When the world suddenly pressed pause and the usual buzz of social life dimmed, I found myself staring at a dusty stack of board games gathering the kind of dust that only happens when life speeds up or throws a curveball. The pandemic tossed us all into strange times where face-to-face hangs became scarce, but something wonderful happened in those quiet hours—team play, especially through board games, became more than just a way to pass time. It turned into a lifeline.
Let me tell you, if you had told me before all this mess that I would spend hours strategizing with family, laughing through awkward moves, and learning how not to lose my cool when we all got a little competitive, I would have laughed. But here we are, and if you are like me, picking up the dice and cards again might just be the best thing that happened during lockdown.
Why Team Play Feels Different Now
Think about those early days locked inside with family or roommates. Not a ton of new social options outside the walls. That forced us into something familiar but strangely new — playing together. But the old “take turns and try not to flip the board” style quickly changed. We had to find ways to connect, strategize, and—most importantly—have fun despite the weirdness outside our windows.
Team games suddenly meant more than just winning. They became a way to check in without checking out, a way to keep spirits up when news was bleak, and a way to remind each other that we were still a team.
How I Learned to Play Smarter, Together
Let us be real. I am not a pro gamer. I do not know fancy tactics or deep strategies from some secret playbook. The truth is, I learned on the fly, sometimes messing up spectacularly, sometimes catching a lucky break because a teammate saved me at the last second. Here are some of the tips and tricks that actually worked for me, the ones that made us click as a team rather than crash and burn every time.
1. Talk Like You Mean It (But Keep It Fun)
Communication. Easy word, big impact. When you sit down together, make sure everyone knows what you are thinking, even if your plan is just, “Let us see what happens.” Sharing your moves, your guesses, or just a silly joke keeps the vibe light and the brain buzzing.
Sometimes, I would say something dumb out loud, like, “Maybe I should totally ignore the strategy and just build this weird tower of cards.” And the silly idea sparked a laugh or a new approach. No pressure. No judgment. Just a bunch of folks trying to figure it out together.
2. Know When to Lead, Know When to Listen
This is a team game, after all. Sometimes I liked to take charge, especially when I thought I had a good idea. Other times, I just zipped it and listened because, frankly, my teammates saw things I missed.
If you try to be the boss all the time, it drains the fun. If you never say a word, everyone feels a little lost. Balance is key. Share ideas and then step back. Let others shine. Watch how the game changes when you do.
3. Celebrate the Little Wins
Not every move will be brilliant. Sometimes you just get stuck with bad cards or the dice betray you. That is normal. What saved us was cheering for the little victories, like when someone blocked a crucial move or managed to hold onto a precious resource for one extra turn.
We clapped when someone pulled off a crazy combo. We made big deals about small achievements. It turns out, celebrating small stuff keeps everyone pumped.
4. Pick Games That Encourage Teamwork, Not Just Competition
It is tempting to reach for the games that feel like a battle. But during the weird quiet times, cooperative games worked better for us. These games meant we all win or lose together, so the energy shifted.
- Pandemic — This one is on the nose, right? But it is a fantastic example of how teamwork shines. You plan together, share resources, and save the world from diseases. It taught us patience and the power of shared effort.
- Forbidden Island — A race against time, sinking tiles, and making sure no one gets left behind. It feels tense but also deeply rewarding when you pull through as a squad.
- Hanabi — A card game where everyone sees only others’ cards. You have to guess and figure out what each player holds. Total teamwork and trust.
Games like these made those long evenings feel like a mission, a story we were writing together. It was not just about gaming. It was about bonding.
What I Wish I Knew Before Pandemic Life Changed Everything
Get Comfortable with Losing
At first, I hated losing. Who does not? But the more I played, the more I realized that sometimes the best memories came from the moves that went sideways. When a plan failed spectacularly, the laughs that followed were worth more than any victory.
So if you find yourself frustrated, just remind yourself: It’s about the moments shared, not the scoreboard.
Mix Up Your Teams
Playing with the same people over and over can be cozy but also predictable. Sometimes, inviting new players or teaming up differently shook things up and kept the energy fresh.
Plus, watching how others approach the game taught me new tricks and made me appreciate different styles. Spoiler: Everyone has their weird way to win, and sometimes the strangest strategy works.
Don’t Overthink It
There are tons of guides online telling you how to get good, how to master every game nuance. It is easy to get lost in all that. But sometimes, just jumping in and having fun without sweating every move makes the whole thing better.
Of course, strategy helps. But a game played with too much pressure? It loses the magic.
More Than Just Games: What Playing Together Taught Me
Looking back, the real win was something I did not expect. It was not the final score or the crown of the game night champion. It was the patience, the laughter, and the way we figured out how to be a team, even when everything outside felt upside down.
Board games gave us a chance to practice listening, encourage each other, and even get a little competitive without hurting feelings. They turned quiet nights into something alive and gave us something to look forward to.
And if there is one thing I want to share, it is this: Your team play does not have to be perfect. It just has to be real. It has to be messy, fun, and full of heart.
Wrapping Up My Playbook for Team Fun
- Communicate openly and keep the mood light.
- Lead sometimes, listen lots.
- Celebrate every little win, no matter how small.
- Choose games that bring you together, not just fight each other.
- Learn to lose with grace and laugh it off.
- Change your teams to keep things fresh and interesting.
- Play for the fun, not just the score.
Next time you roll the dice or lay down a card, think about the stories you are making together, not just the game you are playing. Team play during the pandemic taught me something simple but powerful: when life gets hard, playing together helps keep our hearts in the game.