Dads on a Map

Tension! Why is it so vital to the board game experience and what are some of our favorite tense games & moments? Clef from Punchboard Paradise joins James as we discuss this and recent plays of Pax Pamir 1e, Inis, Manila, Aladdin's Dragons, Tichu, Shark, and so much more! Enjoy the show! :38 Chatting with Clef 11:55 DoaMcoN 7 Announcement 14:30 Disc Golf Weather 18:50 Pax Pamir 1e 27:13 Inis...

The game night is scheduled, the players are accounted for, but now...how do we pick the game? James is joined by Steve as we discuss our personal methodology, considerations, and what works for our group when it comes to choosing the games we play at game night. Also recent plays of Guards of Atlantis II, 1894, Kaivai, Boomtown, and Rise & Fall. Enjoy the show! 3:55 Guards of Atlantis II 13:2...

It's the DoaMcoN Wrap Up Episode! After a full week of gaming at our 6th annual con, James & Derek sit down to discuss memorable moments and iconic plays. Special correspondent Dylan joins live from the past with attendee interviews as we relive some of their favorite games from the event as well. Enjoy the show! No Timestamps for this one, far too many games to mention! But you'll hear about...

Vincent joins James as we discuss the insatiable need for modern publishers to "fix" games when they rescue them from obscurity and reprint them. Why is this so common? Who are the good guys doing it right and the bad guys blowing it every time? Also recent plays of some reprinted games such as Container, Gold Country, Medieval Merchant, Waddle, and so much more. Enjoy the show! 1:18 Hellas: The D...

James is joined by Camden as we open up the haterade and talk about the DoaM Darlings that the community loves - but we just don't. We'll examine what keeps us from falling in line on some of Dads on a Map's favorite titles. Also recent plays of Cross Bronx Expressway, Nokosu Dice, Owner's Choice, Capital Lux 2, and Wolfel. Enjoy the show! 7:45 Cross Bronx Expressway 22:00 Paths of Glory 31:02 Own...

A nice full month of gaming means a nice full show full of game talk! James is joined by Steve to talk recent plays of Archipelago, John Company, Pax Pamir 1E, Shadow Hunters, Intrigue, and so much more! We're down to our last few lodging spots for DoaMcoN VI, live in Kansas City on August 19-23. Sign up now! :51 Get to know Steve 12:35 The Old Prince 1871 17:52 Archipelago 24:53 Pax Pamir 1E 30:4...

James is joined by his 2 boys Colton & Corbin for the traditional Father's Day Episode. Fresh off of a family vacation filled with some rare gaming time, hear all about plays of Puerto Banana, Panda Royale, I'm The Boss, Cozy Stickerville, and a 19 player game of Blood on the Clocktower. Happy Father's Day DoaM! 1:30 New Patron Shivan, DoaMcoN Signups 2:49 Get to know the boys 16:12 Family Vac...

Derek & Drew headed over to the DFW Airport to enjoy BGG Spring Con 2026! Listen in as we talk Cross Bronx Expressway, 1830, Euro Crisis, and many more! Enjoy the show! 0:00 - Opening Discussion 3:10 - Day One (Santiago, 1830, Snowp, Puerto Banana) 22:00 - Day Two (DNUP, Night Soil, Euro Crisis) 41:30 - Day Three (Cross Bronx Expressway, Tricktaker Event, Giants) 1:13:20 - Day Four (Baltic Emp...

James & Tim link up at Punchboard Paradise Con and talk all about some of their favorite plays of the weekend. The Old Prince, Wiz War, Rocky Ventures, UR 1830, Aquadukt, Liberty or Death, Infamous Traffic and more! Enjoy the show! 2:41 Crokinole, Blood on the Clocktower, and Doppelkopf 5:56 The Old Prince 1871 14:15 Wiz War 16:21 Rocky Ventures 24:02 Bad Bets 27:27 1830 UR 30:55 Aquadukt 35:5...

James is joined by Adam, one of our Hacendado patrons, and co-host of the new Cardboard Carnival podcast. Join us as we discuss Adam's unique experience starting a podcast with his young daughter. We'll also talk recent plays of Rayroads, Fukuzatsu, Panda Royale, and A Place for All My Books. Enjoy the show! :51 Welcome Adam 6:03 Rayroads 12:59 Panda Royale 18:18 Revisit: TI4 Async & Kuhhandel...

James is joined for the first time by Jon as they talk all about building a game group. Impossible? Or are you just not trying hard enough. Hear their personal experiences and efforts to make a group that sticks. Also recent plays of Mexica, Gods & Mortals, Kuhhandel Master, Das Pferd Von Troja and more! Enjoy the show! :59 Meet Jon 4:00 Housekeeping: New Patron Ray, DoaM Madness, DoaMcoN 7:33...

Joe returns from a long hiatus to join James and talk all about gaming with his growing kids. Hear his thoughts on TCGs, Arcs, and a surprising face turn on Knizia? Also recent plays of 1841, Razzia, and Mr Diamond. Enjoy the show! 2:35 Welcome Back Joe 14:10 1841 22:28 TCG Talk: Magic, Pokémon, Lorcana 37:17 Razzia 42:48 Khan of Khans and other Knizias 57:13 Mr Diamond 104:48 Arcs 1:17:22 Joe is...

Finally, Abstracts get their day on Dads on a Map! Trenton & Cody join James to talk all about this often ignored genre - what these games bring to the table, what makes them special, and some of their favorite recommendations. Also recent plays of Puerto Banana, Mamma Mia, Medina, & Ponte del Diavolo. Enjoy the show! 1:52 DoaM Madness Check In 8:24 Mahjong & Blood on the Clocktower 14...

James & handful of DoaM friends gathered in the midwest for a small "Cabin Con" - listen in as attendees talk some of their favorite plays and experiences. You'll hear from a host of people about Medina, Blood on the Clocktower, Dune: The Dice Game, Twilight Imperium, 18xx, Indonesia, Puerto Banana, and so much more! Want to join the next get together? Sign up for DoaMcoN VI below! Information...

James & Derek bring you all 64 first round matchups from the upcoming DoaM Madness Tournament. See how DoaM's Top 128 games, chosen by the fans, fare against each other in a single elimination tournament with bragging rights and their place in history on the line. Also recent plays of Magna Grecia, Carrom, and Zoo Vadis. Enjoy the show! 2:15 Ruben's Mini Chips 7:25 Zoo Vadis 11:02 Magna Grecia...

James is joined by Derek as they jump head first into Board Game Con season by talking about what makes a great con game for them. What are our priorities and must haves at some of our favorite conventions. Also recent plays of Spectaculum/Gold Country, Bested Another Time, The Old Prince 1871, and Pacts. Enjoy the show! 7:23 Spectaculum/Gold Country/Trackgate 26:47 Bested Another Time 33:10 The O...

James is joined by Justin & Nahv of Tabletapas Games as they prepare for their Kickstarter launch of the new thematic economic game Stellar Ventures. We'll chat about the origin of their company, their experience in game development, and tie it all together with a discussion about satisfying game arcs. We'll also talk recent plays of Wiz War, Sol: Last Days of a Star, and For All Mankind. Enjo...

Auctions! James is joined by Chris to explore one of our favorite mechanics in board games. What is it that auctions do that really help to elevate the board game experience for us and what are some of our favorite auctions in games. Also recent plays of Shark, San Marco, Indonesia 3rd Edition, and more! 1:54 Welcome Chris 3:47 Holiday Gaming Trio - Crokinole, Kalimambo, Paku Paku 10:40 Imperial 2...

Wrap up the year with James, Tim, Dylan, and Derek as we take a look back at 2025. Our favorite new-to-us games, our top game of 2025, the 1 play that rose above all the rest, and our gaming resolutions for next year. Also recent plays of Scape Goat, Blood on the Clocktower, Kilauea, and Martian Rails. Enjoy the show, and Happy Holidays from DoaM!  4:22 A Special Thanks 6:14 Dylan plays Scape Goat...

Fresh off their time at BGG Con, RJ & Drew join James on the show to talk about their wild array of dusty, feisty, sometimes wacky and weird plays from their week in Dallas, Texas. Recent plays of Dune the Dice Game, West Riding Revisited, Nur Peanuts, Symbioz, VOC! and so much more. Enjoy the show!  3:21 BGG Con Vibes & Themes 12:18 Neuland 17:39 West Riding Revisited 25:55 Symbioz 33:48...

All aboard the pain train! James is joined by Tim as they talk about the bad beats, bad vibes, and bad intentions that can lead to some of the best moments in all of gaming. Do you like "mean games?" Also recent plays of The Old Prince 1871, Innovation, Tal der Konige, and more! Enjoy the show!  3:55 Thanksgiving Question 8:04 The Old Prince 1871 14:50 Dinosaur Table Battles 19:05 Die Verbotene St...

James is joined by Dylan as we discuss the board game filler and it's role in our gaming collection and game days. What makes a good filler and what are some of our favorites for different situations. Also recent plays of Sternenhimmel, March of the Ants, Chicago 68, Verrat, and more! Enjoy the show!  1:21 Chatting with Dylan 9:49 Sternenhimmel 20:40 March of the Ants 29:48 Verrat 35:09 Chicago 68...

Brandon joins James as the guys take a deeper look into the surprise hit of DoaMcoN this past year - Blood on the Clocktower. Including a briefing on what it is, what it isn't, the role of the storyteller, and both hosts' experiences playing the game with their local groups. Also recent plays of Torres, Thunder Road Vendetta, The Great Zimbabwe, and 1841. Enjoy the show!  4:26 Torres 10:25 The Gre...

Another year of Dads on a Map kicks off with our annual Top 20 Episode. James is joined by Derek as they run down their personal current Top 20 as well as the DoaM Community list, with input from over 100 DoaMers. 60 games, 3 list, and a great way to find out what the Dads on a Map community is all about. List show!  DoaMcoN VI is August 19-23, 2026 in Kansas City, MO. For full information and sig...

We're all home from DoaMcoN V, another successful convention for the Dads on a Map community. Listen in to some live recordings from the event, and James will put a bow on things at the end with his Bottom 3 Plays, Top 3 New To Me Games, and Top 5 Plays of the con. Thanks to everyone who attended and help to continue to make DoaMcoN a rousing success!  6:05 Railheads: Midwest 21:03 Blood on the Cl...