Meet Calgary's Games Master, the sheriff of board games

The increasing popularity of board game cafes in Calgary has prompted one establishment to hire a Games Master.

Justin Acierto mans a collection of more than 500 board games at Pips in Marda Loop. He also helps customers branch out and try something new.

"I'm the Netflix of board games. I'm like, 'You've played this? Oh, try this game."

The job was a good fit for Acierto, who owns more than 100 games himself.

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His vast knowledge of the rules of Scrabble, Sorry and Monopoly come in handy when players call him over to their table to settledisputes when things get a bit "intense."

Butby no means does he have all the answers. In fact, he spends a lot of time studying game manuals.

"That's my night reading. I don't read novels. I will honestly read a manual just to understand it better."

Master and matchmaker

When providing suggestions for games, Acierto says he's always considering the dynamic going on between his customers.

"For instance, if I see a couple and they're trying to get to know each other I will actually pick cooperative, two-player games that kind of get the conversation going," he said.

Highlystrategic games are better for friends but never for large groups.

"They're energetic and that would just kill the buzz."

There are four cafes in Calgary with a sizeable collection of board games Pips, Hexagon, Metal Galaxyand Boxcar.Three of those businesses opened inthe last year.

Calgary Eyeopener5:33Board game cafes take off across Calgary

The Eyeopeners Sarah Lawrnyuik talks to a gamesmaster at one of the citys newest board game cafes.

With files from the CBC's Sarah Lawrynuik and the Calgary Eyeopener