No. Open Table House is a set of resources for gatherings you organise yourself. There is no venue calendar, ticket sale, membership or confirmed event place.
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
Good
company.
A little
structure.
A few thoughtful minutes before the first move can change the whole evening.
THE EVENING IS MORE THAN THE GAME
Make room
for all of it.
A welcome, an explanation, time to play and a proper ending. Try a starting shape for a game that is new to the table.
Welcome5 min
Explain12 min
Play33 min
Pause5 min
Close5 min
60 minutes, including 33 minutes of play.
Build your own running order ↗
BEFORE THE FIRST ARRIVAL
A clear table.
A clear invitation.
Put the useful things within reach. Leave room for people, drinks and the inevitable “where does this go?”
01 Pieces together02 Room to see03 A place to ask
Read the host notes ↗YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING AT ONCE
Give the first
turn a place
to start.
The aim. One turn. The ending. A small example. A chance to ask.
Rehearse your explanation ↗THE SMALL THINGS ARE WORTH SAYING
How do we
want to play?
Questions as we go? Advice only when asked? A practice move before the first real turn? Put a few preferences on the table.
Make a note to agree together ↗
PEOPLEbefore
before
pieces.
Ask what helps people take part. A seat, a clear view, a slower explanation or a pause can be discussed without making assumptions.
“Before we begin, is there anything that would make the table easier or more comfortable for you?” Let each person decide what they want to share.
THE PAUSE IS PART OF THE PLAN
A little
breathing room.
You can stop for a moment without making the evening stop working.
TIME TOGETHER20–120MINUTES TO PLAN WITH
The running-order tool works with whole minutes, includes a gentle beginning and ending, and shows when the plan crosses midnight.
Put a time around it ↗
A HOST DOESN’T NEED TO HOLD IT ALL
Put the useful
bits on paper.
Download a text copy from each tool. The drafts stay in the current page until you choose to save them.
DON’T LEAVE THE LAST FIVE MINUTES TO CHANCE
Finish the game.
Keep the good bit.
Notice a moment you enjoyed. Put the pieces away together. Ask whether the group would like to do it again, without making the answer an obligation.
ONE QUESTION TO TAKE WITH YOU
“What would make the next table
even easier to join?”
BEFORE YOU PULL UP A CHAIR
A few
good questions.
No. It creates a suggested running order. Nothing counts down, rings or controls your meeting. Adjust the real session with the people at the table.
Use it as a general hosting outline for a game you know. Check the game’s own rules for exact details, exceptions and the end condition.
No. It is a draft to discuss with the people involved. The tool does not collect their consent or send the note to anyone.
Only while the current page stays open. Download a text copy to keep it. Reloading, leaving or using a reset control clears the relevant draft.
A NOTE FOR THE HOUSE
What would
you like
to ask?
Ask about a tool, an explanation prompt or a website problem. A saved note returns an enquiry reference.