The Family Gamers Podcast
Enjoy playing board games with your family at any age, skill level, or player count.
Episode 424 – Games for Grads
Our daughter just graduated from highschool, and that has us thinking about graduation parties and gifts. Would you give board games to a new graduate?
0:00:00 Fact for 424
Dances with Wolves grossed 424 million at the box office in 1991.
Sponsor Message
You can set up a totally free call by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
0:03:50 What We’ve Been Playing
VNTYPL8S *
Bullseye *
Unmatched: Stars & Stripes
Fight for Olympus (our review from 2017)
Got Five! (brand new review)
Spirits of the Wild: Awakening *
Episode 423 – Top 10 Quick Games
It’s been a minute since we talked about short games! (Episode 194 or Episode 369) But life is crazy these days, we’ll get into the monthly report, so we started thinking about games that were fast. What are some great ones that take 10-15 minutes?
0:00:00 Fact for 423
423 is the easiest symmetrical 3 object siteswap besides the basic pattern in juggling. Go to YouTube and look up “423 juggling” and you’ll see a ton of them.
Sponsor Message
Set up a free call by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
0:05:00 What We’ve Been Pla...
Episode 422 – 1, 2, 3, Tidal Blades 2!
We’re testing out a new review format, with our thoughts recorded in real-time after 1, 2, and 3 plays.
0:00:00 Fact for 422
Kuwait Airways Flight 422 hijacking – the hijacking lasted 16 days!
Sponsor Message
If you want to see an estimate of what your fee would be to work with First Move, visit firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers and scroll down, there’s a fee calculator there, as well as a way to set up a quick phone call to see if they’re a good fit.
0:04:00 What We’ve Been Playing
Fleet: The Dice Game<...
The Family Gamers - Episode 421 - (5ish) What to Look for in a Game?
What should you look for in a board game? Let’s look at five elements of games to help you choose.
0:00:00 Fact for 421
The game that is ID 421 on Board Game Geek happens to be pretty well-known among boardgamers.
Sponsor Message
Regardless of whether you’re trying to figure out how to start saving for your future, or trying to decide if you can afford to retire, First Move can help you. To set up either a 15 minute phone call or a 90 minute meeting go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
...
Episode 420 – Gamification
What is gamification? Does it have any relationship to board gaming? We examine the concept this week.
0:00:00 Fact for 420
Where did the reference “420” come from to refer to smoking marijuana?
Sponsor Message
Did you know that you can talk to our sponsor First Move Financial for free? First Move is a fee-only firm, which means that until you sign on as a client you’re not paying to talk to them.
If you’re curious what it would cost to get help from First Move you can visit firstmovefinancial.com/fami...
Episode 419 - Teaching Board Game Manners
How do you teach kids to play games “nicely”? To respect the rules of the game?
0:00:00 Fact for 419
419 scams (AKA Nigerian prince scams)
Sponsor Message
Did you know there’s a U.S. Law that allows every American to check their credit reports with each of the three major credit bureaus each year, for free? You don’t have to sign up for a service or pay a monthly fee, just go to annualcreditreport.com.
First Move has a blog post about how to read your credit reports.
If yo...
Episode 418 – Escape Rooms
Escape rooms let your family cooperate in new and interesting ways. But do you prefer a physical, in-person escape room, a video game, or a board game experience?
0:00:00 Fact for 418
HTTP code 418: “I’m a teapot”
Sponsor Message
If you want help planning for your kid’s college education, set up a time for a free 15-minute call by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers.
0:05:00 What We’ve Been Playing
Embers (our review)
Lands of Amazement
Aspens
Verdant Arizona
0:12:50 The Family Gamers Community
We...
Episode 417 – The Purge: How Do You Know You’re Done?
How do you know when you’re done with a game? Your kids have aged out of it – are you sure?
0:00:00 Fact for 417
Solfeggio frequency 417 hz.
Sponsor Message
If you want to talk about more ways to teach your children to manage their personal finances, set up a time to talk by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers.
0:05:00 What We’ve Been Playing
Flip 7 (our review)
Cabanga! (our review)
Circus Flohcati (our review)
Trio (our review)
Floristry (our review)
Slay the Spire (over 3 separa...
Episode 416 – Growing As a Family with Board Games
We’re going to talk about what it’s like to grow up in a gaming family!
0:00:00 Fact for 416
The largest chocolate bar by area measured 416.34 square meters, achieved on 2 December 2024.
Sponsor Message
What do you do with your tax refund? Do you get a refund at all? If you want to talk to First Move about habits you can build to take the next step toward your goals, go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to schedule a call.
0:04:05 What We’ve Been Playing
Floristry (our review) – looking forward...
Episode 415 – Room to Grow: Card Games
Looking for some card games for your family to grow into? We’ve got you covered.
0:00:00 Fact for 415
The racing tall ship Amerigo Vespucci holds the record for the largest maximum crew complement: 415 sailors.
Sponsor Message
If you’d like to talk about other ideas to help pass on your financial values to your children, schedule a time to talk to First Move by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
0:04:25 What We’ve Been Playing
Compile: Main 2 (very much like Compile: Main 1)
Logic & Lore – review coming soon. Ch...
Episode 414 – Top Games of 2025
This week, we examine our Amazon Affiliate statistics. What games are the most popular buys among our listeners?
Then, we compare our own lists of favorite games of the year.
0:00:00 Fact for 414
The 414s – a group of teenage computer hackers from Milwaukee (the 414 area code) in the early 1980s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_414s
Sponsor Message
To schedule a time to talk to First Move about other ways to take control of your finances, head over to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to set up a free in...
Episode 413 – Five(ish) Games That Are Just Plain Fun
We’re going to talk about games that are just plain fun, no matter the group.
0:00:00 Fact for 413
La Roue – a silent movie, with a full run time of 413 minutes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Roue
Sponsor Message
For expert help applying some of the same principles that help you take down your friends in Agricola, head over to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today to schedule a call.
0:04:45 What We’ve Been Playing
Update – from the really cool Asmodee demo room at PAX Unplugged this year:
First Gi...
Episode 412 – Video Game Gift Guide
Our yearly show with Engaged Family Gaming, where we talk about what video games might be on your kids’ wishlists.
00:00 Fact for 412
412 is the area code for Pittsburgh (and they seem really proud of it).
The most people washing dishes simultaneously is 412 and was achieved by Henkel (Algeria) and Pril-Isis, in Algiers, Algeria, on 16 June 2017.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/112306-most-people-washing-dishes-simultaneously
Sponsor Message
If you want some help finding solid footing underneath you, or help finding the right step to leap to the next level, head to fi...
Episode 411 – PAX Unplugged 2025
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – PAX Unplugged is when we get to catch up with friends in the boardgame industry, see new games, and meet some of YOU!
00:00 Fact for 411
If you’re a Millenial, you know that 411 was (is) a phone number to call for general information. Did you know there are other X11 codes?
https://www.networkworld.com/article/956606/beyond-911-other-n-1-1-codes-you-should-know.html
Sponsor Message
How do you know if you’re ready to retire? There’s the financial aspect, but don’t forget abo...
Episode 410 – Holiday Gift Guide
It’s that time again – we recommend games for everyone on your gift list.
00:00 Fact for 410
10-4 is one of many ten-codes, used for clarity and brevity in Morse code & voice communications. 10-4 means “received” or “acknowledged”.
Sponsor Message
We talk about the sunk cost fallacy. Just because you’ve already invested resources into something doesn’t tell us if it’s worth that next bit of resources to see it through.
If you need a sounding board for your life’s financial decisions, go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers and set up a time to...
Episode 409 – Five Favorite Card Games
Let’s talk about card games!
00:00 Fact for 409
A little about Formula 409®.
Sponsor Message
How do you maintain your budget during the holiday season, with gift giving, big family meals, decorations, increased travel, seasonal activities?
If you want to talk through other ideas to take some of the stress out of the holidays set up a time to talk to First Move by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
0:04:30 What We’ve Been Playing
Finished My City – ultimate winner: Anitra, but it was really close at the...
Episode 408 – Top 10 Cozy Games
Weather’s getting colder, time for something cozy!
00:00 Fact for 408
The Haslam All-Sky Radio Continuum Survey used the 408 MHz radio spectrum to map the galactic sky around 1985. This map is still used today. It gets super technical, but if you’re interested in astronomy, check this out. Basically any time scientists want to measure anything outside the Milky Way, they use the Haslam survey to remove foreground distortion.
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2009/22/aa12161-09/aa12161-09.html
Sponsor Message
First Move reminds us that we can...
Episode 407 – Our Favorite 15-Minute Games
We’ve been looking forward to making this episode for a little while. Sometimes you don’t have a lot of time to play games – so let’s talk about our family favorites that play in 15 minutes or less.
00:00 Fact for 407
This one is for Zach. on 15 November 2012 a new world record was set. The most people flapping simultaneously is 407, achieved by Saint Joseph’s University (USA), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Sponsor Message
A successful financial life isn’t complex, but it does require discipline. The basics: create a budget; build an emergency...
Episode 406 – Andrew’s Favorites in 2025!
Andrew just had a birthday! Let’s talk about his favorite games from this year.
0:00:00 Fact for 406
Ted Williams had the best season batting average of anyone in the MLB: .406 in the 1941 season. Listen for the story of how he got there.
Sponsor Message
If you want to see if working with a financial advisor can help your situation set up a time to talk to First Move by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
0:05:00 What We’ve Been Playing
Mr. Postmouse’s Picnic (so much losing!)
My...
Episode 405 – Theme
Is game theme important? Is theme more than just the art?
0:00:00 Fact for 405
I-405 in California, heavily traveled by both commuters and freight haulers along its entire length, is the busiest and most congested freeway in the United States.
Sponsor Message
We learn about “spear phishing”. If you’d like to talk to someone about how you can protect your financial assets, remember you can book a free meeting with First Move at firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers.
0:04:20 What We’ve Been Playing
Spots [Editor’s note: “The Hundred and One Dalm...
Episode 404 – Connecting Through Gaming
We talk a lot about playing games with your kids. But boardgames aren’t the only way to connect – and they aren’t always the BEST way, either.
0:00:00 Fact for 404
404 BC: Sparta finally defeated Athens, ending the second Peloponnesian War.
404 AD: The last gladiatorial games are held in Rome.
Sponsor Message
The most popular scam right now is any variation of the authority scam. No bank, police officer, or any other legitimate entity will ever ask for your private data when they call you on the phone.
If you’d...
Episode 403 – Taking the Pressure Off
We love the board game community, but it can lead to pressure to play MORE or HARDER games, to keep up with the newest games. What can we do to dial it back down and make games FUN again?
0:00:00 Fact for 403
403 is the code on the internet for NO. If you want to go to a website, but you don’t have access, 403. Technically the word is “FORBIDDEN”, but really it means no.
Here’s actual standards document. But it’s really, really boring. https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7235
Sponsor Me...
Episode 402 – Room to Grow: Deck Building
00:00 Fact for 402
“The Kids from Room 402” – a kids’ TV show from 1999-2001.
So our fact this week is a direct callout to basically anybody in their mid to late thirties who grew up in the US or Canada. In the late 90’s and early aughts, there was a kids’ TV show that came out called “The Kids from Room 402”. Do you remember that Anitra?
This was an animated show based on the book “Gracie Graves and the Kids from Room 402”. It was basically a sitcom with all sorts of goofy school-based adventures the kids were going...
Episode 401 – Ten Top Evergreen Family Games
Family evergreen games? Evergreen family games? Let’s discuss.
00:00 Fact for 401
The term “401(k)” comes from the section of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that established this retirement savings plan.
Sponsor Message
Did you know, that if your child is working they can be saving money into a Roth IRA?
If you need help finding some unique ways to look at income and saving, visit firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to schedule a time to talk to First Move – for free!
05:10 What We’ve Been Playing
Santa’s Wo...
Episode 400 – It’s All About Families
Isn’t The Family Gamers Podcast always about families? Yes, but we’re doing a special focus on different ages this week, as a sort of retrospective over the last ten years.
00:00 Fact for 400
Factopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Facts
https://shop.merriam-webster.com/products/factopia
Sponsor Message
First Move has been our sponsor since episode 175! We really appreciate their partnering with us.
If you need help finding some “bonus points” and seeing which areas of your personal finance you should be focusing on, visit firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to sched...
Episode 399 – Room to Grow: Modern Abstract Games
We talked about older games last week like checkers and chess. This week we’re moving on to modern abstract games (within the last 20 years). We recommend three that grow in complexity – and add a few of our other favorites.
0:00:00 Fact for 399
www.399film.com
Sponsor Message
First Move Financial is not a credit counseling company, but they’d be happy to spend a few minutes talking to you to help you find a reputable credit counselor. Go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to set up a quick chat and start taking steps...
Episode 398 – Room to Grow: Classic Abstract Games
I bet you played checkers or chess with your relatives when you were a kid. We talk about newer games all the time on this podcast, but we think old games are great and you should play those, too! We recommend three that facilitate learning strategies.
0:00:00 Fact for 398
In the Dewey Decimal filing system, 398 is the category for folklore (and 398.2 is fairy tales!)
Sponsor Message
Have you heard of the fun ratio? This idea comes from The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber.
If you want to talk about...
Episode 397 – PAX East Recap
Welcome to The Family Gamers podcast! Last week, we attended PAX East 2025, a huge convention that’s practically in our backyard. What are the coolest things we saw there?
0:00:00 Fact for 397
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/theres-not-many-downsides-man-with-the-worlds-longest-tongue-727048
Sponsor Message
If you’d like to have a free conversation to help you understand how to do some due diligence on a charity before making a donation, go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers and schedule a 15 minute phone call.
What We’ve Been Playing
Flip 7 (review coming soon)
Smug Owls...
Episode 396 – 5 Games that Surprise!
We’ve been reviewing board games for almost ten years. And sometimes, we run across ones that REALLY surprise us. Let’s talk about a few this week.
0:00:00 Fact for 396
This week we’ve got an “at the same time” trend going.
The most people showering simultaneously is 396, achieved by Irish Springs (USA) in Dover, Delaware, USA, on 15 June 2018. The most people making sand sculptures simultaneously is 396, and was achieved at an event organised by Sculpture Westende and Philippe Bourleau (both Belgium) in Middelkerke, Belgium, on 23 August 2019. The largest simultaneous launch of canoes/kayaks is 396 and...Episode 395 – Euro, Ameritrash, and Other Boardgamer Jargon
Do you know what a “eurogame” is? Could you explain it to someone who hasn’t played a lot of boardgames? What are some other jargon terms we use that are unfriendly to new players?
0:00 Fact for 395
We talk about our local Interstate 395, and the much more beautiful Route 395 in California.
https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/cant-miss-stops-along-californias-highway-395/
Sponsor Message
If you want help looking at your 401(k)s to make sure you’re not overpaying go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers to set up a time to chat, for free!
04:0...
Episode 394 – 7 Party Game Favorites
0:00 We’re out of town this weekend. A perfect time to talk about our favorite party games.
394 fact
Tony Gwynn is recognized as having the highest single season batting average in the modern era – He hit .394 for the San Diego Padres in 1994.
If you’re not a sports person, here’s a dumb record for you.
The most spins of a Guinness World Records book on the finger in one minute is 394, and was achieved by Arun Kumar Mahanta (India) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, on 11 August 2022.
03:11 Sponsor message
Who i...
Episode 393 – Board Game Terms: Asymmetric, Auction, Bidding
It’s been a long time since we defined some board game terms. Let’s do that again!
0:00 Fact for 393
The TV show Star Trek: Voyager uses the phrase “some kind of” 393 times over the seven seasons. There’s a fan-made video that documents them ALL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwZiezIxCVU
Sponsor Message
If you want to talk to an expert about prioritizing your goals and saving for the future go to FirstMoveFinancial.com/familygamers to set up a time FOR FREE to see if they can help you make your...
Episode 392 – Springtime Games
We’re currently having false spring here in New England. But after a cold dreary winter, we are ready for green, growing things. Let’s talk about games with flowers and plants – games that make us think spring.
0:00 Fact for 392
It’s been a while since we’ve done a car fact: The SRT 392 is a high-performance version of the Dodge Charger and Challenger models.
Sponsor Message
Check the FTC’s website for information about credit counseling and debt management plans for anyone wanting to learn more.
Remember, you can always sch...
Episode 391 – Room to Grow: Cooperative Games
Following on from last week’s topic, let’s talk about cooperative games that can you can play with your children as they grow!
0:00:00 Fact for 391
The deepest hand-dug well was 391m (1285 ft) deep. It took almost 6 years to hit water! Find out more: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/761162-deepest-hand-dug-well
Sponsor Message
If this primer on investments already has you overwhelmed, you may want to get help with managing your investments. First Move is here to help. Go to FirstMoveFinancial.com/familygamers to set up a time FOR FREE to see if t...
Episode 390 – Cooperative Games
This week, we’re talking about cooperative games – what they are, what makes them a good fit for families, and we explore the breadth of games that can be considered “cooperative”.
0:00:00 Fact for 390
While the exact number fluctuates, there are around 390 known species of sharks in the world, from tiny lantern sharks to massive whale sharks.
The average weight of a full-grown jaguar can reach up to 390 pounds, making it the largest cat in the Americas.
Sponsor Message
If you want to talk through your specific situation and how to achie...
Episode 389 – Games to Disconnect
Sometimes intentionally, sometimes by accident, we find games that disconnect us from the stresses and worries of every day life. Andrew and Anitra discover that they have different ideas of what helps them step away from the real world – but there’s some overlap, too.
0:00 Fact for 389
When diving (“stooping”), the peregrine falcon can reach speeds of 389kph.
Sponsor Message
Owning a home isn’t for everyone, but if you want help talking through whether it makes sense for you to buy or rent, set up a free phone call by going to f...
Episode 388 – Top Ten Games of 2024
It’s the first podcast of 2025, so we’re going to go back over our favorite games from 2024.
0:00:00 Fact for 388
The National Guard observed its 388th birthday on December 13th, continuing a tradition that began long before the nation’s founding in 1776.
Sponsor Message
First Move doesn’t sell insurance, but they can help point you in the right direction and help you interpret the policies you currently have. To schedule a call with First Move, go to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers.
0:05:06 What We’ve Been Playing
Combo (review com...
Episode 387 – PAX Unplugged 2024
0:0:00 This week: our PAX Unplugged 2024 highlights and interviews.
Fact for 387
The 387 Houses of Peter Fritz – so many tiny model houses! https://www.amusingplanet.com/2019/04/the-387-houses-of-peter-fritz.html
Sponsor Message
If you want to ask First Move your questions, schedule a free meeting with them by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers.
0:06:20 What We’ve Been Playing
Obelus from Phase Shift Games
Circus Flohcati – check the SNAP review!
0:08:20 PAX Unplugged Highlights
Butterfly Garden – Capstone
Tightrope & Ziggurat – Mindware
Chip Theory games for kids!
c...
Episode 386 – The Tabletop Inn!
0:00 Hello and welcome!
This week we’re going to spend the second half of the show with some wonderful people running a wonderfully magical place over in North Carolina. It is, of course, The Tabletop Inn, run by Grace Kendall and Mike Belsole.
Fact for 386
Moana 2 pulled in 386 million dollars on its opening weekend – the new record for the top opening weekend for an animated film. (It beats out Super Mario Brothers at $377m and Frozen II at $358m.)
Sponsor Message
If you need to talk about other ideas to g...
Episode 385 – Video Game Holiday Gift List
0:0:00 Hello and welcome! This week we’ve invited video game hype man Stephen Duetzmann (from Engaged Family Gaming) to go over his video game holiday gift guide.
Fact for 385
The largest gathering of people dressed as elephants is 385, achieved by 2 Wish Upon A Star (UK), in Cardiff, UK, on 13 August 2016.
Sponsor Message
If you want to talk through financial ideas to take some of the stress out of the holidays, set up a time to talk to First Move by going to firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.
