TL;DR
The ideal collection has 10-30 games that actually get played, not 100+ gathering dust. Buy for your actual gaming situations, not aspirational ones. Master the "one in, one out" rule. Target coverage across player counts, complexity levels, and play times. Track plays to identify what deserves shelf space.
I have a confession: I own games I've never played.
They sit on my shelf—beautiful boxes, unopened shrinkwrap, purchased with enthusiasm that evaporated before game night arrived. They're not alone. The average "serious" board gamer owns 87 games and plays 23 of them in any given year.
That's not collecting. That's hoarding.
Let's talk about building a collection that actually brings joy.
The Collector's Trap
The hobby has a term: "the cult of the new." Each week, exciting games release. YouTube reviewers praise them. BoardGameGeek forums buzz. The fear of missing out triggers the credit card.
The pattern:
- Exciting release announced
- Positive reviews generate hype
- Purchase made (sometimes pre-order)
- Game arrives, placed on shelf
- "We'll play it soon"
- Newer, shinier games arrive
- Original purchase forgotten
- Repeat
Sound familiar?
| Collection Size | Games Played Annually | Play Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-20 games | 15 | 75% |
| 21-50 games | 24 | 48% |
| 51-100 games | 29 | 29% |
| 100+ games | 34 | under 20% |
Source: BoardGameGeek User Survey, 2024
Larger collections don't mean more gaming. They mean more unplayed games.
"The question is not 'can I justify keeping this?' but 'does it spark joy?'. A game that never gets played brings only guilt, not joy."
Defining Your Gaming Context
Before buying anything, honestly assess your situation:
Who Do You Play With?
| Group | Typical Games | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partner only | Two-player games | Dedicated 2P games, not "works at 2" |
| Young children | Simple, short games | Components must survive |
| Older children | Strategy, moderate complexity | Educational value adds |
| Adult friends | Varies by group | Know their preferences |
| Mixed groups | Accessible, scalable | Gateway games essential |
How Often Do You Play?
| Frequency | Collection Ceiling | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 30-40 games | Regular play justifies variety |
| Fortnightly | 20-30 games | Less opportunity demands tighter curation |
| Monthly | 15-20 games | Every game must earn its space |
| Rarely | 10-15 games | Quality over quantity, absolutely |
What Time Do You Have?
| Available Time | Game Length Focus |
|---|---|
| 30-minute windows | Quick games only |
| 60-minute sessions | Standard strategy |
| 90+ minute sessions | Complex strategy |
| All-day gaming | Long games viable |
Be honest. If you realistically play monthly with 60-minute windows, owning multiple 3-hour games is fantasy.
The Coverage Framework
A well-built collection covers different situations:
By Player Count
| Count | Games Needed | Example Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | 1-2 | For when no one else is available |
| Two-player | 3-4 | Date nights, one-on-one |
| 3-4 player | 5-6 | Sweet spot for most gaming |
| 5-6 player | 2-3 | Larger gatherings |
| 7+ player | 1-2 | Parties, special occasions |
By Complexity
| Level | Description | Games Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Light | New players, tired evenings | 3-4 |
| Medium | Regular game nights | 4-5 |
| Heavy | Dedicated sessions | 2-3 |
By Mechanism
Avoid duplicates within mechanism categories:
| Mechanism | Examples | Have One Good One |
|---|---|---|
| Deck building | Dominion, Clank | Choose your favourite |
| Worker placement | Agricola, Lords of Waterdeep | Don't need both |
| Area control | Risk, Twilight Imperium | Pick one tier |
| Set collection | Ticket to Ride, Sushi Go | Different weight versions okay |
| Economic | Smoothie Wars, Brass | Lighter and heavier versions |
📚 Collection Tip
Before buying: "Does this fill a gap or duplicate what I have?" If it plays the same role as an existing game, you're buying a shelf decoration.
The Buying Decision Framework
For every potential purchase, ask:
Question 1: When Will I Play This?
Not "would I enjoy this?" but "when specifically will this hit the table?"
If no concrete answer, don't buy.
Question 2: Who Will Play With Me?
Name the people. If they wouldn't enjoy it, or you can't think of anyone, reconsider.
Question 3: What Existing Game Does This Replace?
If it doesn't fill a gap, it's competing with games you already own. Is it significantly better?
Question 4: Have I Researched Thoroughly?
Watched playthroughs, not just reviews. Read critical perspectives, not just positive ones. Played a demo if possible.
Question 5: Am I Buying the Experience or the Object?
Owning a beautiful box feels good. Playing a great game feels better. Which am I really pursuing?
"I've spent thousands on games I played once. The games I treasure—the ones worth owning—I've played dozens of times. Cost per hour is the real metric."
The "One In, One Out" Rule
The most effective collection management:
When you buy a game, remove a game.
This forces evaluation. "Is the incoming game better than everything I'm keeping?" If you can't identify a game to remove, you don't need the new one.
Removal options:
- Sell (Facebook marketplace, BoardGameGeek marketplace)
- Trade (local gaming groups, conventions)
- Donate (charity shops, schools, youth groups)
- Gift (introduce friends to gaming)
Every game deserves a home where it's played.
Tracking Plays
Data clarifies decisions. Track what you play:
| Game | Date | Players | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoothie Wars | 15/10 | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ticket to Ride | 22/10 | 3 | 7/10 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |
After a year, patterns emerge:
- Which games actually hit the table?
- Which games do players request?
- Which games disappoint when played?
Cull ruthlessly based on data, not memory.
Tools:
- BoardGameGeek play logging
- BG Stats app (recommended)
- Simple spreadsheet
📚 Collection Tip
If a game hasn't been played in 18 months and no one's asking for it, it's taking space from games that would be played.
The Wishlist Strategy
Don't buy immediately. Maintain a wishlist:
- Add interesting games when you discover them
- Wait minimum 30 days before purchasing
- Check: still interested after the hype fades?
- Check: fits collection framework?
- If still yes, consider buying
Most wishlist items fade in appeal. The ones that persist are worth owning.
Buying Used and Trading
Pre-owned games offer significant savings:
| Condition | Typical Discount | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Like new | 30-40% | BGG marketplace |
| Good | 40-50% | Facebook groups |
| Acceptable | 50-70% | Charity shops, eBay |
Trading eliminates cash entirely—game for game with other collectors.
Advantages:
- Lower cost
- Sustainable (games get played, not landfilled)
- Community connection
Disadvantages:
- No shrinkwrap thrill (for some)
- Possible missing components
- Wait time for shipping
The Aspiration Trap
Be wary of buying for fantasy gaming:
| Fantasy | Reality |
|---|---|
| "We'll host epic game days" | You work weekends |
| "The kids will love this complex game" | They're 6 |
| "Friends will come for game nights" | They prefer the pub |
| "I'll play solo regularly" | Solo time is rare |
Buy for actual life, not ideal life.
Collection Tiers
A mature collection has layers:
Tier 1: The Core (5-8 games)
These are your desert-island games. Played repeatedly, always enjoyed. Never sell these.
Tier 2: The Rotation (10-15 games)
Regular play, solid enjoyment. May eventually be replaced by better options in same category.
Tier 3: The Occasion (3-5 games)
Specific situations: large parties, specific player counts, annual traditions. Justify their space through irreplaceability.
Tier 4: The Probation (0-3 games)
Recent acquisitions being evaluated. If they don't graduate to higher tiers within 12 months, they leave.
Sample Collection: 25 Games
Here's a well-rounded collection:
| Slot | Game | Player Count | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2P-1 | Patchwork | 2 | Light |
| 2P-2 | 7 Wonders Duel | 2 | Medium |
| Quick-1 | Love Letter | 2-4 | Light |
| Quick-2 | Sushi Go | 2-5 | Light |
| Quick-3 | Kingdomino | 2-4 | Light |
| Family-1 | Smoothie Wars | 2-6 | Medium |
| Family-2 | Ticket to Ride | 2-5 | Light-Medium |
| Family-3 | Azul | 2-4 | Light-Medium |
| Family-4 | Carcassonne | 2-5 | Light |
| Strategy-1 | Wingspan | 1-5 | Medium |
| Strategy-2 | Brass: Birmingham | 2-4 | Heavy |
| Strategy-3 | Terraforming Mars | 1-5 | Medium-Heavy |
| Co-op-1 | Pandemic | 2-4 | Medium |
| Co-op-2 | The Crew | 2-5 | Medium |
| Co-op-3 | Spirit Island | 1-4 | Heavy |
| Party-1 | Codenames | 4-8 | Light |
| Party-2 | Wavelength | 2-12 | Light |
| Party-3 | Just One | 3-7 | Light |
| Large-1 | 7 Wonders | 3-7 | Medium |
| Large-2 | Secret Hitler | 5-10 | Light |
| Solo-1 | Marvel Champions | 1-4 | Medium |
| Trade-1 | Bohnanza | 3-7 | Light |
| Long-1 | Twilight Imperium | 3-6 | Heavy |
| Abstract-1 | Chess | 2 | Variable |
| Classic-1 | Playing cards | 2-52 | Variable |
This covers all player counts, complexities, mechanisms, and occasions—in 25 games.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many games is "enough"?
Fewer than you think. 15-25 well-chosen games covers almost every situation.
Should I buy everything in a series?
No. One game from each mechanism is enough. Expansions only if you've exhausted the base game.
What about Kickstarter exclusives?
FOMO is manufactured. Most games reach retail. Most exclusives don't significantly improve games.
Is it wrong to buy games I might not play?
Not wrong, but understand the trade-off. Space, money, and cognitive load accumulate.
A great collection isn't about quantity. It's about every box on your shelf representing a game you genuinely enjoy, play regularly, and would miss if gone.
Build deliberately. Cull ruthlessly. Play joyfully.
Ready to make your next purchase a great one? Our Christmas gift guide covers the best options for every player type.
