From rainy afternoons at the cottage to quiet evenings at a campground, board games are a staple of summer getaways. But while vacationing Canadians are dusting off familiar favourites, the future of board games was recently on display at Protospiel North, a twice-yearly Toronto convention of aspiring designers and eager playtesters.

Until one of the prototypes from this gathering makes it to a table near you, here are some tips from Protospiel North co-organizer Joe Slack on how to outwit your family and friends at some popular, published offerings.