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: 100

Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Level Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:04
This episode we share our favourite games where you level up or power up during the game, but that aren’t campaign games. To go with that we’ve got a spoiler free review of Vantage from Stonemaier Games. We also review T…
They Grow On You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:11
We share our favourite nature themed board games, and deep dive two of them with detailed reviews of Hutan: Life in the rainforest and Gnome Hollow. We also talk about the recent public play game night we hosted where we…
Board Game Swap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:52
We recently hosted a board game swap meet and tonight we’re going to talk about how that went in hopes of giving you some tips to run a similar event for your community. We will also share our first thoughts on Vantage,…
Weighing In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:34
This week we each share the heaviest board game that we’ve played and actually enjoy and then share some of our favourite heavy games. We talk about what we’ve been playing including first thoughts on Wanted Wombats and…
Don't Make Me Choose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:37
This week we’ve got a question about choosing favourites and why it’s so hard to pick a favourite game. We share first thoughts on Tea Witches from The Op and then review two games, Reign of Dragoness from Grandpa Beck’s…
Elbows up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:01
It’s time for some CanCon! This episode we share some of our favourite games from Canadian board game publishers and then deep dive into reviews for two of those games, Guildlands from Outset Media and Doomensions from M…
Unmatched Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:51
This episode we have some game recommendations for a fan looking for games like Unmatched from Restoration Games. We also announce a new local partnership, geek out about a trip to the new Asmodee Canada office in Brantf…
Brain Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:59
This episode we talk about board games to get you thinking, and games that are great to play with aging parents. We also share thoughts on trying some of the optional rules in Gnome Hollow and wrap up with two reviews: C…
Catching up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:15
This episode is all about catching up. Catching you up on the games we’ve been playing, talking about catch up mechanics in games and catching up on a long overdue review of the Riftlands expansion for Shadow Kingdoms of…
Improv Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:54
We share our favourite tabletop games that involve improvisation as part of gameplay. To go with the topic, we review Oh Captain, My Captain from Simon & Schuster. We also review Emerald Skulls from Thunderworks and, of…