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.

3. Anticipation
Knowing your opponents' tendencies adds another string to your bow. Being able to accurately predict the course of events out of your direct control is a huge advantage. The savvy gamer can carve out a winning strategy or lay traps for opponents with great success. Conversely, playing unpredictably can scuttle the best laid plans of your competitors.

4. Mathematical Prowess
Few of us are "Rainmen" and no one likes a player who spends several minutes calculating odds or points before moving. However, there is a time and place for cold, hard number crunching. If a particular course of action will give 10 victory points to one player, 5 victory points to another and 3 victory points to yourself, that move is probably unwise.

5. Rule Comprehension
Knowing the rules backwards and forwards has manifold benefits. Most importantly, it will allow your game-long strategy to come to fruition, without discovering that a canonical oversight has rendered your position worthless. Also, a thorough familiarity with the rules plus a bit of creativity will allow you to exploit loopholes that others fail to see. In the competitive world of board games, such an edge can make the difference.

Every game requires something different of the players, and rightly so. One player excells at one type of game while someone else is best at a another. Exercising your brain and enjoying the company of like-minded individuals is the real reward for any game, regardless of how many tools in your shed.

So don't be a dodo or a yob. Play more games and have more fun.