Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games

Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.

How To Play: The Keep

The Keep: Box Cover Front

The Keep: Quick Summary

The Keep is all about guarding your central tower, smart resource use, and tricking your friends with sneaky moves. Knowing How To Play the keep well means balancing defense with offense. The game box has all you need for nerve-wracking, snack-fueled fun. Never trust Steve; he always raids on turn three.

How To Play: Fat Fish

Fat Fish - Fat Fish, HUCH!, 2018 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Fat Fish is a fun, sneaky card game where memory, timing, and reading your friends pays off big. Remember the rules, watch the cards, and don’t trust anyone’s poker face. With ‘How To Play fat fish’ tips, you’ll soon be the undisputed champ—or at least have a good laugh trying!

How To Play: Lascaux

Lascaux: Box Cover Front

Lascaux is a clever bidding game where you read your friends, manage your stones, and grab the right sets. Wise bidding and timing matter, but watching your rivals is key. If you mess up, laugh it off—then block their mammoth cards. Master these, and you'll nail How To Play lascaux!

How To Play: True Stories

True Stories: Box Cover Front

After lots of laughs and fibs playing How To Play true stories with my friends, I can say this game rules! Bluff, use smart timing, and read your pals’ faces. It comes with story cards and tokens. Remember, practice makes perfect—even if your poker face is more like a goldfish.

How To Play: Evo

Evo: Box Cover Front

Evo is a quirky, strategic game where you mutate dinosaurs and try to survive wild weather. Master mutations, predict storms, and control the board to win. My friends and I argued, laughed, and learned the rules the hard way. If you want fun chaos, Evo delivers. How To Play evo: survive smart!