One of the recurring questions I get is: how do you play the kind of games I play?

Yeap, people have heard of trading card games (TCGs) and boardgames, but still lack a clear idea on how they function.

The question I constantly ask them is: do you play Monopoly? What about Risk?

When you skim the surface, both mainstream games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Mastermind (hey don’t laugh, this 1970s staple is making a mini-resurgence of sorts) and the slightly more niche TCGs and Euro boardgames do have similarities.

There are a bunch of rules involved. Each game has its own unique objectives. Invariably, some measure of scoring is used to keep track of who’s winning.

TCGs for instance, can be explained as a boardgame-like experience that fits a deck box, instead of an entire large box. The cards simulate both the board and the pieces, as well as the Community Chest, to borrow a Monopoly example.

Going back to the classic boardgames mentioned above, I think we often overlook the amount of updates and innovation that’s gone into them.

Do you know that Monopoly now has several variants that are faster to play than the classic versions, and look infinitely more enticing than before?

Monopoly Deal, is your handy and super-fast version that is taking the country by storm, as people everywhere discover how fun and addictive it can be.

In this month’s print column, I’m taking a deeper look at some of these updated old favourites. What’s cool about them, and why are people playing them?

Well, read on and find out more. Maybe it’ll convince you that what you know about such boardgames, would no longer hold true.

Truly, these aren’t your father’s Monopoly sets. Enjoy!

Got your own opinion on this and more? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below!