Kansas City kicked off my wargaming weekend in exactly the right way. Cardboard, coffee, and early-morning enthusiasm set the tone. Only people can understand this vibe. They think setting up a hex-and-counter game before lunch is a perfectly normal life choice. I’ll be walking you through how the day unfolded. I started by rolling into the legendary Cardboard Café at 9:45am. Yes, I was early. Yes, I regret nothing. Later, I got Thunder at Dawn on the table. Bert joined me for the game. He’s a longtime supporter of the YouTube channel. Bert is also an all-around good human. By 10:30 the battlefield was deployed, counters were placed, and the Kansas City wargaming weekend was officially underway.

The café itself is just plain cool. It’s one of those places where you walk in and instantly feel like you’ve found your people. There is great lighting and plenty of table space. Snacks and drinks are within arm’s reach. Everywhere you look, folks are happily pushing cardboard, rolling dice, and debating rules interpretations. They do this with the seriousness of a Supreme Court hearing. It was honestly just fun to sit back for a moment and take it all in.

Bert and I were diving into Thunder at Dawn for the first time. The opening turn had that familiar “rulebook tango” vibe. You know the one… play a little, stop, flip pages, say “Wait… can we actually do that?” and then flip a few more pages just to be sure. But once we found our rhythm, things smoothed out nicely and the game really started to sing. We both settled in, got comfortable with the flow, and just had an absolute blast.

The game even took on a historic feel as it unfolded. Plans that seemed brilliant in theory faced the harsh reality of the dice gods. They were clearly in a mischievous mood. The dice turned cruel for both of us at the least opportune moments. They hit us during crucial attacks. Key movement rolls and those “this will definitely work” turns were affected too. Which, of course, only made the experience better. Equal-opportunity suffering is the true mark of a great wargame session.

We spent the rest of the day doing what wargamers do best. We talked about wargames. Then, we talked about them some more. Bert has an absolutely fantastic collection. It makes you equal parts impressed and slightly concerned. How much shelf space can a single human realistically justify? We shared stories of past battles. We discussed games we love. We also mentioned systems we swear we’re going to learn someday. The hours just seemed to disappear.

There was plenty of chit pulling, troop moving, and all-around joyful cardboard shuffling. You know the rhythm. Lean in to study the map. Sit back to consider your next move. Reach for the dice like you’re about to negotiate with fate itself. It was one of those perfect hobby days. There’s no rush or pressure. It was just good gaming and even better company.

The café also delivered a really solid lunch. It gave us the chance to recharge and, naturally, talk about more games. While we were eating, Bert showed me a naval game he’s been developing. I have to say, seeing that creative spark up close was pretty inspiring. There’s something special about sitting across from someone. They aren’t just playing the hobby. They are actively helping shape it in their own way.

All in all, it was one of those days that reminds you why this hobby is so great. Great venue. Great food. Great games. Great conversation. It was a full day of playing, learning, and laughing. We pushed cardboard around the board. It was exactly the way a wargaming weekend should start.

This all happened on a Thursday. I set up shop right there in the café. I recorded the Zone of Control podcast. Now… was the sound quality studio-perfect? Let’s just say the acoustics were more “authentic hobby ambiance” than broadcast excellence. But honestly, the group chat didn’t seem to mind one bit. Folks were engaged, chiming in, and enjoying the show anyway. If anything, this situation is a testament to the strength and support within our gaming community. We are always there for each other, even with background dice rolling and occasional rules debates happening five feet away.

After wrapping the podcast, Bert and I squeezed in a couple more hours of gaming. Then it was time for me to pack it up. I had to shift mental gears. The Kansas City Advanced Squad Leader crew was gearing up for their March Madness tournament. I had to officially shut down my ACW operational commander brain. Next, I needed to fire up my ASL squad-level tactical brain. And let me tell you… that transition is not always smooth. One minute you’re thinking about divisions and grand maneuvers. The next moment, you’re worried about line of sight and residual fire. You even wonder if a half-squad can somehow ruin your entire day.

Still, that’s part of the fun. Different scales, different challenges, same great hobby — and Kansas City was just getting started.

All in all, it was an absolutely fantastic start to the weekend. From the moment I walked into the café, the day was packed with rewarding activities. It included great games and great conversations. There was also the simple joy of spending time with people who get it.

A very special shout out to Bert for taking the time to game, share stories, and show off parts of his collection (and his design work!). It meant a lot to finally get a game in together after his long-time support of the channel. And of course, a big thank you to the whole gang at the Cardboard Café. They’ve created such a welcoming place to gather, play, and enjoy being part of the wargaming community. The ambiance is genuinely cool.

This was the opening act for the Kansas City weekend. The rest of the trip was going to be something special. The rest of the trip was going to offer something unique. I had that feeling.