Limited games...really?

I play in several game nights with a bunch of different friends, which leads to some power dynamics in game selection. The more games you play allows you a more discerning taste for what kinds of games you like. I can imagine this is like wine connoisseur's taste buds - this is my brain though!

Everyone can do this, simply by saying "No, I don't want to play Monopoly." The group shifts around, trying to find a game they can all agree on, or end up playing a game that is least hated. This isn't a new thing, and it happens often in gaming circles.

Why does this happen?
It could be a case of direct conflict. Bust out a Risk game, get some blood spilled...action! It's not for everyone - likewise, a non-conflict game might not find love in a group.

It can also be a preference to one's strength. One of my friends is extremely good at (and enjoys) games that give him a sweet spot of choice-calculation. If it's a game that swings a lot based on random effects, he's not going to enjoy it.

Limited knowledge. "There's only so many games I want to bother learning the rules and/or strategy for." It's a reasonable call - not everyone wants to learn the finer points of Through the Ages. (Tonight I played with a couple of friends who enjoyed it in the past. Both said at the end, that they liked the game, but couldn't compete very well because their knowledge of the cards and flow weren't strong enough...and that maybe we needed to play it more...or much less.)

What can you do about it?
Conflict is something that is there or not...it's rare that a game allows you to play both ways well. The best way to handle it is to organize specific groups for a specific kind of game night. Love conflict, come to this night. It only pays off if the group is willing to split up for nights they'll enjoy more. Rare, but it sometimes takes place.

I'll admit to like playing more games that I enjoy. It's also likely that I'll get better at it, as it gets more plays and more attention. If your gaming friends are hyper-competitive, taking time off from your favorite game might give them a fairer shot at beating you. (Can I actually recommend this? Don't play games you like?)

Finally, the last bit has some of my sympathy. Not everyone lives and breathes games. Rules unique to specific games, requires attention and continuous learning...people play games for fun. It's tough on one hand - by insisting that you play games A, B, or C, because you know them...it means that if other people have moved on from those games (hey, we've been playing those three games for the past year!)...maybe it's time that you learned a new game. On the other hand, it's not cool if every game night you show up for, shows off a new game with new rules. (Suck.)

I have a couple of closets full of games, but only a half dozen see play during a 6-month period. (Currently it's Le Havre, Race for the Galaxy, Through the Ages, and Dungeon Lords.) Limited games. Limited time. Limited time for people to learn. Oh, sadness.