What we’re about
Seattle Board Games supports a vibrant and inclusive community of board game enthusiasts in the Seattle metro area. Our events and gatherings offer opportunities to have fun, make friends, and deepen our appreciation for the art, design, and strategy of board games. We seek to make games more accessible by removing barriers to enjoying and learning from them.
We host all types of boardgames, from lighter games such as Settlers of Catan and Lords of Waterdeep to heavier Euros like Brass Birmingham, Dune Imperium, and others. We also play thematic games such as Battlestar Galactica, social deduction games like Blood on the Clocktower, Magic the Gathering, card games, and party games. If it's on BoardGameGeek's list of over 25,000 games, we might be playing it!
We have a Discord! Connect with hundreds of other local board game fans, set up game sessions, play online, and be the first to know about some events before they're announced on Meetup! This link will lead you there!
Anyone can become an event organizer and host events - either specific games or open gaming sessions. If you are interested, please contact the primary organizer.
We are member and organizer driven, and welcome suggestions for improvements and new directions.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Let’s Play Rattus! @Anchorhead Coffee!Anchorhead Coffee & Bakery, Seattle, WA
It is the year 1347 AD, and a disaster is about to strike. The Black Death is approaching, and during the next few years, large parts of the population of Europe and Northern Africa will be killed by the plague.
Europe, 1347. A disaster is about to strike. The Black Death reaches Europe, and during the next 4-5 years, the population of Europe will be halved.
The players settle in the various regions of Europe, while the plague spreads throughout all of the continent. The players gain help from the various classes of the middle ages: the Peasants provide population growth, the wise Monks keep the rats away, the rich Merchants flee when the plague approaches, the warfare conducted by the Knights spreads the plague to new areas, the Witches control the spread through magic and witchcraft, whereas the Kings avoid the plague by staying in their fortified palaces. But the plague does not make any distinction: when the rats arrive, no one can feel safe.In Rattus, the players settle in the various regions of Europe and Northern Africa, while the plague spreads through all these regions. The players gain help from the various professions of the middle ages. Some of these, like peasants and bakers, help the players grow their populations. Some, like the monks and nuns, use wisdom and faith to avoid the plague, while the warfare conducted by the knights and soldiers spreads the plague to new areas. However, the plague does not make any distinction. When the rats arrive, no one can feel safe. Finally, the plague withdraws and the game ends. Only then will it be clear who was able to keep their population alive — and win the game!
Rattus: Big Box includes not only several previous released expansions and promos, but also previous unpublished materials, modules, and bonus cards. More specifically, this renewed edition of the Rattus line contains all materials of the base game and the Pied Piper, Africanus, and Academicus expansions. Additional new content is included, and players can add the new "Guilds & Inns" and "Bonus" modules to create even more variety and challenge. TextGAME uses Area Majority / Influence Area Movement Variable Player Powers
New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.2 - 6 players
60 - 120 minutes expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity.
BGG Link
5-min How-to (Board to Death)
(Don't worry, we'll go over the rules on the day, too.)A few important details:
- The event space is in the basement and there are only stairs (no elevator) if you have mobility issues keep this in mind.
- This event is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM PLEASE be on time!
Please factor traffic & parking into your commute. - Speaking of… It's Cap Hill/First Hill/Seattle U, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Anchorhead is only a few blocks from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Pike/Pine or Broadway & Marion stops are about the same distance) and very close to the #2 and #12 bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- If you need to cancel please do so as soon as you know. People on the waitlist and playing that day will appreciate it!
- Signing up for this event means other people are counting on you to attend; board games have both a minimum and a maximum player count, so with a limited number of seats available at the table, I want to be sure for everyone's benefit that those seats actually have people in them when the session starts. Last-minute cancellations (less than 12 hours), no-shows, and late arrivals (more than 15 minutes) without good reason will be marked as no-shows for the event and should expect to be automatically moved to the waitlist for any and all future events they join which are hosted by me.
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open as well as posting polls for future meetups!
- Let’s Play Acquire! @ Anchorhead Coffee!Anchorhead Coffee & Bakery, Seattle, WA
In Acquire, each player strategically invests in businesses, trying to retain a majority of stock. As the businesses grow with tile placements, they also start merging, giving the majority stockholders of the acquired business sizable bonuses, which can then be used to reinvest into other chains. All of the investors in the acquired company can then cash in their stocks for current value or trade them 2-for-1 for shares of the newer, larger business. The game is a race to acquire the greatest wealth!
Acquire is a medium-light complexity financial/economic and tile-placement game with elements of hand management and area control.
New players are welcome, and the host is happy to teach if you haven't played before.2 - 6 players
90 - 120 minutes expected play time, depending on turnout and player familiarity.
BGG Link
3-min How-to (Three Mjnute Boardgames)
(Don't worry, we'll go over the rules on the day, too.)A few important details:
- The event space is in the basement and there are only stairs (no elevator) if you have mobility issues keep this in mind.
- This event is scheduled to start at 1:00PM PLEASE be on time!
Please factor traffic & parking into your commute. - Speaking of… It's Cap Hill/First Hill/Seattle U, so parking can be a challenge. Sorry, it's a walking neighborhood! Anchorhead is only a few blocks from the First Hill Streetcar (Broadway & Pike/Pine or Broadway & Marion stops are about the same distance) and very close to the #2 and #12 bus lines, though.
- Purchasing something isn't a strict requirement, but it's nice to do since we're using the space. Please support the business if you can!
- If you need to cancel please do so as soon as you know. People on the waitlist and playing that day will appreciate it!
- I open signups for most of my events 1-3 days before pressing the "announce" button here on Meetup; if you want to know about that when it happens and have the opportunity to claim a seat before others, you can join the Seattle Board Games Discord server, where I'll post to let users there know as soon as RSVPs open!
- Lisboa @ The Missing PieceThe Missing Piece, Seattle, WA
Lisboa is a masterwork of Eurogame design by Vital Lacerda, set in the aftermath of the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake, tsunami, and fires. In this game, players assume the roles of influential nobles tasked with rebuilding the city, navigating political, economic, and architectural challenges.
Lacerda, a Lisbon native, drew inspiration from his city's history, infusing the game with authentic details and thematic depth. He emphasized the importance of patience and multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate the game's intricacies.
Learning Resources
Please be familiar with the game. If new to it, watch the rules video and playthrough:- Lisboa | BoardGameGeek
- Gaming Rules! - Lisboa Full Rules Video
- Lisboa - Playthrough and Review
- Lisboa 4p Play-through, Teaching, & Roundtable discussion by Heavy Cardboard
Overview
- Historical Setting: Reconstruct Lisbon after a series of catastrophic events, working alongside historical figures like the Marquis of Pombal and the King.
- Mechanics: Utilize a multi-use card system to perform actions such as constructing buildings, managing the economy, and influencing political figures.
- Strategic Depth: Balance various resources and actions to gain prestige, represented by wigs—the ultimate symbol of status in 18th-century Portugal.
- Art and Design: Featuring artwork by Ian O'Toole, the game boasts a visually stunning board inspired by Portuguese azulejos (ceramic tiles)
Often praised as Vital Lacerda's finest game and a masterpiece (Ranking Vital Lacerda Games, Monique & Naveen, Ranking the 8 big box Lacerda games), Lisboa has won numerous awards for strategy games and visual design. It offers a deeply rewarding experience that combines historical narrative with complex gameplay.
