Jess Hamlet

Board, Card, and Dice Game Expert

Jess Hamlet is a board, card, and dice game expert based in Springfield, Missouri. She is the owner of Village Meeple, Springfield’s first board game cafe. The cafe charges an admission fee that grants customers access to over 420 board games while they enjoy the atmosphere. They also serve food and drink, sell board games and accessories, and host private events. They host events of their own and put on teaching sessions for various tabletop games for community members to learn. Their board game shop boasts a wide variety of products, including party games, small box games, kid-friendly games, and dice games. Village Meeple champions the growth of in-person gaming, educational encounters, and tabletop adventure in the community.

Education

Master of Business Administration, Southwest Baptist University
BS, Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, Missouri State University

Professional Achievements

Owner of Village Meeple Board Game Cafe
Featured in multiple publications, including KOLR 10 news, Springfield Newsleader, Springfield Daily Citizens, and 417 Gamer Podcast

Certifications & Organizations

Horizon Fellowship awardee, The Game Manufacturer's Association (GAMA)

Favorite Piece of Advice

There is no right or wrong board game to like. Your opinions are valid, and there’s no wrong answer to your preference!
Role Playing Games like Dungeons and Dragons are a wonderful way to broaden your horizons and grow as a person. One needs improv, critical thinking, teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, humor, and grace to play these games.
You are no less of a “gamer” because you only like silly or easy games. You don’t have to sit at a table for three-plus hours on one game before you get your Gamer Card. Play the games that make you happy, and you have your Gamer status!

wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Q&A Comments (13)

Is there a way to perfectly roll a dice?

No, you can’t perfectly roll a standard dice to get the number you want every time—it’s random by design. There are cheating methods like loaded dice or controlled throws that exist, but they’re unfair and ruin the fun. Some novelty dice are weighted to favor certain numbers, but those aren’t standard and don’t count in real games. Rolling dice is all about luck, and that unpredictability is what makes it exciting and fun to play.

How do I get the rolls that I want?

If you want specific rolls, there are methods like weighted dice or controlled rolling techniques that can be used or learned. But these methods are generally considered unfair and unreliable. What everyone wants is fair play, and the best method is to let the roll of the dice be up to chance.

Where's the best scenario for using the Guidance spell?

Guidance is really useful if your party is about to attempt an ability check that really matters. It's perfect for skill challenges where every point counts, like picking a crucial lock, sneaking past a guard, or persuading a stubborn NPC. Because it adds a 1d4 to an ability check, you can use it to tip the scales in your favor. A good example is when you have a rogue that is about to disarm a deadly trap or your bard is trying to talk their way out of trouble, casting guidance gives them a little extra edge. It really is useful outside of combat, where you often have the time to cast it without worrying about turns.

See more comments

Co-authored Articles (41)

Dungeons & Dragons Name Generator

Create customized names for your DnD charactersAre you a druid, fighter, ranger, or rogue? Are you impish and clever, or solemn and strong? Whoever your DnD character is, find their perfect name with our custom name gene...

How to

Shoot Dice

Dice games are criminally under-appreciated. Shooting dice, also known as street craps, is a slightly simplified version of traditional Casino Craps, and is a classic hustle. You can also learn to play Mexican drinking d...

180 Mystical Names for Sorcerers & Sorceresses

Find the perfect sorcerer name for a character in a fantasy storyAre you in need of a mystical sorcerer name for a fictional character you’re creating or games like ''Dungeons and Dragons''? You’re in luck! We’ve p...

How to Play Sorry the Board Game: Beginner's Guide

Sorry is a family friendly game that can be played by 2-4 players age 6 and up. The object of the game is simple: get all four of your pawns from start to home before your opponents do. But the game can get tricky becaus...

What Are Ability Score Improvements & How Do They Work in D&D 5e?

How to increase your ability scores (and when to pick a feat instead) You’re leveling up your D&D 5e character and you’re prompted with a choice: should you give them an ability score improvement or a feat? This can ...

D&D Race/Species Quiz

Are you a massive fan of ''Dungeons & Dragons''—or its video game relative, ''Baldur’s Gate 3''? If so, this is the quiz for you. ''D&D'' has many playable bloodlines and species, from ethereal elves and fairies to ...

What Fairy Type Am I Quiz

If you were a fairy, would you control fire, help flowers grow, control the stars, or calm a bubbling brook? Answer these fun personality questions to learn what type of magical fairy you’d be! link=|alt=An illustrat...

How to Get Started in Warhammer: What to Buy and More

A guide on getting into the Warhammer 40k tabletop game What is Warhammer 40k? This competitive one-on-one tabletop game is played with miniatures, which makes it extremely unique among other games out there. Unlike ''Du...

The Ultimate Tiefling Character Name Generator for D&D

Plus a collection of male, female, and virtue names for inspirationAre you struggling to come up with a perfectly poetic name for your next tiefling character? We’ve got you covered! Below, you’ll find a tiefling nam...

How to

Play Dice (2 Dice Gambling Games)

Forms of dice have been popular in many cultures, with cubical, 6-sided dice having been found in China around 600 B.C. Originally used for divination, dice were soon used for various games, including games of chance. Wh...

The Ultimate Guide to the Changeling Race in D&D 5e

Create a shapeshifter to play in your next tabletop adventureChangelings are a playable D&D race that can change their appearance, offering a range of possibilities for roleplay. Changelings can be amazing spies or crimi...

Dexterity in Dungeons & Dragons 5e: All You Need to Know

Explore the many ways your Dexterity comes into play during D&D As one of the main ability scores in D&D 5e, Dexterity can be super important for many characters—but what is it, and why does it matter so much? Dexterit...

50 Names for Male & Female Half-Elves

Get personalized name options for your half-elf characterHalf-elves are a popular race in ''Dungeons & Dragons'', ''Baldur’s Gate 3'', and many other fantasy worlds. If you’re creating your own half-elf, give them a ...

The Sentinel Feat in D&D 5e: Everything You Need to Know

A detailed look at how to use and optimize the Sentinel feat Trying to find out if D&D 5e’s Sentinel feat is a good choice for your character? We can help! Sentinel is a feat that can boost a character’s responsivene...

Fierce & Creative Fire Dragon Names

Ignite inspiration with these epic namesNeed to name a fire-breathing dragon? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re writing a story or playing D&D, the name of your fire dragon can make or break their ...

True Neutral (Alignment): Everything You Need to Know

A closer look at true neutral characters and what motivates them Are you wondering what a true neutral character thinks and acts like? Maybe you’re thinking of playing a true neutral ''Dungeons & Dragons'' character, ...

Darkness Spell for Dungeons & Dragons 5e: An Easy Guide

Explaining how magical (and nonmagical) darkness works in D&D 5e You’re playing D&D and in the middle of a battle, looking for ways to cause a little chaos on the battlefield. Could the Darkness spell help you out? In ...

How to Build A Powerful Twilight Cleric in D&D 5e: Features & Tips

Every ability Twilight domain clerics recieve & how to use them Are you trying to decide on your new cleric character’s subclass and wondering if the Twilight domain is worth exploring? We’ll show you everything you...

Tritons in Dungeons & Dragons: Everything You Need to Know

Dive into the seas & explore the depths of this playable 5e species Are you trying to make a cool new triton character in D&D 5e? Or are you planning the next campaign adventure and wondering what a trip to triton socie...

How to

Make Warhammer Terrain

Warhammer games are the most fun when you have an active imagination. If you are creative you can take some simple, ordinary objects and turn them into incredible battle environments. All it takes is a lot of glue, paint...

See more articles