The Spiel

Dice. Tiles. Cards. We celebrate hitting triple digits with 3 reviews that fit our slogan, including an in-depth look at Macao.

Tricks are treats. We explore the history and evolution of trick and trump games from Pinochle to modern titles like Triumvirate, Sticheln and Die Sieben Siegel.

Bite size. Nine full reviews of games you can play in 5-40 minutes. Titles include: Bezzerwizzer, Gracias, Triviathon, Sushi Roll, Word of the Street, Nanuk, 7 Ate 9, Super Circles, and Chaos Marauders.

To arms! Wargames with legs. We review three simple, but very strategic titles enjoyable by non-wargamers, including an in-depth look at Hammer of the Scots.

Going twice, Sold! We push up the bid to play two unusual auction games from the pioneer prairies in Homesteaders to the blistering kitchens of Restaurant Row.

Elementary! We don our deerstalkers and our treasure hunting boots, playing Tobago and Epäillyt, two deductive reasoning games.

Tome sweet tome. We travel the lands of Valdora, a board game where the roads are filled with gems and patrons and the cities guard giant wooden books.

Quote Fall Puzzle by David Coleson. Solve the puzzle, send us the answer. Correct entries could win a Game Goody Bag from Essen!

Holy hand grenades. We play Colonia, a game about collecting dusty old bones and shiny baubles to push medieval merchants to fame and fortune.

Geeks in the heart of Texas. We report back from BGG Con in Dallas with an in-depth look at The Adventurers, full details on the Spiel-a-thon, and mini-reviews of 10 different titles.