I present to you this scale which I shall use to rate games until someone convinces me to use something better, or I tire of it. It is not dissimilar to a 5-point or 10-point rating scale, but this should explain what the different ratings mean to me.

Axioms: These ratings pertain to a hypothetical game which I have definitely played until the novelty wears off (probably 3-5 plays) and which I have played once in the previous month, so there is little or no “geez, I sure miss X” factor.

In addition, a rating may be specific to a particular number of players. For instance, I might say (if I were very confused or , perhaps, heavily bribed) that Monopoly is a fine game for 4 players (rating 3) but pretty unpleasant with 5 or 6 (rating 1+)

4: How did we get a month without playing this? I’m chomping at the bit to play it again.

3: I would suggest playing this game again.

2: I wouldn’t suggest playing this game again, but if someone else did, I would not be opposed.

1: I would be opposed to playing this game again in the absence of bribery, cajolery, or the presence of a girl I was interested in.

0: I played this a month ago? I would not play this game in any circumstances.

In addition, intermediate attitudes can be expressed in terms of zero to three pluses after the number. For instance, 2+++ is a game I would be close to suggesting myself, were it not for some flaw in the game or the presence of a similar game I like more; a flat 2 I would agree to without argument, but if it were much worse I wouldn’t, and under bad circumstances I might beg off as tired/need to go home/etc.

And to rattle off some games that have been on my mind:

4 Ra, Coloretto

3+++ Puerto Rico

3++ Poker, Bridge, Settlers of Catan, Hey! That’s My Fish!

3 Power Grid, Goa, Bohnanza, Epic Duels

2++ Carcassone, Shadows over Camelot, Ticket to Ride

2 Tigris & Euphrates

1 Bang!, Risk

0++ Monopoly