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<blockquote data-quote="Piratecat" data-source="post: 4725161" data-attributes="member: 2">We've worked really hard on this. Some things we do, or have done in the past, include:1. Use the pig. We have a piggy bank that sits next to the table. Once we start gaming, people toss in money for out-of-character table talk as follows: $.05 for a pun. (Really horrible puns sometimes get refunds instead.) $.10 for out of game comments (&quot;Did you see Lost yesterday?&quot; $.25 for out-of-game war stories (&quot;I used to have this one character who was SO awesome...&quot;)&nbsp; We'd then use the money to buy soda with. We don't do this as much anymore, as everyone has been trained, but it works wonderfully for reminding people to keep focuised on the game.2. Initiative cards with advance warning. I track init with index cards. Each time someone comes up, I say &quot;Marcus is up, Aranel's up next, then a monster, then Kayleth.&quot; People have notice of when they should be ready.3. Have them roll the dice before checking modifiers. For a lot of checks, you know whether you made it before you even look up your skill modifiers. Roll the die firts, then look them up if it isn't obvious.4. Roll attack and damage dice all at once.5. For us, talking and strategizing is also a free action. We don't allow one player to browbeat another player's actions, though. If someone starts saying &quot;No, do this instead!&quot; when it isn't their turn, a gentle reminder is enough to get them to shush. 6. Anything that helps prevent analysis paralysis is a good thing. Once you use a power, remove that card from the pile of still-usable powers.7. Never stop the game to look up a rule unless it's really crucial. Have a player whose turn isn't up look it up instead while the DM continues.8. No TV nearby. No web browsing at the table for laptops.9. Encourage people to ignore the rule books' flavor text, and to make up their own. This helps keep their imaginations focused.EDIT: 10. Don't sit at the head of the table. Sit along one side instead. I found that when I was sitting at the end, everyone on the far side of the table chatted more. Everyone started paying more attention after I moved.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Piratecat, post: 4725161, member: 2"] We've worked really hard on this. Some things we do, or have done in the past, include: 1. Use the pig. We have a piggy bank that sits next to the table. Once we start gaming, people toss in money for out-of-character table talk as follows: $.05 for a pun. (Really horrible puns sometimes get refunds instead.) $.10 for out of game comments ("Did you see Lost yesterday?" $.25 for out-of-game war stories ("I used to have this one character who was SO awesome...") We'd then use the money to buy soda with. We don't do this as much anymore, as everyone has been trained, but it works wonderfully for reminding people to keep focuised on the game. 2. Initiative cards with advance warning. I track init with index cards. Each time someone comes up, I say "Marcus is up, Aranel's up next, then a monster, then Kayleth." People have notice of when they should be ready. 3. Have them roll the dice before checking modifiers. For a lot of checks, you know whether you made it before you even look up your skill modifiers. Roll the die firts, then look them up if it isn't obvious. 4. Roll attack and damage dice all at once. 5. For us, talking and strategizing is also a free action. We don't allow one player to browbeat another player's actions, though. If someone starts saying "No, do this instead!" when it isn't their turn, a gentle reminder is enough to get them to shush. 6. Anything that helps prevent analysis paralysis is a good thing. Once you use a power, remove that card from the pile of still-usable powers. 7. Never stop the game to look up a rule unless it's really crucial. Have a player whose turn isn't up look it up instead while the DM continues. 8. No TV nearby. No web browsing at the table for laptops. 9. Encourage people to ignore the rule books' flavor text, and to make up their own. This helps keep their imaginations focused. EDIT: 10. Don't sit at the head of the table. Sit along one side instead. I found that when I was sitting at the end, everyone on the far side of the table chatted more. Everyone started paying more attention after I moved. [/QUOTE]

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