What we’re about
Seattle Board Games supports a vibrant and inclusive community of board game enthusiasts in the Seattle metro area. Our events and gatherings offer opportunities to have fun, make friends, and deepen our appreciation for the art, design, and strategy of board games. We seek to make games more accessible by removing barriers to enjoying and learning from them.
We host all types of boardgames, from lighter games such as Settlers of Catan and Lords of Waterdeep to heavier Euros like Brass Birmingham, Dune Imperium, and others. We also play thematic games such as Battlestar Galactica, social deduction games like Blood on the Clocktower, Magic the Gathering, card games, and party games. If it's on BoardGameGeek's list of over 25,000 games, we might be playing it!
We have a Discord! Connect with hundreds of other local board game fans, set up game sessions, play online, and be the first to know about some events before they're announced on Meetup! This link will lead you there!
Anyone can become an event organizer and host events - either specific games or open gaming sessions. If you are interested, please contact the primary organizer.
We are member and organizer driven, and welcome suggestions for improvements and new directions.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- ROOT @ Stoup Capitol Hill!Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Root is a game of adventure and war in which players battle for control of a vast wilderness. Each player in Root has unique capabilities and a different victory condition.
The nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. Under her rule, the many creatures of the forest have banded together. This Woodland Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of cats. In this effort, the Alliance may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths. Though some may sympathize with the Alliance’s hopes and dreams, these wanderers are old enough to remember the great birds of prey who once controlled the woods. Meanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie Dynasties have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright.
The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root.
This is intended as a beginner-friendly session, so while I'm personally happy to bring out all of the various expansions, if even a single person at the table hasn't played before we'll limit ourselves to the base game and the standard four factions only.
Root is a medium-complexity game, with the added twist that every participant plays by a slightly different set of rules. It is primarily an area majority/influence game, which may also include elements of hand management, action queueing, and/or negotiation depending on the player's faction. It also incorporates battle via dice-rolling and some "take that" elements.
New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.
2 - 4 players
90 - 120 minutes expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity.Root on Board Game Geek
Game overview: How to Play Root with Becca Scott (Don't worry, we'll go over the rules on the day, too.)A few important details:
- It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Stoup (formerly Optimism) Brewing is located at the corner of Union and Broadway, very close to several transit stops and the First Hill Streetcar.
- There's an open gaming event organized by another group happening at the same time, we'll try to set up near them so all the gamers can hang out together! In the event of a low turnout we can even see if any of them would like to fill the empty seat(s).
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- Stoup allows outside food and there are several eateries nearby. There's usually a food truck outside too (Marigold Pizza according to the online schedule)!
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open!
- Let’s Play Edel Stein & Reich!! @Phoenix Comics & GamesPhoenix Comics & Games, Seattle, WA
You are a director of the famous trading house Edel, Stein & Reich, wheeling and dealing at the world’s precious gem exchanges. However, you are only as good as your last trade! Successfully predict your competitors intentions and you can corner the market!
Edel, Stein & Reich, uses Bluffing, Negotiation, Set Collection, & Simultaneous Action Selection over the course of three rounds, to accumulate as much money as possible. To that end, there are multiple actions that can be carried out: Players may choose to increase their gemstone supply, choose advantageous Event Cards, or settle for whatever amount of cash is currently being offered.
However, only those players who choose an action that nobody else has chosen get to carry out their action without hindrance. To that end, it pays to keep an eye on what the other players intend to do…
New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.3 - 5 players
60 minutes expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity.
BGG Link
7-min How-to (Purge Reviews)A few important details:
- This event is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM PLEASE be on time!
Please factor traffic & parking into your commute and if you will be late post in messages or the Discord. - Speaking of… It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Phoenix Comics & Games is only about a block from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Denny stop), less than a block from the Capitol Hill light rail station, and very close to several bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- If you need to cancel please do so as soon as you know. People on the waitlist and playing that day will appreciate it!
- Signing up for this event means other people are counting on you to attend; board games have both a minimum and a maximum player count, so with a limited number of seats available at the table, I want to be sure for everyone's benefit that those seats actually have people in them when the session starts. Last-minute cancellations (less than 12 hours), no-shows, and late arrivals (more than 15 minutes) without good reason will be marked as no-shows for the event and should expect to be automatically moved to the waitlist for any and all future events they join which are hosted by me.
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open as well as posting polls for future meetups!
- This event is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM PLEASE be on time!
- Let’s Play Die Sieben Weisen!! @ Phoenix Comics & GamesPhoenix Comics & Games, Seattle, WA
In ancient times, the seven most respected sages of the magical world gathered every seven years to elect their supreme ruler in various magical power contests. New alliances were constantly formed where those who were fighting together one moment were bitter enemies the next. Or vice versa...
In Die Sieben Weisen ("The Seven Magi"), players use Negotiation, Bidding, & Team-play to form shifting alliances to compete for Crystals, with the player who obtains the most crystals overall wining.
Each turn, the 7 roles in the game will be ranked in a hierarchy and each player chooses a role. Then, players will secretly or openly negotiate to form teams. Once formed, alliance members may freely swap cards amongst themselves because when competing for the crystals later, each player may only play cards for their chosen role or wild cards. Players then play cards, with the alliance that plays the highest total value winning the crystals. However, the choicest crystals are given to this turns' highest-ranking player, not necessarily the player who played the most/strongest cards. Members of the losing alliance get to draw spell cards, which can affect the outcome of a round. At the end of the turn, new cards are drawn, and another round played.
New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.3 - 5 players
60-90 minutes expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity.
BGG Link
No How-To (sorry)A few important details:
- This event is scheduled to start at Noon PLEASE be on time!
Please factor traffic & parking into your commute and if you will be late post in messages or the Discord. - Speaking of… It's Cap Hill, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Phoenix Comics & Games is only about a block from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Denny stop), less than a block from the Capitol Hill light rail station, and very close to several bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- If you need to cancel please do so as soon as you know. People on the waitlist and playing that day will appreciate it!
- Signing up for this event means other people are counting on you to attend; board games have both a minimum and a maximum player count, so with a limited number of seats available at the table, I want to be sure for everyone's benefit that those seats actually have people in them when the session starts. Last-minute cancellations (less than 12 hours), no-shows, and late arrivals (more than 15 minutes) without good reason will be marked as no-shows for the event and should expect to be automatically moved to the waitlist for any and all future events they join which are hosted by me.
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open as well as posting polls for future meetups!
- This event is scheduled to start at Noon PLEASE be on time!
