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BoardGameGeek: How to Find High Avg Rating Board Games Easily

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BoardGameGeek: How to Find High Avg Rating Board Games Easily

BoardGameGeek: How to Find High Avg Rating Board Games Easily

BoardGameGeek: How to Find High Avg Rating Board Games Easily

Board Game Geek (BGG) is an incredibly valuable resource for board game enthusiasts. With its vast database of games, ratings, reviews, and user-generated content, it’s no wonder that many players turn to BGG to find their next favorite board game. If you’re looking to discover board games with high average ratings, this guide will share practical tips on navigating BGG effectively, ensuring you can make informed choices while expanding your collection.

Understanding BoardGameGeek Ratings

Before diving into the search for high average rating games, it’s essential to comprehend how the rating system works on BGG. Each game receives a “Geek Rating” which reflects the average score from users on a scale of 1 to 10. However, this rating can be influenced by the number of voters and is adjusted through a Bayesian algorithm to reflect the overall sentiment more accurately. Therefore, a game with a high number of votes might have a more reliable rating than one with fewer votes.

Step 1: Use the Advanced Search Functionality

BoardGameGeek provides a robust search feature that allows you to filter games based on various criteria, including genre, year published, and ratings. To find games with high average ratings, visit the BGG homepage and select the “Games” tab, then click on “Advanced Search.”

  • Filter by Minimum Average Rating: Set the minimum average rating to your desired threshold (for example, 8.0). This will narrow your search to only the games meeting your criteria.

  • Choose Game Types: You can also filter by game types such as board games, card games, or party games depending on your preferences.

Step 2: Sort by Top Rated

After you’ve filtered the games based on your desired criteria, sorting them by “Avg Rating” is the next logical step. This feature quickly presents you with the highest-rated games at the top of your search results.

  • Check the Number of Voters: While average rating is important, consider the number of voters as well. A game rated 8.5 by 50 voters may not be as credible as a game rated 8.2 by 500 voters. More voters typically suggest more stable ratings.

Step 3: Explore Game Reviews and Community Insights

Once you’ve found a list of highly-rated games, it’s crucial to dig deeper. BGG is not just about ratings—it’s a community-driven platform.

  • Read Player Reviews: View the reviews and comments left by other players. This can give you insight into the game mechanics, player experiences, and whether the game fits your style.

  • Look for Playthrough Videos: Often, players will share videos demonstrating how to play the game. These can help you visualize the experience and confirm whether it’s something you’d enjoy playing.

Step 4: Check Game Weight

BoardGameGeek also assigns a “weight” to games, which reflects their complexity. If you prefer games that are easy to learn and suitable for casual gameplay, filter for games with lower weight ratings. Conversely, if you enjoy more complex strategy games, seek out games with higher weight ratings.

  • Average Weight for Different Players: Keep in mind the average weight suitable for your gaming group. Some groups may prefer lightweight games for parties, while others might enjoy deep strategy experiences.

Step 5: Join the Community

Engaging with the BGG community can significantly enhance your chances of finding the right games. Participate in forums, ask for game recommendations, and share your experiences.

  • Board Game Meetups: Many local game shops and groups list events on BGG. Attending board game nights can allow you to try before you buy, giving you firsthand experience of highly rated games.

Conclusion

Finding board games with high average ratings on BoardGameGeek doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By utilizing the search and filter functions, exploring user reviews, checking game weights, and engaging with the community, you can effectively discover games that will likely bring joy to your gaming sessions. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, leveraging BGG’s resources will help you build a diverse and enjoyable board game collection. Happy gaming!