In Tabletop games T is for…
Tableau: Your Personal Player Space
A tableau refers to the collection of cards, tiles, or components you build up in front of you during a game. These typically represent resources, abilities, or points that help you progress. Unlike a communal play area, your tableau is yours alone—think of it as your personal little empire, growing turn by turn.
Table Hog: When a Game Demands Too Much Space
Some games just take up ridiculous amounts of table space. Whether it’s sprawling boards, endless components, or oversized miniatures, a table hog needs room to breathe. Think of games like Twilight Imperium or Gloomhaven—you’ll need a big table (or maybe even a second one) just to fit everything.
Table Presence: When a Game Looks Stunning
Some games just turn heads. Maybe it’s the vibrant artwork, impressive miniatures, or towering 3D elements, but table presence is all about visual impact. Even if a game isn’t your style, sometimes it’s impossible to ignore when it dominates the table with colour, texture, and detail.
Table Talk: Friendly Chat or Unwanted Distractions?
Whether it’s discussing strategy, sharing jokes, or going completely off-topic, table talk is any kind of chatter during a game. Some games encourage it (Codenames, for example), while others forbid it (The Mind). Too much table talk can slow things down, but the right balance can make a game even more enjoyable.
Take That: When a Game Encourages Chaos
Love sabotaging your friends? Then “take that” mechanics are for you. These involve directly interfering with another player’s progress—stealing resources, blocking moves, or outright destroying their plans. Think Munchkin, where backstabbing is half the fun, or Mario Kart-style mechanics in board game form.
Tank
The tank is the tough, heavily armoured character who takes hits so the rest of the party doesn’t have to. Tanks aren’t always the biggest damage dealers, but they make sure everyone else stays alive. Whether it’s a knight in shining armour or a cybernetic war machine, tanks are the backbone of any good adventuring party.
Tap: The Simple Act of Rotating a Card
Common in card games, tapping means turning a card sideways to show it’s been used. Magic: The Gathering popularised the term, though many games now use alternatives like “exhaust” or “kneel” (because of legal reasons). It’s a simple mechanic but a crucial one for managing resources and actions.
Tech Tree: Progressing Through a Game’s Evolution
A tech tree represents advancements in a game, often in a branching structure. You start with basic options and work your way up, unlocking better abilities, upgrades, or strategies. You’ll see this a lot in civilisation-style games where you evolve from primitive tools to advanced technologies.
The Geek: The Ultimate Board Game Database
Ask any board game enthusiast where to find rules, reviews, or discussions, and they’ll point you to BoardGameGeek.com. “The Geek” is the go-to resource for anything board game-related—whether you need to check a rule clarification or just browse rankings.
Theme: The Setting That Brings a Game to Life
A game’s theme is its backdrop—whether it’s medieval farming, intergalactic war, or a detective mystery. Some games are heavily thematic (like Dead of Winter), where the setting deeply affects the gameplay, while others are more abstract (Chess, for example, doesn’t really feel like a battlefield).
Thinky: When a Game Burns Your Brain
Some games are light and breezy; others make your brain sweat. A “thinky” game demands deep strategy, careful planning, and mental gymnastics. If you enjoy that feeling of wrestling with tough choices and long-term strategies, thinky games are right up your alley.
Tile Laying: Piece by Piece, Building the Board
In tile-laying games, players place tiles to create a map or a structure, often aiming for the best possible arrangement. Think of Carcassonne, where you connect roads and cities, or Galaxy Trucker, where you frantically assemble a spaceship before disaster strikes.
Trick Taking: Playing for the Best Hand
This classic card game mechanic involves winning “tricks” by playing the highest-ranking card of the required suit. Games like Bridge and Hearts are well-known examples, where timing and predicting opponents’ moves are key.
Turn-Based: Playing One at a Time
In turn-based games, players act sequentially rather than simultaneously. Most strategy games use this approach, letting players make careful choices without pressure. Real-time games, in contrast, have everyone acting at once—think Escape: The Curse of the Temple or Galaxy Trucker.
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