Game Jargon Definition: “Learning Game”

Learning Game (noun) - learn · ing game / ˈlərniNG gām/

Also known as a “teaching game,” a learning game is an iteration of gameplay that is typically used when a game is played with one or more players who are new to the game. For the entirety of the first game—or perhaps just the first round or two—the focus of gameplay is going through the motions of play as a form of showing and doing rather than telling or explaining. The point is to help new players have a greater level of comprehension and confidence in being able to play the game on their own.

During a learning game or learning round, the emphasis is on making sure that all players feel like they have a firm grasp of the rules, feel comfortable asking questions about rules and rule clarifications, and are becoming more confident about making their own in-game decisions. During this time, there is much less emphasis (if any) on competition, on players gaining advantage over other players, or on winning.

Therefore, all players who appropriately engage in a learning game are quite forgiving of players who make mistakes and want to take back moves they just made in order to make a more advantageous move. Additionally, hands of cards that would normally be kept secret or played face down may be played open and up so that all players can see everyone else’s hand, helping them to understand what is going on (with perfect information rather than partially hidden information). Players who are more familiar with the game that is being learned by others are encouraged to talk through their own turns, explaining to everyone at the table what they are doing and why. They may also offer advice to other players when it is asked for (but without quarterbacking).

Once all players are ready—either midway through a game or at the beginning of a new game—the learning game aspects can end. Hands of cards that are supposed to be kept secret are once again kept secret, and there is less forgiveness around taking back moves once they have been declared. Although the level of this forgiveness is certainly game group dependent; the purpose of playing games is for everyone to feel welcome and to have fun with their friends.