If this is the first Actualol video you're seeing - I've got loads of other funny videos like this one on the channel. Start with the Best of Actualol playlist:

"No game is objectively bad, but some games are subjectively bad to the entire population of the world" - hahaha good one 🤣

This is a great video, and great advice! Really enjoyed it!

Yep guilty of all of these... And just to add to your advice about not buying expansions with the base game, I'd also recommend not buying expansions without the base game.

I feel so personally called out and I love this video! The lure for expansions is definitely a struggle I understand. I'd add a number 11: You don't need to own a game you like if you played it at a friend's (or family member's) house. It's tempting, because you legit like the game, but guess what? You can play it with that friend any time you want for free! You don't need to own everything!

I watch Rodney Smith in bed while reading rule books especially on days right before I go rock climbing.

So I followed your advice on marriage. I was enjoying it a lot so I brought the mistress expansion and now my wife wants a divorce. I will be forwarding you the legal fees

For me, one of the biggest mistakes is "discussing every single rule beforehand". This may seem odd and may depend on the group, but if you are trying to get a new person into playing a game, you need to simplify and dole out the information on a need to know basis. I always find playing first and then having rules mentioned more useful then hearing every rule from the get go. A perfect example is trying to teach someone Yu-Gi-Oh (I know it's not a card game, but it works). I would start with basic info (how many cards they draw, how much life they have, and that the goal is to reduce opponent to 0). Then, when it's there turn, explain each action in the turn, describe the cards they have in hand, and so on. Then on my turn, I would show them more complex stuff (like special summoning and stuff). I always find that I get better retention from people when I piecemeal the rules rather than info-dumping to them.

I found that the Game of the Year awards in Germany are always a good reference for fun games (I think each of the games you suggested for starting were games of the year in Germany) So you can look for "Spiel des Jahres". Also there is the "Kennerspiel des Jahres" which is aimed at more advanced gamers.

I weirdly kind of disagree with the Dune take of "Most fans of Dune will find it to be too much." I love the Dune board game but first played it long before I'd read the books or seen the movies. It was only after that that I understood half of the weird faction abilities and odd asymmetrical rulings. Most fans of Dune will really love the board game, especially how it slavishly devotes itself to the original IP, making up rules that arguably don't need to exist just to better match the flavour of the books and films. For Dune fans it's what they want, for everyone else it's "too much."

I'm definitely the expansion hoarder. Thankfully, my wife helps with that by refusing to learn more than one new board game a month, which she considers expansions to be. It helps me be more selective about what I bring into our lives.

When explaining the rules, always start with the victory conditions and work your way backwards. It lets people anchor the information on why it’s important.

Extremely well written, cleanly produced and thoroughly insightful tips. This is top notch content, not just within the niche board-game field, but compared to the whole of YT. Major props.

1. Learn the Rules before the group come to play

That "don't rely on friends and family" bit speaks to me. I got into Carcassonne because a guy I dated was a board game geek, and I enjoyed playing it with him.

you are genuinely one of the best youtubers i’ve ever seen. you speak so eloquently, professional, and personally. it really feels like you’re speaking right to me, and that you know everything i’m thinking. great job!

I just got into solo board games and this is exactly what I needed. Thanks for this video! Love your channel!

First video of yours I watched, I recognized myself and nodded to most of what you said. It's refreshing to see someone trying to get people to join the fun and not to "sell" that you have to be a hardcore gamer.

“I can’t lose another potential gamer to rock climbing. You can’t do both.”

I felt called out so many times in this video, in a good way... it was very relatable. Very insightful video. Thanks! So much fun to watch!