Hobby Shortcut: How to learn game rules

In this hobby shortcut I’ll guide you through my personal method of how I learn game rules, and how to wreck your rulebook in the process. Let me explain.

So, every new year, I open my trusty notebook to jot down a flurry of goal-setting notes. I map out life aspirations, such as better health and sleep, less food, less alcohol, more reading, bla bla bla … Some habits are tough nuts to crack …
But equally important are my hobby goals. A dedicated hobby journal is a game-changer, trust me. Beyond painting and crafting projects, I also list the games I intend to explore or simply play more often. Another aspect of my gaming resolution, and something I can do on my own, would be rules study.

Rules wise, I tend to differentiate between my primary system and the rest, say pick-up  or one-off games, we planned to play. 2024 and 2025, as attentive readers of this blog may guess, gravitates towards one core game as my main study topic/subject/matter, and for me, that’s Classic BATTLETECH. The complex, strategic depth of ‘Mechs clashing on the tabletop never fails to thrill me.

Studying the rules

This isn’t just a passive reading of rulebooks. It’s an active, immersive process. My rulebooks are tools, not pristine artifacts. They’re meant to be used, marked, and personalized. I underline key passages, annotate with my own insights, and glue in handy reference materials. Visual learning is crucial, so I sketch diagrams to clarify complex concepts.

This hands-on approach transforms the rulebook from a daunting text into a dynamic resource.

10 steps to make a rule book your own

1. Write your name on the first page.
2. Get some colored tabs and mark important chapters.
3. Annotate the hell out of it. Use highlighters and different colored pens.
4. Add cross references.
5. Add additional pages into your rulebook. Use tape and paper clips.
6. Glue a custom quick reference sheet on the back.
7. Illustrate with your own drawings, sketches, doodles and flowcharts.
8. Add stickers.
9. Repair your run down rulebook using tape, staples, thread, etc.
10. Finally: Get on the battlefield and play solo against yourself or against an AI controlled opponent.

Getting my hands on the rulebook, allows me to internalize the rules, understand the nuances, and ultimately, enhance my gameplay. By actively engaging with the rules this way, I gain a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the game.

Practicing the rules

By the point you’ve reached your second entire read-through, your rule book should look all beaten up, full of notes and sticky tabs.

At this stage, it is time to start playing that game. Be it against your opponent or for “training” purposes against yourself or an A.I. controlled opponent. A lot of rule sets come with solo rules already embedded or as (un)official supplements. I use Circuit Sim 3K for Classic BATTLETECH. Another, albeit digital, tool for that same game is Megamek. You can download it for free and play on your computer, using the rules you’re studying. While you can play against real humans online, the game also provides a clever A.I. opponent, perfect for your lonely training sessions.

Now that you are actively practicing your game, you’ll keep flipping through your rulebook, adding more annotations. Keep re-reading key passages from your rules or ones that you tend to forget.

After some games, re-read your rulebook cover to cover.

This “rules study” ritual isn’t just about how to learn your favorite game rules; it’s about fostering a deeper connection with the games I love. It’s about transforming a rulebook into a personalized gaming tool and in the process, a testament to my passion. And for any dedicated gamer, that’s a worthwhile endeavor, don’t you think?