Top 10 Board Games for Newbies

These are the best introductory board games 2019 for new gamers. All great for families too!
Thank you to my patrons! Please consider becoming a backer to fund more videos like this: / actualol or paypal.me/actualol
Links to buy the games in this video:
10. Sheriff of Nottingham: geni.us/sheriffofnottingham
9. Colt Express: geni.us/coltexpress
8. K2: geni.us/k2game
7. Spring Meadow: geni.us/springmeadow
6. The Resistance: geni.us/theresistance
5. Survive: Escape from Atlantis: geni.us/survivegame
4. Magic Maze: geni.us/magicmaze
3. Stockpile: geni.us/stockpile
2. Ticket To Ride: geni.us/tickettoridegame
1. Pandemic: geni.us/pandemicgame
For more recommendations for new gamers, family and friends check out these videos:
Top 10 Games for Couples: • Top 10 Couples Board G...
Top 10 Games to Play at Christmas: • Top 10 Board Games to ...
Why You Should NEVER Play Monopoly Again: • Why You Should NEVER P...
Actualol is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Twitter: / actualol
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Board Game Geek: boardgamegeek.com/user/jonpurkis
Thank you for watching! And thank you for all your comments, I love making videos for you all!
If you're new to Actualol, my name is Jon Purkis. My two passions are writing comedy and playing board games, so I decided to combine the two in this KZbin channel.
I make all my videos on my own, in my flat in London, UK, with the help of a diverse selection of wigs.
_
My favourite videos:
Top Ten Games to Play at Christmas: • Top 10 Board Games to ...
The Board Game Song: • The Board Game Song
Zombie Board Game Mega Review: • 5 Zombie Board Games
5 Alternatives to Pictionary: • 5 Reasons to Never Pla...
Hidden Movement Board Games Mega Review: • Hidden Movement Board ...
And for something completely different, my 5 Stages of Brexit: • The Five Stages of Brexit

[@actualol]

If you liked the video, please share it with your friends that you're trying to get into board games :)

[@loverboysora]

a

[@loverboysora]

AW

[@SigynsHope]

That's what I'm trying to do! Having each game as a separate video would be useful for promoting them on my Facebook gaming event page. I'll use two Clips of this instead 😊

[@philipmoser3784]

"You ride the train, _and_ you're a geek. You're a train geek."

[@jiritsu0]

I don't understand how you can consistently do this, but your type of humor tickles me just right. Thanks for the laughs and recommendations!

[@actualol]

It involves hacking your dreams and finding out what tickles you. Not strictly legal but worth it.

[@elinem8526]

I fell in love with this channel a few days ago and have been bingewatching your recommendations. Surprised you don't have more followers because you 100% deserve them.

[@actualol]

Thank you ❤️ My subscribers are rising thanks to the new video, long may it continue!

[@AndrewANDKunaal]

The effort you put into these videos really shows! Also the surprisingly dirty Spring Meadow jokes were great 😂

[@actualol]

Hey, it's not my fault they made a game with such a rude theme! 😂

[@joshsimpson1283]

As a person whose spent quite a bit of time in Duluth, the Duluth jokes got me to subscribe 😂

[@CreakingShelves]

"Are these the kinds of jokes you make on your youtube channel?" oh, that sweet sweet meta-joke

[@ThePsh07]

1:07 that whole scene was hilarious 😂

[@gazgibbons5923]

You sir... are a Legend! Great to see the family back again! Wonderful video.

[@j.c.mosier7981]

Nothing says Christmas like losing a cooperative game together. Last year Forbidden Desert, this year Pandemic. Thanks, Jon!

[@GirlsGameShelf]

Great list! And so much fun to watch. The baby shark joke got a hearty laugh out of me since we're in the thick of that. Well done, as always!

[@vespera219]

That one really hit me where it still hurts. 😂

[@jareksmith3554]

Hands down the best video yet. So many quotable moments. I will definitely be watching this again. Keep up the amazing job! You're setting a high standard for board game comedy!

[@j.c.mosier7981]

Brilliant! On par with "Christmas" and "Monopoly."

[@sirlagsalot1387]

We finish each others... Dignitas applications. That one got me creasing, absolutely loved it. gunna steal that one

[@DenisRyan]

That's a great list, not just for friends, but every one of these should be in any board game Meetup collection that is open to new members. Most are quick and easy to teach, and all end in laughter. I think this list had the most games that I personally own.

[@actualol]

Thanks, you're right it's a great place for a meetup to start.

[@vespera219]

I am in complete adoration of your impeccable wit, as ever. Love your work so much!

[@SerCapelli]

Love to see you back to your roots. Great video as always!

[@rosu3870]

Sticking protrusions into openings is my favourite activity of all times, works well on spring meadows, too. ^^

[@philipthonemann2524]

Very helpful, thanks - good work! A couple more purchased to tempt the family on weekend visits!

[@drappke]

Great list, great video. Had some real laugh out loud moments in there... Thank you

[@magicgeeks1955]

So good!! One of your best videos ever. My family loves most of these games, our favorite is Survive. The only one we don’t own is K2. Mostly I want to thank you for the effort that you put into your video. The results are great.

[@actualol]

Awww, thank you. I'm glad it was worth the effort 🙂

[@matternst5310]

Mums quote's are the best! Great as always!

[@daveculling5467]

Cracking video Jon! Shared. Lottie and I enjoyed the return of Timmy!

[@PaxPixie]

Great list! Stockpile is one of our favorite games. We playtested it before the initial kickstarter. We just kickstarted the second expansion. We just introduced another friend to it and they loved it so much they immediately wanted to buy it. Your videos are great. We love the games for couples that you recommended.

[@grog3514]

We have the problem of not having enough stocks to matter when people sell theirs off. So people end up behaving as if there is no secret information. Do you have a house rule?

[@PaxPixie]

@@grog3514 As far as I'm aware, after around 50 playthroughs of the game with various groups and players, we haven't really encountered that problem. Do you make sure to seed each pile with a card before everyone places so every pile has a stock/card? We missed that rule the first few times. Granted, you typically have a good idea of who has what towards the end of the game, but it's always a surprise at the end of the game to see who has how many of something. Generally I would guesstimate average players end the game with around 5-9 stocks in their portfolio, although it can be as low as 2-3, but the person with so few typically either did something wrong, or had a really wacky strategy and they generally don't win because the goal is to get stocks. We definitely never play with open information. That's the fun of the game. I may know 3 people have stocks in 1 color but no idea how many they have because I don't know what they picked up in their latest stockpile. Not sure if that helps you.

[@GoodEnoughParty]

I just suggested many of these to a friend at work who just started playing board games. Now I can just send him this link. Awesome job as always Jon!

[@actualol]

Yes! That is great news. The plan worked! I hope you have lots of work friends 🤞

[@GoodEnoughParty]

@@actualol Turns out I do have more friends! AND I found out they have other friends. There may be something to this networking thing!

[@ghantreyOOH]

this was hilarious! i actually loled throughout. keep up the good work!

[@n20games52]

Fantastic video and a great selection of games.

[@joethomas1775]

A great list of games. Keep up the good work.

[@the_luggage]

That was very entertaining, thanks, mate!

[@bladioYT]

Fantastic video, as always!

[@moseth7606]

Genuinely laughing out loud at this one man! 🤣 great work and awesome reviews some i already own thanks to your other vids. Cheers dude!!

[@christianque8294]

"I haven't had it this good since the 80's"

[@ammi7985]

So good I can't ignore you. I haven't had such pleasure since 90 '. Your new subscriber 🧡

[@captainspoof101]

Another great video, Jon. I would add skull to the list for new gamers. It is so easy to teach and incredibly fun as you probably know. Cheers!

[@actualol]

Skull is amazing. I have a secondary list of games I would use to introduce people to gaming with and Skull is on that. It's a weird distinction but with this list I wanted to recommend longer games that people could really get into.

[@captainspoof101]

@@actualol I completely understand. In my experience though, some people who are apprehensive about gaming can get turned off if the rules explanation takes longer than a few minutes. It's frustrating when that happens but with skull I almost never have that problem and sometimes they open up after playing . Anyoo, loved the video and keep up the good work!!

[@Console_Yourself]

I’m so glad I found your channel. Your video’s are so fun to watch!

[@actualol]

Thank you! Welcome aboard! 👋

[@BEAR-247MA]

I love your characters. Hilarious. Also, I love the games you pick. Have purchased quite a few.

[@actualol]

Thank you! The characters will be back again soon 😁

[@funkdaddy5641]

Love your channel

[@gonia24]

Great, great, great video. So funny :) love it!

[@mikehall9240]

Love love loved this video!

[@matthewrichardson1805]

Great video as always - Barry is fab!

[@hanajurakova1285]

The funniest board games videos I've ever seen !! LOOOOL thank you, I love it

[@edmundengland]

Great list!

[@sharonlaidley1465]

Just heard you on the radio with Jo Good. How did I not see your channel before? Informative and entertaining during this #lockdown Thank you

[@actualol]

Wonderful, glad you found my channel. I hope I can help you find some games you'll love 🙂

[@siimtokke3461]

In one game of resistance, one of my friends went on a mission with 3 spies and the mission was successful. Basically what happened all of them expected at least one other to fail the mission. That didn't change the outcome of the game, we still lost, but it was really funny.

[@emavag8747]

A good list Jon - but I'll put MAJESTY in the list. On the other hand is one of your best videos !

[@razorbeard1396]

Your content is hilarious mate lol!

[@theokester]

Great list. Fabulous video. Super fun as always. On a different note, where did you get the fun minis for Pandemic?

[@jackdempsy7104]

Hey, bub! I’m from Duluth! Not really. Great game picks! The interactions with Barry are the best.

[@SmartSuzanne]

I just found your channel and wanted to see if I knew all these games, and I found out that I didn't, but you did name some of my favourites, Pandemic, Ticket to Ride and Magic Maze are games I play a lot with friends.

[@svein-erikfalk5570]

This must be the best channel on KZbin for board games!

[@cameronphillips789]

Jeez... I haven't played Pandemic since March 2020. Think I'll wait a couple more years to revisit it again just in case.

[@edwardcarlson6359]

"I don't think that's going to stop Ebola." Best line of the video.

[@mtri3341]

Thank you for another wonderful video!

[@actualol]

Thank you! Please share it with the world! :)

[@mtri3341]

@@actualol then onto social media it will go!

[@hansph00508]

Excellent video man, greetings from México!

[@SigynsHope]

That orange game behind you was driving me to distraction trying to remember what it was: Secret Hitler! And since watching this the first time, I've gotten Sheriff and Magic Maze. First was a hit, second I've only tested solo and with Dad so far to prepare the teach. Looking for shorts to showcase those games for my birthday event on Facebook, clips of your video here are the best short, useful, non-boring explanations of those games. You might consider making those clips into standalone videos 😊

[@deathrace8287]

Simply great show timmy!!

[@hugo57k91]

04:21 "icarush your way up the mountain" lmao amazing

[@danidisco284]

I'm always at my happiest after a Jon Purkis video

[@alwaysfallingshort]

I'm legitimately from Duluth, this is so surreal. Subscribe.

[@cameronmccormick3624]

I'm from Duluth and I loved this video! 😂

[@melissapananon8136]

We love a Timmy video!! 💕 Yes, we always play Sheriff of Nottingham with new game players & they have always loved it & went out & purchased a copy for themselves! It’s one of my 2girls favorite game to bluff n play!! Love Colt Express 👍🏽 OMG 😲 we are shook-eth to the core-eth!! Thanks Jon for the Shout Out!! Also love Survive!! 🦈 And loving those Pandemic Meeples!! 💕 Thanks Again!! These are our favorite videos with your characters!!! 💞 The Best!!

[@actualol]

Yay! You saw it! You were clearly the best pick for a shout-out cos you watched it so quickly 😁 Glad you enjoyed it.

[@melissapananon8136]

Actualol Clearly 😉🤣 Saw Timmy Must Watch 🤩

[@FaceInAClock]

Got so excited when I got this notification!

[@dave0754]

Very nice, diffrent and unusual list.

[@Leron...]

How dare you make fun of my city in your Ticket to Ride segment! The residents of Portland, Oreo are a proud people, and we will not tolerate such blasphemy!

[@actualol]

And you're vegan friendly, just like Oreos.

[@cursedeinjhel]

i love your videos!

[@mercury187]

I hope you have more new content coming! I used to love watching your various characters like you brought back for this video and each game "segment" has me laughing out loud!

[@mendaciousphooka]

6:50 Sounded like Dexter’s Lab!😂

[@mrnnhnz]

One of the funniest KZbin videos I've ever seen. "I'm not a rat." "No, but it does rhyme with that." (Of course, in some countries to make that work, it'd have to be, "I'm not a rot"...)

[@TehEeveeGeneral]

15:52 Barry's beer-induced crooked train line is sending me 😂

[@charleslatora5750]

Dude, your fantastic. Hilarious. Liked n sub'd by game 4.

[@StratfordWingRider]

I have 6 of those 10 games. Some really good game play there.

[@josuesepulveda6850]

This was the best video yet!..now I need friends to start the hobby😅

[@avisian8063]

Every so often I rewatch this, video. Still makes me laugh

[@gzZZZ]

Such a great video

[@rons3634]

I don't really care about board games, but I'm starting to get hooked on these videos.

[@sciencio]

best videos for my project

[@Tks4205]

Billy Zane Reference...*Promptly subscribes.

[@rpgabriel]

John, would it be crazy to ask you your top (5 or 10) boardgames with Sportive theme? (like K2, Flamme Rouge, etc) Please consider it 😉 Thanks a lot, great stuff you bring to us!

[@llywyllngryffyn8053]

I got one of the first run of Survive about 40 years ago :)

[@DanielSong39]

I strongly recommend the expansions for Survive! Escape from Atlantis. The game gets even better at 5-6 players as the body count rises. The squid makes it even more insane. You'll be lucky to save 3-4 meeples and that's the point!

[@clarkkent7973]

Play "Baby Shark" at my funeral had to be one of the best ideas ever!

[@chocolatelily90]

Totally agree with the top two. Would also add King of Tokyo

[@amyrenaud7589]

Seeing this in 2022, I think Pandemic is probably not anyone's favorite game anymore.

[@scottplumer3668]

Yeah, who knew Pandemic would become a LARP?

[@JBearwa]

Great list I would love to see the updated one and I’ll look on your channel to see if you did. Instead a pandemic, I would highly recommend horrified! One it’s a co-op against universal monster movies that most people know the characters. Two it’s not about the pandemic.

[@ashleepradella4912]

😂😂😂 I couldn’t stop laughing all video!!! Love this sooooo much 😍❤️

[@actualol]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I've still got it 😁 If Ashlee likes it, it's all good 😀

[@Coffeemaker1978]

Love it ❤️

[@kittikats]

I have no idea why but I keep finding myself answering questions with "I don't know. I've never been to Deluth!"

[@actualol]

Haha! 😂 I love it!

[@lykariod]

I lost it with the "cojones" joke 😂😂😂😂

[@legalmeeple53]

Hey John, I’m in London for a couple of days from the States and wondered if there were any good board game shops in the area that you would recommend? Thanks.

[@adammeney8841]

Hey. Nice one. Will you be at Tabletop Scotland. Dude?

[@Raidenze]

"We all need a chance to be evil for a bit" Truer words have never been spoken (in a harmless way of course). So few people understand that these days.

[@jorgerangel2390]

What the hell was that muuuu, you got me laughing out loud

[@g8kpr3000]

you know the air conditioning on those planes just throw bacteria in your face, you know, that's how Cheryl says her husband got Chlamydia. Lmao

[@doylay]

I love ticket to ride. Can't wait until my 3 year old and 5 year old are old enough to play it.

[@PaulTobia]

Thumbs up for all cards in sleeves.

[@burkeboyberger7996]

Stockpile! Nice

[@Edwinschuur]

Nice reommendations and some fresh one besides the usually ones. Personally I didn't really like Spring Meadow. It was a disappointment after Indian Summer which we really liked.

[@ElliottRecommends]

"Wales is miles away, and there will never be a reason to go there!" :D Best line! (also true)

[@jackolantern1028]

Great!

[@sararendon]

I’ve never seen that version of Pandemic before, with the characters as pawns and the Petri dishes ... Where do I get it?! :O

[@dwdillydally]

🎶 Duluth! Duluth! Duluth is on F I R E! 🎶