This portion of our web guide focuses on table games, which include board games, card games, dice games, puzzles, mazes, table hockey, and other games intended to be played on a table.
Encompassing a wide range of activities, table games have played a significant role in human leisure for centuries. Typically played on a flat surface, these games are designed to entertain, challenge, and bring people together, fostering both competition and camaraderie.
Board games have ancient origins. Senet was played in Egypt as far back as 3100 BC, and chess is believed to have been developed in India during the 6th century. The 20th century saw the development of hundreds of board games, including Monopoly, which captured the spirit of economic ambitions during the Great Depression. Modern board games like Settlers of Catan, released in 1995, have introduced complex strategic gameplay to a new generation, fostering a renaissance in tabletop gaming. Games like Pandemic and Ticket to Ride have followed suit, becoming household staples.
Card games go back to ancient China and Persia, with several forms spreading globally over the centuries. Games like Poker and Bridge have become staples in casual and competitive settings. Poker, in particular, enjoyed a significant boom in the 19th-century United States, evolving from riverboat and saloon gambling to international tournaments. Modern card games like Magic: The Gathering, introduced in the 1990s, revolutionized the industry with its collectible and customizable gameplay. Uno is a family favorite, with its simple yet engaging rules.
Dice games also have ancient roots, with dice made from bone, wood, and stone found in archaeological sites dating back thousands of years. Games like Craps have maintained popularity, emerging from street corners to casino play. Developed in 1956, Yahtzee requires players to roll dice to achieve specific combinations, and role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons also rely heavily on dice rolls for gameplay decisions.
Puzzles and mazes have been a source of mental challenge and entertainment for centuries. The Tangram, a Chinese puzzle consisting of seven flat pieces that can be arranged to form various shapes, was played during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and maze challenges amused the ancient Greeks with the legend of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. Puzzles and mazes have enjoyed a resurgence, particularly during periods of social distancing. While not played on a table, life-sized versions of mazes include the corn maze phenomenon and escape rooms, which have become a popular form of entertainment.
Table hockey is a fast-paced table game that simulates ice hockey. Developed in the 1930s, the game became popular in North America and Europe. Similarly, Foosball (table soccer) has entertained players since the early 20th century.
The advent of computers and digital technology has profoundly impacted the table games industry. Digital platforms have made classic games more accessible, allowing players to engage in online versions of chess, poker, and even intricate board games like Settlers of Catan. Mobile applications and digital versions of card games have brought players from around the world together. However, they are not actually together because these games are digital and virtual. Additionally, digital versions of these games can be played against virtual opponents, allowing for single-player use.
Puzzle games have also gone digital, with apps offering countless variations and levels, enhancing the traditional puzzle-solving experience. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) bring new dimensions to table games, creating immersive environments.
Despite the digital shift, the tactile and social aspects of physical table games remain irreplaceable. The feel of shuffling cards, rolling dice, and moving game pieces adds a tangible element to gaming that a digital screen can't satisfactorily replace, so table games continue to thrive in their traditional and digital incarnations.
This portion of our guide focuses on the physical games, however. Digital games can be found in the Computers & Internet section of the directory. Retail sales sites should be submitted to the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce categories.
Categories
Board GamesCard Games | Dice GamesPuzzles & Mazes |
Recommended Resources
BGG is an online resource and community for board game enthusiasts. It features a vast database of over 125,600 different tabletop games, including European-style board games, war games, and card games. Through the site, users can find reviews, ratings, images, videos, and session reports for games, as well as participate in online discussion forums. BGG also hosts annual conventions, awards the Golden Geek Award, and has sections for RPGs and video games, as well.
https://boardgamegeek.com/
Since 2007, the site has aimed to be a go-to resource for classic game lovers, focusing on tile, card, and dice games. Among the information offered is how to play the games, which strategies can be used, and where they can be played, including a library of free online games. For example, for dominoes, the site provides a definition, a guide for beginners, rules, scoring and points, example play, strategy and tips, and other game variants. Its team, editorial guidelines, and contacts are posted.
https://www.coololdgames.com/
Owned by Gamer Network Limited, an IGN Entertainment Company and subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Dicebreaker is designed to cover a wide range of tabletop games, including board games, pen-and-paper role-playing games (RPGs), and trading card games. The site offers game reviews, industry news, and informational articles to help gamers discover new games and stay. updated on the latest trends in the tabletop community. Dicebreaker also provides game guides and tutorials.
https://www.dicebreaker.com/
A source for the basics and rules of the game of Dominoes, the site is maintained by the American Domino Company in Grand Prairie, Texas. Offering content for domino novices and experts, the site features an introduction to the game, the basics of game play, a glossary, and game rules for variants of the game, such as Chickenfoot, Forty-Two, Mexican Train, Moon, Spinner, Straight Dominoes, and others. Custom dominoes and cases may be purchased online, and contacts are posted.
https://www.dominorules.com/
Gather Together Games is a resource for tabletop gaming enthusiasts. The website offers a variety of video tutorials and written explanations on how to play different types of games, including card games, dice games, tile games, and board games. They also feature their own original card game, "BATTLE: Superheroes vs. Villains," which may be purchased from its online store, along with a solitaire e-book, a playing card coloring book, and branded apparel. A blog is included.
https://gathertogethergames.com/
Offering game rules for board games, card games, and various outdoor games, the website features strategy board games, family board games, party board games, mystery/horror board games, and dice games, as well as strategy card games, family card games, party card games, and casino/poker games. Outdoor summer games are also featured. For listed games, a brief description, objective, components, setup, gameplay, scoring, winning the game, and strategies are included, where applicable.
https://www.officialgamerules.org/
TGA is a tabletop game that simulates the experience of playing golf. It is a dexterity game where players use special "golf ball" pieces to chip, putt, and slice their way through custom courses made from beautifully illustrated double-sided wooden terrain tiles. The game emphasizes skill and precision. The game is described, including rules and memberships, along with a list of retailers. Schedules of events and tournaments, videos, a blog, and contacts are included.
https://tablegolfassociation.com/
Incorporated as a non-profit organization, Tabletop Alliance promotes the use of games in education and community programs across the United States. It also provides free game kits of modern board, card, and role-playing games to educators, librarians, and community leaders. The organization's mission is to support these sectors in using games to develop critical skills in students, such as social-emotional learning skills. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are included.
https://tabletopalliance.org/
Created and maintained by Moe Tousignant, the website offers gaming advice, game night tips, and recommendations and for board games, card games, role-playing games (RPGs), and other games. The website also features a deals page offering promotions and discounts on various tabletop games, as well as a gaming podcast. Articles include board games appropriate for high school, date night games, and those that both children and adults can enjoy. Contacts are included.
https://tabletopbellhop.com/
Tabletop Game Designers Association
TTGDA is a non-profit organization that supports tabletop game designers of all types, including board games, role-playing games, card games, and miniature games. The organization's mission is to promote the craft of tabletop game design through education and support, advocate for designers within the industry, and build a community among game designers, whether mass market, specialty, or hobby. Membership options are stated, with costs and a list of benefits for each.
https://www.ttgda.org/
