How to Play The Voyages of Marco Polo

[@BrunoBaronet]

You sir have raised the bar for game tutorials. Well done!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Bruno!

[@Lwilibert]

Agreed

[@kaipaquin7060]

Man, this tutorial is both super clear, but just the sheer amount of effort like stop motion animating the tiles going back into the pile really set a high bar for great youtube tutorials! Great work!

[@hectorbarreda7510]

I didn’t understand this game too well until I saw this video, thank you. Clear, thorough,and good delivery. And you kind of look like Marco Polo himself (from the box).

[@robertaustin6302]

I was so excited to see that you did a video for Marco Polo! You taught me how to play Concordia and in turn I was able to teach it to my game group with ease and it has since become one of our favorite games. Thanks for making these videos man, you’re excellent at it!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Gosh, Robert - thanks! I'll keep at it then.

[@julesindahouse]

Hi Ryan! Brilliant work, as ever! Really clear and great fun, too. Couldn't be better. Take care and see you one Knight to another....

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Julian! Have you played this yet?

[@wingers1966]

The best guide to ‘The Voyages of Marco Polo’. Thanks!

[@emilystout137]

You give just the right amount of information without over-explaining obvious symbols, etc. And your logic of what order to explain gameplay in never fails!

[@Shawn4168]

Wow, just stumbled across this video from BoardGameArena. Fantastic job, you have a real knack for explaining games clearly and concisely with a good dose of humor thrown in as well. You've definitely earned a sub from me!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much, Shawn4168! There's lots to enjoy here if you're new to the channel. Check out the Big Game Grid on the website for an overview of (most) of what's available: nightsaroundatable.com/games-a-z/

[@christophersorich915]

I really enjoy your videos. Great production. I think you made a rules goof. When you pay two camels you can adjust the pip value by only one.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Bah! You're so right, Christopher. i apologize. i'll sheepishly admit that since i was late delivering this video, it didn't enjoy the same QA rigors as my other vids have. i've added a card at that point to correct the error.

[@Kallenoft]

Best tutorial for this game on youtube

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Kallenoft!

[@ericfrancis7816]

If those camels wanted love, they should've auditioned for Jaipur. Just sayin'.... (Also: A truly excellent teach, thanks!)

[@NightsAroundaTable]

To say nothing of those showboaters over at Camel (C)up!

[@rmarzullo87]

Man! You're really good at what you do. The BG community needs to know you

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks! Go tell 'em!

[@weatherbutinspace6799]

This editing is fantastic. This is almost more entertainment than instruction!

[@corybell3487]

Great job as always! You’re doing a fantastic job with your how to play series and I know you’ll build a great following.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Cory Bell Thanks so much, Cory! Slow and steady...

10:52 NO POINTS FOR YOU! Nice Seinfeld reference. Plus a really excellent explanation video. Well done!

[@Tumpkin2]

Great video as usual! Thanks for covering games that do not have great or any tutorial. As someone that has learning disabilities and a hard time learning games from the rule books alone. Videos are some of the only way I can learn to play the games I love.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

My pleasure, Josh! Glad they're useful to you.

[@Robmonster]

I've never seen a game reviewed by the person on the front of the box before!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

We could be twins!!

[@FestaNoYoutubiu]

'Watch it Played' should hire this guy. Nice job, man! You are talented.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thank you Cid!

[@rooter6]

1. I caught one mistake at 6:58, you said about brown spaces as non-stackable for dices and yet you marked blue "take 5 coins" spot, although later at 7:34 you used this spot as an example of stacking dices :) 2. Thank you for your wonderful work. I immiadiately subscribed because your channel is gold.

[@rooter6]

3. I wish you could make an expansion video for Marco Polo :)

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@rooter6 Good catch, Mateusz - thanks! i've added a card and given you a mention on the addenda section of the website. Sadly, the Marco Polo expansion still sits on my Shelf of Shame. i keep bringing it up, but no one seems interested in play it with me. :\

[@rooter6]

@@NightsAroundaTable just go for it. Don't ask anyone, put it on the table and explain how this new stuff works :D tell them that you have a surprise for them I'm doing this on saturday, it will be my first play with expansion :) this game deserves playing it from time to time. Thanks again for refreshing rules for me in your video!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@rooter6 Hmmm! Board games by force! Let's see if i can (should) get away with it.

[@minnwaiyan]

This is the best tutorial video I've watched!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thank you!

[@martinrund]

Best and funniest and best-produced boardgame teaching video I've seen!

[@n20games52]

Very clear and concise "how to", Enjoyed the video and your style of editing and highlighting!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, N20!

[@adamgoulding796]

Always check in with you before playing a more complex game. Cheers.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

*clink!*

[@Boardgame_fun]

OMG, you are so hilarious 😂 Always a pleasure to watch your explanation video's ❤

[@BillParslow]

Terrific tutorial - clear, nice video editing and entertaining as well. Great stuff!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much, Bill!

[@nigelgraves174]

8:27 You state that spending 2 camels allows a player to set a die to 'any value you want'. The rulebook states 'The player returns 2 Camels to the general supply, in order to adjust the value of 1 of [their] dice by 1 number up or down. Note: A die may not be adjusted from a “1” to a “6”, or vice versa' (see rules p13). Great video: thanks for sharing!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Nigel. That correction has already been noted in a card (look for the little “i” at the top right corner of the screen) that links to the addenda section in the website.

[@nigelgraves174]

@@NightsAroundaTable Ah right, missed that! Good job!

[@boardgameguru8844]

Fantastic video! Thanks. I needed a refresher, and this was just the ticket.

[@Renzuo77]

Fantastic rules explanation! And love the Tips section too! =)

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much! And a well-timed comment.... i'm set to play the expansion, Agents of Venice, this afternoon!

[@mtmwi]

Can you please explain EVERY new game to me? You sir have found your talent of explaining games really clearly and joyfully! Not sure if I want the game because the game or because of the great explanation....

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thank you! It's an excellent game. Though i haven't played the sequel. Look into it before making a purchase decision!

[@MrVurtan]

Again a great tutorial to get starting with the game!

[@jametrics]

It is nice to have a game tutorial that did not put me to sleep.... Well done!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

It’s my jarring voice and unsettling personality.

[@jametrics]

@@NightsAroundaTable yeah it sort of shocked me into being awake. Like a person screaming in my face.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@jametrics That's what i put on my Tinder profile!

[@jametrics]

@@NightsAroundaTable Gotta get those swipes somehow.

[@Lwilibert]

Rajas of the Ganjes is top 3 games in my group. I love it, from the art to whow the graphic system comunicates perfectly what everything does while being language independant (i consider it a prime example of good comunication coupled with great art). I wonder if Marco Polo is too similar? games are so expensive in my country, we can´t afford many.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Which country are you in? i haven't played Ganges yet, but many people seem to love it!

[@Lwilibert]

@@NightsAroundaTable I'm from Argentina, land of tango, soccer and devaluation. Give Ganges a try, I think it's quite underrated and everyone seems to love it after the first learning match.

[@klavierfruhlingswochen4825]

Brilliant! Thank you so much!

[@PatasEmPauta]

Thanks! Funny and easy to understand video!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much, PemP!

[@MicJames1]

Ryan absolutely great rules vid...clear and precise...thanks 👍😁

[@RobertKonigsbergAtGoogle]

Another excellent job. This helped me out.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Robert! i’m glad.

[@salmanqaisar7377]

Hi Ryan, another FANTASTIC video as usual! My only 1 constructive feedback is I wish rules tutorials could be under 10mins, since I use them to send in advance to my useless friends who rely on me to read the rulebook. Anythinh over 10mins, they might not watch, the bums! I love your work, especially your clarity and humour, hope u dont mind. Roll for crit make some very good short but comprehensive rules videos, although they talk quite fast. Anyway, i appreciate all your efforts, just a request for you to consider. All the best, Sal

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Salman. i'm with you. i completely understand. But i find that more complicated games just.... can't be explained properly in 10 minutes, no matter how fast you talk. But take heart! i have what might be a good solution to your problem in the works, behind the scenes here. Watch this space!

[@andrewhalferty]

This was fantastic! Thank you very much!

[@irvinrules]

Excelent explanation of the rules!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks!

[@john-vi9hl]

Great video

[@Roufus55]

Had to restart the video because I was giggling too much at the "all players throw their dice" bit

[@NightsAroundaTable]

GOT EEM!

[@bondqas]

Thank you for your tutorials. :)

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thank you for your thank you. :)

[@NikkiWirawan]

Great tutorial!! love it

[@bruchino]

Awesome video!! Thanks!

[@the_justifier4788]

Good review

[@n20games52]

Also, very funny video. I was happy to unlock an achievement! Woot!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks! Keep watching, and i'll add meaningless digital trophies!

[@FABVVP]

You are very good, thank you!

[@TheHeater2121]

wait a minute the 5 coin space has blue within the square, so is it considered brown or blue????

[@Daniel199423]

I think Ryan made a mistake. He talks at 7:26 about how multiple people can stack their dies at the 5-coin spot, which means that it's a blue spot.

[@Daniel199423]

Ryan addresses it in a different comment.

[@Lucas-og3of]

Out of curiosity, is there any reason you put setup instructions at the end of video? Most other channels I watch usually put them up front.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

i'm glad you asked, Lucas! i teach games by video the way i would teach you in person. i would never dream of sitting you down and talking you through the setup. That's super-boring. i would tell you about the theme of the game, who you play, what you get to do, and how you can win. i have to hook you first. If you get all the way through a video, maybe you're serious about actually playing it? So i'll show you how to set it up at that point.

[@Lucas-og3of]

@@NightsAroundaTable Good answer! Makes sense.

[@boardgameguru8844]

@@NightsAroundaTable That makes absolute sense. Love it.

[@antgerfitz]

The game is not as heavy as I thought. After watching this the chances of me buying Marco Polo have gone from 10% to 80%. If I do buy it I will make sure to keep a dish of water next to my player board so my camels stick around for end game tie-breakers.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Ugh! Water and Lady Speed Stick®. (i do recommend the game tho)

[@antgerfitz]

@@NightsAroundaTable Got the game. Once you figure out how to travel, a lot, the game becomes amazing. I can see how each setup will suggest a different strategy to win the game (looks like a lot of cool ways). It reminds me of 7 Wonders Duel (setup and ways to achieve a win) and Ticket to Ride, well... a tough Ticket to Ride in which it's an achievement to complete 2 goal cards. Thanks Ryan! :)

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@antgerfitz For sure! Expensive traveling (in a game ostensibly about traveling) is the stickiest issue.

[@metacross2826]

Sad that the creator of the game turned out to be... problematic. Great explanation nonetheless!