Best ITER Organization Podcasts (2025)

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#48 Mid Year Eval 57:24

Play Pause

6d ago57:24

57:24

It's like horse racing but the horses are waifus. What's a waifu? Well that's kind of hard to explain. Have you heard of a gatcha? No? NorthernLion? Oh... well I don't know if this is going to work out. Thanks for the interview, I wish you the best of luck in finding a candidate. Games we played: 3:16 - 51st State (2010, Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal) …

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104: Ideas and Recommendations for Iterating Through the Course Redesign Cycle 48:42

6d ago48:42

48:42

It's Summertime! And how to teachers and instructors often spend their summers? Why, reworking their courses, correct? In this episode, Sharona and Boz share their thoughts, ideas, and recommendations for working through the course redesign cycle and iteratively examining your course. Whether you are newer to alt grading or have been doing it a lon…

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#47 ft. Tom Brewster, Iteration and Innovation 1:53:31

13d ago1:53:31

1:53:31

Lesser Tom is joined by the Tomb Rewster of Shut Up & Sit Down fame this week to talk board games (shock) and video/podcast creation. Listen in on some Type III fun as we get into the nitty gritty of Cuppy Flicky 2. Wait- where is the typical deranged show note synopsis? Not this week buddy. I had a relaxing weekend and wrote this baby up while the…

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103 - Themes and Lessons from the 2025 Grading Conference 57:04

13d ago57:04

57:04

In this episode, Sharona and Boz recap some of the incredible things that happened at the 2025 Grading Conference. Highlights from the keynote speakers, student voices, and conversations around the "watercooler". This conference was an incredible capstone to a fantastic year for alternative grading. Links Please note - any books linked here are lik…

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#46 Free to Play 1:06:49

20d ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Psst... Hey kid. Get over here. I heard you like games. Get a load of these bad babies. We got all kinds. Dexterity role playing. Social deduction consims. Tom's sexy dice. I tell you what, first one's on me. You take this one home and you play it with your family. Tell 'em old Ken is selling. And if you snitch I'll getcha. Now scram. Games we play…

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102 - Critical Digital Pedagogy: Thinking Critically About Grading, AI and How We Decide to Do What We Do, An Interview with Dr. Sean Michael Morriss 53:41

20d ago53:41

53:41

In this episode, Sharona and Bosley sit down for a conversation with Dr. Sean Michael Morris to talk about Critical Digital Pedagogy. What is it? How can we think critically about our grading practices? How do we think critically about AI and it's impact on our grading choices? Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates …

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#45 Toy Factor 58:40

27d ago58:40

58:40

Tom may have had some weird takes, but he was a good person. Today we honor his memory as he would have wanted us to: by participating in the unholy ritual he bestowed upon the listenership on that fateful June morning. Please join me in assembling our 7000+ Millennium Falcons and inserting our XXXL Bad Dragons in honor of all that is TOY... Cold o…

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101 - Visionary Leadership: Culture Change through Asking Questions - A 10-Year Journey to Building-Wide Grading Reform 50:06

27d ago50:06

50:06

In this episode, Sharona and Boz interview Doug Wilson, principal of Avondale High School in Michigan, about his advice on implementing building-wide grading reform. This discussion touches on ways of being a visionary leader, how to move towards culture change around grades, and advice to administrators (and teachers!) on how to question our pract…

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#44 Five Games for Doomsday 57:13

1M ago57:13

57:13

Just a hypothetical. Tom and Kenny can neither confirm nor deny that there is an impending robot invasion. Prepare you bodies with meat-grinder-proof materials and essences. Drop the Gloomhavens; too heavy. MREs only for the rest of time. Hope you like veggie lasagna and instant coffee type II. Games we played: 4:04 - Millennium Blades (2016, D. Br…

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100 - Getting the Band Back Together! The OGs discuss the last decade of Alt Grading and Where We See It Going Next! 1:04:22

1M ago1:04:22

1:04:22

We made it to episode 100! Join us as we welcome back to the pod, for the first time altogether, David Clark, Kate Owens, and Robert Talbert! With Sharona and Boz we made up the original organizing team for the 2020 Grading Conference. We talk about the journey getting to here, and where we see things going (and what we hope to see) in the next 10 …

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#43 The Wildest Games We Know 1:07:14

1M ago1:07:14

1:07:14

I can't wait for the sick and twisted fan that is going to mash up all the games we talk about on this episode into one big megagame. It takes 72 hours to play and if you die in the game, you die in real life. Bring it on, we were born for this. I'll get my duel disc and we can hit the playground after school. 0-2 players, nose snakes included. Gam…

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99 - Challenging Grading as a System: Labor-Based Grading in Rhetoric and Composition, An Interview with Asao Inoue 1:03:46

1M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

In this episode, Sharona and Bosley sit down with Dr. Asao Inoue, the opening keynote speaker of the 2025 Grading Conference, to discuss his use of Labor-Based Grading in the teaching of writing. Exploring everything from negotiating a grading contract with students to intentionally discussing creating a culture of compassion in the classroom, this…

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#42 Fandom Games 1:11:27

2M ago1:11:27

1:11:27

Step into the world of fandom. As a child I witnessed the death of my parents at the hands of Twilight Imperium, but avenged them by playing hundreds of games of Netrunner. Now, as an adult, I only wager fair uses of my power by battling in unnecessarily elaborate forum posts. Every time my opponent goes off topic, I reset the thread on them. This …

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98 - Sessions and Topics and Toolkits - oh my!!! Previewing the 2025 Grading Conference with the Conference Organizing Team. 53:05

2M ago53:05

53:05

In this episode, many of the organizers of this year's conference join Sharona and Bosley to preview the upcoming conference and talk about some of the community aspects of The Grading Conference. We welcome Ashleigh Fox, Jenni Momsen, Emily Pitts Donahoe, and Melanie Lenahan. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates l…

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#41 ft. Cole Wehrle, Board Game Organization 1:51:46

2M ago1:51:46

1:51:46

Kenny and Tom wearing extremely oversized diamond helmets: "if you think your voice or talking point comprehensively captures the beauty and desirability of Monopoly DEAL, send a note to [email protected]" 7:21 - Intro: Cole Wehrle 7:50 - We Have to Know! Images mentioned https://imgur.com/a/ZrrpvBA Games we played: 52:16 - Virgin Queen (2012, Ed B…

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97 - Distinguishing Different Letter Grades: The Three Hurdles Model 59:49

2M ago59:49

59:49

In this episode, Sharona and Bosley discuss different ways to look at the grade wrap up portion of the grading architecture as it relates to learning outcomes as well as assessments. They discuss the well known "more hurdles, higher hurdles" metaphor but expand it into three different types of hurdles instead of the two we have used previously. Fro…

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#40 Language Independent Design 1:08:08

2M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Now you might think that this was a joint sponsorship between IHOP and Grindr, but what if I told you we were receiving $0 from both businesses and just got really fixated on this one bit? Finding it hard to believe? We are too. Games we played: 6:08 - Stone Age (2008, Bernd Brunnhofer, Z-Man) 10:33 - Carcassonne The Castle (2003, Reiner Knizia and…

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96 - Alt Grading and Administrators: Supporting Teachers and Getting Support from Admin 58:43

2M ago58:43

58:43

In this week's episode, Sharona and Bosley dive into some of the details, nuances, similarities and differences regarding the role of administrators in the implementation of alternative grading practices. We talk about what administrators can do to support alternative grading efforts, how to talk to administrators, and the similarities and differen…

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#39 Bad vs Not for Me 1:13:16

2M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

Has anyone heard Bad Bunny's lesser known cousin, Not For Me Bunny? They play Killer Bunnies at the Hooters Ranch with all the Hooters Bunnies err... Owls. God, the idea of playing Tentacle Bento with Tom in a Hooters continues to send shivers down my spine. Games we played: 3:31 - Hey, That's My Fish! (2003, Günter Cornett & Alvydas Jakeliunas, Ma…

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95 - Standards Based Reporting and Grading at the Elementary School Level 57:13

2M ago57:13

57:13

In this episode, Sharona and Bosley look at some of the challenges that elementary school face when considering standards based reporting and standards based grading. From issues with consistency between instructors to the differences between communicating with parents versus communicating with students. Join us in this discussion as we look at the…

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Taming The Wild 23:20

2M ago23:20

23:20

🎙️ At the heart of fusion energy lies one of the universe’s most untamed elements: plasma — a high-energy state of matter seen in lightning, the aurora, and most spectacularly, in our sun. Scientists have spent decades trying to control it. But why? In this episode, host Kruti Fayot dives into the fascinating world of plasma: what it is, why it’s e…

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94 - Replay: The Human Impact of our Assessments on Students, What story do your assessments tell about a student? An Interview with Sean Nank 58:18

3M ago58:18

58:18

Please enjoy this replay of episode 20 from November 2023. Coming to you from the California Mathematics Council - South annual conference, Sharona and Bosley sit down for a wonderful conversation with Dr. Sean Nank. Sean is an adjunct professor at California State University San Marcos, a full professor at the American College of Education, as wel…

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#38 The Teach 1:08:59

3M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

The Teach: noun, when Tom and Kenny yell at you while skipping all the important rules. They then proceed to beat you to a pulp with a hand tied behind their back while repeating "get good" over and over. I don't understand why everyone is always complaining about the way we teach games. Kids have it so easy these days. They just watch Tom Vasel ad…

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#37 Playing Through Your Shelf of Shame 1:07:20

3M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Playing your unplayed games is fairly simple: Article I, code blue, section A, step / phase 1) determine if said game is still desirable. For determining desirability please reference Appendix 2, section D. For definition of desirability please reference glossary of terms in the D&D monster manual under “anthropomorphic animals”. For those who want…

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93 - The Importance of Understanding AI as an Instructor in Order to Comprehend It's Impact on Your Students and Your Grading 1:04:59

3M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Sharona and Bosley sit down this week to talk with Jennifer Martinez-Montes about her work on professional development surrounding AI for instructors. Jennifer is a 9th grade English teacher at Santee Education Complex in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She is currently researching the impact of AI on teachers and the opportunities for eff…

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#36 live from Treefort, Mass Market Replacements 1:03:03

3M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

Great venue, fun crowd, good topic, Tom burps into the microphone- wait... Tom burps into the microphone? Gather round and listen in agony as we recommend Monopoly Deal to some innocents. Hold on, I think I had another game as a backup for this topic. Actually wait, I had two games as backups for this topic. Never mind, just move on to the next sli…

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92 - Researching Grading Reform: Building the Evidence to Change the System 42:30

3M ago42:30

42:30

In this episode, Sharona and Boz dive into what research around grading reform might look like. From the types of studies to the areas of interest and some options for focus. We look at what's been done, what's missing, and how the Center for Grading Reform is planning to launch a new initiative to build a national network of researchers focused on…

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#35 ft. Dan Thurot of Space-Biff, Tariffs 1:36:43

3M ago1:36:43

1:36:43

Came for the Minecraft villager sex scene, left moved by Dan's message on why our hobby is worth fighting for. Cringe. At the end of the day, aren't we all just adult babies in the making? 8:16 - Intro: Dan Thurot of Space-Biff! Beyond Solitaire episode LARPing the Renaissance with Ada Palmer https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/1091807/episodes/…

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91 - Feedback: Improving How We Give It and How Students Use It 1:01:24

3M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

This week we welcome Joe Zeccola back to the podcast. In this episode, Sharona, Boz and Joe look at how we give feedback, how students use it, and how we make both the giving of feedback and the student use of feedback easier, more useful, and more in line with our goals for our students. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon …

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#34 Unstable Shelf 55:30

3M ago55:30

55:30

Nothing to see here. Just a perfectly regular episode of Unstable Shelf where Tom and Kenny review some of the latest board game releases. This week, they discuss Kickstarters and why they are the best. Again, nothing to see here. Move along folks... Move along... Games we played: 9:34 - Rebirth (2024, Reiner Knizia, Mighty Boards) 15:23 - Hubworld…

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90 - Building a Community of Practice AND Even MORE Misuse of Mathematics!!!!!! 58:24

3M ago58:24

58:24

In this week's episode, Sharona and Boz sit down with Caroline Cormier and Françoise Arseneault-Hubert to discuss the movement towards alt grading in Quebec. Beginning with a description of the CEGEP system (pronounced say-ghep) that serves as a bridge between K-11 education and university/technical tracks we then explore how Caroline and Françoise…

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Tokamaks 20:40

4M ago20:40

20:40

🚀 Ever wondered how scientists are trying to recreate the power of the sun on Earth? In this latest episode, we dive into the fascinating world of tokamaks - donut-shaped magnetic cages that could be the key to unlimited clean energy! Join host Kruti as she unravels the mysteries of fusion with expert insights from ITER scientists and her collabora…

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Trailer for The ITER Podcast Season 3: Behind the Science 0:51

4M ago0:51

0:51

The ITER Podcast is back! Season 3 dives into the science behind fusion at ITER, looking at topics such as plasma behavior, the power of super-conducting magnets, and what's really inside a Tokamak's vacuum chamber. Each detailed episode will be published once a month where you'll hear different experts from ITER answering questions in a way that's…

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#33 Games That Should Get A Reprint 1:07:23

4M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Imagine you were Flat Stanley and a scientist experimented on you by branding and perforating your body with Quacks pieces. Now imagine that it's seven years in the future. You've recovered from the horrific event known only as "the incident". You now have a spouse and two beautiful children. A representative from CMYK shows up at your door with a …

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89 - AI and CheckIt: Tools and Methods for Gathering Evidence of Learning (Making Assessment Writing Easier) 53:32

4M ago53:32

53:32

This week Sharona and Boz share some ideas, tools and methods for making assessment writing easier including AI, CheckIt (programmable assessment generation) and intentional alignment of content and assessments. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support t…

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#32 The Benefits of a Gamer Lifestyle 1:11:35

4M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

What if I told you there was a lifestyle that could make your heart healthier, your brain smarter, your looks smokin', and the world a better place? I mean, there probably is something like that (punch reading? sex charity?) That's about as far as we got with the hypothetical. We're talking board games as usual. But hey, those can be good for you t…

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88 - Unearned Grades: Remaking the Conversation about Grade "Inflation" 54:02

4M ago54:02

54:02

Description In this episode, Sharona and Bosley tackle the conversation about "Grade Inflation". A commonly used term that is rarely defined, we look at what the "problem" is with grade "inflation", how we would define grade "inflation" (as well as grade "deflation") and how to address it when it is leveled as a potential problem with alternative g…

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#31 Are Cozy Games A Thing?!?! 1:09:29

4M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Grab a couple of your favorite kids/pets and strap them to you by a warm fire. It's time to get cozy. Or is it? Is cozy a thing? Was it a thing and now it's just blasé? Perhaps even cozé? Kenny pulls a Tom on this one and absolutely rags on cozy games for a good century. Also: the appearance of everyone's favorite Disney animal companion, Aladdin's…

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87 - The Impact of AI on Alternative Grading: Talking with Dr. Robert Talbert 1:01:17

4M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Description In this episode we welcome back to the pod Dr. Robert Talbert. A mathematics professor at Grand Valley State University, author of books on Flipped Learning and Grading for Growth, Robert joins us to discuss his struggles with the increasing use of AI tools in his alternatively graded classes and how he is revising his courses to adjust…

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#30 live from SaltCON, Con-Maxing 53:38

4M ago53:38

53:38

In case it's not clear from the recording, Tom destroyed his voice. Games we played: 3:57 - Res Arcana (2019, Thomas Lemann, Sand Castle) 7:15 - Die Macher (1986, Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx) 13:45 - Cat Blues (2024 og1998, Reiner Knizia, Bitewing) 18:58 - Letter Tycoon (2015, Brad Brooks, Breaking Games) 100 games before you die: 23:01 - Magic …

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86 - Traditional Grading Revisited: Deficiencies and Beliefs 53:21

4M ago53:21

53:21

Description In this episode, Sharona and Bosley look at some new(ish) literature about traditional grades in a more professional setting - Pharmacy Education. If the ultimate goal of many degree programs is to get a professional degree or license, what is being done with grading at that level and how might we leverage those choices earlier in the e…

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#29 How to Pick What to Play 55:46

5M ago55:46

55:46

If we ever get into professional wrestling, let's call ourselves The Reverse Draft and The Steam Roller. Have we already forgotten Jimmy Carter?!?! Try not to blink as we absolutely derail into rulebooks and forget to talk about the actual game we played. Games we played: 4:18 - Village (2011, Inka & Markus Brand, Stronghold) 10:49 - The Castles of…

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85 - Instructor Beliefs and Their Role in the Classroom - with Dr. Patrick Morriss 1:04:42

5M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

In this week's episode we welcome Dr. Patrick Morriss back to the pod to discuss how instructor beliefs, about our students, our subject areas, ourselves, impact our classrooms and drive the educational outcomes of our students. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through the…

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#28 How People Shape Games 1:01:28

5M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

If Ed Sheeran were ever to listen to an episode, this is the one. He'd learn all about loving the shape of games (although only a few dexterity games push and pull via magnets). Unrelated, if somebody could get me a bottle of Ed Sheeran's flesh-colored promotional Heinz bottle I would absolutely adore that. No, I won't let the ketchup inside of it …

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84 - Standards Based Grading in Engineering, A Method for Focusing on Learning - an interview with Dr. Corin Bowen 1:04:16

5M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Description In this episode, Sharona and Bosley talk with Dr. Corin Bowen, an Engineering Education researcher and assistant professor in the Civil Engineering department at California State University Los Angeles. We talk about student motivation and engagement, the opportunities that standards-based grading has provided Dr. Bowen's students, and …

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#27 ft. Jacob Kinney of Phoenix Fire Games, Game Store Secrets 1:12:23

5M ago1:12:23

1:12:23

The code word is "Sexy Spiderman in Magic." If you say it three times quickly, any game store employee is legally required to give you a copy of Finspan below retail AND a giant Galactus figure at a discount of $900. 1:09 - Intro Jacob Kinney of Phoenix Fire Games https://www.phoenixfiregames.com Games we played: 4:43 - Mottainai (2015, Carl Chudyk…

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83 - Starting the Conversation About Grading with Others Before They Realize You Are Talking About Grading 1:00:40

5M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Join us as we explore small ways to open a conversation about grading with other people, without them necessarily realizing that its a conversation about grading. In this episode, Sharona and Bosley talk about 7 ways you can crack the door open on grading. Everything from using the four pillars to finding common ground and discussing why we teach. …

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82 - The Impact of Retakes - MORE results are in! Also, get ready for the 2025 Grading Conference! 58:35

5M ago58:35

58:35

We're finally seeing some results from all the work that this community has been putting in! In this episode, Sharona and Bosley dive in to newly published research about the impact of "second-chance quizzes" on students' perceptions of self-determination. We also dive in to the impact of retakes on student success in Precalculus. Additionally, reg…

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#26 BGG Hall of Fame 57:49

5M ago57:49

57:49

We give the hall of fame three BOOMs all day and a double chocolate cookie. If you're a Blood on the Clocktower fan or a member of the secret society of Knizias, please skip this episode. Speaking of Knizia, did you know they made a tv show based on him where he solves medical mysteries? Games we played: 4:35 - The Red Cathedral (2020, Isra C. & Sh…

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#25 Carl Chudyk Tuckstravaganza 1:12:50

6M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Tuck, meld, then splay. Repeat but return the card, then draw and score to the waiting area and do so additional times for every clientele. If this sounds like gobbledegook, you have yet to be indoctrinated into the cult of Chudyck. Join us on an adventure that is out of this world and tuck yourself into an alien landscape full of magic. Games we p…