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Artwork for Operation Game Night

Operation Game Night

Travis, Clay, & Jared
Board Games
Reiner Knizia
Game Design
Dungeons & Dragons
Trick-Taking Games
World Series Of Board Gaming
Air Force Academy
PAX Unplugged
Hot Streak
Game Mechanics
Falcons
Twilight Imperium
Imhotep
Agricola
Vantage
Hoplomachus Victorum
Money!
Acquire
Bitewing Games
Magical Athlete

Travis Smith, Jared Erickson, and Clay Gable get together to discuss the latest and greatest in board games in this weekly podcast. What's hot, what's hitting the table, featured discussions about board games and the board gaming culture, and the primary mission objective- to play more board games!

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes151Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisureGames

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Operation Game Night

Latest Episodes

Trick-taking games are everywhere right now, but not all of them earn a permanent spot on the shelf. We put Clay’s full taste on the record with a ranked list of 35 trick-taking games, from “still happy to play” to the titles that absolutely nail wha... more

A lot of games feel fun for one night and then vanish into the shelf. We wanted to figure out the opposite: the board games that keep tugging at your brain weeks later, the ones you actually want to play again instead of just admiring the box.

We st... more

YouTube

They're back. Travis survived the move. Clay survived a month without his leader. The long form format is officially back by popular demand — and to celebrate, Clay drops a full military-tier deployment report on 38 games across 69 plays in June.

Pl... more

YouTube

New Zealand has no wild bears, which is exactly why we end up talking about building the best bear zoo we can. Clay and Sam dig into Baron Park, the Phil Walker-Harding tile-laying board game that turns Tetris-style polyomino pieces into a fast, sati... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

Seth Ewing
Founder/Director of Operation Tabletop
Operation Tabletop
Episode: Rolling for Recovery: Operation Tabletop's Fight Against Veteran Isolation
John Lazaration
Creator and developer of Draughtnauts
Draughtnauts / LazArtStudios
Episode: Draughtnauts by LazArt Studios
Vic Diaz
Host of Games Y Más podcast, passionate about board games and pop culture
Games Y Más
Episode: Twilight Imperium by Fantasy Flight Games (ft. Vic from Games Y Más)
Reiner Knizia
Prolific board game designer and developer
Various board game publishers
Episode: The Best Reiner Knizia Game for Every Table (Chosen by Knizia)
Nick Murray
Co-Founder of Bitewing Games
Bitewing Games
Episode: Special Ops: The Knizia Mount Rushmore (ft. Nick Murray from Bitewing Games)
Mike Bearwyn
Board game enthusiast and popular figure in the gaming community
BearwynPlaysBoardGames
Episode: Special Ops: Live from the World Series of Board Gaming!
Paul Solomon
A math teacher who shares his passion for board games
Episode: Special Ops: 1-Year Anniversary Honorable Mentions and Memories
Mike Argentiano
From Bear One Plays Games, discusses Vantage
Bear One Plays Games
Episode: Debrief: Vantage (ft Mike from @BearwynPlaysGames)
Travis Smith
Co-host of Operation Game Night and board game enthusiast
Operation Game Night
Episode: Joint Ops June: Games Y Más - Board Games This-or-That w/OGN

Hosts

Clay Gable
Host of Operation Game Night
Travis Smith
Host of Operation Game Night

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Boardgame viagra

    Just listened the “board game viagra” it’s so relatable, when I’m in my slump I do look for podcasts like this to keep that flame lit and It’s ok to take breaks in hobbies you love! Other episodes have great takes and really enjoy the podcast as a whole. Will keep listening as they come. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Victmyster
    United States3 months ago
  • Games

    People who grew up with games in their life should definitely listen. Each episode this has made me reflect on all the positive experiences my love for games created. My grandfather was my hero and as a female, I think that our bond was cemented in the early days playing cards which we loved and did together until his death. I know not everyone loves games, but if you do, it is much more than enjoyment in the moment. This podcast not only gives guidance about new games, it reinforces the bond th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A McFarland
    United States2 years ago
  • Review

    I think this a wonderful forum. It feels like I’m sitting down with friends.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OGN GF
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the casual, friendly vibe and the sense of community the hosts foster.
The show feels like a relaxed hangout with fellow hobbyists, not a rigid critic.
Guests often praise the host camaraderie and practical game insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#130
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#216
South Korea/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Speakeasy
Q: How would you pitch Speakeasy to someone who dislikes long, complex games?
Emphasize that it is a thematic yet accessible mid-weight euro where the tension comes from a coherent cycle of actions linked to a vivid setting, and suggest starting with a two-player game to learn the ropes before expanding to four players.
Draughtnauts by LazArt Studios
Q: Where can people find Draughtnauts and engage with the project online besides Etsy?
The creator uses Instagram with a link in bio to direct people to Etsy, a newsletter, and Ko-Fi for community engagement; the project also maintains lazartstudios.com/home as a hub for information.
Draughtnauts by LazArt Studios
Q: What swings or changes during development didn't pan out or where you had to pull back?
Early on, adding too many mechanics for a four-player version and a mega-board overwhelmed the prototype; simplifying the system and stopping at a two-player base while keeping room for future expansions helped solidify the core experience.
Draughtnauts by LazArt Studios
Q: How much story is there actually in this game or is it more superficial, like just making cool characters fight it out?
The game starts with aesthetics but gradually builds a mythos and backstory that informs the gameplay, with a focus on a broader universe where different factions and stories interlock, allowing players to follow a larger narrative while playing checkers.
Draughtnauts by LazArt Studios
Q: Draughtnauts, can you give us a brief description of this game?
Draughtnauts is a collectible, expandable tabletop game set in a sci-fi universe, based on checker-style gameplay but customizable through armor, weapons, and backstories for each champion, making it accessible yet rich with narrative and expansion possibilities.

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 Operation Game Night

What is Operation Game Night about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A playful, hobby-driven show focused on board games, table-top culture, and the social side of gaming. Episodes mix practical game talk (mechanics, pacing, accessibility, teachability) with personal stories, host banter, and occasional interviews with designers, nonprofit founders, and content creators. The tone stays casual and enthusiastic, often spotlighting family nights, social play, and the hobby as a lifestyle. A notable strength is the recurring emphasis on community impact and inclusivity in gaming, alongside accessible introductions to a wide range of titles—from lightweight family games to heavier strategy experiences.

Where can I find podcast stats for Operation Game Night?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Operation Game Night. 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 Operation Game Night and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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What are the audience demographics for Operation Game Night?

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How many subscribers and views does Operation Game Night have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Operation Game Night 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 Operation Game Night?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Operation Game Night:

1. Decision Space
2. Board Gamers Anonymous
3. So Very Wrong About Games

How many episodes of Operation Game Night are there?

Operation Game Night launched 2 years ago and published 151 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 Operation Game Night?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Operation Game Night?

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What guests have appeared on Operation Game Night?

Recent guests on Operation Game Night include:

1. Seth Ewing
2. John Lazaration
3. Vic Diaz
4. Reiner Knizia
5. Nick Murray
6. Mike Bearwyn
7. Paul Solomon
8. Mike Argentiano

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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