3 days of gaming ahead – ready for SaltCon!


SaltCon 2017
SaltCon is a great time to play tons of games with buddies.

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.

SaltCon 2018

 

Game Library

SaltCon 2016 Game Library
The SaltCon Game Library gets bigger every year. This is just one wall of the 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

SaltCon 2016 Blood Rage board game
Blood Rage was one of the Hot Games in 2016.

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.

SaltCon 2017
Multiple conference rooms for plenty of open gaming at SaltCon.

 

Game Trades

SaltCon 2017
16 games left home for SaltCon 2017.

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!



5 thoughts on “3 days of gaming ahead – ready for SaltCon!

  • We are also looking forward to it. This will be our third trip. Would love to meet and enjoy a game together if it works out. Will be there Thur-Sat
    -Brad & Connie

    Reply
    • Brad – It would be great to meet you and Connie. Do you have some games you’re particularly interested in playing there?

      Reply
  • Great article and summary of SaltCON. This will be my 4th year attending and it’s been the highlight of my board game year each time! Maybe I’ll see you there. 🙂

    Reply
    • Dylan – If you see me, please introduce yourself. (I’ll have on my blue “The Board Game Family” t-shirt.) And have a blast!

      Reply
  • Great post Trent.

    This is truly one of my favorite weekends of the year. I look forward to seeing you there. Maybe we’ll get a game in together again.

    Reply

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