The Cardboard Court

CHESBORN
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Games

Welcome to The Cardboard Court, where board games stand trial. We review new releases, debate hot takes, and deliver final verdicts on the best games in tabletop gaming. From euro games to thematic adventures, every game gets its day in court.

  1. 3d ago

    Cardboard Court Ep. 26 🎲✈️ | Is SPIEL Essen Worth It?

    🎲 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.CON, but should we add a trip to Germany to our gaming adventures? What makes Essen different, and would the experience justify the international travel and expense? 🎙️ On the Docket: What makes SPIEL Essen special? 🎲 SPIEL Essen vs. Gen Con vs. BGG.CON ✈️ Is traveling to Germany worth the cost? 💰 Flights, hotels, tickets, and gaming budgets 🛍️ New releases, publishers, and exclusive discoveries 🎮 Buying games vs. actually playing games 🌍 The experience of attending an international convention ⚖️ Would we choose Essen over our favorite conventions? Is SPIEL Essen a must-visit destination for serious board gamers, or would we rather spend our convention budget closer to home? The verdict is still out, and the Cardboard Court is in session! ⚖️🎲 💬 WE WANT YOUR OPINION! Have you attended SPIEL Essen? How does it compare with Gen Con or BGG.CON? Would you travel to Germany just for board games? 👍 Follow the podcast, share your convention experiences, and join us for more tabletop discussions! Pull up a chair. There's always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram: @fog.stickerb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn Website: https://www.chesborn.com #CardboardCourt #SPIELEssen #GenCon #BGGCon #BoardGameConventions #BoardGamePodcast #TabletopGaming #Chesborn

    Cardboard Court Ep. 26 🎲✈️ | Is SPIEL Essen Worth It?

  2. Nov 1

    Cardboard Court Ep. 25 🎃🎲 | What's Scarier: Board Games or RPGs?

    🎃👻 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 encounters. But RPGs have something different—the power of imagination, storytelling, and a Game Master who knows exactly how to make your skin crawl! 🎲 In This Episode: 👻 What makes a tabletop game truly scary? 🎲 Horror board games vs. tabletop RPGs 🧛 Why imagination can be more frightening than visuals 🕯️ Building tension, suspense, and atmosphere 🎭 How Game Masters create memorable scares 💀 Fear of the unknown vs. fighting monsters 🧠 Psychological horror and player immersion 🏆 Which experience delivers the biggest scares? From rolling dice against deadly creatures to exploring a haunted dungeon where every shadow hides a secret, we're discussing what makes tabletop horror unforgettable! Sometimes the scariest thing isn't the monster… it's hearing your Game Master say, "Are you sure?" 😂💀 💬 Which scares YOU more: board games or RPGs? What's the most frightening tabletop experience you've ever had? 👍 Like, subscribe, and join us for more Cardboard Court conversations! Pull up a chair. There's always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram: @fog.stickerb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn Website: https://www.chesborn.com #CardboardCourt #Episode25 #HorrorBoardGames #TabletopRPG #RoleplayingGames #SpookySeason #BoardGamePodcast #DungeonsAndDragons #TabletopGaming #Chesborn

    Cardboard Court Ep. 25 🎃🎲 | What's Scarier: Board Games or RPGs?

  3. Oct 25

    Cardboard Court Ep. 24 🎃👻 | Best Board Games for Spooky Season!

    🎃👻 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 monsters and survival horror, we're exploring the different genres of horror gaming and sharing which games deserve a spot on your Halloween playlist! 🕸️ In This Episode: - 🎃 Our favorite games for spooky season - 🔪 Slasher and survival horror games - 🐙 Lovecraftian and cosmic horror - 🧟 Zombies, monsters, and creature features - 🕵️ Mystery, suspense, and psychological horror - 👻 Supernatural and haunted-house adventures - 🎲 Horror games for different gaming groups - 🏆 Our picks for the best horror games across genres Whether you enjoy a terrifying solo experience, cooperative monster hunting, or a lighter Halloween-themed game night, there's something spooky for everyone! The only thing scarier than a horror board game? Realizing it's your turn and you have NO good options! 😂💀 💬 What's YOUR favorite horror board game? Which horror genre makes for the best tabletop experience? Share your picks in the comments! 👍 Like, subscribe, and join us for more episodes of Cardboard Court! Pull up a chair. There's always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram: @fog.stickerb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn Website: https://www.chesborn.com #CardboardCourt #Episode24 #SpookySeason #HorrorBoardGames #HalloweenBoardGames #BoardGamePodcast #TabletopGaming #Chesborn

    Cardboard Court Ep. 24 🎃👻 | Best Board Games for Spooky Season!

  4. Oct 18

    Cardboard Court Ep. 23 🎲 | New Game vs. Expansion: Which Would YOU Choose?

    🎲📦 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 completely new, or add fresh content to a favorite that's already earned its place on your shelf? ⚖️ On the Docket: - 🎲 The excitement of discovering a new game - 📦 Expanding games you already love - 💰 Which gives you more value for your money? - 🔄 Replayability and keeping favorites fresh - 🧠 Learning new rules versus familiar gameplay - 📚 Shelf space and collection management - ❤️ When an expansion makes a great game even better - 🏆 Which option would we choose? Sometimes an expansion breathes new life into an old favorite. Other times, nothing beats opening a brand-new game! The real question: Do you need another game, or just another reason to play the ones you own? 😂 💬 TEAM NEW GAME or TEAM EXPANSION? Tell us which side you're on and what expansion you think is absolutely worth owning! 👍 Like, subscribe, and join us for more Cardboard Court conversations, interviews, reviews, and tabletop fun! Pull up a chair. There's always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram: @fog.stickerb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn Website: https://www.chesborn.com #CardboardCourt #NewGameVsExpansion #BoardGameExpansions #BoardGamePodcast #BoardGameCollection #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #FellowshipOfGames #Chesborn

    Cardboard Court Ep. 23 🎲 | New Game vs. Expansion: Which Would YOU Choose?

  5. Oct 11

    Cardboard Court Episode 22: Alan Babb of Jamboree Games 🚛 | Kings of the Road!

    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 importance of playtesting, and how Kings of the Road has evolved from its early prototypes. We even share stories from our own experiences playtesting the game and seeing how player feedback helped shape its development! 🚛 On the Docket: 🎲 Meet Alan Babb of Jamboree Games 🚚 What is Kings of the Road? 🧠 How playtesting shaped the game 🔄 Changes made from player feedback 🎲 Dice, movement & unexpected challenges 🛣️ The connection to real-world trucking 📦 The road to production and release ❤️ The story behind Jamboree Games One of the most exciting parts of this interview is hearing how a game changes during development—and how listening to players can make a good idea even better. And when your game is about trucking across America, the road to publication is quite the journey itself! 💬 Have you ever dreamed of designing a board game? And are you ready to hit the highway with Kings of the Road? Tell us in the comments! 👍 Like, Subscribe & turn on notifications for more Cardboard Court interviews, designer Spotlights, reviews, playthroughs, and everything tabletop from CHESBORN™. Pull up a chair. There’s always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram fog.stickerb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn https://www.chesborn.com #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #FellowshipOfGames #Chesborn #CardboardCourt #JamboreeGames #KingsOfTheRoad #AlanBabb #BoardGamePodcast #BoardGameDesigner

    Cardboard Court Episode 22: Alan Babb of Jamboree Games 🚛 | Kings of the Road!

  6. Oct 4

    Cardboard Court Ep. 21: Can You Build the Perfect 100-Game Library? 🎲

    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 your absolute favorites, or does the perfect library need a little bit of everything? ⚖️ On the docket: 🎲 Is 100 games enough?❤️ Favorites vs. variety👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and party games⚔️ Thematic and adventure games🔄 Do expansions count toward the 100?🏆 Which games are absolutely untouchable?👋 What great games would still have to leave the collection?And then comes the really hard part: What happens when game #101 arrives? 😱 Does something have to leave? Do you break your own rule? Or is the idea of a “perfect” 100-game library impossible from the beginning? 💬 We want YOUR verdict! Could you limit your collection to 100 games? What games would be absolutely guaranteed a spot on your shelf? Join us for Cardboard Court Episode 21 and tell us how YOU would build the perfect 100-game library! 👍 Follow CHESBORN™ for more Cardboard Court discussions, board game reviews, playthroughs, How to Plays, unboxings, and everything tabletop. Pull up a chair. There’s always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram fog.stickerb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn https://www.chesborn.com #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #FellowshipOfGames #Chesborn #CardboardCourt #BoardGamePodcast #BoardGameCollection #BoardGameLibrary #100BoardGames #TabletopPodcast

    Cardboard Court Ep. 21: Can You Build the Perfect 100-Game Library? 🎲

  7. Sep 27

    Cardboard Court Ep. 20: Expansion or New Game? 🎲 | Which Would You Rather Have?

    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 into an old favorite, adding new characters, maps, mechanics, strategies, and ways to play. But a brand-new game gives you a completely fresh experience—and maybe your next favorite game! ⚖️ In This Episode: 📦 Why we love board game expansions🆕 The excitement of discovering a completely new game💰 Where would we rather spend our gaming budget?🔄 Can expansions keep a favorite game fresh?😬 When does a game have TOO many expansions?🗄️ The shelf-space problem🎲 Would we rather have more content or more games?❤️ Expanding a game we already love vs. taking a chance on something new🏆 Which option would each of us choose?And, of course, there may be a little disagreement around the Cardboard Court table! 💬 Now we want YOUR verdict: If someone handed you enough money for either one expansion or one brand-new board game, which would you choose? Tell us in the comments—and let us know which expansion or new game you’d buy! 👍 Like, Subscribe & turn on notifications for more Cardboard Court discussions, reviews, playthroughs, How to Plays, unboxings, Quick Peeks, and everything tabletop from CHESBORN™. Pull up a chair. There’s always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram fog.stickerb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn https://www.chesborn.com #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #FellowshipOfGames #Chesborn #CardboardCourt #BoardGamePodcast #BoardGameExpansions #BoardGameDiscussion #BoardGamers

    Cardboard Court Ep. 20: Expansion or New Game? 🎲 | Which Would You Rather Have?

  8. Sep 20

    Cardboard Court Ep. 19: Do Board Games Grow Up? 🎲 | Editions, Expansions & House Rules

    🎙️ 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, promotional content, or even an entirely new edition. And then there are the changes players make themselves. 🎲 In This Episode, We Discuss: 🌱 Can a board game actually “grow” over time?📦 Expansions that add more to the original experience🔄 Revised and updated editions✨ Deluxe, collector's, and upgraded versions➕ Add-ons, promos, modules & extra content📖 Rule changes and clarifications🏠 House rules that become part of the way your group plays👥 How gaming groups can change the experience of the same game🧠 Whether designers learn from players after a game is released⏳ Games that feel different after years of additional content🤔 When does adding more make a game better—and when is it just too much?Some games remain essentially the same for decades. Others seem to develop a life of their own. An expansion might fix something players didn't love about the original. A new edition might streamline the rules. Additional content can completely change your strategy. And sometimes a simple house rule becomes so ingrained that your group forgets it wasn't an official rule in the first place! 😂 So where do we draw the line? Is it still the same board game—or has it become something different? 💬 We want to hear from you! What board game in your collection has changed the most since you first bought it? Do you prefer the original game, or do you have one that you never play anymore without its expansions? And what's your favorite house rule—especially one you've used for so long that you almost consider it official? Join us in Cardboard Court as we put board games themselves on the stand and ask: ⚖️ Do board games grow up? 👍 Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more episodes of Cardboard Court and everything tabletop from CHESBORN™. Pull up a chair. There’s always room at the table. 🔗 Follow CHESBORN™: https://linktr.ee/chesborn YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@chesborn TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chesborn Instagram fog.stickerb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578805919742 https://www.patreon.com/cw/chesborn https://www.chesborn.com

    Cardboard Court Ep. 19: Do Board Games Grow Up? 🎲 | Editions, Expansions & House Rules
See All (26)

About

Welcome to The Cardboard Court, where board games stand trial. We review new releases, debate hot takes, and deliver final verdicts on the best games in tabletop gaming. From euro games to thematic adventures, every game gets its day in court.

Information

  • Creator
    CHESBORN
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © CHESBORN 2026
  • Show Website
    The Cardboard Court