Hot take: teaching new players by starting with the full rules is a bad idea

I run a game night at a local cafe in Bellingham, and for years I'd start new players with the full rulebook. It was a mess, with people zoning out halfway through. Last month, I tried something different with Root. Instead of explaining everything, I set up a simple goal: 'You're trying to get 30 points, here's how you get them.' We played one round with open hands, letting them ask questions as things came up. After that single round, they knew more than my old 20 minute lecture ever taught them. The game moved faster and everyone had more fun. I think we get too caught up in 'proper' teaching and forget that playing is the best teacher. Has anyone else found a game that really clicked with a 'learn as you go' approach?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandrah6916d ago

Tried that with Wingspan and the game just clicked faster.

caleb_jenkins9216d ago

That game's manual is a brick, but the quick start guide saved us.