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VLOG: Episode 3
First Player / Move Advantage in Family Board Games
Good Board Game Afternoon!

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When you sit down for a fun night of board gaming, determining who the first player is can sometimes be a strategy in its own right, very random or down right awkward. We either roll the dice, select the youngest player or follow some random rule from a rule book without thinking that being the starting player is a strategy and powerful position in its own right.

Can being the starting player be the worst thing ever OR is it the most powerful thing a player can be?

It has long been perceived that going first gives you a strong strategic gameplay advantage, and thus winning…. Or does it?

Many classic board games like chess, checkers, connect 4, backgammon all require players to alternate turns and alternate moves. There has been many statistical studies on the effectiveness and the power of the first player. In particular in chess, it has been stated that the first player (white) has a slightly greater chance at winning compared to the player controlling the black pieces.

We take this game theory and idea and see if it still currently exists in modern and family board games. Does going first give you a sure fire way to win every game or does it actually hinder your progress in a game?

Good games and good game designers try to integrate equitable turn order and player powers into their core game design so that no player is given an advantage over the others. In this Vlog we examine the power of the first player move and advantage and see how it can affect your next board gaming experience and maybe it will change the way you play games for now and in the future.

Board Games Featured In This Video

Settlers of Catan
Agricola
Smallworld
Santorini
Photosynthesis
Azul
Scythe
Paperback
Roll Player
Cyclades
Kemet
Race For The Galaxy
Tzolkin The Mayan Calendar

The Board Game Sanctuary is a family friendly board game channel that aims to introduce the board gaming hobby to new and seasoned players in a light, fun and humourous way.

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Family Board Games