A Dad, A Gamer, A Mission
Hey there! I'm Kurtis Welch, and I'm obsessed with board games. Not in a "collects dust on a shelf" kind of way — in a "let's clear the dinner table and play until bedtime" kind of way.
I live in Austin, Texas with my amazing wife and our six kids, ranging from toddler to teenager. Yes, six. Yes, it's as chaotic and wonderful as you'd imagine. And yes, finding games that work for such a wide age range has become something of a personal quest.
When I'm not wrangling kids or rolling dice, I work in tech. But my true passion? Creating those magical moments when everyone's phones are put away, we're all around the same table, and someone's about to flip the board because Dad just blocked their best route in Ticket to Ride (sorry, not sorry).
Why Rally & Roll?
The name "Rally & Roll" captures what I love most about tabletop gaming: the way it brings people together (rally) and the delightful randomness of dice, cards, and chance (roll). Every game night is a chance to rally the troops and see where the dice take us.
I started this site because I kept getting the same questions from friends, family, and fellow parents: "What's a good game for my 5-year-old?" "What should we play at our next dinner party?" "Is Catan still worth it?"
There are plenty of board game review sites out there, but most are written for hardcore hobbyists. I wanted to create something different — honest, practical reviews from a family perspective. Games get tested not just by me, but by a panel of critics aged 3 to 15 who have no problem telling me when a game is "boring" or "too hard" or "THE BEST GAME EVER, CAN WE PLAY AGAIN?"
My Review Philosophy
Every game on this site has been played multiple times with my actual family. I don't do single-play reviews or regurgitate rulebooks. I want to tell you what it's really like to play these games with real kids who get tired, real parents who are already exhausted, and real game nights that sometimes end early because someone has a meltdown (occasionally the adults).
I focus on:
- Accessibility — Can different ages play together? How long does it take to learn?
- Replayability — Will this still be fun on play #50?
- Family Dynamics — Does this create fun competition or bitter feuds?
- Value — Is it worth the price and the shelf space?
- The Fun Factor — At the end of the day, is everyone smiling?
Let's Connect
I love hearing from fellow board game enthusiasts, whether you're a seasoned gamer or just getting started. Have a game you want me to review? A question about what to play next? Just want to chat about the perfect strategy for Wingspan?
Thanks for stopping by Rally & Roll. Now go play a game with someone you love.