Gaming at Dice Tower West

DTW 2025 at Westgate Resort Las Vegas

We went out to Dice Tower West (DTW) from March 5 - 9. Dice Tower is put on, not surprisingly, by the Dice Tower team out of Homestead Florida, where they review and deal in all things board games.

This year it was held at Westgate Resorts in Las Vegas (formerly the Hilton). Met my brother Colonel Sam Vandiver, USAF there, along with his wife and daughter -- Anna and Claire. My wife and I tripped out there with her friend Jennifer Thompson and daughter Ahna. Only Sam and I were doing the board gaming, while the ladies were doing gaming of a different sort.

Let me start by saying what a great community the board gamers are, at large. Everyone was unfailingly polite, sharp and very social. A big shout out to Michael from Hollywood, David from St Georges Utah, Lee from Philly, Jason & Jennie from Utah and Jet & Liz from (again) Utah -- all of whom sat down with us to either learn with us or teach us games. That bit was missing from the more mercenary Gen Con, where you are paying to play each official game, DTW was just a LOT of pick up games anyone could, and did, jump into.

One of my geek goals during this 6 month reset (see them all here) is to learn and play no less than 50 new board games in the next 6 months. Great progress made! During DTW, we played (at least) the following:

• Ark Nova

• Terraforming Mars

• Brass: Birmingham

• Castles of Mad King Ludwig

• Trekking through History

• Newton

• Can't stop (the right one per Mike Dilisio)

• Mystery of the Abbey

• Agricola

• Qwinto

• Maps of Misterra

• The Case Files of Sherlock Holmes

Dabbled with Concordia, Planet Unknown and Lord of the Rings: The Card Game. If I had to pick, I would say our favorite was the heavy and more complex Ark Nova. We both enjoyed Terraforming Mars, but were a bit divided on Brass Birmingham. Castles of MK Ludwig was 'meh', as was Mystery of the Abbey. I liked Newton but was way past my East Coast window of mental acuity (started around midnight) and I struggled with the rules.

So, great progress made in week 1 toward the goal and great time spent with Jennifer and family. So, these get green marks for the week. Lifting, running, diet, guitar and all the rest -- except for Word and prayer -- took a back seat and get red marks for 2nd half of week.

All in all, really great event highlighted by a huge game library, a bargain flea market (picked up unsealed Newton for $20), terrific people and great locale in the Westgate! A definite must go again next year!!