1. A Sense of Fun
Games in general and board games in particular are supposed to be fun. On the most basic level, having fun is the only measure of a successful board gamer, and those who fail to enjoy the pursuit are inherently unsuccessful, regardless of how many points they accrue. Priorities can be confused in the midst of plotting strategy and one-upping the competition, but it is folly to let one's self lose sight of this most essential principle of board games. Don't like fun? Play Project Origin.

2. Powers of Persuasion
The "attention of the mob" can sink even the best strategy, while shrewd diplomacy can turn an average position into a dominant one. Almost every game allows for negative tactics, harming an opponents position instead of strengthening one's own. Convincing other players to follow your advice can be the difference between winning and losing. But beware: the more powerful you become, the less others will be inclined to consider your suggestions.

Recently I began thinking about what type of player each member of the Borgamo team is. Knowing your friends (and opponents) is always an advantage, but also makes you think a bit about yourself and what you enjoy. Some broad player types that come to mind:

The boner:
The boner thinks first on every move about how they can hurt (or "bone") their opponent before even considering how they can advance their own game standing. Where can I point my road in Carcassonne to make someone elses city impossible? Where can I trigger a war in Tigris and Euphrates between two other players that have nothing to do with me? How can I tie to get a Buddah taken off the board in Samurai rather than let anyone get it? You know the boner. He makes for a tight game, but can easily garner the anger of the mob against him as he is unlikely to make many friends.