Hey there, it's Stephen Dupner.

There's a pretty good chance that you or someone you love is recently received or given

some sort of game as a holiday gift.

If so, there is probably an even better chance that the playing of said game will ultimately

lead to competitive urges that had been capably subdued to that point.

It will perhaps even lead to tears.

No one likes to lose.

Wouldn't you like to avoid the tears of defeat?

The following episode will help you do that.

It's called How to Win Games and Beat People.

It was part of our self-improvement month series from 2016.

We've updated it slightly.

If you want to hear the rest of the series, our podcast archive is at Stitcher or Freakonomics.com.

Thanks for listening, and good luck.

It's an activity that seems to be eternal and universal.

We do know that board games are just about as old as civilization, itself, and human being.

It's an activity that is inherently communal.

We're here for nights a week playing this card game that's been around since I was a kid.

And it's an activity in which the mere participation brings joy, regardless of outcome.

Right?

Losers look for joy.

I look for victory.

...