“Games capture a basic need in people for friendly competition — a play battle where people practice skills and strategies, ‘fight’ against each other, yet remain friends and allies,” says Jill Bellinson, author of Children’s Use of Board Games in Psychotherapy. If some of this friendly competition is what your nightlife needs, then Jayplay has you covered. This step-by-step guide to creating the perfect game night is sure to lead you and your friends into a night of alternative recreation.

1. Choosing the perfect party game

Kyle Billings, owner of Fun and Games, 830 Massachusetts St., recommends games that get everybody to interact during everyone’s turn. He says he doesn’t like games where people have to wait around during other people’s turns. For the perfect game night Billings recommends games like Cranium, Apples to Apples (a card/trivia game) and Imaginiff (a question/get-to-know-your-friends game). He says Apples to Apples is the game he always recommends to customers, and they always come back wanting it for their friends. Other good party games include: Catchphrase, Scattergories, Balderdash, Scene It, Taboo, Ouija and Trivial Pursuit. If you have a lot of time on your hands and some patient friends, try classics like Monopoly, Scrabble or Life. For the kid at heart, remember games like Mall Madness, Girl Talk, Candy Land, Guess Who?, Chutes and Ladders, Sorry! and Mouse Trap. Or you can create themed game nights with murder mystery games like the classic Clue or Crack the Case. No matter what games you choose, make sure you pick two or three and vary the type. Also make sure you have the correct number of players for each game.

2.Where to play?

Now the easy answer is at home, but many considerations must be taken into account before a locale is decided. Will there be ample playing room? Does the house in question have necessary equipment: TV, DVD player, etc.? Will roommates be upset by loud noise? The easiest way to solve this dilemma is to talk it over with your friends and decide whose house will serve game night best. Or if you have a group of fearless friends, take your game of choice out to the bars and combine your two favorite pastimes. Games like Catchphrase transfer easily to the bar and could make attracting new friends much easier, especially when they see how much fun you are having.

One boring weekend Jessicah White, Winfield senior, and two friends decided to mix things up a bit. Instead of another night at the bars, the girls wanted to return to a more innocent time. A time when all a girl needed to entertain herself was some friends and a little Girl Talk: Truth or Dare. White and her friends called boys to tell them “You’re cute!” They put their bras on the outside of their clothes and put peanut butter on their lips. Perhaps this is just what students need in the face of midterms and impending finals — a little release and change of pace that a well-timed board game night can provide.

3. To drink or not to drink?

If a night without drinking amounts to a night without fun for you, then by all means make your favorite fancy cocktail. Some to consider, inspired by games or game titles, include The Game and Risk. The Game is light rum, triple sec and cranberry juice. Risk consists of Aftershock, orange juice, and Yukon Jack. Wine can class-up game night, but beer will work too. But the beauty of game night is the possibility of completely sober fun, and the opportunity to take a night off from drinking to ease last night’s hangover — and your wallet.

4. Snacks for gamers

A game night would not be complete without snacks. To shake up the standard party food of chips and salsa, try chips or pita bread with spinach and artichoke dip. Guacamole is also a game night friend, but don’t go overboard on the chips. Grease on game pieces is never fun. Try baking cookies in the shapes of Monopoly pieces or make a cake that celebrates your night of gaming. Check out www.foodnetwork.com for great party food ideas.

5. Come, friends — play!

The most important step in planning a game night is to make sure you invite plenty of friends who are ready to play. Make sure that the games you choose will accommodate the number of people you plan to invite, or that you can have groups of people playing different games at the same time to create a tournament atmosphere.

Follow these steps and your game night will be a great way to break out of the usual tired Lawrence nightlife. Make game night a weekly or monthly ritual if you want. Be sure to gather all essential ingredients and then, get gaming.