Holiday rental evenings: games without a TV
A holiday rental often lacks exactly what you take for granted at home: your own TV, your own Wi-Fi, the cupboard full of games. Many Gather games don’t need a TV – an iPhone, iPad or Mac acts as host, and the others join on their phones with a code.
- for 3–8 people
It’s easiest if all devices are on the same Wi-Fi. Rental Wi-Fi, though, is sometimes set up so guests’ devices can’t see each other. If the host is online, joining then works via the QR code through gathergames.de, over mobile data too. Without internet, a fallback such as a small travel router helps – try it out at home first.
Games that fit
Crazy Mau
2–8 players5–15 minworks without a TVCrazy Mau is for the big evenings when everyone in the house wants to play – up to eight people. Everyone keeps their cards on their own phone, and shuffling and dealing happen automatically.
Thirty-One
2–9 players10–20 minworks without a TVThirty-One is made for the terrace: short rounds, three lives, no scoring by hand. The game holds up when someone pops off to fetch drinks.
Little Max
2–8 players10–20 minworks without a TVLittle Max replaces the dice cup the rental is guaranteed not to have. Everyone sees their roll only on their own phone; the bluffing stays the same.
Rummy
2–6 players15–40 minworks without a TVRummy is for the quiet evenings when some of the group are already asleep. The app checks the 30-point rule for your first meld, so nobody has to count.
Five Dice
1–6 players10–30 minworks without a TVFive Dice suits the afternoon between beach and dinner. Kids who can already add a little can join in, and the score sheet fills itself.
How it can go
Arrival evening
Right after you arrive, check that two phones can find each other on the Wi-Fi – the easiest test is for one to start a game and the other to join with the code. Then a first round of Crazy Mau.
The afternoons
Five Dice or Thirty-One on the terrace once everyone is back from the day out. Neither needs a big screen.
The long evenings
Little Max with the whole group, later Rummy for anyone still awake.
Tips
- If the rental Wi-Fi doesn’t work, your own network helps – for example a small travel router. Test your setup at home before you leave.
- Bring an iPad if you also want big-screen party games – it then becomes the game table for Quiz Night or Sketch Round.
- Charge every device overnight; if the host device runs out, the game ends.
More occasions
- Game night with friends
- Birthday games for grown-ups
- Kids’ birthday party: games with little reading
- Games for Christmas
- New Year’s Eve with games
- Family gatherings: games for young and old
- Office parties and team events with games
- Game night for two
- Bachelor and bachelorette party games
- Flatshare night with games
- Rainy day: what to play when you’re stuck inside
- School trips and youth camps: evening games
- Seniors’ club: familiar games on a new table
- Pre-party: quick games before you head out
- Getting-to-know-you night: games for new groups
- Halloween: games for a dark night
- Easter: games for the long weekend
- Family game night: playing with your kids
- Grandparents and grandkids: games for two to four
- Match night: games before kick-off and at half-time
- Cabin weekend: games for several evenings
- An evening on your own: games against the computer