My buddy's 5-second rule on rulebooks saved our game nights

Last month my friend Dave watched me stumble through a 12 page rulebook and just said 'read it like you're explaining it to a 10 year old, then add the exceptions.' I started skimming the basics first and only checking edge cases when they came up. We got through Spirit Island in 20 minutes instead of an hour. Anyone else find that reading order makes or breaks a new game for the group?

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ericj456d ago

Read it like you're explaining it to a 10 year old, then add the exceptions." That's just code for "skim the damn thing and hope for the best." Dave's basically invented the lazy gamer's bible. I tried that with a heavy wargame once and we still spent 40 minutes arguing about line of sight, but at least we were having fun arguing instead of reading. The real trick is making the rules guy not be the same guy who brings snacks, cause those chips are gone before the first turn ends.