The day I stopped teaching new players how to "play optimally" at game night

For years I would jump in and explain every possible move to new players, making sure they didn't miss the "best" strategy. Then last month at a local board game cafe in Portland, a guy told me I was sucking all the fun out of it by doing that. Now I shut up and let people figure stuff out on their own, even if they make bad moves. Has anyone else had to learn this lesson the hard way with their game group?

3 comments

3 Comments

cole_patel411mo ago

Tbh my buddy stopped coming to game night cause someone kept backseat gaming like that.

gray_roberts1mo ago

Wait, people actually stopped coming because of backseat gaming? That's wild, I thought I was just being helpful back when I did it too. Makes total sense though, nobody wants to feel like they're being tested on a strategy quiz.

parker_jones501mo ago

Cole's buddy quitting game night over backseat gaming is crazy. I've lost a few friends mid-game before but never had anyone just straight up stop coming.