3 days of gaming ahead – ready for SaltCon!

Once February rolls around, I get a little anxious.

It’s not because I don’t know what to get my sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. But rather because I can hardly wait for SaltCon in just a few weeks!

SaltCon is a board game convention in Salt Lake City, Utah for anyone who enjoys playing games. And it keeps getting bigger every year.

For me it means 3 steady days of playing tons of games and reconnecting with tons of friends. So I can’t wait!

SaltCon actually runs for 4 days (March 1, 2, 3, 4), but I’m just going to be there for the first 3 days.

Not everyone in our family considers a full day of gaming a big win – let alone 3 days of it. But I’ve got a different mindset. And checking out of other responsibilities for a few days and getting lost in game after game with friends is a blast.

It’s not something I’m going to do very often. But this annual event that draws 1,500 like-minded people is a perfect time to do it.

This year is SaltCon’s 10th year anniversary!

I’ve been 8 times and it’s something I look forward to every year.

 

Game Library

One of the best things about board game conventions is being able to play games you don’t own but would love to try.

And the great news about SaltCon is they have a very large Game Library where attendees can checkout any game they’d like.

The SaltCON Game Library has over 1200 board games, card games, dice games, party games, deduction games, role playing games, dexterity games, miniatures games and more!

If you’d like to see the full list of games available in the Game Library, you can check it out on the SaltCon BoardGameGeek.com Game Collection.

 

Hot Games

In addition to finding newly released games in the huge game library, SaltCon also has an area dedicated to Hot Games.

These are the board games attendees are most interested in playing. A certain amount of game tables are dedicated to these games. The games are set up and being played constantly. And each game has a Volunteer who teaches the game to anyone ready to play.

It’s a good thing the volunteers have shifts and get to switch out because those games are played constantly the whole time.

 

Plenty of Game Time

Last year I was only able to go for 2 days (Friday and Saturday). On Friday night, I played until 2:00am and was back up and playing by 8:30am Saturday.

I was a bit tired when I headed home Saturday afternoon. But I also realized that 2 days didn’t feel long enough for me. There were still a number of friends I hadn’t been able to play a game with and there were a bunch of games on my “want to play” list that I didn’t get to try.

So this year I’m looking forward to getting back to having a 3rd day on my SaltCon plan.

Most people who come don’t stay until the wee hours. But you may also be surprised by how many people play throughout the nights.

 

Game Trades

The other part of SaltCon I get really excited about is the game trade and game swap.

It’s a fantastic chance to say goodbye to games we haven’t played in ages and welcome home other games we’d love to play.

That’s probably another reason why I get antsy for SaltCon in February. I’m currently looking over our games and deciding which games to offer up for trade. So far there are 20 board games I’m willing to put up for trade in the SaltCon Math Trade.

Last year I was able to trade 16 of my less-played games for 16 “new to me” games. It’s like Christmas in March!

 

See you there

I’m definitely looking forward to reconnecting with friends I only see once a year SaltCon. But I also look forward to making new friends each year as well.

If you’re going to be at SaltCon, I’d love to meet you!

I’ll be wearing my blue ‘The Board Game Family’ t-shirt. So if you see me, stop and say “hi”. And if the timing is right we may get in a game or two as well.

Have a great Pre-SaltCon February!