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Board Game Hot Takes

Board Game Hot Takes
Board Games
Board Game Arena
Terraforming Mars
Kickstarter
Dune Imperium
Bggcon
Tapestry
Board Game Geek
Azul
Let's Go To Japan
Seven Wonders Duel
Tabletop Simulator
Distilled
Biohack
Apiary
Wingspan
Tigris & Euphrates
Agricola
Everdell
Board Game Community

We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes304Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Board Game Hot Takes

Latest Episodes

In Episode 303 Tim discusses all of the games played during his recent weekend at BGGCon in Dallas.

We also discuss a poll related to making friends at board game conventions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Poll Time: Have you ever made fr... more

In Episode 302 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also discuss a poll on how many games you get played in an average session.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Poll Time: How many games do you get played in your regu... more

In Episode 301 we feature two games by Vital Lacerda: Speakeasy and Kanban EV. We also discuss a poll on heavy games and include our final thoughts on heavy games in general and whether Vital Lacerda is a designer we want to revisit.

Timestamps:

00... more

In Episode 300 we reflect on doing the show for so long and share tons of our favorite clips from the history of the show.

If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes

Follow us on BlueSky: https... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Andy Schwarz
Designer of Envelopes of Cash; economist
Independent game designer
Episode: The Economics of Self-Publishing a Board Game
Dave Beck
Designer of Distilled and Luthier
Board Game Designer
Episode: Theme Driven Mechanisms
Mark Johnson
Host of Board Games To Go, a veteran in the board gaming community
Board Games To Go
Episode: Tigris & Euphrates
Steph Hodge
A famous board game blogger and YouTuber
Independent
Episode: Top 5 Quirky Mechanisms
Connie Vogelmann
Designer of Apiary and Wyrmspan
Episode: Top 5 Desert Island Games w/ Connie Vogelmann

Hosts

Tim
Host with long-running role across episodes, often driving banter and thematic debates.
Chris
Co-host known for balanced perspectives and humor, frequently testing diverse game genres.
Adam
Co-host bringing heavy-hitting game analysis and practical teaching notes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 563 ratings
  • Must be time to visit Australia!

    Love this podcast! Love board games! What else can I say…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MeagAnnie
    Australiaa month ago
  • Podcast

    I love this podcast. Very down to earth and honest reviews. So fun to listen to all you guys. Thank you for putting out great content. I submitted my vote for you on board game geek. Hope you get #1 podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danig62626
    United Statesa month ago
  • They deserve a vote

    First podcast I ever rated. Voted for them in the BGG Awards as well, for best podcast. They deserve it. Love that it’s nuanced and not just hype.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deathbringer86
    Swedena month ago
  • If you read any review, read this

    I thought I would reward myself by leaving a review for THE podcast that activated and still enables my board game “problem.”

    You’ve probably seen a lot of the same things in most podcast reviews, and I’ll upvote them all: great production, consistent release, awesome hosts. So I’ll tell you why I listen to it.

    I listen to it for three primary reasons. First, I love the episodes that anthologize many of the hosts’ favorite games because they help me discover at least one new game every single ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bigdashj
    United Statesa month ago
  • 100% Golden Geek

    Regardless of whether they’ve received the Golden Geek award or not, this board game podcast is golden. Listening to these three guys discuss and banter about gaming is one of the highlights of my week. If you’re interested in the board gaming hobby, look no further than Board Game Hot Takes. Keep up the great work!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mark_Z.
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners note friction around AI discussions and politics in episodes.
Listeners praise the show for honest, nuanced takes and strong host chemistry.
Many appreciate community aspects like con coverage and episode consistency.
Fans value the mix of banter and deep-dives without hype.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#166
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#42
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#80
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#217
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#19
Australia/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Missing Themes, Promising Designers, and More! - Mailbag #7
Q: How do you balance your love for gaming with family commitments?
They share insights about managing time for gaming activities while prioritizing family interactions alongside their hobbies.
Missing Themes, Promising Designers, and More! - Mailbag #7
Q: Do we pay too little for board games?
They discuss market trends and how many board game designers can't survive solely on game design, emphasizing that the industry is complex.
Missing Themes, Promising Designers, and More! - Mailbag #7
Q: What are the once-a-year games you keep?
The hosts reflect on games they rarely play but still enjoy keeping in their collection, like 'Batman Gotham City Chronicles' and 'Eclipse Second Dawn'.
Missing Themes, Promising Designers, and More! - Mailbag #7
Q: What theme that doesn't exist would you like to see in a game?
Chris Prime asked about a theme that doesn't exist but would be fun to see, leading to various ideas like a game set in the Stephen King universe and other themes like 'Mask' and 'Murderbot'.
Annoyances, Omissions, and More - Mailbag Episode #6
Q: How do you decide between the urge to play something you know you like versus the cult of the new?
It's essential to mix familiar games and new discoveries for a fun experience.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Board Game Hot Takes

What is Board Game Hot Takes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features three hosts who share candid, rapidly produced takes on board games right after playing. Across episodes, listeners are treated to diverse viewpoints on heavy euros, light-hearted banter, and deep-dive mechanics, with frequent con coverage, live con recaps, and thoughtful debates about theme, pacing, and value. The format emphasizes practical impressions, teaching tips, and real-world testing of games, making it a strong fit for listeners who want quick, opinionated guidance paired with personality and community vibes. A standout strength is the consistent trio dynamic—biases are clear, but the discussion stays accessible and entertaining for both newcomers and seasoned gamers alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Board Game Hot Takes?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Board Game Hot Takes. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Board Game Hot Takes and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Board Game Hot Takes get?

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What are the audience demographics for Board Game Hot Takes?

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How many subscribers and views does Board Game Hot Takes have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Board Game Hot Takes has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Board Game Hot Takes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Board Game Hot Takes:

1. Board Game Barrage
2. So Very Wrong About Games
3. The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast
4. Shut Up & Sit Down
5. The Dice Tower

How many episodes of Board Game Hot Takes are there?

Board Game Hot Takes launched 6 years ago and published 304 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Board Game Hot Takes?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Board Game Hot Takes?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Board Game Hot Takes?

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What guests have appeared on Board Game Hot Takes?

Recent guests on Board Game Hot Takes include:

1. Andy Schwarz
2. Dave Beck
3. Mark Johnson
4. Steph Hodge
5. Connie Vogelmann

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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