding the Trojan war. Through a series of sieges you battle for victory points, carefully choosing what armies to apply and when. This game has an interesting blend of mechanics than even achieves a bit of a poker feel but is clearly about war.     Iliad Publisher: ASMODEE editions Designed By: Dominique Ehrhard Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 45 minutes MSRP: $21.99   The promo you heard today was for the Bobby Blackwolf Show. It is not just a podcast, but a weekly live radio show on video games.  

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Derek reviews Catan Histories Struggle for Rome. It is a board game that brings the Settlers of Catan feel to the historical fall of the Rome. Instead of placing tiles, the European map is already laid out in traditional Catan hexes. Struggle against your opponents to sack Roman cities and start building your new civilization from what little is left of the old empire. Struggle for Rome Publisher: Mayfair Games, Kosmos Designed By: Klaus Teuber Players: 3-4 Ages: 12+ Play Time: 90 - 120 minutes MSRP: $49.00 Today’s promo is for Does My Geek Look Big in This? It is an absolutely fun blend of role-playing and beer. Does My Geek was named the official podcast of Gen Con UK.

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Derek Reviews Ave Caesar; a chariot racing board game. This game is less about speed and more about positioning and cutting off your opponent. This game is easy to learn and play. We found this to be a great choice for company of mixed maturity. Ave Caesar Publisher: ASMODEE editions Designed By: Wolfgang Riedesser Players: 3-6 Ages: 12+ Play Time: 30 - 60 minutes MSRP: $44.99   For Battlestar Galactica fans like ourselves, we played a promo from the Combat Information Center. Alan Light discusses BSG with the listener community. They certainly pay attention to the details of the show and have a good time.  

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Jeremiah reviews Misson: Red Planet. This is a board game about 19th century Mars exploration. You are constantly engaged while sending rockets to Mars to collect resources from it’s surface. Jeremiah refuses to send this one back for Don and Derek to try, insisting on having it to play again and again. Mission: Red Planet Publisher: ASMODEE editions Designed By: Bruno Cathala & Bruno faidutti Players: 3-5 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 60 minutes MSRP: $44.99     The entertaining promo on todays show was Sons of Kryos. They put together a great show full of useful information. Be sure to check it out.

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Jeremiah reviews Figaro; an easy to learn yet deceptively complex card game. Your play represents that of a mischievous jester that is stuck with the king in a lonely castle. Your challenge is to stay out of trouble, at least more so than your opponents. This one is going to get played over and over again. Figaro Publisher: Mayfair Games, daVinci games Designed By: Reiner Knizia Players: 3-6 Ages: 8+ Play Time: 3-6 MSRP: $20.00    

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Derek reviews Anasazi; a board game of exploration. Steer expeditions and loot ancient treasures from the cliff-dwellers of the US southwest. This game beautiful and sets up a little differently each time. Anasazi Publisher: Mayfair Games, Phalanx Games Designed By: Klaus-Jurgen Wrede Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 30 minutes MSRP: $30.00    

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Derek reviews Palabra; a card game all of us played and thoroughly enjoyed. Palabra is a cross of words, rummy, and poker. It does a great job of bridging the gap between the verbally elite and the rest of us. Palabra Publisher: Palabra Enterprises Players: 2-6 Play Time: 20-30 minutes MSRP: $20.00    

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Derek reviews Nature of the Beast, a card game about animals fighting for total dominance. You have to appreciate the humor in this game. Give your barnyard animals loaded revolvers and take over the suburbs! Nature of the Beast Publisher: Eye-Level Entertainment Players: 2 Ages: 12+ MSRP: $17.95 Play Time: 30-60 minutes   Today’s promo is for The Vintage Gamer by Jim Van Verth. Jim is a great guy and and does an great job presenting the older games.Feed Claims: My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-966c179562225e7bad9e7e7a4ab845a2}, My Odeo Channel (odeo/be3686374a6dd8f6)  

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Jeremiah reviews Kung Fu Fighting, a cinematic fast paced kung fu style fighting card game. You will be laughing around the table while table bashing your friends. Your kung fu is good, ours is better. Kung Fu Fighting Publisher: Slugfest Games Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $19.95 Play Time: 30 minutes     During the break you will hear a promo for The Square One podcast. They are directing their efforts to new and prospective role-playing gamers. Sam and Bill are great podcasters putting a great idea together.

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Derek reviews Family Business, a card game about mobsters and mob war. Knock of your friends and protect your own family. Family Business Publisher: Mayfair Gamess Players: 2-6 Ages: 8+ MSRP: $10.00 Play Time: 30-60 minutes

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Jeremiah shares Bison, a tile game with a Native American theme about resource dominance. This is defiantly a solid game hobby gamers will love. Bison   Publisher: Mayfair Games, Phalanx Games Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $30.00 Play Time: 90 minutes Designed By: Wolfgang Kramer, Michael Kiesling

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Derek reviews Monkey Arena, a playful board game where monkeys battle for victory. Make sure to dodge flung poo in this simple and fun family or filler game. Monkey Arena Publisher: 3am Games Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $19.95 Play Time: 30-60 minutes Designed By: Ben Shanks

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Derek reviews Hunting Party, a boxed game where you are responsible for deciphering prophecy. Build your party and beat the shadow creatures to make the money you need to win the game. Hunting Party Publisher: Seaborn Games Players: 2-5 Ages: 13+ MSRP: $39.99 Play Time: 90 minutes Designed By: Ben Christenson, Patrick Christenson

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Jeremiah reviews Pieces of Eight, a coin game with a pirate theme. This unique game is very portable and extremely entertaining. Pieces of Eight Publisher: Atlas Games Players: 2+ Ages: 10+ MSRP: $19.95 Play Time: 10-30 minutes Designed By: Jeff Tidball

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Jeremiah reviews Wits and Wagers, a trivia game crossed with betting. This game is easy to love and backed up by multiple awards. Wits and Wagers   Publisher: North Star Games Players: 3-21 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $29.99 Play Time: 25 minutes Designed By: Dominic Crapuchettes

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Derek reviews Its Good to Be the King, a light hearted card game about brown-nosing the king. You will be pleasing him daily with the cards in your hand as he whimsically plans the week's events. Its Good to Be the King Publisher: 3AM Games Players: 3-6 Ages: 12+ MSRP: $16.95 Play Time: 30-40 minutes Designed By: Ben Shanks

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