How to Host a Game Night: What to Serve, Who to Invite, How to Play―Strategies for the Perfect Game Night

by Erik Arneson

From party games to legacy games, setting up to hosting a crowd, tabletop game expert Erik Arneson gives you the strategies you need to host an epic game night.

Break out the chips and grab a drink! With enthusiasm for tabletop games at an all-time high and exciting new board games and card games hitting Kickstarter every week, game night is more popular than ever. But there’s more to the perfect game night than choosing between classics like Scrabble and Catan or introducing friends and family to games like Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, and Codenames. Tabletop gaming expert and experienced game night host Erik Arneson is here to help.

Organizing his advice by group size, Arneson walks you through everything from selecting the right venue and snacks to managing a game library and bad attitudes, answering questions like:
-How can I make the most of a small space?
-Am I explaining the rules right?
-What should I do if guests show up late?
-How do I keep my dog from eating the pieces?
-Do I have to invite Sean?

Marrying the practicality of Emily Post with curated lists of games perfect for every occasion, Arneson’s humorous, down-to-earth approach will help readers everywhere navigate these fun and rewarding gatherings. Ideal for novice hosts and seasoned players alike, How to Host a Game Night is the perfect book for anyone wanting to up the ante on their hosting game.

Genres: Nonfiction, Games

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2020

About the author

Erik Arneson is the author of two books about board games (HOW TO HOST A GAME NIGHT and 17 GAMES YOU CAN PLAY RIGHT NOW!) and one collection of crime fiction short stories (THE THROES OF CRIME). He wrote about board games for About.com for about 15 years and his crime fiction has appeared in such publications as Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine, Thuglit, Needle and Grift, as well as at the websites Shotgun Honey, Out of the Gutter Online, Beat to a Pulp, and Near to the Knuckle.

He lives near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife Elizabeth. They are both part owners of the greatest franchise in all of professional sports, the Green Bay Packers.

Reviews

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fun and insightful, I never realized how much can go into putting together a game night.
I was hoping this book would help make a family game night during this pandemic a little different and more fun and help me with great ideas for when we can back together with other family and friends and it did just that. Highly recommend! I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[ChrisC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I was provided a review copy in exchange for writing this review.

2020 has been hard for a large majority of us, and we've had to social distance ourselves from our family and friends, so reading this evoked some great memories of just having fun playing board games with those close to me. It made the heart grow fonder for conventions where I could just partake in meeting new people, seeing my international friends, and potentially seeing my games played and maybe making a new fan. Ultimately I love just being around people who share in the same passions as I do, regardless of the scale of event that we enjoy. But just because we're in lockdown doesn't mean that you can't get your board gaming on at all! If you have a few games at home just sitting there collecting a new coat of dust, grab your loved one and rather than binge watching some TV, play a game together! Alas, let's examine this book based on remembering the good times, and hopefully there will be a time when we could gather safely again and play board games again, shall we?

As someone who loves designing, promoting, collecting, and playing games altogether, I can appreciate that a book exists for helping you improve that time that we can come together to share in that passion. Regardless if you're a Dungeon Master with a group that have played Dungeons & Dragons for years, or you're an ambitious host of a group of 10 work colleagues that want to get to build rapport but really haven't played much aside from childhood favorites, or you're a couple looking to have a group date night with another couple and you've found out they also play board games, there's something in this book for you! I love that there are a multitude of Erik's friends who have chimed in about what works for their group. Not all groups are going to work out due to differing opinions and group dynamics, and even if you're playing board games, difference of behaviors vary, so not only do you have to make sure there's enough fun to be had, you've got to manage the problems that may come up as well.

Unless we're all at a game day to play Twilight Imperium 4, a sci-fi treasure trove of a game featuring epic space battles, diplomacy, and backstabbing that takes 8 hours on average to play (even for an experienced group!), I like setting the tempo of a game night, too, so that we're able to accommodate people who come late so that they feel included in the fun rather than feel bad for being late because of things out of their control. I love opening up with small "filler" games, move on to heavier "main event" games, and then close out with another few fillers or a group party game because our brains are spent. People have all sorts of life and job commitments, and board gaming can be that small escape for people to partake in. In saying all of this, hosting a great game night is also a commitment for people who want to be that provider of fun, and that in it of itself is admirable. I have the pleasure of being friends with Peter Lipson who runs Toronto's BreakoutCon and TABScon, and he has provided such an amazing atmosphere for people to come together to enjoy each other's company through the power of board games.

I guffawed at some references relating to reading rules and found solace in knowing that I'm not the only person to worry about sleeving every game they own. I love the fact that there's a list of glowing reviews of games Erik has chosen for each audience he talks about, and now I really want to play Betrayal Legacy (aside from knowing Rob Daviau, of course!). Also if someone makes a Lanterns: The Harvest Festival-inspired cocktail, please drop me a line.

To wrap up, there's oodles of tidbits you can incorporate into your game nights going forward, and if the game group grows big enough, maybe you'll be the host of your city's go-to for games and a good time going forward!

[Chuck Ledger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of the book and agreed to give a review of it.

I highly recommend this book to both novice and experienced gamers. I think Erik has done a wonderful job of introducing newcomers to hosting a game night. He also provided lots of reminders to us experienced gamers. His use of antidotal stories from many gamers keeps the book real.

Since I've played games at conventions with about 1/4 of the people mentioned, it was also a great reminder about old friends during these unusual times.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was around 3.5 stars for me.

It details how to have a game night, including who to invite, what kind of food to have, and how to choose games. It's broken down by group size and has recommendations for games for different amounts of people in each chapter. There's also information on how to have your own miniature convention or have a game night virtually!

There's some great information in this book! Some of it feels a bit too specific, like listing games, and seems like it will be quickly outdated. There's also not a whole lot of detail in some of the suggestions so it mostly reads like common sense.

Overall this is a helpful book if you've never hosted before and are interested in getting people together for games.

[Jim Carvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been hosting and attending game nights for almost 20 years now, ever since I got myself back into gaming at the age of 30. We almost always had a great time, so I felt like I knew pretty much all there is to know about the subject. I was wrong. Erik has offered up more than a few tips and suggestions that I plan to use to make my game nights and days even better.

Erik covers just about everything; from small groups to large, from an evening of gaming to conventions, from snacks and drink to full on meals. That's not to mention the who, what, when, and why of planning for and executing a game night that he covers in great detail. So many excellent anecdotes are included from friends and acquaintances, most of whom I know or have met on the years, which was extra special for me.

The chapter on virtual gaming is very timely. It was hard on many gamers during that them to suddenly have to completely put their hobby on hold. My group turned most to League of Legends but I saw so many others playing at some of those gaming sites. It changed the online gaming landscape quite a bit, moving it forward in great ways.

I've know Erik for many years and, despite being an avid Packers fan, he a great guy to b around He has a great sense of humor that is found throughout the book, written exactly the way he would tell it in person. I could even picture his facial expressions as I read it. The many many game suggestions and overviews are very insightful, I've played many (most) of them so I know they are good suggestions.

I'm looking forward to Erik's next book, "How to Win at Battleball and Why Jim Does So Poorly". I'll be an instant best seller.

[Leslie Cheung · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Host a Game Night by Erik Arneson is more than a great introduction to the world of hobby board games!

It is quick to read and easy to follow but also chock-full of anecdotes and factoids that make it personal and interesting.

Full of nostalgia and humour, this will have seasoned gamers remembering their own experiences and offer new players a look at how deep the love of the hobby can be.

I loved how the stories from various players were used to colour the various chapter topics. In what could have been a book about just the author's experiences, it's inclusion of many voices echoed what is great about the hobby: the players and the community.

You will find useful recommendations for all sorts of hosting situations and preparations; from small to large groups as well as tips to help you experience and enjoy a rich and rewarding hobby...and yes, it offers ways of enjoying the hobby in today's Covid19 responsible times.

At the end of each chapter, there are game suggestions that are relevant to the topic just covered as well as 3 or 4 paragraphs explaining a bit more about each suggestion. I'm not new to the hobby but I certainly found this book to be useful and entertaining. (I'm not the only one who has had to deal with some of these situations!) 🙂

I highly recommend this engaging book and it will remain an invaluable reference on my shelf.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in hosting a fun night of games but don’t know where to begin, try Erik Arneson’s How to Host a Game Night. This is a wonderful guide chock-full of information and step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the process for an amazing game night.

I love how Erik clearly explains the differences between hosting small gatherings to large groups of game players. My favorite feature is the list and description of recommended games at the end of each group of players section. There are so many games to choose from and Erik really helped narrow the field, especially for the most novice players. He even tackled who to invite for different types of games and what foods are an absolute no no when playing various board games.

I can definitely tell playing games is Erik’s passion and his expertise is evident in this book. It is a must-have for all age groups and a perfect gift for anyone wanting to have board game fun!

[E.R. Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful review of all you need to know to run everything from a single-table boardgame night to a small convention. I will say that the focus is on the hobby of boardgames and not much is noted about playing RPGs, which perhaps needs it own book. But if it’s cardboard, Meeples and maybe dice that are part of the games you play, Arneson’s book does a great job of answering even some uncomfortable questions (yes, cut the creeps from your events) for organizers. A useful tome with plenty of side stories mixed in for fun.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader's Edition.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads giveaway.

For the most part a commonsense book, with only a few secrets to divulge, and a couple of what seem to me to be rather glaring oversights. One of them seems tremendous to me considering the way the book handles and covers other matters. It has to do with drinking. While the subject of To Have or Not To Have is acknowledged with regards to food, no such discussion exists for alcohol, just a list of thematic beverages to I guess look up and learn how to make for yourself? Zero acknowledgement for teetotalers or people uncomfortable around drinking.

The second is actually fairly minor, but with as much of the book as has been devoted to anecdotes, it seems peculiar to me that the pet with games section covers almost exclusively cats. The funniest, most tragic and interesting gaming stories I've ever heard have involved birds (including a parrot learning to roll her own dice and thus being allowed to play a DnD character along with her owner and their friends).

On that note, I wish the author was either better at anecdotes or hadn't restrained himself so much on them (not sure which), because those had the potential to make a much more fun book, although a very different one from what this is marketed as.

The most worth I could find in it was a number of games I hadn't heard of or taken a close look at. So more games to look into and try out, which is always nice.

[Dev S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The release of this book could not have been worse timing. With the pandemic raging, there seems little value in having a book that is all about having people over and hosting gaming conventions. There is a hurriedly added chapter discussing virtual gaming but it lacks depth compared to some of the clearly more well researched areas.
Despite the timing of it's release, the book has some value with a logical structure of content guiding readers from the smallest to largest of gatherings, it could almost serve as a proxy for re-entering society post pandemic.
Whilst I enjoyed the book, I had a few issues that helps me back from fully endorsing it. Much of the advice given is applicable to several different events but only listed in one so it doesn't act well as a reference book despite being structured like one. Additionally there is little directly about hosting meet ups game groups or small, regular public gatherings (which happened to be my main motivator for buying the book). Lastly it just felt like it gave me very little information I didn't already have, this last one is more down to my background of hosting and participating in events for a long time but was still a little disappointing not to get more gems among the tips.
Overall it's a well written book, good for someone newer to the hobby but with friends already willing to game with them.

[Alan Bargender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Arneson takes his impressive experience in playing games, reviewing games, and experiencing board game events and gives us this entertaining, informative, and efficient read. This book is at once a nice treatise on the current state of the board gaming hobby/industry, a practical guide to entertaining vis-à-vis modern board games, and an entertaining collection of stories (both delightful and cringe-worthy) of gamers’ experiences while hosting. The book is principally organized around the expected group size. This makes referencing the proper section particularly easy. I especially like the inclusion of game title suggestions associated with group size for those just entering the hobby. You’ll also find in depth information on organizing gaming weekends, small game conventions, themed game events, and board gaming via the internet (poignantly useful as we currently wrestle with the opposing needs of pandemic quarantining and social interaction). I highly recommend for both experienced gamers looking to improve their events and for those new to the hobby considering hosting a one-time event or a regular gaming group.

[Greg Schloesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I am good friends with the author of this book, but have done my best to render an unbiased review.

As a boardgame enthusiast, I have been hosting regular game nights at my home for over 25 years. I also host two game conventions each year, and was interviewed by author and friend Erik Arneson for this book. So, I may well have a bias here!

Still, this is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in hosting game nights, either at their home or at a public location. It will also be of use to those who may want to host a small gaming convention. The books is filled with incredibly useful information, advice and tips for hosting these t types of events. It also has some wonderful stories experienced by not only the author, but by dedicated gamers from around the world. Reading and putting into effect the advice and tips offered here will help make your gaming events run smoother and be much more memorable.

Also included are dozens and dozens of game recommendations for just about any occasion or event. So, this book may end-up costing you more than its price!

If you are looking into hosting a game night or event, I highly recommend this book.

[Manchester Public Library, CT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I was provided a copy by the publisher for an honest review. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy!
Full disclosure: I am an avid gamer, and have been for almost ten years. I didn't expect to learn a lot necessarily from Erik's book, but I was immediately charmed by his writing style, knowledge, and wit.
What Erik has done here is essentially create a love letter to board games. You may already know all of the things that Erik talks about in this book, but Erik writes with such reverence and humor about the hobby, that you can't help but follow him along on his journey.
Erik writes about a lot of different situations you may find yourself in when board gaming, and he does so with respect for the topic and people. The focus is often on hosting, which really is a key ingredient to a successful game night- and why some game nights fail, frankly.
-Jenn, Head of Reference and Adult Services, and AKA The Board Game Librarian

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I was provided a copy by the publisher for an honest review. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy!
Full disclosure: I am an avid gamer, and have been for almost ten years. I didn't expect to learn a lot necessarily from Erik's book, but I was immediately charmed by his writing style, knowledge, and wit.
What Erik has done here is essentially create a love letter to board games. You may already know all of the things that Erik talks about in this book, but Erik writes with such reverence and humor about the hobby, that you can't help but follow him along on his journey.
Erik writes about a lot of different situations you may find yourself in when board gaming, and he does so with respect for the topic and people. The focus is often on hosting, which really is a key ingredient to a successful game night- and why some game nights fail, frankly.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendously fun book about having fun. This guide to throwing a game night is chock full of great ideas; from deciding who (and how) to invite, which games to pick, food suggestions, and even some things you may not have thought about when hosting. It’s written with first hand accounts from Erik and many friends who shared their experiences. His humor shines through on this light hearted book and there are many games mentioned and described as suggestions, all unbiased, letting the reader decide what might interest them the most. Whether you are a casual gamer or much more than just an enthusiast, there is much to glean from Arneson’s guide book.

[Jenny Baran · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a pretty casual board game fan, a lot of the tips in this book didn’t really apply to me, but it was an interesting read all the same. I definitely found some games I’ll have to try soon!

Note: I received a copy of this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Callen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much was covered in this short book. I appreciated the suggested games for different group sizes. Kind of felt like it would have been a better magazine than book. Themed snack recipes might have been fun too.

[Tinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow along and great advice for setting up game nights. I've been sorely missing my game nights with friends and family and this book has rekindled my love of board games!

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically just a collection of anecdotes and mini game reviews. It was alright, but I was looking for something else evidently.