Operation Game Night

Travis, Clay, & Jared
  • 4.6 (11)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Travis Smith, Jared Erickson, and Clay Gable get together to discuss the latest and greatest in board games in this weekly podcast. What's hot, what's hitting the table, featured discussions about board games and the board gaming culture, and the primary mission objective- to play more board games! 

  1. 1D AGO

    Board Game 20 Questions!

    Twenty yes-or-no questions sounds like a lot until you start spending them on the wrong things. We put that to the test with a full round of board game 20 questions, and it turns into a surprisingly intense mix of deduction, board game knowledge, and pure table talk chaos. Clayton’s out on assignment, so Travis is joined by Amanda, Mike, and Vic as our guessing panel. If you love board game podcasts, board game night banter, and practical strategy for asking better questions in deduction games, you’ll get a lot out of this one. Subscribe for more, share it with your group chat, and leave a review with the best first question you’d ask to crack a mystery game. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    39 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Take Time Turns Planning Into A Mind-Reading Challenge

    Your group makes a solid plan, everyone nods, and then the table goes completely silent. A minute later you flip the cards and realize somebody quietly dropped a “2” where it could never belong. That’s the joy and pain of Take Time, the cooperative board game we can’t stop thinking about, and it might be the co-op reset your game night needs. Jared is out on assignment, so we hold down the fort and dig into why Take Time works so well as a communication-limited puzzle game. We compare it to two modern co-op staples: The Crew, a trick-taking co-op that shines with the right crowd, and The Mind, a universal crowd-pleaser that can run out of steam. Take Time sits right in the middle: easy to teach, fast to set up, and surprisingly deep once the clocks start asking for color restrictions, “play order” constraints, and tight ascending-number logic around the dial. We break down how a round flows: strategize before you look at your cards, place cards face down into clock segments, and decide when it’s worth using your limited face-up plays to signal the team. Then comes the best part, the reveal, where the puzzle either clicks perfectly or collapses in an instant. We also talk session structure with sleeves of clocks, replaying tough ones via the “sleeve of regrets,” and how repeated plays create a shared group meta. Along the way we shout out other co-op favorites like Bomb Busters and the classic Hanabi, and we wrap with credits and production notes: Take Time is designed by Alexi Piovison and published by Libellud, and the over-the-top gold foil presentation really makes it feel special on the table. If you like cooperative board games, puzzle games, and silent teamwork mechanics, hit play, then subscribe, share the show, and leave a review with your biggest co-op heartbreak moment. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    18 min

  3. APR 28

    The Lord of the Rings: Fate Of The Fellowship by Z-Man Games

    The fastest way to learn what Fate of the Fellowship is really doing is to watch your Hope evaporate. We sit down with Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship (Z-Man Games, 2025) and talk through why this Pandemic system co-op feels so different once you swap disease control for marching orc armies, collapsing havens, and Nazgul that will not stop hunting Frodo. The bones are familiar, but the game plays like Middle-earth is actively pushing back every single round.  We break down the core structure, including the player deck versus shadow deck, how movement and Fellowship card sharing actually work, and why “preparing” at a haven matters for hand management. Then we zoom in on the big goals: completing three story objectives before the final Mount Doom run, and collecting the ring symbols you need to finish the job. Along the way we talk about the resource suits, stealth cloaks, and the constant question of whether you should spend actions fighting, traveling, or rebuilding hope by reclaiming strongholds.  Then we get honest about the friction. Each player controls two heroes with multiple special abilities, and while that creates cool synergies, it can also create serious mental load and even turns that feel oddly empty when your hand and position do not line up. We also dig into the swingy side of the design: Nazgul search rolls, early shadow pressure, and how a few bad flips can make the game feel brutal in the best or worst way. We end with a weight versus depth debate, plus what kind of group will love this gorgeous, highly thematic cooperative board game.  If you’ve played Fate of the Fellowship, share your favorite hero combinations and whether you think it’s truly deep or just heavy. Subscribe for more board game reviews, leave a rating, and send this to the friend who always says they “want something more thematic.” We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    33 min

  4. APR 23

    Frozen Toes And Amish Marathon Runners

    A broken AC on the first hot day, a sudden cold snap, and two dads trying to keep up with life’s pace sets the vibe for a wide ranging “over the fence” catch up on Operation Game Night Podcast. We start with the kind of home maintenance surprise nobody budgets for, then jump straight into the real schedule maker: kids flag football. Clayton breaks down why flag football is actually fun to watch at the youth level, how positions and simple plays keep it engaging, and why the sport’s growth (yes, even the Olympics angle) makes it feel like more than a passing trend.  Then we get honest about fitness motivation and the competitive mindset. Clayton recounts running a half marathon with less training than he wanted, choosing a conversational pace with friends, and still getting humbled by runners he did not expect to see flying past. Travis adds his own running injury story and the truth every athlete knows: even a free community 5K can trigger “I think I can take them” energy. If you’re into running, half marathon training, or just trying to be healthier without making yourself miserable, the takeaways land in a very real way.  We close with entertainment and lifestyle: house hunting in Colorado, a Project Hail Mary movie review, and a theater experience so cold it feels like space. There’s also a laugh out loud breakdown of 4D movies (Godzilla Minus One included), plus quick TV recommendations like Big Mistakes on Netflix and The Pit season 2 with a clear warning about the medical drama intensity. If you like friend to friend talk with practical details and strong opinions, hit play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    24 min

  5. APR 21

    Coping With Board Game Burnout (or, Board Game Viagra)

    Your board game shelf is packed, your wishlist is growing, and somehow you feel less excited to play than ever. We’re right there with you. Clayton and Travis sit down for an honest talk about board game burnout and why tabletop gaming can quietly turn into a second job when you’re the one scheduling game night, learning rules, setting up, and teaching every time. We dig into what’s really behind the slump: big life changes, limited energy, the “shelf of shame” guilt, and the pressure to introduce games perfectly. We also react to a great burnout checklist from the board game community, hitting common triggers like overconsumption of content, perfectionism, poor hobby balance, and constant hype from crowdfunding and social feeds. If you’ve ever packed up a game mid-setup or said no to your usual weekly play, you’ll feel seen. Then we get practical. We talk about low-friction ways to reset your board gaming hobby without quitting: lurking and enjoying board game media, playing an old favorite with zero teach, putting new purchases on pause, and even culling your collection to make the shelf feel lighter. If you want to love board games again, this is a roadmap for meeting the hobby where you are right now. Subscribe for more tabletop gaming conversations, share this with a friend who’s burned out, and leave a review so more players can find the show. What’s your number one burnout trigger lately? We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    24 min

  6. APR 16

    Star Wars: Super Teams - A Racing Game for All Ages

    A Star Wars board game with a clear plastic window and chibi ships should not be this interesting, and yet here we are. We grabbed Star Wars: Super Teams as an impulse buy expecting a throwaway family game, then ended up genuinely enjoying how much decision making it squeezes out of a super simple ruleset. We talk through the full flow of this card driven racing game: teams and player counts, how a shared deck means you might move an opponent’s ship on your turn, and why that makes timing the real skill. Then we dig into what makes the track matter, including hyperspace doubling, asteroid fields that cap your movement, and the Maw style section that can punish sloppy moves. The bonus cards push it further with rule breakers like ignoring hazards, flipping the Maw into a boost, or using a grappling hook to ride another ship’s big jump. We also put it in context with other racing board games, touching on the Downforce vibe without the betting and why this one earns a spot as a lightweight tabletop game for kids, newcomers, or a late night filler. If you’ve been looking for an approachable Star Wars game that plays in about 30 minutes and still lets you feel clever, this might be the sleeper pick for your next game night with the family. Subscribe for more board game reviews, share the episode with a Star Wars fan, and leave a review telling us what game surprised you the most. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    18 min

  7. APR 14

    Crits & Tricks: A Dice-Powered Trick-Taking Game With D&D Classes

    A trick-taking game where your card is the suit but your die is the number sounds like a gimmick until you feel the decisions stack up fast. We’re talking Crits And Tricks from Inside Up Games, a tabletop game that pulls Dungeons & Dragons class flavor into every hand: rogues, barbarians, wizards, paladins, druids, and bards that stay trump no matter what. I’m joined by Clayton Gable, who admits he jumped into a Board Game Arena match before fully knowing what he was doing, and that becomes the perfect doorway into explaining why this design clicks. We break down the core system in plain language: you play a class card, you choose a die from your d4 to d20 set, and that die becomes the value for the trick. The twist is that each class has its own win condition, so you’re not just chasing the biggest number. On top of that, you get “crits” as special powers that can bend a single trick with effects like swapping dice, forcing rerolls, or tweaking values. It’s interactive, tactical, and full of those table moments where one choice changes everything. Then we zoom out to the quest structure that drives scoring: personal quests, shared barkeeper challenges, loot, and gold across three rounds. We also talk production, including the premium book-style Kickstarter presentation, as well as a few real-world quirks like shipping mix-ups and a surprisingly strong box smell. If you love trick-taking games, dice decisions, Board Game Arena play, or D&D-inspired board games, this one deserves a spot on your radar. Subscribe for more deep dives, share this with your favorite trick-taker group, and leave a review so more players can find us. What’s the best trick-taking player count for you: two, three, or four? We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    21 min

  8. APR 9

    Project Hail Mary And Pokopia

    A house where “no smells” are allowed sounds like a joke until you’re living it, and that’s exactly where we start. Travis is back with Clayton Gable for a freewheeling catch-up that somehow turns deodorant choices, candle toxins, and the looming reality of teenage-boy funk into a surprisingly relatable opener. Then we jump to the real headline: Project Hail Mary. Clayton just saw the movie and can’t stop thinking about it, and we dig into why it lands like the kind of sci-fi blockbuster people used to rally around. We talk Andy Weir, the gap between book vs audiobook vs movie, and the very modern problem of attention span, where a podcast can feel effortless but an audiobook suddenly demands “too much brain.” We also get into what makes Ryan Gosling work so well here, and why the story’s tone feels uplifting in a way that invites repeat viewings. From there it’s pure Operation Game Night Podcast flavor: a passionate debate about movie theater snacks (including the Bunch O Crunch popcorn hack), a quick check on the Mario movie for the kids, and a deep dive into Pokopia, a Switch 2 cozy game that feels like a Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Minecraft mashup done right. We close with spicy news: Dungeon Crawler Carl is getting a live-action Peacock adaptation, and we’re not sure that’s the best format, but we’re absolutely going to watch. If you like gaming talk, sci-fi hype, and honest friend-to-friend banter, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with your hottest take. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    19 min
See All (132)

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Travis Smith, Jared Erickson, and Clay Gable get together to discuss the latest and greatest in board games in this weekly podcast. What's hot, what's hitting the table, featured discussions about board games and the board gaming culture, and the primary mission objective- to play more board games! 

Information

  • Creator
    Travis, Clay, & Jared
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Operation Game Night
  • Show Website
    Operation Game Night

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