We got a couple of regular ol' brainiacs on the show this week. Host Christina Ha asked our gaming pal Laura Hubbard to join this episode's chat. Both are academic and test-prep tutors, so they are extra, extra, EXTRA nerdy when it comes to how they approach board gaming. Dan "Shoe" Hsu and Nick Suttner -- who are just above-average nerdy -- round out the cast.

As always, we have the four gamers bring their own topics for the group to discuss:

1. Laura wants to talk math in games (and how much is too much).
2. Christina brings up great science-based games.
3. Shoe asks what are the group's favorite games to play with our significant others.
4. Nick examines what makes for a good prototype when designing new games.

 ​See a full list of games mentioned on the show below.

Shoe's topic: Favorite games with significant others

• Lost Cities
• Jaipur
• Crokinole
• Asante
• Jambo
• Targi
• Tokyo Highway
• Hatsuden
• Hounded
• Raptor
• Spirit Island
• Spirit Island: Branch & Claw
• Arkham Horror: The Card Game
• The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
• The Mind
• Hanabi
• Onitama
• The Reclamation
• 7 Wonders
• 7 Wonders: Duel
• Fields of Arle
• Patchwork

Laura's topic: How much math is too much math in a board game?

• The Castles of Burgundy
• Five Tribes
• Clans of Caledonia
• Age of Steam

Christina's topic: Science board games

• Evolution
• Wingspan
• Virulence
• Nerd Words: Science
• Play with Your Food
• Photosynthesis
• Parks
• Lost Valley: The Yukon Goldrush 1896
• Planetarium

Final thoughts:

• Terraforming Mars
• First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet
• Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
• Realm of Sand
• Splendor
• Strange Vending Machine
• Innovation

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