Join Modern Board Game Night April 12, 2022, at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. This gathering is held at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.

PENDLETON — You likely won’t find Monopoly at Modern Board Game Night at Pendleton Center for the Arts, but there will be a variety of games and people to play them with.

“Monopoly is a game everyone knows, and, as a kid, I played Monopoly and games like it, but as an adult I started getting into modern board games and realizing just how much is out there and how fun board gaming is,” said Karl Davis, the facilitator of Modern Board Game Nights. “There are so many that I really enjoy.”

Modern Board Game Night is the second Tuesday of every month, 5:30-8 p.m. at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. The next session is April 12.

Players pick from a selection of games to learn or play. At any session, the games played depend on the participants.

“I always bring a selection of games from my own collection and then whoever’s there kind of guides from that point,” Davis said. “I can describe the games and they have a say on what kind of games they want to play.”

One night that could be Settlers of Catan and another it could be Wingspan. Gamers also have the option of bringing their own games to introduce, and if enough people attend, three or four different games could happen simultaneously in the same room. So far in 2022, the attendance has been slim, but Davis said they are working to bring people back out.

“Prior to COVID, it was gaining steam, and we were having people show up every month,” Davis said. “With COVID, we took a break, and now we’re trying to get it going again.”

Promoting a new monthly event also comes with handling preconceptions and misconceptions. For example, Davis said people may think board games are intimidating.

“I would say just come with an open mind and don’t be intimidated. It’s OK to be inexperienced because everyone starts somewhere,” he said. “Learning new things is always a challenge, but I think board gaming is really about having fun and being open to new experiences.”

Davis said he started getting into modern board games about five years ago. He began sharing games with others, and realized many people have a similar first response to the idea of re-introducing board games into their lives.

“Someone proclaims, ‘Oh I haven’t played board games since I was a kid,’ and I usually say, ‘it’s not difficult to learn and it can be really rewarding,’” he said.

Most of the games at Modern Board Game Night focus on strategy, not conflict. Games are played to enjoy the theme, the game mechanics and often the artwork. In his personal collection, Davis said his favorite game right now is Feast for Odin.

“Board games are fun, and I’d encourage people to come out and try it,” he said. “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. You don’t have to win every game. It’s about learning the game and playing together.”