The Cardboard Court

🎲 Is SPIEL Essen the ultimate board gaming destination, or is it worth sticking with Gen Con and BGG.CON? Welcome to Episode 26 of Cardboard Court, the CHESBORN™ podcast where Al and Dawn pull up a chair and talk about all things board games! This week, we're looking across the Atlantic at SPIEL Essen, one of the world's biggest board gaming conventions! We already enjoy attending Gen Con and BGG...

🎃👻 What's more terrifying—facing a monster in a board game or coming face-to-face with one in an RPG? Welcome back to Cardboard Court, the CHESBORN™ podcast where Al and Dawn talk all things tabletop gaming! In Episode 25, we're asking a spine-chilling question: Can board games be scarier than role-playing games? Board games bring frightening artwork, suspenseful mechanics, and terrifying encoun...

🎃👻 Turn down the lights, grab your favorite snacks, and prepare for a frightfully fun game night! Welcome back to Cardboard Court , the CHESBORN™ podcast where Al and Dawn talk all things board games! In Episode 24, we're celebrating SPOOKY SEASON by discussing some of the best horror-themed board games to bring to your table! From creepy mysteries and supernatural encounters to terrifying monst...

🎲📦 A brand-new board game or an expansion for a game you already love? Which would YOU choose? Welcome back to Cardboard Court, the CHESBORN™ podcast where we talk about everything board game related! In Episode 23, Al and Dawn tackle a dilemma every board gamer eventually faces: Is it better to buy a NEW GAME or expand a game already in your collection? Do you chase the excitement of something...

Start your engines! Cardboard Court is hitting the highway with Jamboree Games! In Episode 22 of Cardboard Court, we welcome Alan Babb of Jamboree Games to talk about their upcoming board game, Kings of the Road! 🚛 Learn more about Jamboree Games and Kings of the Road: https://jamboreegames.com/ Join CHESBORN™ as we talk with Alan about the journey of creating and publishing a board game, the imp...

If you could only own 100 board games…could you build the PERFECT collection? For Episode 21 of Cardboard Court , we’re putting a limit on the game shelf and asking a surprisingly difficult question: Can you create the perfect 100-game board game library? One hundred games sounds like a LOT—until you start deciding what actually deserves one of those precious spots! Do you fill your shelves with y...

Cardboard Court Ep. 20: Expansion or New Game? 🎲 | Which Would You Rather Have? Podcast Description: 🎲 You’ve got money for ONE box. Do you expand a game you already love—or bring home an entirely new game? In Episode 16 of Cardboard Court , we tackle a question every board gamer eventually faces: Would you rather buy an expansion or an entirely new board game? Expansions can breathe new life in...

🎙️ Is a board game really finished when it first hits the table—or can it grow and change over time? In this episode of Cardboard Court , Al, Dawn, and Jon tackle an interesting question: Do board games evolve? 🎲🌱 Think about a game you’ve owned for years. It may have started as a single box, but today it could have expansions, revised rules, upgraded components, new characters, additional maps,...

🎙️ What happens when you can’t find the kinds of board games you want to play? You start designing them yourself! In Episode 18 of Cardboard Court, Al, Dawn, and John sit down with Emily Vincent, board game designer and founder of Pink Hawk Games, for a fun and fascinating conversation about designing games, becoming a publisher, and turning creative ideas into games people can actually put on the...

Pull up a chair for Episode 16 of Cardboard Court! This time, we’re joined by John Muennink, game designer and publisher behind Retro Plus Games, to talk about creating board games and the journey from an idea on the table to a finished game. John takes us behind the scenes of Dracula’s Curse, his procedurally generated asymmetric dungeon crawler that successfully came to life through Kickstarter....

Welcome back to Cardboard Court, the CHESBORN podcast where we pull up a chair and talk about all things board games! In Episode 16, we're joined by Kiersten Heyl for a special behind-the-scenes conversation about NEA Game Fest, the Northeast Arkansas charity board game convention that has become an annual tradition for us. What's it really like to build and run a board game convention? Kiersten t...

⚖️ Court is now in session! In this episode of Cardboard Court , we’re tackling a decision almost every board gamer faces sooner or later: Do you back the Kickstarter now, or wait for the game to hit retail? Crowdfunding can be exciting—deluxe components, exclusive content, stretch goals, expansions, and the chance to support a game before it ever reaches store shelves. But it can also mean higher...

Welcome back to Cardboard Court, the podcast where we gather around the table to talk about everything board games! In Episode 14, we're tackling a question every tabletop gamer has asked at some point: What really makes a board game memorable—the game itself or the people you're playing with? We've all experienced it. A mediocre game becomes an unforgettable night because of the laughter around t...

Welcome back to Cardboard Court , the podcast where we gather around the table to talk about everything board games! In Episode 13, we're tackling one of the biggest questions in the tabletop hobby: Is Gen Con really worth the trip? Whether you're a first-time attendee or a convention veteran, Gen Con is often considered the ultimate destination for board gamers. But with the costs of travel, hote...

Welcome back to Cardboard Court, the podcast where we gather around the table to talk about everything board games! In Episode 12, we're recapping our experience at NEA Game Fest 2026, one of the premier tabletop gaming conventions in Northeast Arkansas. We dive into the atmosphere of the convention, share some of our favorite moments, discuss the exciting events we attended, and talk about what m...

Every great board game is built on a foundation of mechanics—but is there one mechanic that stands above the rest? In Episode 011 of Cardboard Court, we're diving into one of the biggest debates in tabletop gaming: Is there such a thing as the "best" board game mechanic? From worker placement and deck building to engine building, area control, and beyond, we discuss the mechanics that keep us comi...

Gen Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America—but is it really worth the time, money, and crowds? In Episode 10 of Cardboard Court, we take a deep dive into the Gen Con experience. We discuss the real costs beyond your badge, share practical advice for first-time attendees, and reveal the tips and tricks we've learned to help you make the most of your convention. Whether you'r...

ermany is often called the heart of modern board gaming—but does it really live up to its legendary reputation? In Episode 009 of Cardboard Court, we share stories from our recent trip to Germany, where we set out to answer one question: Do Germans love board games as much as we do? From exploring local game shops and discovering hidden gems to comparing the gaming culture with what we experience...

From friendly local gatherings to massive convention halls packed with thousands of gamers, not all board game conventions offer the same experience! In Episode 008 of Cardboard Court, we're comparing local, regional, and national board game conventions and discussing what we love—and what we don't—about each style of event. Whether you're attending your first convention or planning your next big...

How do you decide whether a board game is worth buying? In Episode 007 of Cardboard Court, we're pulling back the curtain on our personal decision-making process and discussing the factors that help us determine whether a game is an instant purchase, a "wait and see," or an easy pass. With thousands of new games released every year, no one can buy everything. We talk about the criteria we use to e...

In this Episode of Cardboard Court, we're diving into the world of app-driven board games and discussing whether digital companions enhance the tabletop experience—or get in the way of it. From immersive storytelling and automated game management to concerns about longevity, accessibility, and screen time at the table, we explore both the strengths and weaknesses of app-assisted gaming. We'll shar...

After countless encounters, hard-fought battles, unexpected twists, and memorable roleplaying moments, our Curse of Strahd campaign has finally come to an end! In this episode of Cardboard Court, we look back on our journey through the dark and gothic land of Barovia. We'll discuss our favorite moments, biggest surprises, unforgettable characters, epic victories, devastating setbacks, and what it...

🎙️ Welcome back to Cardboard Court — the podcast where we talk all things board games, tabletop gaming, and the experiences that keep us coming back to the table. In Episode 004, we’re diving into one of the biggest modern trends in tabletop gaming: Campaign Games vs Legacy Games. What’s the difference between the two? Why do some players absolutely LOVE permanent changes and evolving stories whil...

🎙️ Welcome back to Cardboard Court — the podcast where we talk all things board games, tabletop gaming, and the stories that happen around the table. In Episode 003, we’re sharing our full experience from BoardGameGeek Spring 2026! From travel planning and hotel experiences to nonstop gaming and unforgettable convention moments, we break down everything that made the convention such a blast. 🎲 We...

🎙️ Welcome back to Cardboard Court — the podcast where we talk all things board games, tabletop gaming, and the ideas that keep us thinking long after game night ends. In Episode 002, we’re putting the spotlight on Operation Flashpoint and diving into a full brainstorming session about mechanics, expansions, emergency scenarios, and ideas we’d love to see added to the game in the future. From new...