Nerd power

Sorry, I have been crazy busy these few days. What little social time I possess has been spent on board games. Yes, it is nerdy, but it is better than sitting along and reading a fantasy novel (which I probably would have been doing otherwise). And drinking a few beers while playing games looks a lot better than drinking a few beers while reading a fantasy novel. Anyway, here are a few winners;

Twilight Struggle: Oh my goodness, is this good. You get to fight the whole Cold War in about three hours. There is little actual fighting just the spreading of influence through diplomacy and covert action. There is a fair amount of luck, as all the action depends on the cards you hold, but it is a wild ride. If you were an international relations major, you really need this one. After you play you will spend hours thinking of ways to keep the US or the USSR out of the Middle East.

Puerto Rico: If direct conflict isn't your bag, you might like the economic conflict in Puerto Rico. Each player is a Spanish colonial magnate trying to develop land and then ship products back to Spain. There are multiple strategies to win and you can learn the game in about 15 minutes. Super fun.

Ticket to Ride: Marklin edition: Ticket to Ride is about connecting train routes on the United States. You can learn in minutes and even play with your kids. The Marklin edition is set in Germany and adds an additional challenge, getting passengers to the big cities. This small change makes for much more decision-making. Like the other two games, there is a wonderful tension throughout.