Epic Fail

Epic Fail

Author: Tabletop Bellhop May 6, 2025 Duration: 2:11:32

This episode Deanna is back to join an open discussion about what to do when the inevitable happens and your gaming event fails. We announce a new local event, and then Gwen returns to talk about the games we’ve been playing (which is a lot). This includes a couple of local game nights and us hosting the board game area at the annual Windsor Sakura Anime Festival.

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 272, was recorded on April 16th, 2025. Join us live on Wednesdays at 8 PM EST at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop

For detailed show notes with links to everything we talk about in this episode: https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep272/

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.

(00:00:00) Checking In
(00:02:09) Announcements
For Windsor/Essex Locals:
June 5th we’re hosting our first event at The Cookie Bar https://www.cookiebar.ca/
May 15th is our next Brews & Board Games game night at the Walkerville Brewery https://www.walkervillebrewery.com/events/bandbg-may15

(00:04:47) Ask the Bellhop - What do you do when your gaming event bombs?
Related topics:
Dealing with Game Night Failures, Episode 78 https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep078/
Board Game Tournaments, Episode 136 https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep136/
Organizing Local Board Gaming Events, Episode 139 https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep139/

(01:06:04) Farewell to our Sponsor
Help us, Marc, and the Grand Gamers Guild by shopping direct from the publisher and using our code BELLHOP to save 10% The code will stop working at the end of May.

Some of our favourite GGG games:
Gorinto https://grandgamersguild.com/collections/gorinto
The Holiday Hijinks Series https://grandgamersguild.com/collections/holiday-hijinks
Endangered https://grandgamersguild.com/collections/endangered-1
The Artemis Universe https://grandgamersguild.com/collections/the-artemis-project

Interested in sponsoring our show? Email: deanna@tabletopbellhop.com

(01:11:00) The Bellhop's Tabletop
(02:10:02) Closing the Doors

TIP THE BELLHOP:
Get bonus content by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopbellhop
Shop Tabletop Bellhop merch https://tabletopbellhop.com/merch
Buy us a coffee https://ko-fi.com/tabletopbellhop

FIND US: Webpage: tabletopbellhop.com
Newsletter: newsletter.tabletopbellhop.com
Discord: discord.tabletopbellhop.com
Facebook: facebook.com/tabletopbellhop/
Instagram: instagram.com/tabletopbellhop/
YouTube: youtube.com/tabletopbellhop
Twitch: twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop
Mastodon: dice.camp/@TabletopBellhop
Blue Sky: bsky.app/profile/tabletopbellhop.bsky.social


Ever find yourself staring at your shelf of board games, wondering which one would actually work for your particular group this weekend? Or perhaps you’ve just unboxed a new game and feel a bit lost in the rulebook. That’s the space where the Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast lives. Hosted by the folks at Tabletop Bellhop, this show is like having a knowledgeable friend on call to help navigate the vast world of tabletop gaming. Each episode dives into practical advice and genuine conversations aimed at making your game nights smoother and more fun. You’ll hear detailed reviews of specific games, discussions on common gaming hurdles, and tips for everything from teaching rules to managing player dynamics. While the focus is firmly on board games, the occasional role-playing game conversation slips in, reflecting the full spectrum of tabletop hobbies. The tone is welcoming and down-to-earth, avoiding insider jargon in favour of clear, useful insights. It’s a resource built on the idea that the best games are the ones that actually get played, and that a great experience is about more than just the components in the box. Tune in for a podcast that feels like a direct consultation with your own cardboard concierge, dedicated to answering the real questions that pop up around the gaming table.
Author: Language: en-ca Episodes: 50

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Cottage Country: Springwood Resort and Vacation Gaming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:13:48
After spending a week at a Canadian gaming cottage resort, we talk about why you may also want to check it out. We then tell you all about all of the great games we played while on vacation and wrap up with reviews of tw…
More Than Just Green Cubes: Theme in Board Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:05
We answer a couple of questions about our opinions on theme in board games, and give examples of games where the theme helped, hurt, or didn’t matter at all. We also talk about our recent game plays, including first thou…
Looking for a Group, Finding people to play board games with [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:17
We answer questions from folks looking to find other people to play games with, including organising game groups, dealing with anxiety, and age gaps. We share first thoughts on Terminus and get FlipToons to the table and…
Table for One: Exploring Solo Board Gaming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:59
We answer several solo board gaming questions, including many single player game recommendations. To go with that we review two solo games, 20 Strong and Hercules and the 12 Labors. We also share what we’ve been playing…
Board Game Podcasting Tips on The Bellhop’s Birthday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11:37
A special eighth birthday episode where we will be answering some questions about the podcast, podcasting in general and offering up tips on how you too can create something that lasts eight years. In addition we’ve got…
Then and Now, How our board game tastes have changed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:36
We answer a question about how our tastes in games have changed over the years, especially as tabletop game content creators. We share first thoughts on Sumo, Boop Shuffle, Kindling, Compania, and Mother of Frankenstein,…
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Great Travel Board Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:27:28
We answer a question from a fan curious about good games for travel and give a bunch of travel game recommendations. We also catch you up on the games we’ve played since getting back from Origins. We wrap up with three g…
Great Times and Games of Origins Game Fair 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:44:30
Welcome to an all Origins special episode of The Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast. We start off by talking about Origins Game Fair 2026 in general, and then get into all of the great games we got to try at this annual tab…
Getting Carded [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:20
This episode we’ve each built a game night for friends featuring three easy card games. We share our first thoughts on Federation and Thunder Road Vendetta, and then wrap up with full reviews of three more simple card ga…
Playing Librarian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:56
This episode we share tips on building a game collection that will appeal to a wide range of players, share what we’ve been playing lately and review two games on opposite ends of the spectrum, the meaty Vienna and the s…