Tobacco, it’s a social time to smoke, unwind after a long week of the daily grind. Spend an evening with comrades, coworkers, family, or a lover if you’ve lucked into partnering with a fellow fan.
Usually though, sometimes sitting and watching the rain while smoking one can get… well, bored. So many a smoker takes up social gaming.
Here’s a list of games that enhance the relaxation vibe while having a smoke (or three).
Poker
Poker has its own variations anyone can enjoy. These include Pai Gow and Texas hold ’em. You can even admire those cigar-smoking dogs in a painting.
Doesn’t matter the session, poker is a classic activity for any cigar or pipe group.
You can win some extra cash for your tobacco interest. You can find out if your best buddy will lie to your face. Barring all of that, you can also nosh upon snacks. Nothing like a big bowl of pretzels.
Unless you’re George W.
Baccarat
Another card game, but less thinking requiring. And less angering because your buddy lied about his hand for the eighth time in a row and took the last of the pretzels…*ahem*
Anyway, the aim of this game is less stressful. You are betting on whether your two-card hand will have a higher number than the banker. Alternatively, you bet if the banker has a higher number. Or a draw. Better odds, less pressure, less strategy involved. It’s also fantastic to play while smoking a Baccarat cigar.
Chess
A great game for if you are a smaller group or just smoking with your neighbor. Strategy, chatting about political intrigue. Or whatever you really wish to chat about whilst between turns. Also, has the advantage if you are smoking alone you can play via the chess.com app like I myself do.
This game also has quiet a tobacco rich history I dream to cover here someday soon.
Diplomacy
Ah yes, the friendship destroyer. If you thought “Risk!” Gets intense. This is the longer, more intense version.
Diplomacy isn’t a game you don’t just “Sit down and play.” It’s a commitment. The game is designed for 7 players. It is essentially a simulation of the first world war.
You have ground units, and Naval units. That’s your lot. You run your country’s tactics. And ideally win when you conquered the board, or when players agree to a draw.
A game that will need at least several smoking sessions. But what makes this one interesting is alliances, lies, Deceit. You know, just like real politics.
You see, no one takes turns. You all move at the same time.
You have a phase to talk negotiations with other nations, and you write down your orders for your units. put it in an envelope. And a game master or another player after everyone has written them down. Reads all the orders out loud, and pieces are moved suitably. Until the moves are read, your “allies” can only take you at face value that you did as you agreed. Or if, you know, you stabbed them in the back.
Again, you are trying to figure out if your friend is bluffing, or not.
Games can last several hours, to even being full on days, months, or in extreme circumstances. years.
What makes it fun is discussing alliances or agreements while getting a drink. It’s also smoking while other players are fiddling with their lighters. Or it’s grabbing another stick out of the humidor.
If you don’t have six other peeps, can always play on backstabbr.com like I do. Please don’t take all the pretzels…
Savage Worlds: Deadlands
Alright let’s get my fellow geeks in here for my personal favorite. Deadlands: The Weird West.
The only game where you can slap leather in a duel at sunset against a demon. You can also make deals and cheat the devil. Hunt vampires hiding in an old west brothel. All this while being part of a team with a mad scientist and a snake oil salesman who’s possessed.
This game is freaking’ nuts. And for the uninitiated, this game is a tabletop RPG. It’s akin to D&D but has a much more streamlined system. This makes it easy for anyone to learn. And is a fantastic game to play for anyone into the wild west and horror.
Plus, what other game lets you dress up as a cowboy on game night? You can use a toy pistol and point it at your friend who is reaching into your bowl of pretzels.
“Do ya feel lucky…punk?”
Well…do ya?
Quack Pack Tabac 