Board Game Gumbo Live!

Hey board gamers, Steve "Dr. O" "The Name Father" O'Rourke is back in the Gumbo Pot, and this time, he's brought friends!  BJ and Steve welcome in Pat W., Cri M, and Jenna A, student researchers from SUNY Westchester Community College and Mercy University for a deep dive into their collective research.

During the STEM Ready Summer Research Institute ("SRI"), Steve's krewe of researchers looked at dozens of reviews of the top 20 strategy, family and party games on Board Game Geek to explore a hypo: could one evaluate 'coded' words in the review to predict the game's weight? The results may surprise you!

Plus, there's some lagniappe. We get into their backgrounds as gamers, and Steve and BJ duel one more time in the Envie game.

So sit back with your favorite Iced House Blend from Zaro's Family Bakery or a cold Mt Dew from the Hudson View Café and a hot G Parm from The Sandwich Spot, and enjoy another episode of Gumbo Live! 

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme! 

First, Mitchell and BJ chat about the Summer of Mitchell (and Connor?). Then, they chat about their recent play of DUEL OF MELOCH (Scythe v Expeditions two player dueling game) from Stonemaier Games designed by Jamey Stegmaier. Does it live up to their expectations? 

Then, they the Dice Tower Award Winners and crown a DTA DRAFTING CHAMPION! (Hint: it's not BJ). There's lots of banter about which ones were surprises and which were absolutely chalk picks. 

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.

1. BJ –  Secret Stash
2. Mitchell – Unconscious Mind

Finally, Mitchell has a big announcement about Southern Board Game Fest 2027!

Go to www.southerngamefest.com for more information about the festival. 

Sit back with an ice cold KVAS rye grain drink and a plate of HEARTY AGRIAN BREAD and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/ 

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. **

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast, this time with THE NAMEFATHER!  Steve O'Rourke is back with tales of Chuck Con V with which to enthrall us. 

In this episode, we find out what has been keeping Dr Steve busy this past semester, and then we go  straight to the action -- CHUCK CON V! Friends, if you want to know how to start your own Cabin Con, Steve's got all the tips for you to have a successful weekend+. 

After giving us some of the high points outside of gaming, like trips to the Creamery and hikes on the coast of Portland, Steve recaps his personal experience playing dozens of games like: 

• Pip It
• Finspan
• Planet Unknown
• Maori
• Port Royal
• Tipperary
• Guild of Merchant Explorers (new to me)
• Captain Flip
• Castle Combo (new to me)
• Five Tribes (new to me) 
• Duck and Cover
• Merlin (new to me)

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week! Steve and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  With a twist! 

Sit back with an ice cold Fremont Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout from DeGarde Brewing, and a heaping serving of Tillamook Mudslide, and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. ** 

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme, the director of Southern Board Game Fest! 

In this episode, we geaux straight to the action -- Dice Tower East 2026! Three members of the Acadiana Board Gamers discord (Mitchell, BJ and Doug) traveled east to Orlando and the Walt Disney World resort to game for six days straight -- well, one of them gamed for six days straight at least.

Mitchell and BJ recap all six days at DTCe, with highlights of games played like:

• Entropy
• Tea Garden
• Wingspan Pocket
• Haunted Mouse
• Cities USA
• Dogfight 1917
• Unmatched Stars & Stripes
• Raas: A Dance of Love and more! 

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  With a twist! 

Sit back with a cold Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale or a Fuzzy Tauntaun, or maybe some of Cook's Corn Cakes and a Salty Seas mARRRgarita and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. ** 

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme, the director of Southern Board Game Fest! 

First, Mitchell regales us with tales of his summer trip with his friend Ethan to Columbus, Ohio for ORIGINS GAME FAIR 2026!  Mitchell played over 80 games while he was there, but he stopped by to tell us his top 21 games played. 

BJ and Mitchell also dish on a recent game that they both have played: 

• LUZ, a clever trick-taking game where you bid on how many tricks you can win each round, but can't see the value of your cards! ** Our thanks to Iello for sending us a review copy ** 

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  With a twist! 

Sit back with a cold Stone Fort Oat Brown Ale, and a plate of creamy peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. ** 

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme, the director of Southern Board Game Fest! 

First, Mitchell regales us with tales of his big game day with Doug and friends, including an epic play of Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship!

BJ and Mitchell also dish on two recent games that they both have played: 

• Golem, a game from the Italian krewe that is getting a lot of recent plays
• Covenant, a new game from Devir with an interesting theme and lots of combos

There's a little bit of lagniappe in this episode -- BJ and Mitchell compete to predict one game that they guarantee will be nominated for Spiel des Jahres and Kennerspiel! Those German game of the year awards generate a lot of discussion with the Acadiana board gamers. 

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  With a twist! 

Sit back with a cold Augustiner Helles, and a plate of some Jägerschnitzel, and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. ** 

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme, the director of Southern Board Game Fest! 

First, Mitchell bemoans that he hasn't played many games lately, while BJ dishes on two recent games he has enjoyed: 

• Frenzy Falls, by Joseph Z. Chen and Randy Flynn from The OP
• From The Moon, an interesting new euro game

Then, it's the smoked meat of the day, the big reveal of the Dice Tower Awards nominees. Mitchell challenged BJ to see who could pick the winners! Draft along with them and let's score it up in July.

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  With a twist! 

Sit back with a cup of crisp Florida's Best Orange Juice, and some chicken tenders from Caribe Royal Resort and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. ** 

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme, the director of Southern Board Game Fest! 

First, Mitchell and BJ chat about the Travelin' Family. Did Mitchell play Santorini in Santorini? Did Mitchell play Istanbul in Istanbul? Find out here!

Next, they dish on two recent games that they have played:

• Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship 
• Shackleton Base expansion: Below. Within. Above.  

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  

Sit back with a cup of crisp Assyrtiko white wine, and some tomatokeftedes and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. ** 

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme! 

First, Mitchell and BJ chat about the weekend that was, Southern Board Game Fest!

Then, they chat about their top three games played at the festival, including: 

• 12 Rivers
• Panda Royale
• Formaggio
• Tipperary
• Luzon Rails

and more! 

Next, Mitchell and BJ give their top three festival experiences:

• Speaking French
• Unmatched tourney
• Max player count party gaming
• Perfect co-op games for the festival
• Live Action Hot Streak!

and more! 

Plus, Mitchell shares some lagniappe! 

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.

1. BJ –  Shackleton Base expansion: Above. Below. Within.
2. Mitchell – Annunaki

Shout out to Restoration Games and the Beans & Dice Podcast for supporting the Unmatched tourney at SoBo! 

Go to www.southerngamefest.com for more information about the festival. 

Sit back with an ice cold Barq's Root Beer and a plate of pulled pork French fries from Cousin Joe's and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/ 

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

It’s another “lagniappe” episode of the Gumbo podcast with Mitchell Prudhomme, the director of Southern Board Game Fest! 

First, Mitchell and BJ chat about some exciting news about SoBo -- we have some new Special Event listed on the tickets part of the page, including the recently announced HOT STREAK live show and the UNMATCHED tourney!

Go to www.southerngamefest.com to get your reservations.

Then, Mitchell and BJ dive into some recent plays:  Steam Up from Hot Banana Games and Nippon: Zaibatsu from CrowD Games. 

Finally, we throw in our choices for ENVIE game this week!  Mitchell and BJ chat about the games that they really, really, really want to play next.  

Sit back with a cup of Frozen Kirin Ichiban and a crystal shrimp dumpling, and enjoy another episode of Lagniappe from Board Game Gumbo!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Get your Board Game Gumbo merch here: https://boardgamegumbo.wordpress.com/gumbo-merch/

Board Game Gumbo plays your games every TUESDAY on TWITCH!

twitch.tv/boardgamegumbo

@boardgamegumbo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram

www.boardgamegumbo.com ← our written reviews, news, and convention recaps

** Complimentary copies of some of the games discussed were provided by the publishers. **