A true classic, this game has been played since the days of the Roman Empire. It’s easy to learn, but hard to master. Games take only a few minutes, but you’ll want to play again and again.

Players alternate situating their pieces on the game board, where they try to get “mills” (three in a row). Each time a player succeeds, they remove an opponent’s piece. When all pieces are set out, players are then free to move their pieces to adjacent spots in order to create more mills. Play continues until one player has only 2 pieces left and is unable to make any more mills.

While you might choose to store this in your game cabinet, the board and pieces are attractive enough to earn a permanent spot on your coffee table. The 6.5'“ x 10.5” x 1” board is made of your choice of solid oak or ash, and the pieces are hand cut from hardwood dowels. Several coats of polyurethane provide a protective finish. Laminated instructions are included, and they won’t get lost—they fit into a pocket on the underside of the board.