How To Beat Your Kids At Board Games

01/04/2021

Hello everyone! We know we’ve kept you all waiting for a while, so we wanted to start spring quarter with a bang. Check out a preview of our newest episode: Mulling Over Mao (or MOM for short)!

Mao is a rather secretive card game not unlike UNO or Crazy 8s, but what distinguishes it from its cousins is that public discussion of the rules is forbidden: VERBOTEN...that is, until today! Click below to hear Dan and John’s latest éxposé, where we go through the secret rules of this elusive game in a straightforward, no-nonsense way; of course, we’ll touch on some strategy too.

We realize that, as the game authorities will likely come down pretty hard on us, this may be our last broadcast. But we count it worthwhile to provide so much value to our loyal listeners. Please, let that this episode may not have been produced in vain!

20/01/2021

To all of our listeners, the wait for HTBYKABG’s first episode of 2021 is over: Connoisseurs of Carcassonne is out now!

Brought into being by Klaus Jürgen Wrede and Hans im Glück, Carcassonne is the second of the “Big Four” Eurogames. Relatively quick to play, Carcassonne offers plenty of catharsis, from the satisfaction of completing a project of your own to the schadenfreude of sabotaging your opponents’ plans. Learn how to build effective roads and cities, snake onto your opponents’ projects, and utilize the throughput mindset to maximize your Meeple.

Find us on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464?fbclid=IwAR1wYTvkEk5aK-I1vXY_KLr9DtIAj2H48lFhZ8H01eBdxy_gM1sMlgyEtlA
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kYZTpWTVR_Bi-2-C9PZhw

Following the fresh and exciting podcast "How to Beat Your Kids at Board Games," this channel brings you stimulating board game content covering a variety of...

15/01/2021

If you've been patiently awaiting the release of our episode on Carcassone, the wait is almost over! So gather your Meeple and your Abbotts because "Connoisseurs of Carcassone" releases this Tuesday, January 19th! Enjoy a quick bite of what's to come.

22/12/2020

At long last, we’ve got a new episode out: Getting a Clue!

Clue is a profound game of deduction that contains many more intricacies than meet the eye. Tune in and hear Dan and John talk through the principles any novice can use to become the resident Sherlock. The uses for these techniques range from processing information more effectively to confusing or even punishing your opponents.

We know it’s been a while, so if you’ve forgotten where to find your favorite listening spot, here are the links!

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464?fbclid=IwAR1wYTvkEk5aK-I1vXY_KLr9DtIAj2H48lFhZ8H01eBdxy_gM1sMlgyEtlA
Find us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1
Find us on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games
Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kYZTpWTVR_Bi-2-C9PZhw

20/12/2020

Hello everyone! A quick reminder that we are launching our next episode Tuesday, December 22. We're making a foray into everyone’s favorite forensic board game: Clue! Back from our brief hiatus, we tell you how to figure out what you already know: that it was Colonel Mustard in the study with the lead pipe.

Can’t wait until Tuesday? Feel free to go back and listen to some of our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or YouTube. Just type our name or acronym into the search bar.

09/12/2020

HTBYKABG is excited to announce that we are back to business and will be producing two new episodes over winter break! The games of choice are the ever-popular Clue, as well as the German-style board game Carcasonne (Meeple of the world, unite!). Dust off those magnifying glasses and Sherlock Holmes' caps, and stay tuned for more updates.

21/10/2020

Hey everyone, since we’ve got an election coming up (two weeks from today!), we’re taking a break from podcasting to research and get our ballots filled out and turned in.

Don’t fret; we’ll be back with more content around the Holiday Season. Happy Voting!

16/10/2020

Alright everyone, HTBYKABG’s newest episode, Cards Against Brett’s Sanity, is now up and running wherever you get your podcasts. As we mentioned on Tuesday, you can see the entire accompanying video on our YouTube channel.

Originally dubbed Cardenfreude, Cards Against Humanity was founded in 2011 by a group of eight Highland Park High School (IL) with a remarkably successful KickStarter campaign. Similar in structure to Apples to Apples, the game gained notoriety from its risque, politically incorrect content. There have been a few iterations of the game over the years, and its applications span from breaking the ice among groups of strangers to sharing an evening of guilty laughter among tight-knit groups. We love to play with members of our family, which is why we invited some of them to do the podcast with us! We’ll talk through strategies, styles of play, motivating factors, and more; we’ll also throw in some fun activities toward the end that you won’t want to miss.

Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kYZTpWTVR_Bi-2-C9PZhw
Find us on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464
Find us on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=pzkU8ypmQfWrbwv_bB3kJg
Find us on Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games

14/10/2020

Hey fans! We have another exciting announcement: for those of you who would rather read than listen (or those who like to do both!), we will be releasing transcripts of all our recorded episodes on Medium.com, along with some bonus content. These take a bit longer to get out there, so we appreciate your patience, but you can check out our origin story, our Intro episode, and our Monopoly episode (with pictures!) now; just click the Medium link below.

Find us on Medium:
https://medium.com/search?q=how%20to%20beat%20your%20kids%20at%20board%20games

14/10/2020

SOUND ON!

Who are these people? Why are they clapping? And why are their facial structures so darn similar?!

Surprise! HTBYKABG is proud to present our newest series: Family Game Night! Every so often, we’ll get together on a Zoom call with some of our family and friends and shoot the moon about the games we know and love. These editions of the show are meant to be more light-hearted and conversational, with some fun activities thrown in. We’ll pick each other’s brains about how we like to play--whether it makes strategic sense or not--and, of course, we’ll share some fun stories and laughs along the way. You know, everything that makes game night fun (including the fighting, of course).

We’ll be placing all our Family Game Night conversations (with video!) on our YouTube channel; you’ll also be able to find the audio on your favorite podcast media. This Friday, 10/16, we’re releasing our first episode of the series. The subject? Everyone’s favorite inappropriate card game: Cards Against Humanity. Cue the nervous giggles! Also?? You finally get to see our beautiful faces. Stay tuned!

Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kYZTpWTVR_Bi-2-C9PZhw
Find us on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464
Find us on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=pzkU8ypmQfWrbwv_bB3kJg
Find us on Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games

01/10/2020

Tired of re-hashing last night’s debate? Celebrate International Podcast Day by listening to a podcast instead! We all deserve a break. You can find all our episodes by searching “HTBYKABG” wherever you get your podcasts. Happy Listening!

26/09/2020

Hey podcast listeners! We are proud to announce that we now have a YouTube channel! Just type our name or acronym into your search bar, and you’ll be greeted with your favorite HTBYKABG content. At present, our YouTube channel features all of our podcasts, plus some classy accompanying artwork put together by our very own Sweet John, perfect for listening to in the background while you work (but none of us listen to podcasts while working...right??).

And keep an eye out for additional video content from HTBYKABG! But don’t think we won’t keep you updated!

22/09/2020

HTBYKABG is proud to present our latest episode, “Ore You Ready for some Catan?”!

The creation of German game designer Klaus Teuber, the subject of this episode was launched in 1995 as “The Settlers of Catan” and later renamed simply “Catan.” The game simulates arriving on a distant island and having to develop the land more quickly and efficiently than your fellow explorers. A German-style board game, or Eurogame, Catan emphasizes soft skills such as negotiation and positioning, while preserving only a minimal role for luck and throwing outright conflict and player elimination to the wolves. In tackling this complex game, Dan and John go through some essential tips on initial setup, early-game, and late-game strategy, along with some sneaky tactics that will help you gain the edge on even seasoned opponents.

Listen to “Ore You Ready for some Catan?” wherever you get your podcasts!

Find us on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464
Find us on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=pzkU8ypmQfWrbwv_bB3kJg
Find us on Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games

18/09/2020

Alright everyone, it’s finally (almost) time to release our newest episode on the base edition of (Settlers of) Catan! John and Dan teach you the best ways to develop your board, trade efficiently, and keep your opponents in check. “Ore You Ready for some Catan?” drops this Tuesday, 9/22!

04/09/2020

To our loyal listeners: thank you for waiting, and we hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about your favorite hosts.

Now it’s time to announce the subject of our next episode, selected largely due to popular demand: The Base Edition of Settlers of Catan! We set sail for this exciting new land on the Autumnal Equinox (Tuesday, September 22). In the meantime, as always, keep an eye on our page for more updates!

28/08/2020

Ushering in the weekend with our second HTBYKABG host bio!

John Henderson is the other half of the HTBYKABG pair and the only Gen Z-er of four children. Don’t let Sweet John’s laid-back attitude fool you; he’s a driven, creative entrepreneur and artist with the quantitative background to back it up. Read his bio to find out more, and remember: as before, this bio is entirely accurate and not at all facetious. Happy reading!

And stay tuned for an update this Tuesday, 9/1, when we’ll announce the subject of our next episode!

26/08/2020

If you've been looking to get to know the hosts of your favorite board game-related podcast, look no further!

Daniel Henderson is one half of the HTBYKABG duo and is a hard-working, thoughtful individual. He is an academic, an athlete, and...well, read the bio and find out the rest! And remember, this bio is entirely accurate and not at all facetious. Enjoy!

Also, look forward to another bio post for Dan's other half, John, coming later this week, as well as more updates regarding new content coming soon!

20/08/2020

Dan and John are stoked to announce that How to Beat Your Kids at Board Games is now on Stitcher! Check it out!

Find us on Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games

Additionally, a quick note on what’s ahead: in the coming weeks, we are looking to expand to even more app and web platforms. And, of course, we’re already working on our next exciting episode; details to come! In the meantime, we’ll soon be releasing some light content on our page that you won’t want to miss.

Lots happening; stay tuned!

04/08/2020

At long last, our newest episode, Pulverizing the Pandemic, is finally here! Let’s be honest, in this eighth month of 2020, we’d all love to be able to personally tell the pandemic where to stick it...with this week’s game, you can!

The brainchild of human board-game factory Matt Leacock in 2007, Pandemic quickly became one of the most popular new board games in America, earning the Origins Award for Best Board Game in 2008 and GAMES Magazine’s Best New Family Game in 2009. Leacock has since created many expansions, which have won numerous awards of their own.

A game where you work alongside, rather than compete against, your fellow players, Pandemic has helped to usher in an explosion of cooperative board games in the 21st century. Popular cooperative and semi-cooperative games such as Gloomhaven, Dead of Winter, and Ticket to Ride, and even in-person and virtual Escape Rooms are only a few to have ridden this wave. If you haven’t yet been infected with this exciting genre of games, Pandemic is a fantastic (and very relevant) place to start! Dan and John dispense key tips and strategies to help you crush the Pandemic, whether you are setting up your board at home or tackling the online version on Steam (Zoom party anyone??).

Listen to Pulverizing the Pandemic, as well as our other episodes, on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

And Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=pzkU8ypmQfWrbwv_bB3kJg

02/08/2020

**Bumping our latest post (may or may not have deleted the first one by accident). Get excited for our latest episode on Pandemic, coming to you this Tuesday, August 4th!

We’ve kept you waiting for a while, but it’s finally time to announce the subject of our next episode. Yes, you guessed it: our “topical,” “relevant” game is none other than Pandemic.

We do not make this announcement lightly. You may remember from our intro episode that the reason we rushed to get our podcast on the air back in early May was to give people a way to enjoy their time at home with family, friends, or roommates, to stay sane while staying safe. In the midst of the very real challenges that COVID-19 has caused for so many, games are a way to momentarily forget the outside world and connect with each other. In this particular case, Pandemic allows you to band together with your comrades, working and coordinating to bring the disease under control and save humanity. It’s a message we’d all like to hear and be a part of. The cherry on top? The game features a digital version as well, meaning you can play with even more people while keeping the real virus in check.

Make sure to catch Pulverizing the Pandemic, our latest episode, on Tuesday, 8/4!

21/07/2020

Hey everyone! A quick announcement on our next episode! We’ve decided to choose something topical and relevant (Guesses as to what it might be? DM us!). Because it’s a bit more complex than our recent releases, we’re going to take a bit longer to get it to you to make sure we don’t miss anything important, but we have a pretty good feeling it will be worth your while.

Check our page for an update next Tuesday, 7/28, and get excited for the episode release on 8/4!

14/07/2020

HTBYKABG is proud to present our newest episode: Tres, Dos, UNO!

UNO was adapted from the popular card game Crazy 8’s (future episode???) by Ohio barbershop owner Merle Robbins in 1971. In under half a century, and with the help of the marketing of International Games and later Mattel, it has grown into a crowd favorite, now played by millions around the world.

With its heavy chance element, flexible structure, quick gameplay, colorful cards, and, of course, revenge, UNO is a party game second to none. Even so, the game features many ways for a shrewd player to strategically gain the upper hand. Dan and John walk you through these techniques so you can be a thorn in the side of any unsuspecting partygoer...or arrogant, snot-nosed kid.

Listen to Tres, Dos, UNO, as well as our other episodes, on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

And Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=pzkU8ypmQfWrbwv_bB3kJg

10/07/2020

Good luck discarding this hand! Get ready for HTBYKABG’s newest upcoming episode on UNO, coming soon to Apple Podcasts and Spotify. While UNO features plenty of luck, Dan and John explain how to gain the edge...and claim the bragging rights! Tres, Dos, UNO airs this Bastille Day, July 14!

Find us on on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

And Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=pzkU8ypmQfWrbwv_bB3kJg

30/06/2020

HTBYKABG is excited to introduce our newest episode: Battleship Blitz!

While there are many theories about its origin, most contend that Battleship originally arose as a pen-and-paper game in France during World War I, a war that also featured real-life battleships in their heyday. A few different forms of the game have evolved since that time, but the basic form and object of the game have remained. Dan and John walk through how best to place your own ships, as well as how to seek out and destroy your opponents’; we also touch on a few juicy rule variants and how they affect optimal game play. With a tantalizing combination of strategy and luck, Battleship is an enjoyable way to flex your mathematical and psychological muscles, and the relatively quick format lends itself to repeated play, which adds even more strategic wrinkles and makes the game that much more addicting.

Listen to Battleship Blitz, as well as our other episodes, on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

And Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=d2pJD3kpTtag9MsEubVISA

26/06/2020

After laying low for a while, our ships are resurfacing soon to bring you our latest episode: Battleship Blitz. Tune in on Tuesday, June 30, to hear us cover our most explosive game yet!

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464?fbclid=IwAR27qu4w9Asfnuihp-ddVisW38XVlcqUdqjp-xFkTkw-JxehHKtIApt-9NA
Or on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=fPbMVHCESCmtd-Gl24-9fg

16/06/2020

Alright everyone, we’re stoked to announce our upcoming schedule for June and July! Tune in for Battleship on June 30, Uno on July 14, and a game-to-be-named-later on July 28.

We are working hard to bring you high quality new content, but if you just can't wait that long, be sure to brush up on our previous episodes - Backgammon, Risk, Parcheesi, and Monopoly!

Find us on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

Find us on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=BwG-CcWaTgGo3il1DEJjpw

10/06/2020

HTBYKABG is excited to present our newest podcast: Backgammon Basics, now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

You probably know backgammon as “the one with all the weird triangles,” but it’s also one of the oldest board games still played today, with original versions predating 3000 BC. Even so, it has seen a resurgence in popularity in the past century and is still on the rise today. Dan and John help you step up your skills at this timeless game, enjoyed by everyone from Byzantine emperors to Pl***oy bunnies. We fill you in on such useful concepts as anchors, builders, pip counts, and, everyone’s favorite, the bar.

One additional note: we’re taking a break for a few weeks! Yes, it is final exam season, and as much as we love board games, school comes first! We’ll be back in late June with more action-packed episodes covering more of your favorite games. Keep an eye on our page for scheduling updates. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, make sure you check out our first three episodes on Monopoly, Parcheesi, and Risk.

Lastly, if you like our show, rate and/or review us wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to know what we’re doing well and what we could improve upon!

Find us on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

And Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=G4PB1S_jRrKs81ydn0inng

03/06/2020

In light of recent events, we will not be airing our episode today as we had planned. Instead we would like to take this moment to stand in solidarity with black communities around the US. We also know that there are a lot of resources and information circulating right now, and we’d like to encourage our listeners to pause and give yourselves time to take in and reflect upon this information.

29/05/2020

In any board game, few things are more satisfying than taking an opponent’s piece. Tune into the next exciting episode of HTBYKABG to hear Dan and John weigh in on your grandpa’s favorite game, backgammon. Backgammon Basics drops Tuesday, 6/2!

In keeping with true quarantine fashion, this episode is brought to you through Zoom’s illustrious recording technology.

26/05/2020

HTBYKABG is excited to present our newest podcast: Risk Management 101, now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Invented by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse in 1957, Risk has quenched game lovers’ thirst for world domination ever since. This game has seen many variations--now you can even take over Middle Earth--but the end goal of conquest remains.

Discussion topics abound as the HTBYKABG duo tackles their most complex game yet. Learn how to judge your opening position, efficiently manage your troops, make (and break) alliances, and, last but not least, how to finish off your opponents (and reap the spoils).

Like a good game of Risk, this episode is jam-packed with twists and turns that will leave you ready to tackle your next reinforcement phase.

Find us on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-beat-your-kids-at-board-games/id1511459464

And Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1mcyJ8psGGg4RBHV8odwt1?si=a7ujb0A8Szel2TC8OG9U1g