Matchmaking teachers and newbies?

[heathenpoet]

Hi there,

I've been a member for a few years but only really just started playing regularly and joining in more socially over the last year or so. Forgive me if there is already a thread or way to do this, but just a thought:

Is there a way to find members who are willing to teach more complex games to new players? I know that there are youtube videos and rulebooks but I do find it much harder to learn digitally than at the table - also it's intimidating going into a game as an apprentice knowing that you'll struggle to retain all the rules. I mean, I watched the 30-minute(!) instructional video of Teotihuacan and think it looks like something I'd enjoy - but I would need an experienced player to help me as there were so many caveats and systems to remember!

I'm sure there are people who'd be willing to teach newbies how to play games they love - Innovation is my most-played game on here for example and I'd be very happy to teach anyone how to play!

[KongKing123]

There is at least one group for this: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=1111129

Since you're Premium, you could also just try asking in general chat to find someone immediately.

[heathenpoet]

Perfect, thanks - I’d not even explored groups or chat yet!

[heathenpoet]

Sorry, I’m being dumb, but where is general chat?

[heathenpoet]

Ahhh, you mean the "General messages" messenger box I guess? I was looking around for a chatroom..!

[KongKing123]

Ahhh, you mean the "General messages" messenger box I guess? I was looking around for a chatroom..!

Yes, the one on the bottom right. Sometimes people post an offer to teach games or they want to learn some.

[ViolentSilence]

This would be an interesting function to add to the lobby when the site has a redesign. Not sure about the best way to organise it, but it would be useful to list games that you're looking to learn and maybe then players could attempt to schedule games with a few new players

[heathenpoet]

I was thinking that new players could just open a table but with a "Teaching Request" flag, and it could only be started when there is a player of a certain experience at the table? So for example, if I opened up "Play Now" and saw an open table in a game I know well, with a flag, then I'd be happy to hop in and play a game with beginners and answer questions. This could also count as a training game so as not to effect ELO, etc. And vice versa, if a game I wanted to learn with someone, I could open a table with a "Teaching Request" flag and see if anyone joined!