Gaming Sessions (2025)

Gaming Sessions Pages on my blog are all about time spent with friends and family at the gaming table. As always, feel free to browse through, the latest session will always be at the end of the page.

Azul: A Colourful Clash of Strategy and Fun

12th April 2025

Azul, the famous board game by Michael Kiesling, has been loved by players all over the world since it first came out. With its colorful tiles and fun gameplay, it’s easy to see why Azul has inspired many other games. Still, there’s nothing quite like the original to get everyone’s competitive side going.

On Saturday, April 12th, we sat down for an exciting game night with Azul, and what a night it was! From the moment the game started, everyone was focused and ready to play their best. The colorful tiles, the excitement of picking the right moves.

Steph really got into the game, thinking carefully about every move she made. You could tell she was planning ahead and make the most of her turns. David was also giving it his all, mixing solid planning with a sharp eye for opportunities. But then there was Daniel. Having played Azul a lot online, he had an edge that none of us could match. He seemed to know exactly what to do every turn, scoring points like a pro and staying ahead of the rest of us the whole time.

Even though Daniel was clearly in the lead, everyone had a lot of fun. That’s the great thing about Azul—it’s a game that anyone can enjoy, whether it’s your first time playing or you’ve been at it for years. The rules are easy to understand, so new players don’t feel lost, but there’s still plenty of strategy for those who want to dig deeper into the game.

One interesting thing about Azul is the way it rewards players for building tight groups of tiles. If you focus on completing rows or columns and matching tiles next to others of the same color, you can score a lot of points. On the other hand, trying to collect all tiles of one color might seem like a good idea, but it usually doesn’t pay off as well. The game’s design pushes players to score points steadily as they go, rather than holding out for a big bonus at the end. This keeps the game exciting and balanced.

As we played, the game was not just about winning—it was also about the fun of placing those smooth, colorful tiles and seeing the patterns come together. The mix of strategy and beauty in Azul is what makes it such a special game. It’s the kind of game where you can get lost in the planning and design, even while you’re competing.

By the end of the game, the scores clearly showed the mix of experience and strategies at the table. Daniel won easily, thanks to his online practice, while Steph and David followed behind. But there were no hard feelings—just smiles and laughter as we looked back on the game and the fun we had.

What stood out most was how Azul brought everyone together. It’s the kind of game that works for any group—whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned player, you’ll always feel like you’re part of the action. It’s simple enough to set up quickly and play, yet it’s deep enough to keep everyone interested.

As we packed up, we all agreed on one thing, Azul is a true gem of a game. While the spin-offs and follow-ups have their place, the original will always have a magic of its own. It’s the perfect mix of challenge and fun, and no two games ever feel the same.

Rebirth Takes Center Stage

17th May 2025

Last night’s board game session featured "Rebirth", designed by the renowned Reiner Knizia and published by Mighty Boards. The game proved to be easy to teach, making it accessible for everyone at the table while still packing a satisfying level of strategic depth.

Throughout the evening, everyone felt engaged by the clever mechanics and streamlined turns, allowing for quick decision-making without feeling overwhelmed. It was Dave however who identified a winning strategy, swiftly grasping the importance of turn-to-turn scoring, leveraging that understanding to pull ahead and secure victory. His understanding of the ongoing point accumulation made him the player to beat as the game progressed.

The group left the night feeling enthusiastic about Rebirth and is already looking forward to another round—or three—in the near future. A "well done" to Dave for his win, and a double thumbs up to everyone for making the session such an enjoyable experience!

A Four-handed Game of Cascadia

8th June 2025

I had not seen my friends Robert and Cynthia for some time, so when we met for lunch, I proposed a game of Cascadia. Initially, it was to be the three of us plus my son Neil, but he was not interested from the start. Eventually, my wife Claire kindly took his place, allowing the game to proceed with four players. Until now, I had only played with two players and was curious to observe how the dynamics would change with more participants.

Cascadia involves building a thriving ecosystem by balancing terrain placement with animal groupings according to scoring objectives. On each turn, a player selects a tile and its paired wildlife token, aiming to create large contiguous land areas while fulfilling patterns on the objective cards. In two-player games, one has greater control over available options. Here, I quickly realised that control was limited at best.

From the second or third turn, it became clear that this game would be different. In two-player matches, I often planned my strategy early, confident that I could pursue it with little interference. With four players selecting tiles, that certainty vanished. I would identify an ideal tile and token pair to extend a key terrain type and meet an animal objective, only to see it taken before my turn.

The pace also changed. With more players, the wait between turns was longer, but this was not unwelcome. It provided time to reconsider and decide whether to commit to a particular objective or adjust my approach. There was less opportunity for rigid planning and a greater need for adaptability.

In two-player games, I could prioritise either land types or wildlife placement without significant compromise. Here, both required careful attention. Focusing too much on animal objectives weakened terrain groups, restricting future placements. Conversely, concentrating solely on land types risked missing valuable wildlife points.

The animal scoring cards were even more crucial in this format. Since tiles disappeared quickly, I had to accept what was available and make the most of it. Robert adopted this style, focusing on bear pairs and strategic eagle placements. I sometimes compromised terrain connections to secure useful wildlife tokens, a choice I would not have made in two-player games.

Despite the unpredictability, I won by a narrow margin. This was not due to a flawless plan, as there was no room for one, but because I embraced flexibility. I utilised available wildlife tokens whenever possible, combining tiles and tokens to support my evolving strategy. I maintained multiple scoring paths rather than committing fully to one, which provided options when ideal tiles did not appear.

While winning was satisfying, what remained most memorable was how different the game felt. Cascadia is excellent with two players, but with four, it transforms into a game of adaptation, working with available resources rather than forcing a perfect layout.

Beyond the gameplay, it was a wonderful way to spend time with friends, debating placements and celebrating small successes. I enjoy Cascadia at any player count, but I am glad to have experienced it in this manner.

Potting Plants in Verdant & Visiting the Castles of Burgundy

28th June 2025

A great afternoon of gaming at my club this Saturday afternoon, where I had the pleasure of trying out two fantastic board games for the first time: Verdant and The Castles of Burgundy.

Verdant is a beautifully illustrated puzzle of a game. Designed by Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, Aaron Mesburne, Kevin Russ, and Shawn Stankewich, the team behind other popular titles like Calico and the Spiel des Jahres-winning Cascadia, it sees players taking on the role of a houseplant enthusiast. The goal is to create the most verdant (hence the title) and aesthetically pleasing collection of houseplants and decorative items. It’s a wonderfully relaxing yet engaging experience.

Later in the afternoon, we jumped into the highly praised classic, The Castles of Burgundy. This quintessential Eurogame, designed by the renowned Stefan Feld, places players as aristocrats in 15th-century France, competing to build the most prosperous estates. Through clever dice placement and tile-laying, you expand your domain with castles, farms, mines, and more. It's a game with incredible strategic depth, and it’s no surprise it’s considered a masterpiece by many in the hobby. One thing to note is the time commitment; a full game of Castles can comfortably take between 120 to 180 minutes to complete.

I was so glad to have finally played both. While the strategic challenge of The Castles of Burgundy was engaging, I must say that Verdant would be my go-to recommendation for anyone newer to the hobby. Its straightforward rules and well designed theme make it a very approachable and welcoming game for more casual or gateway players. A splendid afternoon all around!

Feeling Artsy with Canvas & Collecting gems in Splendor

5th July 2025

On Saturday 5th July, my regular gaming group gathered once more for an evening strategy and good company. As always, it proved to be an engaging occasion where two games were played. The first was Canvas, a charming and creative game, and Splendor, the evergreen modern classic by Marc André.

Canvas was the opening game of the evening. It is a visually striking and inventive card game in which players construct layered paintings by selecting transparent cards and sliding them into sleeves. Each finished piece must adhere to certain scoring conditions while maximising points. Although relatively short in duration, it was widely agreed that Canvas offered a compelling mix of creativity and light strategic choices, making for a strong start to the night.

We then moved on to Splendor, a known game to my group and a title which continues to impress years after its release. In Splendor, players take on the roles of Renaissance merchants acquiring gem tokens and development cards in an effort to be the first to score 15 points. The evening's game quickly revealed a particular challenge as there was an early shortage of blue cards on the Level One row. This imbalance became apparent from the outset and created a notable constraint, particularly as blue gem resources were critical in progressing up the tiers.

As a result, players were forced to adapt their strategies. Card reservation became an essential tactic in a deliberate effort to gain access to those rare blue cards. Additionally, most players opted to hoard blue tokens when possible, recognising the scarcity and future potential of such resources. The dynamics this introduced lent the game an additional layer of complexity and excitement.

The evening reminded me why Splendor (in its various incarnations) remains a fixture in my collection. It blends accessibility with depth and continues to provide new and interesting scenarios whenever I sit down to play. Meanwhile, Canvas proved itself a delightful addition to my line-up, offering a fresh yet uncomplicated experience that complemented the evening perfectly.

It must be noted that David, employing a solid tactical play, managed to secure victories in both Canvas and Splendor, emerging as the evening’s overall winner with two consecutive wins. His consistency and adaptability are commendable.

All in all, it was a most enjoyable gaming session filled with friendly competition and clever plays. I am definitely look forward to our next gathering, for more great moments and memorable games.

Kittens, Cheese, and Total Mayhem

12th July 2025

Yesterday evening was the perfect reminder that not all board games have to be serious affairs filled with deep strategy. Sometimes, it’s just about having a laugh and a swell good time.

We met up with our good friends Florina, Ivan and their son Zac where we were first presented with some exquisite food. We have long since learnt to expect no less from our friend Flo. Then once all the good food had gone down and all the plates were cleared, we brought out a selection of party games that I figure were the ideal accompaniment to the evening's proceedings. 

We started with Flip 7, a push-your-luck card game where players try to draw as many unique number cards as possible without repeating one and busting. You can choose to stay and bank your score, or hit and try your luck, with action and modifier cards stirring things up. It’s all about collecting a full set of seven different number cards to earn an extra bonus and that’s exactly what Zac managed to do. His mad streak of flips landed him a full set and the win, leaving the rest of us stunned and slightly suspicious of wizardry.

Next, we played Exploding Kittens, a wacky bruiser of a game where every draw could spell disaster. Between sneaky combos, double-crosses, and a fair bit of theatrical drama, the table was a minefield of unpredictable antics. There were groans, giggles, and the kind of nonsense that makes you wonder how anyone actually wins. But that’s the charm of it.

We finished off with Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a mouthful of a name and a handful of chaos. Everyone chants the words as they slap down cards, trying to match the spoken word with the image shown, all while dodging curveballs like narwhals and gorillas. It’s fast, silly, and utterly brilliant. Reflexes failed, cards flew, and the place was echoing with laughter (and a few bruised hands).

While not my usual goto entertainment, games like these remind me that board gaming isn’t always about plotting the perfect move, sometimes it’s about being daft, having a good chuckle, and enjoying the unpredictable joy of just playing.

The winning hand of Flip 7

Victory, Virulence, and a Very Good Time

9th August 2025

What a fantastic board game night we had yesterday, 9th August! The group met up for a run at two modern classics that really put our cooperative skills to the test.

First up was a three handed game of Castle Panic. This is a cooperative game where players work together to defend their castle from an onslaught of fantasy monsters. Each player is responsible for a section of the castle wall, and we must strategise together to fend off goblins, orcs, and trolls. Our game was a thrilling one, and after some tense moments and a fair amount of luck, we managed to secure victory in the nick of time! It was a great example of how good teamplay, combined with a little fortune, can pay off.

After that, we moved on to the ever popular Pandemic. In this classic game, we took on the roles of specialists working to find cures and stop outbreaks of four deadly diseases spreading across the globe. We even used the On the Brink expansion rules, which added a fifth disease strain to the mix. Our strategy paid off early on, as we managed to cure the "yellow strain" of the virus with impressive speed. This early success gave us the momentum we needed to push forward and achieve a very satisfying victory. It was such a great game that I have no doubt we will be scheduling another run at Pandemic in the near future.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined, especially to my wife Claire, Daniel, Stephanie, and David for a particularly entertaining evening. I am already looking forward to the next one!

This...was a close one!

"Never had canapes next to a graveyard!" Anon.

Pandemic in full swing!

Victory! All Strains Contained.

If you needed a station built...call in Steph! It worked!

Club Chronicles: Carrara and Calculation

30th August 2025

Yesterday afternoon at the club was a thoroughly enjoyable one, spent playing Palaces of Carrara. This euro style board game places players in charge of constructing buildings across six Tuscan cities using marble of varying quality and cost. It combines resource management with strategic timing and presents a series of engaging decisions throughout.

One of the standout features is the scoring mechanic, which can be triggered by any player at any time. This introduces a clever puzzle around timing. Choosing when to score is not only important for maximising your own points, but can also be used to disrupt others. A well timed scoring can cut short an opponent’s carefully built strategy, as we saw when the third place player brought the game to an early close in hopes of improving their final position. It was a bold move and added a layer of tension to the closing turns.

Another highlight is the wheel based market pricing system. As the wheel rotates, marble prices shift, making certain colours more or less affordable depending on when you choose to buy. It is a witty and well designed mechanism that rewards planning and opportunism. I found it to be an important part of the overall puzzle and a key contributor to the game’s intriguing challenge.

Although it is not a short game, my first playthrough including the rules explanation took just over two hours, it remained engaging throughout. I would be happy to play it again, especially with a group that appreciates thoughtful strategy and is willing to explore the nuances of a game like this.

A brilliant Euro underway...

Palaces of Carrera focuses more on in-game scoring.

I adopted a money strategy to bridge the gap.

In the end, I came a respectable 2nd....enjoyed it entirely!

Wingspan Game Night – Oceania Edition

04th October 2025

Last night we played a game of Wingspan, using the base game together with the Oceania expansion. As is always the case with this game, the focus was on building chains of birds on our personal boards to generate resources and eventually points. I found it quite tricky to get the right momentum going, and my available actions were modest throughout. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and the congenial rhythm of the game.

David eventually took the win with a strong score of 96, followed by Daniel in second with a very masterful and solid performance. One point that came up, and I agree, is that Wingspan isn’t particularly confrontational as games go. Even the points scored during the game aren’t very visible until the final tally is drawn out.

All in all, I believe everyone had a great time and we’re already looking forward to the next session.

Daniel Nips It in the Bud

8th November 2025

Verdant is a tile-laying game where players aim to create a balanced indoor space by arranging houseplants alongside rooms with matching light conditions. Points are earned by optimising plant growth and achieving harmony in the layout.

Yesterday’s session featured a five-player game with Daniel, Steph, Claire, David, and me. It was a tightly contested match that came down to the wire, with Daniel narrowly edging out Steph in a close finish. Claire’s participation brought a new energy to the table, and the game stood out as one of the more enjoyable ones we’ve had in recent times.

Well done to Daniel and Steph for their final scoring, and a further well done to everyone for making yesterday’s match highly enjoyable.

Istanbul - Ruby Fever in the Bazaar
13th December 2025




Our gaming group gathered recently at Steph and David’s house for what will likely be our final meetup of 2025. The chosen title was Istanbul, we played the base game, and the evening turned out to be both interesting and thoroughly pleasant.

Istanbul is a game that thrives on its central mechanism where the merchant and his assistants are constantly moving around a bustling bazaar. Each turn involves the merchant dropping assistants around the bazaar to carry out tasks, collecting goods, selling wares, or trading for money, and then looping back to pick them up later. This rhythm of leaving and retrieving creates a neat puzzle, where every move must be weighed against future needs. Victory comes to the player who first secures five rubies, a goal that is quite simple to understand while still demanding careful planning.

The ruleset is straightforward. Following a fairly short rules explanation, everyone was navigating the bazaar tiles with relative ease, weighing options and plotting paths. I feel that Istanbul manages to strike a good balance between accessibility and depth of play. It is quite easy for new players to grasp, while being layered enough to reward thoughtful planning and opportunistic play. It is no surprise that the game has earned its place as a modern classic.

The evening was made easier to manage thanks to the thoughtful setup at Steph and David’s house. A separate table had been reserved for gaming, and this small detail made a big difference. With the game laid out neatly, there was no need to move plates and pieces around. When dinner was ready, we simply stepped away, leaving the board intact. After enjoying the meal, we returned to the table without any disruption, picking up exactly where we had left off. 



A game of Istanbul in full swing!


The game unfolded with an engaging flow from start to finish, and Daniel ultimately claimed victory by being the first to reach five rubies. His play was sharp and well‑timed. For my part, I was fairly pleased with my own decisions. While I did not win, I felt that my plays showed progress in understanding the game’s subtleties. Istanbul rewards foresight and adaptability, and I know I have plenty to work on if I want to improve my efficiency and timing.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without our gracious hosts. Steph and David welcomed us with their usual generosity, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and at ease. Their hospitality created the perfect environment for an evening of gaming, conversation, and camaraderie.

As the night wound down, there was a sense of completion. This gathering marked the final meeting of our group for 2025, and it felt fitting to close the year with such a successful session. I now look forward to the first gaming event of 2026, though I remain undecided about which game to place on the table first. The choice itself is part of the enjoyment, and whether we return to a familiar favourite or try something new, I am certain the experience will be all the richer for the company and the shared pleasure of good play.


Board gaming, at its heart, is about connection. It is about gathering around a table, engaging with one another through rules and strategies, and finding delight in both victory and defeat. Our evening with Istanbul captured that spirit perfectly. 






So a big “Thanks” goes to Steph and David for their hospitality, to Daniel for his well‑earned victory, and to everyone else who shared in the fun to some degree or other. I look forward to the gaming events that await us in 2026, certain that our group will continue to embrace growth through the games we play and the memories we create.



Five's a charm in Istanbul


Finally, to all who read this, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026. May your holidays be filled with joy, and may the coming year bring many opportunities for play, connection, and discovery.

*** LATEST SESSION HERE ***

Flip 7- Random Fun All Around

31st December 2025

We had the gaming group over for New Year’s Eve, mainly for some nibbles as we waited for the clock to strike midnight. It was a fun and relaxed evening, the kind that eases its way toward the new year without any rush.

We wrapped up the night with an impromptu short session of Flip 7, a simple but entertaining little card game built almost entirely on luck. Its rhythm feels surprisingly close to classic casino staples like Black Jack, with quick decisions, rising tension, and that familiar sense of just one more draw, only without the betting element.

Daniel, David and I played a few rounds, enjoying the light chaos of it all. Despite the randomness, or perhaps because of it, the game stayed lively and fun throughout. Incredibly, both Daniel and I managed to win a round with a full Flip 7, drawing seven unique cards without hitting a double. A rare and satisfying way to close out 2025.

A great end to the year, and now we wait to see what 2026 will bring.