Diplomacy
A good Diplomacy game gives you plenty to talk about afterwards. Perhaps your alliance held together. Perhaps that promised support never arrived. You make deals, write orders in secret, and find out what everyone really intended when the moves are revealed.
If you're new, start with the rules and try a teaching game or a sandbox. There are no dice in the battles: a well-supported move beats a weaker one. The interesting part is persuading someone to provide that support.
Where would you like to go?
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the game, with or without a whole weekend around the board.
Play and learn
Choose a play site, find a mobile app, look up an opening or watch experienced players talk through a game.
Explore →Across the tableTournaments and conventions
See what's coming up, where it takes place and which championship is being played.
Explore →The hobby in printZines and magazines
Read tournament reports, try an unusual variant or settle in with a proper letters column.
Explore →A few words you'll hear
Press means messages between players. Gunboat means no messages: your moves have to do the talking. Extended-deadline games give you time between turns, often a day or more. Virtual face-to-face games use voice chat and a live clock, while face-to-face games bring everyone into the same room.
Before joining, check the deadlines, message rules and how draws are scored. Pick a pace you can keep up with, and stick with your game even when things get difficult. The other players will appreciate it.