A board game mat is one of those hobby purchases that might seem a little unnecessary. After all, what’s so bad about playing on the table top? Why would you want to spend money on a mat when you could just use that to buy a new game? 

This is what I thought for the longest time. For years we played games on our table and didn’t think much about a mat at all. We always liked the look of a mat, but it just seemed like a luxury we didn’t want to spend money on one. That is until we got a new table. 

When the number in our family outgrew the seating at our table, we got a new to us table that was bigger. Homemade and adorable, we loved this table and being able to sit all around it. However, because it was homemade, it wasn’t the smoothest surface for playing games. So when my birthday rolled around, I finally knew what to ask for. 

Flash forward to today, three years later and I can honestly tell you that our game mat is my single favorite board game accessory we have ever purchased. We don’t play games without it now!

reasons you need game mat. Five reasons you need a game mat. Reasons to use a game mat.

Here are 5 reasons that You Need a Game Mat

1. Easier Handling of Cards and Components

Everything is easier to pick up when on a game mat. No more frustratingly trying to pick up a card, damaging the edge with your fingernails, only to have to slide it off the edge of the table to get it. The plusher surface lets you gently pick up and turn over cards and components with ease.

2. Keeps components in their place

A game mat also helps keep your cards and tiles where they belong! A game mat provides a service with just enough friction so that your tile games won’t go sliding everywhere if someone jostles them wrong. Many game mats even have a rubber backing on them — players can choose to play on either side of the mat, opting for the rubber backing to help insure those tiles stay put! 

3. Muffles Dice Sounds

I love the sound of dice rolling. I do not love the sound of dice smacking and reverberating off the table. It’s why one of my favorite accessory recommendations is a valet tray to keep all your dice controlled and muffled. With a game mat, your dice are muffled no matter where they’re rolled on the mat.

The mat also helps keep them contained. Dice don’t bounce nearly as far when rolled on the plusher mat surface compared to a wooden table.

4. Smooths Your Play Surface

This was our reason for getting our mat initially and it is still one of the things we love about the mat today. If you have a table that is a little uneven a mat covers those imperfections and won’t let it impede your game night.

Our primary play surface is our dining room table. Try as we do, we still occasionally miss a spot when cleaning up after dinner. Laying down a mat means that I don’t have to worry about a rogue water spot or sticky hand prints getting on the game components. Many mats are easy to spot clean with water!

5. Allows Your Games to Shine

Games look better when played on a mat!

Aesthetically, I can’t go back to playing a game with a grainy table backdrop. I just love the smooth, stage like surface a mat provides which lets the game’s beautiful art be the star. We all often buy a game because we were drawn in by it’s amazing art — this shows it off so it looks as good as can be when in play.

Wondering which mat you should buy? 

We’re currently testing a bunch of different game mats, from affordable options to premium selections, all to see which mats hold up the best and make for the best gaming experience for every budget.

We’ll share our thoughts on each mat here on the blog soon! 

Until then, follow us on Instagram where we’ll be showing which mats we’re using in stories and our feed!

Find all our favorite board game recommendations on our Amazon Storefront.

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