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: Landlord!

Landlord!: Box Cover Front

Landlord! is a wild and fun property game where you buy smart, negotiate harder, and avoid turning into a broke bean. My friends and I learned quick that cash flow is king—never let your wallet run empty. Remember: How To Play landlord! is part luck, part ruthless tactics. Play bold!

How To Play: Foodies

Foodies - Foodies, CMON Limited/Spaghetti Western Games, 2019 — front cover - Credit: W Eric Martin

Foodies Quick Summary

Foodies mixes tasty strategy with quirky market management. Learn How To Play foodies: watch the market, build smart combos, and spend coins wisely. The rules are simple but choices matter. Upgrade stalls, outsmart your friends, and you just might become the top foodie master (or at least avoid last place)!

How To Play: Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist - Oliver Twist, Purple Brain Creations, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Oliver Twist is an engaging board game where you manage resources, weigh risk versus reward, and time your actions well. My friends and I scrambled for loot, dodged the law, and made some questionable choices—like trading a candlestick for a turnip. If you want laughs and strategy, give it a go!

How To Play: Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost: Box Cover Front

Paradise Lost is a deduction game where you choose characters, gather clues, and catch villains before others do. Pick a strong, varied team, never ignore clues, and watch your rivals closely. With the right strategy and luck, you’ll master How To Play paradise lost and enjoy lots of laughs.

How To Play: Cryo

Cryo - Cryo, Z-Man Games, 2021 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Your Cryo Crash Course

Cryo is all about smart resource juggling, nailing those drone moves, and building cozy colonies underground. Watch out for sneaky friends, plan ahead, and use this guide to outwit the table. How To Play cryo? Simple: play smart, laugh loud, and never trust Dave with a sabotage card.