Whenever we get a request from boardgaming newbies for something challenging and strategic, Lords of Waterdeep is always at or near the top of the list of recommendations we give. And it's not out of sentimentality or favouritism. Every time we bring this game out for a table full of new players, it delivers the goods and leaves them wanting more. This week we shine the spotlight on one of the best games we know for introducing people to the wider world of modern boardgames.

In our second ever Guru Voodoo episode, our gurus face their worst nightmare: a group of people who refuse to offer any useful information at all about what sort of game they like or dislike. When every game ever published is loved by some and hated by others, when every player's taste is so individual and unique, how can you possibly help a group that flatly refuses to tell you what they want out of a game?

A solitaire game is a game you play by yourself. Some boardgames (especially Euros) have the reputation of being "multiplayer solitaire", meaning that the players all sit at the same table and each of them plays their own little game without interacting with one another, as though all of them were playing solitaire. What is the appeal of this kind of game, and why is it so divisive among boardgame aficionados?

A lot of people like the idea of a purely physical game. But Jenga is just the tip of the iceberg. There are lots of other dexterity games out there, and some of them are about more than just being good with your hands. Some dexterity games test your brain as well as your reflexes. But can that spoil the simple fun of it?

Sometimes at the café, we get a table of people who really want to be at each other's throats. When Risk is too long and A Game of Thrones is too complicated, we like to bring out Kemet. It's a comic-book fantasy version of ancient Egypt, with clashing Gods, giant monsters, building pyramids, and of course, armies of loyal followers to fight each other to the death. If you're not afraid to get a little nerdy, it's crazy good fun.

In our new Guru Voodoo segment, the gurus of Snakes and Lattes are put to the test. We describe a table full of customers and they work their voodoo, picking and presenting the games they'll bring to show the folks a good time. In this episode, we get a table of four who want to play in teams of two, but aren't sure what else they're looking for. What games will the gurus bring out?

We've talked about co-operative games where it's everyone against the game, but how about a game where it's everybody against one player? It sounds unfair, but what if that one player has some kind of advantage that balance the scales, giving everyone a chance to win? Have a listen and find out about this strange and fascinating sub-genre.

In some games, one player can get an early lead that just gets bigger and bigger. In games like that, as soon as one player starts winning, the game is effectively over. For some players, this is all part of the fun, but for others, this is an absolute deal-breaker and a reason never to play that game again. How big a problem is a runaway leader, and how can a game deal with it?

There's been a fashion lately for so-called "microgames". These are games that have very few components. A small box, a few cards (less than 20), maybe some tokens, and that's it. The latest to earn the affections of the gurus at Snakes and Lattes is Coup, by Rikki Tahta. It's a bluffing game with very sharp teeth. Have a listen, and find out if it's something you'd like to try on your next visit.

This is a short episode. Jonathan shares the story of how the SnakesCast came to be, and offers a preview of some new features coming next season.