In today's episode we examine the question 'Are We in Peak Board Gaming'? We look at some ways the hobby is the best its ever been as well as some thing we think are risks from it continuing to grow and improve. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/N4xnaL5NDZb #boardgames

2025 was a good year!

Can’t Stop is a push-your-luck classic that every gamer should have in their collection. Not only is it fun and addictive, but it’s easy to get on the table with any group - including non-gamers.

In today's podcast we cover the best games we got introduced to in 2025 but that we only got to play once (so far). Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/K2vCvbgrsZb Happy a wonderful New Year! #boardgames

A little New Years getaway is a great excuse to use my Azul travel set. Highly recommend for anyone who likes the game and wants an easy way to play it on the road.

The ever expanding reach of hobby board games never fails to amaze me. In the tiny mountain town of Joseph, Oregon, home to about 1,000 residents, I found this gem tucked into a shelf at the general store. Harmonies!

I made it to my local game night for the first time in many weeks last night. We played Welcome To and Fearsome Floors. These two light little gems made for a surprisingly satisfying evening.

For Christmas, my son (the sneakerhead) got me a pair of custom BGHT Air Force 1s. You know I’ll be wearing these with pride to my next game night. 🤘

In today's podcast episode we discuss BGG ratings, why we rate, what the rating categories mean, and give examples of several games that fall under each category for us. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/24QU0dLiJYb #boardgames

We did it!

In today's podcast episode we read answer listener's question about board game annoyances, our gaming groups, critical omissions from our feature review portfolio, and much more. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Nl3gVvJRlYb #boardgames

In today’s podcast episode we feature Stupor Mundi by Nestore Mangone. We also discuss recent plays of District Noir and Fate of the Fellowship. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/K7a2KJaRgWb

I bought this 1980 Matter Dungeons and Dragons electronic game as a nostalgic novelty, but now that I’ve started playing it … it’s super hard to stop! This sucker is addictive! Plays up to 2, but it’s a great solo game.

In today's podcast episode we celebrate 5 YEARS of weekly episodes with a hilarious trivia show hosted by @silvylea.bsky.social and a look back at our picks for our favorite episodes over the last 5 years. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/uk23Lyjl4Vb #boardgames #podcast

Today's podcast episode features Moon Colony Bloodbath. We also discuss recent plays of Modern Art, Forest Shuffle, and Toy Battle. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/0fubxxMSUVb #boardgames

My lucky day on eBay. Just got an original 1979 Avalon Hill Dune, still in shrink wrap for a bargain basement price. Now I have to deal with this dilemma: open and play it or keep it as a collector’s item? 😬

Today's podcast episode features Inis. We also discuss recent plays of Modern Art, Cribbage, and Bomb Busters. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/vay9nDiIeUb #boardgames

Today's podcast episode covers a whimsical topic - our favorite little wooden characters (Meeples) in Board Games. We also discuss great games for asynchronous play online. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/sQH3HgbV0Tb #boardgames

In today's podcast episode we take a look at the top 5 publishers on our shelves. Episode 250! Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/O3yHiFluATb #boardgames

In today's podcast episode we feature Finspan by @stonemaiergames.com, @anarchytabletop.bsky.social, and David Gordon. We also discuss Galactic Cruise by @kinsonkeygames.bsky.social, Sol: Last Days of a Star, and Pirates of Maracaibo. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/81smBnOnuTb

Today's podcast episode features Pirates of Maracaibo by @capstone-games.com. We also discuss Great Western Trail El Paso, Crystal Palace and Davy Jones' Locker... Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/hWHS6605ISb #boardgames

Wohoo for pinball! A few modern favorites from the last few years: Rush Foo Fighters Labyrinth Godzilla Alien A few classics: Centaur Dragon (1970s) World Cup Soccer Twilight Zone Paragon How about you?

Golden Geek Nominations are up I’ve submitted mine. Easy choice to put forward @boardgamehottakes.bsky.social @adambght.bsky.social @2muchenthusiasm.bsky.social for best podcast. My favourite podcast bar none. Oh I nominated some #boardgames too. All in the blog boardgamegeek.com/blog/12040/b...

In today's podcast episode we're joined by @boardgamersteph.bsky.social to discuss some of our favorite quirky mechanisms in board games. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/JE19jc6WaSb #boardgames

Coyote and Crow has been putting out consistently cool stuff. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.

Finally got Anunnaki off my shelf of shame today. Some pretty cool stuff going on, which I’ll talk about in a future episode of @boardgamehottakes.bsky.social. Judging from the current state of things, it looks like Odin and his crew are about to drop a bomb on Ishtar’s flunkies.

A little friendly competition on Thanksgiving … Flip 7! Sadly, I went out on the double 12s. 😢

A very happy Thanksgiving to everyone! 🦃

At Board Game Hot Takes, our motto is “never let the listeners down,” even if it means you have to record from a bathroom while you’re traveling. 😳

I’m still feeling pumped up from BGGCon … and then this arrives. I must be living right!

Finally playing Unconscious Mind this morning. Started early so we could catch an open table in the hot games room. This sucker is a complicated table hog, but a couple of turns in I’m super intrigued. And, this may be one of the most beautiful games I’ve seen in a while.

Let’s Go to Japan has quickly become one of my new favorite light games. Had a chance to play it this week at BGGCon with the rest of the BGHT crew.

Flamecraft may be the most adorable board game I’ve ever played. AND, not only is the art terrific, but each dragon, shop, etc., is unique.

Just played Wolves by @coyoteandcrow.bsky.social for the first time with my physical copy. Super clean and pleasant production, and the novel semi-cooperative gameplay was a hit with my group! Cool feeling to be planning ahead to ensure your opponent survives. Love it!

First game of Age of Rail South Africa. Started well, but I (orange) quickly got shut out of Johannesburg. 🙄

If you're back here after our shoutout on our last episode, below is the link to the starter pack I mentioned. Lots of great people to follow there!

In today's podcast episode we discuss the crowdfunded games that we've backed and are most excited to receive. We also look back at last year's list to see how those turned out and discuss our current feelings on crowdfunding. Listen here: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/pPg1FAUNGNb #boardgames

In today's podcast episode Adam and Chris go deep down the anthill with a feature discussion on March of the Ants. Listen here: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/zxhKpEnuvNb They also discuss recent plays of Boop and Tapestry. #boardgames

My first game in the campaign of Star Realms: Rise of Empire, and my 12-year-old son is already kicking my butt.

A little Quest for Eldorado for game night. It does not feel good being so far behind, but I have a feeling I can catch up!

Oh happy day! Just got my copy of Star Realms: Rise of Empire! This pulls together three of my favorite things in gaming: deck building, campaign, and legacy. Doesn’t hurt that Star Realms is one of my all-time favorite games. I have high hopes!

In today’s podcast episode we each get nostalgia about 5 formative games to us, the board games that made us fall in love with this hobby. Listen here: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/zZ3TrrKvjNb What were your formative board games? #boardgames

Played two great games of Tapestry this weekend. We split the series. I probably only won the first game because she’d forgotten a lot of the rules. 🫤 First time playing my physical copy in a while, and I was reminded of what great variety this game has when adding in all of the expansions.

In today’s podcast episode we discuss our favorite filler board games. Listen here: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/KIcaiPQZKMb #boardgames #tabletopgames #podcasts

Today's podcast episode features board game related topics sent in by our listeners. We discuss rulebooks, favorite mechanisms, and much more. Listen: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/inxlIJIInMb Watch: youtu.be/Xoh51sEBOVs #boardgames #tabletopgames

In today's episode we dig into the BGG Top 20 and discuss what it means to us (and our listeners) and try to understand why those particular games made it there. Listen here: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/j0yoTm3f0Lb Watch here: youtu.be/le9SkgWoszU #boardgames #tabletopgames #podcast

Recently received my Kickstarter solo mode for Batman: Gotham City Chronicles from Monolith Games. After nearly three hours of Paul Grogan instructional videos and setup, it’s time to kick this sucker off! Was it worth the effort? We shall see!

Today's episode features our first look at Luthier. We also discuss some plays of the Arcs: Blighted Reach Expansion by @ledergames.bsky.social, Sail, and Poetry for Neanderthals. Listen here: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/4pFBvaj2CLb Watch here: youtu.be/iy0F8giPNpc

Poll time! Has a production/component issue that you encountered in a game ever made you hesitate in buying another game from that publisher? Comments may be read on next episode. #boardgames #tabletopgames

Adam wrote and recorded some new game description music this week. You are all in for a pleasant surprise for Monday's episode!