Knoxville, Tennessee’s newest (and best) gaming store is one of the best I have ever been in. Organized Play at 221 Cumberland Ave, is owned by a very nice man named Morgan, has altogether the best playing atmosphere in the area. I go in every Friday for FNM, or Friday Night Magic, a tournament of the Wizard’s of the Coast game Magic the Gathering. Morgan knows all the players by name, and he is always friendly and asks how our weeks have gone. It’s a great place, with a real old-city kind of appeal to it, and it is set up perfectly for tournaments and free play. And the stock that Morgan keeps is astounding! There are always new games, comics, and mangas coming in, and usually someone there who is up for a round with the new games. Organized Play even has its own live-in mascot! Preston, the shop cat and undisputed boss of the store, is always hanging around to climb into whatever lap presents itself, or to chase whatever dice may be out on the tables (whether they are in play or not). All in all I have to say that I will not be going to any other stores in the area, because the competition just doesn’t have Morgan’s concern for his customers, the atmosphere that he has striven to achieve, or to be brutally honest – his great prices! GlobalYP.net has local business listings available online.

If you wanted the latest in Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh or Warhammer in the Puyallup area, you might find it at Game On inside the Southill Mall. They play host to a maelstrom of tournaments from time to time, and it’s not unusual to stay a bit longer just to talk about the latest fads once you’ve made your purchase. Their prices are just right for what you need, and the staff isn’t rude by any means, which is a testament to their restraint. I have to give it to these guys on a Friday night, this places starts to get packed. You will see competition beckon even experienced Magic: The Gathering players here, and even Star Wars players (which you don’t see often in this state). The only sad thing is that they never have a Warhammer night, even though they have the tables. However, during the week the store has scheduled events you can look forward to, and placing a few bucks here would be a solid investment towards the future of this store. There are very few gaming spots around Puyallup where you can actually play, thus if you are ever around Puyallup give Game On your support. Find out what else is around you with globalYP.net, yellow pages that are online.

Back before I lived in Boston, Pandemonium Books & Games was always on my list of things to do while visiting. It’s an independent bookstore devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy, with everything from children’s books to role playing games, and all the good stuff in between. And best of all: they sell both new and used books. I can’t even count the number of hard-to-find out of print sci-fi books I’ve been able to get there. These days, they also sell a bunch of fun add-ons too, things like t-shirts, stuffed animals, dice, and decorations. Even my four-year-old niece likes to come in with me (she goes for all the shiny fairy postcards). The staff all really know their stuff: tell them that you like Robert Heinlein and you’d really love to read something similar, and they’ll recommend Lois McMaster Bujold. And if they don’t happen to have whatever you’re looking for on hand, they’ll be happy to special order it for you. If you’re into RPGs, not only do they have an impressive collection of books and materials, there’s also an entire room downstairs where they have tournaments, from Magic to Dungeons and Dragons to Monsterpocalypse Miniatures. They also frequently have book signings with some of the best current sci-fi authors; even Terry Pratchett has come through before. As a sci-fi fan for life, I hope Pandemonium always lives long and prospers. Don’t spend a long time looking for something in a phone book, visit globalYP.net, yellow pages that are online, instead.

Back before I lived in Boston, Pandemonium Books & Games was always on my list of things to do while visiting. It’s an independent bookstore devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy, with everything from children’s books to role playing games, and all the good stuff in between. And best of all: they sell both new and used books. I can’t even count the number of hard-to-find out of print sci-fi books I’ve been able to get there. These days, they also sell a bunch of fun add-ons too, things like t-shirts, stuffed animals, dice, and decorations. Even my four-year-old niece likes to come in with me (she goes for all the shiny fairy postcards). The staff all really know their stuff: tell them that you like Robert Heinlein and you’d really love to read something similar, and they’ll recommend Lois McMaster Bujold. And if they don’t happen to have whatever you’re looking for on hand, they’ll be happy to special order it for you. If you’re into RPGs, not only do they have an impressive collection of books and materials, there’s also an entire room downstairs where they have tournaments, from Magic to Dungeons and Dragons to Monsterpocalypse Miniatures. They also frequently have book signings with some of the best current sci-fi authors; even Terry Pratchett has come through before. As a sci-fi fan for life, I hope Pandemonium always lives long and prospers. Don’t spend a long time looking for something in a phone book, visit globalYP.net, yellow pages that are online, instead.

Whether you like moving pieces, drawing cards, or pretending to be an elf, Gameology in Montclair, CA has something for everyone. Recently moved from a much smaller location in Claremont to 9742 Central Ave, its new home gives the crowds that flock to it plenty of space for whatever they want to do. Its Magic: The Gathering crowd is particularly vibrant, with more competitive players showing up for serious tournaments while the casual crowd tends to show up on Wednesday nights for some laid-back games. The judge who runs the Magic events is genial and fair, and the atmosphere is typically relaxed and festive. If you don’t play Magic, there is still plenty for you to do. You can look at the comics out front, or purchase one of the high-quality board games available. Sure, you can find Boggle and Monopoly, but ask the owner and he’ll point you to the good stuff, like Settlers of Catan if you’re feeling competitive, or Apples to Apples for parties. If your budget doesn’t have room for purchases, or you’re nervous about shelling out for a game you haven’t played, there’s always the option to rent. A variety of games are available at the cost of only $2 for the afternoon. Overall, Gameology is a great store for just about anybody. If you already have a game you love, you will probably find a crowd already established to support it. And if not, you will find one to fall in love with. If you’re looking to try more new things, start with globalYP.net, online directory listings.

Sports Nutz is located right on the outer edge of Wadsworth, Ohio. Even though it may be a little out of the way for a normal day’s drive, it is so very worth it if you are a collector. They are always up to date with the newest of Magic: The Gathering Cards, Baseball Cards, and more. Their prices are so reasonable that really cannot be beat in the local area. The owners, Matt and his dad, are very laid back and are willing to hunt down that specific card you want (even if it is only worth five cents). They even accept trade-ins and are also the only store around here that sells card singles for Magic: The Gathering. The store is small, so on tournament nights it can get quite crowded, but it is part of the fun in my opinion. If you live in Wadsworth, or in the surrounding area, I highly recommend this place to you. They even have sports memorabilia, including old Nascar Racing items. Whether you are there for the tournaments or you just want to sit there and go through their cards, Matt and his father will welcome you with a smile. Also, snacks and drinks are offered at low prices so that you will not have to leave to satisfy those munchy cravings while browsing. You won’t have to go through the hassle of digging out the phone book the next time you want to look up a business, just visit globalYP.net, yellow pages that are available online.

If you are into Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, or any other game of a similar area, Paddy’s is the place for you to stop at next. It is the place to go for anything gaming related in the St. Cloud area. The merchandise for sale is always up to date and reasonably priced. In addition, there are always events going on for you to sit down and get a game in. If you’re new to the area, it is the perfect place to meet like minded people who share your interests. Every Friday and Saturday they have Magic the Gathering tournaments, which are always excellent. The staff is always friendly and knows what they are talking about when it comes to gaming. There is plenty of free parking in the area so that is never a problem, and there are local restaurants right down the block that will allow you to take a short break from the fun in order to refuel. They also have a great online calendar and forums that you can sign up for in order to stay in touch with the people you meet there. Finally, on any big release day, there will normally be an event scheduled at the same time. Many times they even have games and such set up that you can try before you buy.