Our final episode of Joint Ops June comes from our good friend Amanda Lee and her Have A Seat With Amanda Lee Podcast!

Clay Gable joins Amanda to discuss his journey from jock to board game podcaster and content creator, sharing insights about his gaming preferences and podcast production experiences.

• Started gaming through family card games and party games while primarily focusing on sports in his youth
• Studied TV production in high school, developing editing skills that would later benefit his content creation
• Created Instagram account "Cardboard and Clay" to connect with other board game enthusiasts
• Initially reluctant to podcast but joined Operation Game Night despite significant anxiety about speaking
• Values knowing rules thoroughly but isn't strict about correcting minor mistakes during gameplay
• Takes a detail-oriented approach to hosting game nights to ensure maximum fun for everyone
• Currently enjoying River Valley Glassworks with his wife for its quick gameplay and strategic depth
• Recently purchased Critter Kitchen after discussing it with designer Cam on a previous podcast
• Has a strong preference for auction mechanisms in games
• Currently balancing podcast production with family responsibilities and upcoming relocation
• Operation Game Night plans to release "Join Ops June" episodes featuring their appearances on other podcasts
• The podcast will shift to more frequent but shorter episodes in July

Amanda has been a huge supporter and contributor to OGN since the beginning! Go support her and her content on Instagram @EmptyNestBoardMama!

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

This edition of Joint Ops June comes from the Games Y Mas Podcast with our good friend Vic!

Through a series of "This or That" questions, we explore the fundamental divides in gaming preferences that shape how we play.

• Dice vs. Cards - The tactile satisfaction of rolling dice versus the strategic planning of card play
• Area Control vs. Engine Building - Whether controlling territory or optimizing systems creates more satisfying gameplay
• Tile Placement vs. Static Boards - The joy of discovering and building the game map versus traditional fixed boards
• Cooperative vs. Competitive Games - The thrill of working together against the game versus facing off against your friends
• Euro vs. Ameritrash - The fundamental divide between resource management efficiency and thematic immersion
• Board game pet peeves, including analysis paralysis and slow play

Join us for lively debates and stay tuned for future collaborations with Games Y Mas, including potential live streams where we'll play games together. Give Vic some love on Instagram @gamesymaspod and make sure to subscribe to his podcast for discussions on video games, board games, theme park popcorn, and more!

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

This edition of Joint Ops June comes from the Games Y Mas Podcast with our good friend Vic (@gamesymaspod)! Dice, duchies, and heated debate! In this episode, we try to determine whether Castles of Burgundy deserves a coveted spot on your gaming shelf or if it's destined for the neighborhood yard sale.

The question seems straightforward enough, but this beloved Stefan Feld classic sparks passionate discussion as we break down what makes a board game truly essential. Our guests, all active duty Air and Space Force officers united by their love of tabletop gaming, bring hundreds of combined plays to the conversation, offering invaluable insight into this dice-driven tile placement game.

We systematically evaluate Castles of Burgundy across eight critical criteria: learning curve, component quality, visual design, replayability, setup time, price point, thematic immersion, and turn pacing. The contrast between the original Ravensburger edition and the luxurious $180 Awakened Realms version becomes a central point of contention—does premium production justify the steep investment, or does the accessible gameplay stand on its own merits?

Throughout our conversation, we discover why this seemingly simple euro game continues to captivate players after countless plays. From its surprising strategic depth to its satisfying tableau-building mechanics, Castles of Burgundy offers something special that transcends its modest appearance. Whether you're new to the hobby or a seasoned gamer, you'll walk away understanding why this game generates such loyalty despite its shortcomings.

Ready to roll some dice and build your medieval duchy? Before investing in a physical copy, follow our guests' advice and try it free on Board Game Arena—then decide for yourself if Castles of Burgundy belongs on your top shelf. Subscribe, leave a review, and let us know your verdict on this contested classic!

Make sure to give Vic and the Games Y Mas Podcast some love on Instagram @gamesymas

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support