Guides
New to a game, or nervous about your first night at a shop? Start here, then find somewhere near you to play.
How to play Magic: The Gathering
A plain guide to playing Magic: The Gathering and Commander, from lands and mana to your first turn, plus which decks to start with and where to play in the UK.
What is a prerelease? Magic and Pokémon TCG prereleases explained
A prerelease lets you play a new Magic or Pokémon TCG set at your local shop before it goes on sale. Here is how they work, what you get and how to book a place.
Pokémon TCGHow to play the Pokémon TCG
A plain guide to the Pokémon TCG for complete beginners: how a game works, which starter box to buy, the Standard format and where to play in the UK.
Pokémon TCGPokémon League nights: what to expect
What happens at a Pokémon League night in a UK shop, how League Challenges and League Cups work, and how to find a League near you.
One Piece TCGHow to play the One Piece Card Game
Learn how the One Piece Card Game works, from your Leader and DON!! cards to a full turn, plus which starter decks to try and where to play in the UK.
Magic: The GatheringFriday Night Magic and Commander nights: what to expect
What happens at Friday Night Magic and Commander nights in UK shops, from finding an event near you to signing up, formats, prizes, etiquette and what to bring.
WarhammerGetting into Warhammer: a beginner's guide
New to Warhammer? Learn which game to start with, what you need, how a game works and how to find a friendly store or club near you in the UK.
D&D and RPGsHow to find a D&D group in the UK
How to find a Dungeons & Dragons group near you in the UK, from game shop nights and D&D Encounters to online tables, plus what to expect at your first session.
LorcanaHow to play Lorcana: rules, starter decks and where to play in the UK
Learn how Disney Lorcana works, from inking cards to questing for 20 lore, which starter set to buy first and where to play Lorcana in the UK.
Board gamesBoard games for beginners: easy games for adults and board game cafés near you
The easiest modern board games to start with, what they cost in the UK, and how board game cafés, pub meetups and clubs welcome new players.
Star Wars: UnlimitedHow to play Star Wars: Unlimited, with the rules, starter decks and UK events
Learn how Star Wars: Unlimited works, from leaders and bases to the initiative, which starter deck to buy first and where to find Weekly Play in the UK.
Flesh and Blood TCGHow to play Flesh and Blood TCG: rules, starter decks and your first Armory event
Learn how Flesh and Blood works, from pitching cards for resources to go again, which Silver Age or Armory deck to buy and how UK Armory nights run.
RiftboundHow to play Riftbound: rules, starter decks and Nexus Nights
Learn how Riftbound, the League of Legends card game, works: legends, battlefields, runes and scoring 8 points, plus what to buy first and how to find Nexus Nights.
Yu-Gi-Oh!How to play Yu-Gi-Oh!: rules, starter decks and locals in the UK
Learn how a Yu-Gi-Oh! duel works, from Life Points to summoning, what to buy first and how to find a friendly locals night at a UK shop.
Magic: The GatheringHow to play Commander, Magic's most popular multiplayer format
Commander MTG rules explained for beginners: 100-card decks, 40 life, commander tax, brackets and the pre-game chat, plus what a UK Commander night is like.
Board gamesBlood on the Clocktower: how to play and where to find a game
Learn how Blood on the Clocktower works, from the Storyteller and secret roles to nominations and the ghost vote, and how to join a beginner game in the UK.
WarhammerKill Team, Blood Bowl and Necromunda: Warhammer's smaller games for beginners
How to play Kill Team, Blood Bowl and Necromunda, Warhammer's smaller games with fewer models and shorter matches, plus where to find a game in the UK.
D&D and RPGsD&D one-shots: what to expect at a drop-in game
What a D&D one-shot is, why it suits beginners, and what happens at a drop-in game at a UK shop or café, with the basic rules and a first-game checklist.
Game nights near you, every Thursday
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.