EVENT SCHEDULE

* The Spring Hoopla 2011 game schedule will be posted for Pre-registration will open on March 1st *

* Events are available for pre-registration on a first-come, first-served basis *

* Pre-registrants are allowed to register for up to 5 events, and may list 2 alternate events in case any of the first 5 choices are sold out *

* Click on an Event Name to see the description; if an Event Name is in Red text, that event is full *

* Events are sorted by start time (earliest first); then by duration (shortest first); then alphabetically *

JUMP TO EVENT DESCRIPTIONS

4 pm - 6 pm

4 pm - 8 pm

4 pm - 12 am (Midnight)

6 pm - 8 pm

6 pm - 10 pm

PROTOTYPE PLAYTEST (SEVEN SISTERS) -- Judge: Brent Cunningham – 3-12 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

8 am - 10 am

8 am - 12 pm

8 am - 4 pm

THE GAMEBOARD GAME DEMOS-- Judge: The Gameboard Staff -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free (See below for more details)

8 am - 12 am (Midnight)

10 am - 12 pm

10 am - 2 pm

CIVILIZATION: THE BOARDGAME -- Judge: Chris Hutchins -- 2-4 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

12 pm - 2 pm

STOP THE RUSSIAN BEAR: INTRO TO MA -- Judge: John Bobek -- 2-8 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

WOK STAR -- Judge: Jamey Philipp -- 2-4 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

12 pm - 4 pm

2 pm - 4 pm

2 pm - 6 pm

4 pm - 6 pm

4 pm - 8 pm

MERKATOR -- Judge: Jamey Philipp -- 2-4 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

MUNCHKIN QUEST -- Judge: Nancy Hutchins -- 3-6 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

THE ALAMO -- Judge: John Bobek -- 2-8 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

6 pm - 8 pm

STONE AGE -- Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-4 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

6 pm - 10 pm

_8:00 pm - Please observe a short break for the Luminaria Ceremony

8 pm - 12 am (Midnight)

8 am - 10 am

8 am - 12 pm

8 am - 4 pm

THE GAMEBOARD GAME DEMOS-- Judge: The Gameboard Staff -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free (See below for more details)

WHAM A THON -- Judge: Tom Wham -- 2-10 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

10 am - 12 pm

10 am - 2 pm

12 pm - 2 pm

12 pm - 4 pm

2 pm - 4 pm

GHOST STORIES -- Judge: Chris Dunbar -– 1-4 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

STOP THIEF -- Judge: Scott Halvorson -– 2-4 Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: Free

WITS & WAGERS GAME SHOW -- Judge: Bill Corey -- Any # of Players -- Will Teach -- Cost: $2 per Player

Jump to Friday Schedule

3 DRAGON ANTE -- SUNDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

What do adventurers do in their down time other than drink in taverns? They play card games like Three Dragon Ante. This card game combines wagering with decisions about whether to play high value cards or lower value cards with special powers. The one with the most gold at the end wins.

7 WONDERS – SATURDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Cindy Nowak – 2-7 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

7 Wonders is a card development game along the lines of Race for the Galaxy or Dominion. Some cards have immediate effects, while others provide bonuses or upgrades later in the game. Some cards provide discounts on future purchases. Some provide military strength to overpower your neighbors and others give nothing but victory points. Unlike Magic or Fairy Tale, however, each card is played immediately after being drafted, so you'll know which cards your neighbor is receiving and how his choices might affect what you've already built up. Cards are passed left-right-left over the three ages, so you need to keep an eye on the neighbors in both directions.  Because this game only lasts for 3 ages, there should be time to play twice.

ABSTRACT MINI’S – FRIDAY, 4 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Ken Lewandowski – 3-18 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Try a bunch of smaller, abstract games.  Some 2, some 4 players. Many of these are great fillers while waiting for the rest of the gang to show up. Available will be most of the Gpif series, Blokus, Trigon, Rumis, Ingenious and many other more obscure games that I have thrifted and seem cool. Most games can be taught quickly or you can read the rules on your own. A Prize game will be awarded to the player with the most top scores.  Please contact lewk1700@comcast.net to get a games list or suggest your favorite abstract minis.

ACES TANGLE – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Pete Aguilu – 4-10 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

"Aces fight it out over the Western Front... Learn to play FitS, an easy to learn, fast-playing game similar to Hostile Aircraft, but using card-based movement and damage decks. Players may join and leave any time during the demo, but a prize will be awarded for the player with the most kills at the end in a 'Last-man-standing' format." WWI air combat - 1/285 scale - Fires in the Sky game rules. same tables and player limits, except will allow novices.

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ACQUIRE – SUNDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-6 Players – Some Experience Necessary – Cost: Free

Each player strategically invests in businesses, trying to retain a majority of stock. As the businesses grow with tile placements, they also start merging, giving the majority stockholders of the acquired business sizable bonuses, which can then be used to reinvest into other chains. All of the investors in the acquired company can then cash in their stocks for current value or trade them 2-for-1 for shares of the newer, larger business. The game is a race to acquire the greatest wealth.

AGE OF EMPIRES III – FRIDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Todd Sweet – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Classic game based on the computer game of the same name.  Discover, trade, fight or colonize your way to victory.  There are many paths to victory, but only 1 can be the winner!  Rules will be taught, so beginners are welcomed.

AGRICOLA – SATURDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Dan DuBrow – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

In Agricola, you're a farmer in a wooden shack with your spouse and little else. On a turn, you get to take only two actions, one for you and one for the spouse, from all the possibilities you'll find on a farm: collecting clay, wood, or stone; building fences; and so on. You might think about having kids in order to get more work accomplished, but first you need to expand your house. And what are you going to feed all the little rugrats?

ALIEN FRONTIERS – SUNDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Jay Bartelt– 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Do you have what it takes to be a deep space colonist? An alien frontier awaits the brave and daring! This new planet will be harsh, but if you have the skills to manage your resources, build a fleet, research alien life, and settle colonies, the world can be yours.

ANTICS! – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Build the best ant colony and try to retrieve the various abundant prey and leaves. But watch out for the ant eater as he'll steal the same things you want, or worse... he'll eat your kids! Antics! is a fantastic and clever strategy game from the Fragor Bros.

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A PRESENT FOR VON RICHTOFEN – SATURDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Pete Aguilu – 4-10 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

It is April 21, 1918 over the skies of northern France. The great Red Baron is off flying what will turn out to be his last mission, sadly for him and his Squadron-mates. But, there is hope on the horizon as new and faster aircraft types are becoming available! The Baron went to the spring trials and had picked several favorites among the competing aircraft. The factories have rushed to bring samples to the front for combat testing, hoping the Baron and other elite pilots of Jasta 11 and Jasta 5 will push their designs into major production. The Fokker factory is again one of the leaders. Others are offering as well. That morning, delivery of one of the prototypes is underway! A somewhat risky route is chosen to fly the new craft to the airfield where Jasta 11 is based. But the Germans have no fear as the plane is piloted by the best test pilot at the factory, and escorted by a detachment of some of Jasta 11's better pilots. Then suddenly out of the afternoon sun comes a flight of the dreaded S.E. 5a-s. You choose: are you a boisterous Brit pilot, aiming to shoot down planes from the "Circus" or are you one of the tough German pilots, hand picked for this important mission? Special victory conditions for both sides!

-- Game system: 1/285 scale WWI air combat - Hostile Aircraft / Fire in the Skies (note: FitS is an adapted version of H.A. using card based movement instead of rulers as in the original version).

AT THE GATES OF LOYANG – SUNDAY, 8 am - 10 am – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 2-4 Players – Some Experience Necessary – Cost: Free

At the Gates of Loyang is a trading game in which you are able to produce goods by planting them and later selling them to customers. You can use the abilities of some helpers to increase your income or production.  Fields, customers, helpers, and miscellaneous objects are represented by cards. Each player receives two of these cards per round distributed by a bidding/drawing mechanism in which you\ end up with one of the cards you draw and one of the cards of a public offer filled by all players. Additionally, to these cards you always receive one field for free each round.  Placing one good on a field fills the complete field with goods of this type. Each round, one unit per field is harvested. After planting, harvesting, and distributing cards, each player can use as many actions as he wants, only limited by the number of his cards or the number of goods he owns. At the end of his turn, he can invest the earned money on a scoring track, where early money is worth more than late money. The game ends after a certain number of rounds, and the player who is first on the scoring track wins.

AXIS & ALLIES: GLOBAL 1940 – SATURDAY, 8 am - 4 pm – Judge: Deekin Targo – 2-6 Players – Some Experience Needed – Cost: Free

It is spring, 1940. Germany & Russia have signed a non-aggression pact. German troops have blitzed through the Low countries and are poised on the French border awaiting orders. Italy has made rapid advances in North Africa, but now has been stalled by a defiant Great Britain. On the other side of the world Japan's juggernaut has begun invading China & has set its' sights on all of southeast Asia & possibly MORE. Russia has began to rebuild its' military after Stalin's "Great Purge". While all the world prepares for a global conflict America sleeps, but soon the "giant" will awake.

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BATTLESTAR GALACTICA – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 12 am – Judge: Chris Hutchins – 4-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

An exciting game of mistrust, intrigue, and the struggle for survival which places each player in the role of one of several of their favorite characters from the TV series. Each playable character has their own abilities and weaknesses, and all must work together in order for humanity to have any hope of survival. However, one or more players in every game is secretly a Cylon, and wants the humans to perish. Play will include the basic game board, the Battlestar Pegasus game board, and will introduce the new expansion Exodus.

BLUE MAX, THE SEQUEL IN 3D! – SATURDAY, 6 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Ken Lewandowski – 2-12 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Fly the not so friendly skies over the Western Front during WW 1. This 3-D experience will use modified Blue Max/Canvas Eagles rules (available on line) with Wings of War planes on telescoping stands. This time, each side will have a "Mission" to complete as well as just trying to survive and cause damage. No experience necessary. Rules will be taught.

BLUE MOON CITY – SUNDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-4 Players – Some Experience Necessary – Cost: Free

Blue Moon City - the board game - picks up where the two-player game, (Blue Moon), ended: the reconstruction of the destroyed city of Blue Moon. At the start of the game, the board tiles all show their building plan sides. The object of the game is to use cards featuring the races of Blue Moon to help rebuild the city and, at the end, put the large Crystal of the Obelisk in the middle of the city back together. Whenever a building is completely rebuilt, its tile is turned back over to its rebuilt side. The players who helped with a building get crystals and dragon favors, which can be traded in for crystals at certain times. The player who first manages to add the required number of markers by paying crystals to the Obelisk wins the game.

BRIDGETOWN RACES – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 1-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

It's time for the annual Bridgetown Races. Your goal is to race through the city and collect flags from each of the bridges as quickly as possible, but the race is timed and if nobody achieves that lofty goal then the player with the most different color flags collected wins (and you can only have one flag from each bridge). The race also differs from most racing game in that it features multiple means of transportation from walking to riding the rail. A prize of a GenCon 2010 DotR promo figure will be awarded to the winner.

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CAR WARS – SUNDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Clark Barthel – 2-10 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

It's a quiet day in the town of Cherry Valley. The construction crews have begun their work when mayhem breaks out. Beware the national guard snipers... Pick your car and join in on the chaos!

CAYLUS MAGNA CARTA – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Chris Dunbar – 1-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

For lovers of Caylus and others, a simpler way to play this great game. The basic theme remains unchanged, but the driving force is the play of cards. The game also plays faster for those who like shorter games.

CHARON, INC. – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Mine the largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto! The game consists of 4 rounds during which you'll be trying to 'mine' gems in order to build. However, there are several special abilities and as to stake your claim you are also removing yourself from the running for these abilities. A prize of a GenCon 2010 DotR promo figure will be awarded to the winner.

CIVILIZATION, THE BOARD GAME – SATURDAY, 10 am - 2 pm – Judge: Chris Hutchins – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Based on the Sid Meier’s hit computer game, where you take on the role of a famous leader in charge of a historical civilization, each with their own abilities. You are then tasked with guiding an entire civilization throughout the ages, taking ownership of your people’s technology, economy, culture, and military, as well as all the choices that go along with them. There are four different paths to victory, and each is riddled with opposition.

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DELUXE KINGMAKER – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Steve Elliott – 1-9 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

This is the War of the Roses in miniatures.  Determine the next King or Queen of England.  Rules will be taught.

DORK FRAG 3D – SUNDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Nancy Hutchins – 3-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Lighthearted introduction into Frag Gold. Using the amusing characters from John Kovalic's comic Dork Tower, play a "first-person shooter" game on a tabletop. Move your character around a 3D game board and frag your foes; draw cards for weapons, armor, and gadgets; jump on tables; move through the blood spatters to restore your own health! If you die, you respawn and come back shooting! Steve Jackson Games sponsored.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (4th EDITION) – SUNDAY, 10 am - 2 pm – Judge: Chuck Vogt – 2-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Come check out the latest version of D&D in the world of Dark Sun. Each player will take on the role of a level one pre-generated character. Minis, character sheets, and dice will be provided.

DWARVEN DIG – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Mike Reilly – 1-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

A board game by Bucephalus Games, players control a team of dwarves digging to the treasure hoard at the center of the board. Players will have to compete with the other teams digging for gold and the hazards of the game board.

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EARTHQUAKE – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Corey Cunningham – 4-8 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

With a weak Magic tie in this card game was part of the first wave of Wizards non-collectible card game releases. There are 5 suits (corresponding to the 5 colors in Magic) of cards and a host of special cards.

1. During your turn you first pick up all cards you had played in the previous round.

2. You then play a same suit set of cards (1 to 7) or a special card.

3. You then play a second set or a special card.

4. You then draw back up to 7 cards.

When you play a set to the table you score how many cards you are playing times the number of the same suit, including the cards you just put down, that are on the table.  The special cards allow you to wipe the table clean of cards, score 5 points, make as many plays as you want or allows you to draw 4 additional cards. First to score 200 points wins. We probably will have time for at least two games!

FIRE AND AXE: A VIKING SAGA – SUNDAY, 8 am - 10 am – Judge: Ken Lewandowski – 3-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Get your Mayhem out of the way early!  Trade or Pillage Europe as a Viking band.  Rules will be taught.

FORMULA DE – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Clark Barthel – 2-12 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Beginners and experienced players alike are welcome! Depending on the number of players, may split into two groups. Regardless, the plan is to run two races – the first race using basic rules (plus the nitro boost); the second race will incorporate tires, weather, and more advanced rules. Players will get to pick from several tracks, some original, some not. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!

FRAG GOLD 3D – SUNDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Nancy Hutchins – 3-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

If you liked Dork Frag then the next step is Frag Gold. A computer game without the computer. It's a "first-person shooter" on a tabletop.. Move your fighter around a 3D game board and frag your foes; draw cards for weapons, armor, and gadgets; move through the blood spatters to restore your own health! If you die, you respawn and come back shooting! Steve Jackson Games sponsored.

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GALACTIC EMPORER – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 12 am – Judge: Todd Sweet – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Some call this game Twilight Imperium light and others call it Puerto Rico in space.  Either way you will have fun in this game that has a little bit of everything.  Role selection, economic engine and some warfare!!!

GALAXY TRUCKER – SUNDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 1-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

This Vlaada Chvatil classic has you building spaceships to transport cargo throughout the galaxy, but can you build responsibly? Hint: It's not a good idea to have laser cannons pointed inwards towards your own ship. Frantically place pieces on your board to build your ship in a frenzied race and then watch your ship fly as you encouter pirates, asteroids, and (best of all) cargo.

GHOST STORIES – SUNDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Chris Dunbar – 1-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Ghost Stories is a cooperative game in which the players try to defeat the spirit of Wu-Feng, the lord of hell, and his legions of ghosts before they haunt a town and recover the ashes that will allow him to return to life. Each Player represents a taoist monk ghost hunter who is working together with the others to fight off waves of spirits and other beings mostly inspired by eastern mythology.

GLORY TO ROME – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Chris Dunbar – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

In 64 A.D., a great fire originating from the slums of Rome quickly spreads to destroy much of the city, including the imperial palace. Upon hearing news of the fire, Emperor Nero Caesar races back to Rome from his private estate in Antium and sets up shelters for the displaced population. Reporting directly to Nero, you are responsible for rebuilding the structures lost in the fire and restoring Glory to Rome.

Glory to Rome is a card-based city building and resource management game with a novel mechanic. Each card may act as a building, a patron, a raw material, or a valuable resource, frequently forcing players into difficult decisions regarding how each card should be used. In addition, much of the game is played from the discard pool, giving players some control over what cards are accessible to opponents. Scoring is a combination of completing buildings and storing resources, with end-of-game bonuses for storing a diverse assortment. Game length is player-controlled, and is triggered in a few different ways.

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HANSA TEUTONICA – SATURDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Ken Lewandowski – 2-9 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Send your workers out to establish trade routes, make connections and control cities. Start with 2 actions and build up abilities to do more and more and more options during the game. Make your choices of the many ways to victory and wait for the results. Two 5 player games will be available along with the expansion map. 9 players. Rules will be taught.

JAMES ERNEST GALORE – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Clark Barthel – 2-8 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Will play whatever is the pick from a bunch of James Ernest games. Remember those games that came in the white envelopes without dice and markers? Can pick from "Kill Dr. Lucky" (both versions), "Devil Bunny Needs a Ham", "Devil Bunny Hates the Earth", "Spree", "Starbase Jeff", "Deadwood", "Crazy Pipe Game", "Ben Hurt", "Bitin' off Headz", the two "Captain Herman" games and "Witch Trial."

LAST NIGHT ON EARTH – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Chuck Vogt – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Last Night on Earth is the closest to a classic zombie movie experience available in board games. 4 players take on the roles of survivors trying to complete a mission and survive the night. 1 player takes on the role of the Zombies and tries to stop the heroes by any means necessary

LOST CITIES THE BOARD GAME – SATURDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Players play cards to move their playing pieces along stone paths. There are cards with 5 different colors/symbols, each corresponding to one path; in addition, each card shows a number (0-10, twice each). Like Lost Cities, it's better to concentrate on a few paths, since the last spaces grants high points, but ending early gives negative ones.  The player in turn plays one card (out of a hand of 8), or discards one. He moves the corresponding playing piece on the path. Many of the spaces have a token that grants some bonus - either direct points (counted on the scoring track), an extra move on a path, or wish stones that are needed at game end to avoid negative points.  The game ends when a total of 5 playing pieces have reached the 7th space (or more) on their paths.  After playing 3 rounds, the player with the highest score is declared the winner.

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MECHATON – SATURDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Mike Reilly – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Mechaton (designed by Vincent Baker) is a hex-based strategy game where the players control a small squad of lego robots. Victory is based on objective control and destruction of your opponents robots. No knowledge of game is required to play and robots will be provided.

MERKATOR – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Jamey Philipp – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Merkator is about the rise of Hamburg after the Thirty Years' War.  You visit cities to collect goods or fulfill orders. The collected goods are added to the cities when a player visits a neighboring city. Fulfilling an order provides you with another better, but more complex order additional to the fulfilled order which you keep and can fulfill again, although the number of orders you can own is limited. Each order itself is worth a certain amount of points at the end of the game. Also you can exchange these points for special cards which provide additional goods in certain cities or more victory points if you fulfill certain conditions at game end.

Depending on the city you want to enter you either receive a resource called "time" or you have to spend it. By paying a certain time-fee you are allowed to accompany another player on his trip to a town to fulfill your orders in this town (but not to collect goods). The game ends when a player receives the order with the highest value by fulfilling the order one level below.

MEUTERER – FRIDAY, 10 pm - 12 am – Judge: Chris Dunbar – 3-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

With the highland pacified in Verräter, we now move to the ocean. Through bluff and strategy, players try to turn against the ship's captain, seizing the profits intended to be turned at the next port. Game includes a Pirate variant.

MIDDLE-EARTH COLLECITBLE CARD GAME (MECCG) – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Corey Cunningham – 3-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Come learn what is (IMHO) the best of the collectible card games - ICE's now-out-of-print CCG (they lost their license to produce Middle-Earth products in 1999).  Players take the role of the Istari, or Wizards - most familiarly Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast, but also Pallando and Alatar - in the struggle against Sauron in Middle-Earth.  Each player competes to bring the greatest strength to bear against the Shadow, including Factions such as the Riders of Rohan or the Great Eagles; allies like Gwaihir or Shadowfax; items such as the lost Palantiri, Glamdring, or Narsil; and the completion of various quests - from the relatively straightforward rescue of prisoners, to the involved Reforging of the Sword that was Broken, restoration of the White Tree to Minas Tirith, or the quest of quests - the destruction of the One Ring!  We will use ICE's pre-constructed Challenge decks.

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MONSTERPOCALYPSE – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Mike Reilly – 2-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

A miniatures grid-based combat game by Privateer Press, Monsterpocalypse pits an army of a giant monster and its minions against another in various cities around the world. Armies will be provided for players to use.

MONSTERPOCALYPSE DUAL MONSTER FIGHT – SUNDAY, 8 am - 10 am – Judge: Mike Reilly – 2-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

A miniatures grid-based combat game by Privateer Press, Monsterpocalypse pits an army of a giant monster and its minions against another in various cities around the world. Armies will be provided for players to use. In this event each player will be playing with two monster in their armies and the combined monster attack rules will be in effect.

MUNCHKIN – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm and SATURDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Nancy Hutchins – 3-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Players will decide which version to play.  Go down in the dungeon.  Kill everything you meet.  Backstab your friends and steal their stuff.  Grab the treasure and run.  Admit it - you love it.  Munchkin is a card game about dungeon adventure . . . with none of that role-playing stuff.  You and your friends compete to kill monsters and grab magic items.  And what magic items!  Don the Horny Helmet and the Boots of Butt-Kicking. Wield the Staff of Napalm . . . or maybe the Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment.  Start by slaughtering the Potted Plant and the Drooling Slime, and work your way up to the Plutonium Dragon. Steve Jackson Games sponsored.

MUNCHKIN QUEST – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Nancy Hutchins – 3-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Kill the monster, grab the treasure, stab your buddy. Kind of like Munchkin but bringing the action to the game board! Cooperate with the whole group, adventure with a partner, or strike out on your own. You don't know what's behind a door until you open it . . . then another room is added to the dungeon. Battle monsters for power and treasure, or send them after your friends. Reach Level 10, and then get out alive if you can! Steve Jackson Games sponsored.

MYSTERY OF THE ABBEY – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 4-12 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Back for its 3rd consecutive Hoopla, Mystery of the Abbey is a whodunit game with a twist. A monk has been murdered in a medieval French Abbey. Players maneuver their way through the Abbey examining clues and questioning each other to find out who is the culprit. A masterful game of deduction! Two separate games will be run if necessary.

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NORTH SEA RESCUE – SUNDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Pete Aguilu – 4-10 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

"A British Felixstowe flying boat is force landed near the English Channel. The three other 'boats in the flight are circling nearby as they have indicated that repairs are underway. As fate would have it, the Brits have been discovered by two of the nasty Brandenburg 2-seaters that were the usual U-boat protection nearer to the Dutch coast. As the Germans have radios, the Brits suspect that reinforcements are on the way, and they are right. It is a time-crunch scenario. Can the squadron save their downed companion, or will they be overwhelmed by the Kaisers best seaplanes?" Scenario based on an actual historical engagement! WWI air combat - 1/285 scale - Fires in the Sky game rules. same tables and player limits.

NOTRE DAME – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Joel Klein – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Players play as well-off Parisians in the 15th century who wish to improve the importance and appearance of the city quarter around the famous Notre Dame cathedral. The primary game concept is original but simple card play players use to permanently improve their influence in the quarter. However, turn after turn, round after round, players must make choices that can have major implications. If one does one thing, then the other can't be done. Concentrating on one aspect means automatically ignoring another, which, above all others, is particularly dangerous in the case of the gradually approaching plague.... After 9 exciting rounds and about 75 action-filled minutes, Notre Dame is over. The 'maitre' who has made the most of his cards and has garnered the most prestige points is the winner.

PAMPAS RAILROADS – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Cindy Nowak – 3-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Note:  This is the the 2011 reprint which uses cubes vs. crayons.  Players vie for control of six railroads in Argentina. A deck of cards (3 Offer Stock, 4 Develop Settlements, 5 Construct Track) is used each round to determine player actions. The deck is passed to the left and an action taken until there is just one action card type left in the deck. Dividends are then paid (based on railroad value and total number of shares), and a new round is started. The game lasts for nine rounds, at which time a final payoff is made based on value, income, and actual shares sold. There are only 5 shares of each railroad available, with the money from the stock purchase going into the railroad treasury. Also, all track construction must be paid for out of railroad treasuries, and the track is built along pre-defined routes using wodden cubes. Settlements are developed using player funds, which in turn increases the income available to a railroad. The player with the most money after the final payoff wins.  THIS GAME RUNS 2-3 HOURS.  If we finish in time, we will be able to play SNCF, another Winsome rail game.

POWER GRID – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-6 Players – Experience Needed – Cost: Free

The object of Power Grid is to supply the most cities with power when someone's network gains a predetermined size. Players mark pre-existing routes between cities for connection, and then bid against each other to purchase the power plants that they use to power their cities.  The map to be used will be determined at the time of the game.

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POWER STRUGGLE – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Ken Lewandowski – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Do you have what it takes to survive corporate backstabbing and take over the company? Any game where bribing your opponents (AND accepting  bribes) gains you VP's must be accurate (I mean fun)!

PROTOTYPE PLAYEST (CHRISTMAS CHAOS / HIGH ROLLERS) – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Brent Cunningham – 3-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Do you enjoy playtesting games?  Here's your chance to playtest two games by Bill Corey: Christmas Chaos and High Rollers.  In Christmas Chaos, players play the role of elves in Santa's workshop, attempting to do several things:  influence Santa by telling him other elves are misbehaving, recruiting more elves to help, checking the mailbox to retrieve letters from children, going to the conveyor belt to gather parts to make toys, and working at the workbench to put toys together for the children (and gaining victory points in the process).  Each toy or set of toys completed grants that player victory points depending on the difficulty of assembling it.

PROTOTYPE PLAYEST (SEVEN SISTERS) – FRI., 10 pm – 12 am and SAT., 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Brent Cunningham – 3-12 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Do you enjoy playtesting games?  Here's your chance to playtest Seven Sisters, by Brad Champeny.  Seven Sisters is a worker placement game played over 4 rounds, during which players send their "servants" to do the sisters' bidding, hoping to gain each sister's reward, and more importantly, her favor (victory points.)  Each sister is named after one of the seven deadly sins:  Wrath, Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Sloth, and Envy.  The rewards that each sister offers are related to the sin associated with them...for example, players receive gold for influencing Greed.  The object of the game is to score the most points by receiving the most favors from the sisters...bonus points are given for completing a full set of seven favors, as well as for having the most resources of 3 different types left over at the end of the game...gold, fruit, and servants.

PUERTO RICO – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Joel Klein – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

The players are plantation owners in Puerto Rico in the days when ships had sails. Growing up to five different kind of crops: Corn, Indigo, Coffee, Sugar and Tobacco, they must try to run their business more efficiently than their close competitors; growing crops and storing them efficiently, developing San Juan with useful buildings, deploying their colonists to best effect, selling crops at the right time, and most importantly, shipping their goods back to Europe for maximum benefit. The game system lets players choose the order of the phases in each turn by allowing each player to choose a role from those remaining when it is their turn. No role can be selected twice in the same round. The player who selects the best roles to advance their position during the game will win.

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RACE FOR THE GALAXY – SATURDAY, 8 am - 10 am – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 2-5 Players – Experience Needed – Cost: Free

In Race for the Galaxy, players build galactic civilizations by game cards that represent worlds or technical and social developments.  Each turn each player chooses one action, but the others will share in the actions chosen, each player secretly and simultaneously chooses one of seven different action cards and then reveals it. Only the selected phases occur. For these phases, every player performs the phase’s action, while the selecting player(s) also get a bonus for that phase.

RATTUS – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Jamey Philipp – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

I think of Rattus as reverse Pandemic. You are trying to put cubes of your color on the map while getting other players cubes removed from the map. This game as role selection and area control elements. It is a lighter game with a fair amount of strategy. It is quick to learn and quick play and a good amount of fun.

ROBORALLY – SATURDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Clark Barthel – 2-8 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

The tradition continues! Play one of the few events that's been at every hoopla. Program your robot, laser up to inflict damage, and move toward the flag! Based on player comments from the last hoopla, "goo" will be in play, both by the players and the board. Do you have what it takes for your name to be included on "Myron" the Roborally trophy?

SANTIAGO – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm - Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

This game is about cultivating and watering fields. To accomplish this, a number of tiles denoting various plantation types come into the game each round. The tiles are auctioned off such that each player gets one, and the tiles are then placed onto the game board along with an ownership marker that also indicates how plentiful the tile’s yield will be. Whoever bid the lowest in each round gets to be the canal overseer and decides where a canal will be built that round. The other players may make suggestions to help the canal overseer decide, and back up their suggestions with money. The final decision is always wholly up to the overseer, though.

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SAVANNA TAILS / 7 WONDERS – SATURDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Tom Rogers – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Ostrich racing.  Play cards to move your Ostrich along the race course.  You will need to avoid obstacles and may stop at watering holes to gain special abilities.  First one across the finish line wins.

SHOGUN – SUNDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Todd Sweet – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

This is the modern game based on Wallenstein, not the old Gamemasters series game.  You will have to feed your people while getting gold and building an army to conquer your way to victory!  Rules will be taught, so beginners are welcomed.

SILENT DEATH: THE NEXT MILLENIUM DELUXE EDITION – SUNDAY, 10 am - 2 pm – Judge: Corey Cunningham – 3-12 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

In space, nobody can hear you scream... Silent Death: The Next Millennium is an exciting, quick-playing, and easy-to-learn table-top game of star fighter combat set against the backdrop of a disintegrating high-tech empire in the far future.  The universe of Silent Death: TNM is our own future 9,000 years from now. Space travel is common for those species that hold the technology, and humans have come to live on hundreds of worlds all across the Orion arm of our galaxy.  Fly a single or small group of star fighters, and use your lasers and torpedoes to blast your enemy from the skies!  The scenario will be set up so players can come and go as they please; even if your ship(s) are eliminated you can jump right back in with reinforcements if you want!  (This session will actually end at 1 pm unless it is chock full of space cadets the entire time).

SKYRUNNER – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Clark Barthel – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

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SPACE ALERT – FRIDAY, 8 pm - 12 am – Judge: Bill Corey – 3-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

ST. PETERSBURG – FRIDAY, 4 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-10 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

STARFARERS OF CATAN – SATURDAY, 6 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Clark Barthel – 2-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

STONE AGE – SATURDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

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STOP THE RUSSIAN BEAR: AN INTRO TO MICRO ARMOR – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: John Bobek – 2-8 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

STOP THIEF – SUNDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

STRUGGLE FOR ROME – SATURDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Todd Sweet – 1-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

SUMMONER WARS – FRIDAY, 6 pm - 8 pm and SATURDAY, 8 am - 10 pm – Judge: Chuck Vogt – 2-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Summoner Wars is a 2-4 player card game where each player takes on the role of a Summoner controlling magic and armies in battle against other Summoners. The last Summoner standing wins. New players welcome. Decks and play mats provided.

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SUN, SEA AND SAND – SUNDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 1-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

TALISMAN, 4th EDITION – SATURDAY, 8 pm - 12 am and SUNDAY, 10 am - 2 pm – Judge: Lee Maile – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

TEAM TRIVIA TOURNAMENT – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Bill Corey – Any # of Players – Will Teach – Cost: $2 per player

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM TOURNAMENT – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: Ben Seeley – 4-8 Players – Some Experience Needed – Cost: $20 per player

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THE ALAMO – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 8 pm – Judge: John Bobek – 2-8 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

1/32nd scale refighting the Battle of the Alamo.  It's not what you would call a "fair" fight, but it will be a fun game!  The rules will be Ambuscade (pps. 71-72) from John Bobek's "The Games of War."

THE DOWNFALL OF POMPEII – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Corey Cunningham – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

One of only a few games run at every Hoopla!  The year is 79 A.D. Pompeii, sitting at the foot of Vesuvius, is at the high point in its development. People come to the city from far and wide to try and make their luck in the city. So far nobody has dreamed of the danger that will bury all of their dreams under mountains of ash not ten years later. Who will survive the eruption of Vesuvius unscathed?  The simple rules make it easy to get started with this game by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, one in which a lot of tactical know-how is required. But a little luck is needed too, in order to bring your pieces out of the city at the right time and have this unconventional board game decided in your favour.

THE GAMEBOARD GAME DEMOS – SATURDAY, Starting at 9 am and SUNDAY, Starting at 9 am - Judges: The GameBoard Staff – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Come on over and learn any of several games from the friendly staff! These demos are on a special schedule, and you can either pre-register or sign up for them at the Hoopla! Here is a list of the games being taught; please see boardgamegeek.com for more details on an individual game:

Saturday Demos

Intrigo, 9 am - 10 am, 2-4 players

Fresco, 9 am - 11 am, 2-4 players

Castle Panic, 10 am - 11 am, 1-6 players

GIANT Word on the Street, 11 am - 12 pm, 2-8 players (Will be played outside if weather permits)

Thunderstone, 11 am - 12 pm, 1-5 players

The Magic Labyrinth, 1 pm - 2 pm, 2-4 players

Betrayal at House on the Hill, 1 pm - 3 pm, 3-6 players

Ligretto Dice, 2 pm - 4 pm, 2-4 players

The Magic Labyrinth, 1 pm - 2 pm, 2-4 players

Dice Town, 3 pm - 4 pm, 2-5 players

Sunday Demos

Mr. Jack Pocket, 9 am – 10 am, 1-2 players

Pack ‘n Stack, 9 am – 11 am, 3-6 players

Faux-cabulary, 10 am – 12 pm, 3-7 players

Witch of Salem, 11 am – 12 pm, 2-4 players

Pirate vs. Pirate, 1 pm - 2 pm, 2-3 players

Pirate Fluxx, 2 pm - 3 pm, 2-6 players

Queen’s Ransom, 2 pm - 3 pm, 2-5 players

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THROUGH THE AGES – SATURDAY, 6 pm - 10 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 1-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

Through the Ages is a civilization building game. The goal is to develop your civilization, not to destroy other ones. Military strength is just one aspect of your nation, as well as population, production or science. It is up to you which aspect you will concentrate on, more or less, but you should not underestimate any of them while building your civilization. Victory is achieved by the player whose nation produces the most culture during the game. However, there are many ways to produce culture: through religion, literature or drama, by building wonders, by utilizing cultural persons etc. Considerable amount of culture can be gained even via wars or aggression.

TOMB: CRYPTMASTER – SUNDAY, 8 am - 12 pm – Judge: Deekin Targo – 2-6 Players – Some Experience Needed – Cost: Free

We're going dungeon delving, boys & girls............. As it says on the game box, "Recruit a party, kill the monsters, take their stuff.

TUMBLIN' DICE (TOURNAMENT) – SATURDAY, 10 am - 12 pm – Judge: Alan Reeve – 1-8 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

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VEGAS SHOWDOWN – FRIDAY, 4 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Tom Rogers – 2-5 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

WEREWOLF – SATURDAY, 8 pm - 12 am – Judge: Bill Corey – Any # of Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

WINGS OF WAR MINIATURES: ST. QUENTIN, 1918 – SUNDAY, 12 pm – 4 pm – Judge: Brent Cunningham – 4-12 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

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WITS & WAGERS GAMESHOW – SUNDAY, 2 pm - 4 pm – Judge: Bill Corey – Any # of Players – Will Teach – Cost: $2 per Player

WHAM A THON – FRIDAY, 4 pm – 12 am (Midnight); SATURDAY, 8 am – 12 am (Midnight); and SUNDAY, 8 am – 4 pm

Judge: Tom Wham – 3-10 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

WIZ-WAR – SATURDAY, 4 pm - 6 pm – Judge: Scott Halvorson – 3-6 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

In this light, beer & pretzels type of game, players are transformed into wizards attempting to collect treasures from a twisted little maze. At the heart of the game is a deck of cards that the players use to cast spells, power-up spells, and augment movement. Each turn, players can move up to three spaces (or more with the use of number cards). However, the goal is to penetrate the other players' sections of the maze, pick up one of their treasures, and bring it back to your home base. The first player to capture two such treasures or kill all the other wizards is the winner.

WOK STAR – SATURDAY, 12 pm - 2 pm – Judge: Jamey Philipp – 2-4 Players – Will Teach – Cost: Free

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