Learning/Teaching New Games

This past weekend we taught Catan to 2 new people, neither of which are regular gamers. We also typically play with Cities and Knights (and Seafarers if we have 4 or less), so it can be a little daunting for new players. I do my best to cover everything, which usually ends up overwhelming them. They typically look lost until the 3rd or 4th round, asking about 5 questions per turn, then they start to understand; by the 2nd or 3rd game the questions have almost stopped.

That said, I think I tend to overdo it. In addition to the rules, I usually throw in basic strategy, which gives them even more to process. I would be better, I think to play a shortened sample game, and then discuss strategy afterwords, or discuss it as the game is played.

As for advantage, one of the two new people won the game.

For myself, I prefer to have the rules briefly explained, and then to pick up the rest while playing... maybe I should do the same when teaching.

Regardless of who taught me, I read the instructions as soon as possible (I guess I'm the rules "lawyer" of the group).

I also go above and beyond what is needed to teach people the game. They sit and stare at me like I'm nuts, I'm just trying to do as best a job I can. I was taught Axis and Allies by a former friend (he isn't my friend anymore ever since he assaulted me and never got arrested for it, and that previous statement was 100% true) and he did such a bad job teaching it I about fell asleep. His opening statement was:

"Okay so like if you roll a one you kill an infantry."

Whoa, whoa, whoa...I don't even know what the game is about yet and you're trying to teach me how to kill an infantry? For all I know infantry don't exist in the game!

I found that games should simply be played through as an example. Play with hands open, and try to choose actions that can cover most if not all the odd situations. I find (at least in the groups i hang around) that showing the player something is much better than describing it.

However, I find that the rules that are least likely to get said are house rules. Typically where the rules for the game are not crystal clear. This came up in a game of Domain recently:

• 2 players had established a treaty on one of their borders.
• a third player pushed his boarder into the area that the treaty was established.
• The rules had nothing to say about this scenario. And a house rule had been previously established, but the new player didn't like the outcome.

Hi all, my first post on this forum. I wish I had discovered it earlier!

Anyway, I've been teaching games for roughly 18 years. Starting with my younger brother, than sister.

Three years ago my wife and I bought Settlers of Catan. Since then we've taught it to...*counts in his head*...lots of people, over 20 at least. The majority of the people I've taught it to had little gaming experience, Monopoly was the closest thing for them.

Here's the things that help me teach games:

*Experience/practice.
*Knowing the game well.
*Patience.

The first thing I do is get the board setup. Than I get everyone's attention and explain that I'm going to run through the rules with them...and they're not going to understand most of it, but that’s ok.

Once they've accepted that statement I begin explaining, stressing the most important and fundamental actions/rules but explaining everything in a logical order.

Inevitably one or more people will get flustered and ask to start the game. I patiently explain again that I'm going to finish going through the rules, than we'll start and as we play I'll go over each thing as it comes up.

This method has worked well for me and on several occasions people have won their first game. (Partly a testament to Catan I think)

People quickly get overwhelmed if you go through everything before they play but, I find it pays off when it comes to re-explaining during that first game. Also, this avoids people getting upset when they mess up because they hadn't had a rule explained to them, instead even if they don't remember what I explained before the game they know that they are forgetting something and are much more likely to request a refresher at an appropriate point.

I always start people off with the basic Settlers and wait to add either expansion until they are comfortable.

The first few games I always go real easy on 'em and teach them strategy as we go, if I happen to win I'll try to explain to them how I did it.

Other than the initial explanation of the rules I keep all of my clarifications and strategy tips as casual as possible, this keeps them much more comfortable than a lecturing or teaching tone.

I thoroughly enjoy getting a new game, reading the rules and teaching it...and playing it too. Keep the environment relaxed, don't let them feel pressured and reassure them that the point is to have fun!

I agree that strategy is something best left to people to either figure out for themselves or ask about once they understand the basics of the game.

My mother has a disability that renders her easily confused, though she still has quite a passion for playing games with me. I have to go very slowly and be sure to give enough detail but not too much detail. It's a fine line, but it has helped me learn how to teach game rules (though more than once I have glossed over complex rules and explained it later when the situation came up in the game).