7 Board Game Accessories Reddit Players Actually Find Useful

1. A playmat for handling cards and components

A playmat changes the surface you use throughout a session. A little cushioning can make it easier to lift cards from a hard tabletop, while a suitable backing helps the mat stay in place.

Players mention neoprene mats in this discussion of game-night equipment and this thread about accessories used across multiple games.

A general-purpose mat suits households that switch between card games, dice games, and board games. A printed game-specific mat may help organize one title, but it is less adaptable.

Choose the area you actually need covered. A small central mat can leave room for player boards on the surrounding table. A larger mat creates a continuous surface. For a recessed table, use the internal playing dimensions rather than the overall furniture dimensions.

2. Token trays that can go straight from storage to play

Resource piles tend to spread. Small trays keep related pieces together and give players something they can pass around.

The most convenient version may be a container that also stores those components between sessions. Players discuss this approach in a thread about useful upgrades: remove the container, take off its lid, and start playing.

Use shallow trays for frequently handled pieces. Deep containers can hold more but make small tokens harder to retrieve. Several small bowls may work better than one large organizer when resources need to reach opposite ends of the table.

These are particularly useful for games with shared currencies or multiple resource types. A game with only a few tokens may need nothing beyond its original packaging.

3. Card holders for large hands or crowded player areas

Holding a large hand can become tiring, and laying every card flat consumes space. A card holder gives those cards a stable home.

Players mention domino-style holders in the underrated accessories discussion. They can also help solo players manage separate hands.

Choose the arrangement around how you read cards. A single row keeps full card faces visible but needs more width. Tiered holders use vertical space, although overlap can hide important text.

Keep hidden information hidden. A holder that displays cards beautifully to you may also expose them to the player beside you.

4. A stand for rulebooks and scenario books

A book that everyone consults deserves a better position than underneath the resource bank.

A cookbook stand can hold it upright on the table. A freestanding music stand can move it beside the table altogether. The latter is especially useful for a campaign book that remains open throughout play.

This is a strong option when books are used for reference. If the open book is also the game board, moving it away may make the game harder to operate.

5. A dice tray for crowded games

A dice tray creates a defined rolling area. That can be useful when loose dice would otherwise collide with miniatures, cards, or carefully arranged tokens.

Players discuss dice trays alongside mats and component trays in this equipment thread. Another discussion of repurposed items includes using an empty game-box lid.

A folding tray is convenient when accessories must pack away. A box lid is a simple way to discover whether you like having a dedicated rolling area before buying anything.

6. A reusable currency set for games that benefit from it

Metal coins and poker-style chips appear in accessory discussions because handling resources can be part of the enjoyment. They are a tactile upgrade, not an automatic improvement to every game.

A shared set makes sense when several games use compatible denominations. Preserve clear values and distinguish currencies that the rules treat differently.

If the original currency already works well, this can stay an optional indulgence.

7. Small deck boxes for separate card groups

In a favorite-accessory discussion, players mention deck boxes for organizing cards inside game boxes.

These are useful when setup begins with finding the right deck among several similar stacks. Separate containers can keep starter cards, scenario decks, and unused modules apart.

Choose around your actual cards, including sleeves if used. A well-labeled bag may be equally effective for a small deck