Five entertaining ways how to learn game rules and do not get bored in the meantime

Learning game rules is the only part of games that feels like a chore. Most people don’t even bother with manuals and jump right into the game. Instead, they would rather stumble about and learn on the go than take a few minutes to browse the manual.

Essentially, games are made or broken by rules. But game rules aren’t arbitrary additions used to stifle interests. They are a crucial factor contributing to how the game is played, what players can expect and their willingness to play it frequently.

Game Rules: What are they?

Rules are prescribed guidelines that enlighten us on our behaviours and expectations. Take the best UK casino online, for instance. The only reason this platform attained such special status is that it adheres to the rules. It couldn’t operate in the United Kingdom if it doesn’t agree to and follow licensing restrictions, like running a transparent system, ensuring customer security, and stocking fair games.

This sentiment transcends to other aspects of society and personal life. Game rules direct us on how to proceed with games and are responsible for why we’re even interested in games. Imagine a game of football without rules. It won’t be much of a game that brings people together. Why even bother to be a player or fan if the actions of other players and fans go unchecked.

Why do they matter?

Games are only as good as their rules. In turn, rules are the fine line of fairness and transparency that ensures that every player gets a shot at winning and starts from the same levelled playing field.

Learning Game Rules

Here are five tips for learning the rules of any game:

Mnemonic Aid

Mnemonic aid comes from an ancient Greek technique used to improve memory and information retention. It’s a learning style that works for just about anything, whether it’s learning in a classroom or the rules of a game. Mnemonics aim to streamline the process of short-term memory transcending into long-term memory.

One of the most popular mnemonic devices to learn game rules is acronyms and acrostics, or name mnemonics. This system uses the first letter of every line or word to make up an acronym. We’ve used a lot of these mnemonics throughout our lives, like BOD MAS, which depicts the order of operations in mathematics (Bracket or parenthesis, Of or Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction), or ROY G. BIV—the colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Video Walkthrough

Suppose you have ever struggled with putting together an Ikea furniture using the manual provided or putting together a Lego set only to end up with several extra pieces. In that case, you understand the reprieve you got from watching a YouTube video.

The idea is the same for learning game rules. There are tons of videos for learning game rules on the internet, regardless of how ancient or new the game is. Rest assured, someone has played it and made video content on the rules and style of play. So, if you still can’t wrap your head around the manual provided in a game, a video might be all the aid you need.

Practice

While this technique is right on the nose, its efficiency can’t be understated. We get better at what we spend time on, so, sometimes, you have to keep practising a game and learn the rules on the go.

This method uses a more hands-on approach to learning game rules. Instead of just reading or talking about it, you will benefit more by seeing the rules in action. Practising also helps introduce you to nuances in the rules. For instance, in a game of Whot, specific actions can be blocked or directed to other players, like the Hold On-card or the Pick Two rule. You might not get this just by reading the rules.

Engage your senses

Sometimes, we forget that only a few senses are involved in the learning process. You can hear someone but still not be listening to them. Your senses detect their sounds, but your attention is elsewhere, as are your other senses, like sight and touch.

When attempting to learn game rules, involve as much of your senses as possible. For instance, you could set up a board game and take your time to go through each component. This learning process engages your vision and touch. You could also act out the rules, allowing you to focus better and attribute them to specific actions—muscle memory.

Teach Others

You may have rolled your eyes when a teacher said, “I’m not just teaching; I’m learning too.” But there’s truth to that, despite how clichéd it sounds. By teaching others, you are testing your understanding of the rules. That will help you find gaps in your knowledge or reinforce what you have learned.

Also, by teaching someone else, you bring them up to speed and make them better competitors, improving your mastery and understanding when playing against them.

Nakoa Davis
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