Welcome to Board Game Bash!

Board Game Bash is a board game convention here in beautiful Austin, Texas.  Come out and play some awesome board games with some cool gamers.

Top News:  We’re going to Medieval Times after BoardGameGeek.CON!  Get signed up!

2014 Convention:  The convention will take place starting on Friday, August 1st run until Sunday, August 3rd.  We’ll be playing at the Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown, located at I-35 and 5th Street.  Keep an eye on this website (or follow our RSS feed) for additional updates to the convention.

Facebook:  Like the convention on Facebook!  Pictures from past conventions are there, as well as links and posts about gaming.  New items are also posted there, as well as a few extra things that are likely relevant to your interests.

Questions:  If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to check our FAQ or just contact info@boardgamebash.com.

Medieval Times at BoardGameGeek.CON!

Ever since I started going to BGG.CON up in Dallas, I’ve arranged a group of us to go to Medieval Times on Sunday after the convention’s over.  We’re doing it again this year, and I’m opening it up to anyone that wants to go!

On Sunday the 24th at 3 PM, we’ll meet up at BGG.CON, and caravan over to Medieval Times to check in as a group by 4.  The show starts at 5 PM, and is awesome.  We’ll have dinner, see a great bit of heraldry, and be on the road home by 7 PM.  It’s a really great time.

We’re getting a special group package for $52.  This includes admission to the show, dinner, a group photo, program, tax, and 10% gratuity.  It’s a ton of fun, and I’d love for as many folks to come as can make it.

I do have to pay in advance, so head over to the Medieval Times page here on Board Game Bash and get signed up!

2013 is done, on to 2014!

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the convention this year.  It was amazing seeing everyone out again, and the convention felt like it ran still smoother.  I only have once a year to test out changes, so it’s nice to see when things work out.  If you have any feedback you’d like me to hear, just send it to info@boardgamebash.com, and I’ll read it over.

Austin has an incredible community of gamers, and it’s really cool to provide an outlet for them to come together and play games.  You guys are pretty awesome, and seeing everyone get along and have fun is a big reward for me.  Thanks again for being so great!

The convention will be back next year from August 1-3, 2014.  In the mean time, have fun in your weekly game groups (I’ll be at South Austin Game Night every Tuesday from 6-11 PM and Sunday from 2-8 PM at Rockin’ Tomato).  I hope to see a most of you at BoardGameGeek.CON in November (and at Medieval Times on Sunday).

Stay wonderful, gamers!

Pre-Registration Closed

Just a quick note to say that pre-registration has officially closed.  Thanks to everyone that pre-registered!  Tickets are still available at the door for $55, so there’s still a place for you at the table!

Convention Parking

I hope you’re all getting as excited for the convention as I am!  It’s coming up in just a few days, and I wanted to make sure you all knew about the parking options available this year.

Naturally, the hotel does offer valet parking.  It’s a bit costly, but it is the most convenient option.

Caddy corner from the hotel at 5th and Sabine is the Convention Center parking lot.  This is probably your best option.  Their website states that they close at 2 AM.

On the other corner underneath I-35 between 6th and 7th streets is the “whale bone” parking lot.  This is a city operated lot, and should be an inexpensive option for you.

Across 6th St. from the hotel is a private lot on 6th and I-35 S.  There is another private lot on the other side at 5th and I-35 S.

There are also metered spots along 5th, 6th, and Sabine all around the hotel.  Many do have a time limit, so take note before you use them.  (Also note that these spots are free and do not have a time limit on Sunday, so they’re you’re best option for Sunday.)

It’s also worth noting that MetroRail does have a drop off location right by the hotel on 4th St. just outside the convention center between Neches and Trinity.

For those of you that remember that because of the less-than-stellar issues from last year, the convention is not using the hotel’s garage this year.  I did reach out and make contact with the Convention Center and a couple private lots in the area, but was unable to get an offer for dedicated parking for the convention.  I did try!

I’ll see everyone on Friday at checkin!

Math Trade Submission Deadline Extended!

We’re extended the deadline to make submission to the Math Trade through this Saturday (the 20th) at 10 PM!  That gives you extra time to get your games in order and listed.

The Math Trade can be found over on the BoardGameGeek forums:
http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/158203/austin-board-game-bash-2013-no-ship-math-trade

Math Trades are efficient and fair systems by which larger groups can make trades.  The more folks that participate, the more games are traded and the better the trades.  Get signed up, and list the games you’re looking to trade away!

Convention Hours

I know you’re excited for the convention, as am I.  Now you can set your countdown apps to tell you exactly when it’s starting:

Board Game Bash 2013 will be starting at 5 PM on Friday, August 2nd and running nonstop through 8 PM on Sunday, August 4th.

That’s 51 solid hours of gaming!  Get those gallon containers of coffee, Ultra Big Gulps of Mountain Dew, packs of 5 Hour Energy, or whatever else you need to stay up, because this is coming, and you need to be ready!

See you all there!

Staying at the Hotel

If you’re like me, you don’t want to drive home after a day of gaming.  For one thing, you’re tired, and for another, it means that you have to drive back, cutting into your valuable gaming time!  Well, fortunately for you, the hotel is offering attendees a 15% discount to stay in the hotel!

You can book one of two ways:

First, you can go online to the Hilton’s online booking system.  Following that link will enter all the information to get you the discount, so you can get that set up quickly.

Second, you can call into the hotel at 512-480-8181 to book a room.  Just reference “The Ambassador Rate” and use corporate ID number 2687879.

They’re offering the rate for Friday through Sunday nights, so you can be comfortable the entire weekend!

If you have any questions, our contact for the rooms is the delightful Shannon O’Neill, and she can be reached at soneill@hgiaustin.com.

Math Trade and Flea Market

We’ll be doing a No Ship Math Trade again this year at the convention!  For the unaware, a Math Trade is a system by which large groups can trade games.  The basic process is that potential traders will first list the games they have that they’re willing to trade.  After that, participants can go through the list and say what they’re willing to accept in exchange for the items they’re looking to trade.  A computer program will organize the trades and, for each participant, note what’s being given up and what they’re getting.  Then, at the event, everyone trades those items.  It’s called a “no ship” trade because it’s done in person.  It’s an awesome, efficient, and fair way for a lot of people to make trades, and I hope everyone participates!

Note that the deadline to post your games is on Saturday, July 13, so make sure you get your items posted before then.  You can find the discussion and current offers online at BoardGameGeek:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/158203/austin-board-game-bash-2013-no-ship-math-trade

If you’re not interested in trading, you have two other opportunities to sell or buy games.  First, the Virtual Flea Market.  This is also going to be online, but it’s a little easier.  Folks just post what they’re willing to unload, and how much they want for it, and others will post bids for it.  This will be set up closer to the convention.

Lastly, at the convention will be a physical flea market.  It’ll take place on Saturday in the early afternoon, after the Math Trade.  We’ll set up tables, folks will set out their wares on the tables, and let the dealing commence!

Super thanks to Naji for running this again this year.  It’s a fantastic event, and a good way to try some new games!

International Tabletop Day at Tribe

Hey, everyone!  Board Game Bash will be represented at Tribe Comics and Games on Saturday for International Tabletop Day.  The event will run from 10 AM to 8 PM, and I’ll be there all day running games and helping out.  There will be game space, demos, promos, and the entire store is discounted for the event!  Come try some new games, teach others ones you love, or just play something!