Release Date: June 24, 2013 Running Time:  175 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

High stakes, higher strategy? The Kennerspiel des Jahres is given to the best advanced board game of the year. The nominees this year take us to Belgium, the marble pits of Italy, and a fantasy realm in need of heroes. We review Bruges, Palaces of Carrara, and Legends of Andor and try to predict this year's winner. In addition, we report back with our experiences from Origins 2013.

Kinderpiel des Jahres Nominees: Palaces of Carrara, Bruges, Legends of Andor
Recommended List:  Terra Mystica, Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
Origins 2013: Convention report on over 20 different titles!

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: June 10, 2013 Running Time:  139 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Child's play. From treasure hunters to mechanical towers and crazy cosmic cows, we review three games nominated for the Kinderspiel des Jahres (German Children's Game of the Year) and try to predict the winner.

Kinderpiel des Jahres Nominees: Orinoco Gold, The Enchanted Tower, Mucca Pazza
Recommended List:  Bim Bam, Baobab, Kakerlakak, Kuddelmuddel, Catan Junior: Madagascar, Linus the Little Magician, Mix Fix, Move & Twist, Star Wars: Battle of Hoth,  Pingi Pongo

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: May 27, 2013 Running Time:  125 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Mind manipulators. We review 3 family friendly games that mess with your head in 3 different ways: Just In Time (twist your pieces to solve timed puzzles), Dotzee (a slide puzzle with dice), and Clubs (a mash up of Spades and ladder games like Tichu).

News & Notes: Spiel des Jahres nominees, Hexica, Boston Festival of Indie Games
The List: Dotzee, Clubs, Just In Time
The Game Sommelier:  5 games inspired by New Orleans
Mail Bag: Kosmonauts feedback, Mystique deck

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: May 13, 2013 Running Time:  159 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

A well-placed banana. From comrades in rockets to apes in bumper cars, we review Kosmonauts and Spin Monkeys - two programmed movement games that give us a fresh look at the genre. We also continue our interview with Bernie DeKoven (Major Fun) and learn about the Games Preserve, a commune he founded in the 1970s with a giant barn full of games.

News & Notes: Space Cadets: Dice Duel, Really?, Apocalypze, Upon a Fable
The List: Kosmonauts, Spin Monkeys
Interview:  Major Fun (Bernie DeKoven) - Part 2
The Game Sommelier:  5 games that could start a collection
Truckloads of Goober: Bend-It, Vikings: Brainstorm
Mail Bag: Flip the Spiel Foundation, Space Cowboys

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Apr. 29, 2013 Running Time:  180 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Roll over, Erasmus. We travel back to Elizabethan England for an in-depth look at Noblemen, a game about managing country estates and attending masquerade balls. The goal? Impress the Queen. We also report back from the Spring Gaming Hoopla with two great interviews: Bill Corey (event coordinator) and Lee Maile (keeper of the Gen Con game library).

News & Notes: You Suck, Mensa Awards  
The List: Noblemen
Hoopla Interviews:  Bill Corey, Lee Maile
The Game Sommelier:  5 games that need solitaire rules
Mail Bag: Origins awards info, Sausage dice snafu

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Apr. 15, 2013 Running Time:  155 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Built to last. We celebrate the show's 7th anniversary with blocks of marble and tiki huts. We review of Palaces of Carrara and Hawaii, two games about building that offer challenge and strategy from a set of seemingly simple choices.

News & Notes: Spyrium, Relic Expedition, Canterbury, Origins Awards  
The List: Palaces of Carrara, Hawaii
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Master Builder
Truckloads of Goober:  Mord im Arosa
The Game Sommelier:  5 games paired with movies/lines of dialogue
Mail Bag: Good Fortune film, Scopa input from Italy

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Apr. 1, 2013 Running Time:  155 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Urban cardboard jungles. We review three games, each with their own take on urban planning: from the futuristic treehouses of Ginkgopolis to the crowded streets of Suburbia to the far flung shores of France and the walls of Saint Malo.

News & Notes: DVDs, Gaming Hoopla, Squadra Games, Survive Expansions  
The List: Ginkgopolis, Suburbia, Saint Malo
Favorites:  Nefertiti (Doug Faust)
The Game Sommelier:  5 games paired with scenes/songs from musicals
Mail Bag: Card games in Milwaukee Art Museum, Scopa, Family Vacation

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Mar. 18, 2013 Running Time:  164 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Rummy revisions. We review A Fool's Fortune and Morels two set collecting card games that breathe new life into this well known and time tested genre PLUS the first in a series of interviews with Major Fun, Bernie DeKoven.

News & Notes:   Line Dice, Scopa cards, TableTop Day, Asgard & Oddville 
The List: A Fool's Fortune, Morels
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Palastgeflüster
Truckloads of Goober:  Avalanche / Astroslide
Interview: Major Fun (Bernie DeKoven), Part 1
Favorites:  Coup
The Game Sommelier:  5 games that would make great tattoos
Mail Bag: Dweebutante Ball, ApocalypZe, The Answer Men

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Mar. 4, 2013 Running Time:  143 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

A world built with 36 cards. We delve into the Decktet, an ingenious set of double suited cards, a Tarot deck from a parallel dimension, and a sandbox for innovative game design. The Decktet has inspired dozens of new games. From trick taking to resource management, we review four of them.

News & Notes:  Dapper Devil, Urbania, Phobos, KS roundup, The Ships, Tabletop Day
Game Reviews: Decktet (Nonesuch, Quincunx, Thricewise, Magnate)
Back Shelf Spotlight: Mu & More
Favorites:  Vinhos
The Game Sommelier:  5 quick games that teach creative thinking
Mail Bag: Smarter Game Timer, Tenzi, modern day Tokaido

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Feb. 18, 2013 Running Time:  144 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Fun for all. From sausage dice to treasure on the high seas, we review four games you could teach/play/enjoy with almost any group of players: Wordaround, Wurfelwurst, Tokaido and Pirate Dice.

News & Notes:  Influence, Stefan Feld, Hasbro cuts 10% of workforce
Game Reviews:  Wordaround, Wurfel Wurst, Tokaido, Pirate Dice
Truckloads of Goober:  Diavolo
Back Shelf Spotlight: Circus Maximus
Favorites:  Roma, Blackjack 
The Game Sommelier:  Games to pair with 5 Belgian cities
Mail Bag: More listener Sommeliers, Cafe Taktik in Sweden

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.