“What works best at my table may not work at yours, and what works best at your table may not work at mine. Do what works best for you and your players.”

If you’ve followed my blog or YouTube channel for any length of time, you’ve probably seen or heard me say this phrase. It’s not just something I toss around to dodge tough topics or avoid having an opinion. Far from it. This idea is foundational to the way I approach TableTop RolePlaying Games as a Game Master and as a creator. It’s about respect, inclusion, and understanding that no two tables are the same.

And yet, someone posting from what was obviously an alt account recently called this attitude “an act of cowardice.”

Let’s talk about that.

A Better Way to Play Together

I didn’t get into tabletop games to build walls. I got into them to build worlds. I became a Game Master to create stories.

At my table, I welcome diversity, not just in terms of who sits down to play, but also in how they play. Whether you love crunchy combat or loose, rules-light storytelling, grimdark settings or whimsical adventures, dungeon crawls or court intrigue, there’s room in this hobby for it all. Maybe you’re loud and excited or quiet and introverted: there’s room for all of us.

Saying “Do what works best for you and your players” is not a cop-out. It’s a guiding principle that honors the diversity of playstyles, player needs, and creative visions out there. It’s the opposite of cowardice. It’s courageously stepping away from rigid dogma and saying: you get to decide what fun looks like at your table. And I’ll celebrate that with you, even if your style doesn’t match mine.

Drawing the Line.

Now, don’t get me wrong: being inclusive doesn’t mean blindly accepting everything. There is a line, and I draw it at hate, bigotry, and authoritarian control. If someone’s idea of fun is rooted in exclusion, cruelty, or power-tripping, then no, I’m not going to support that. But if people come together in good faith to tell stories, solve problems, and create memories, I don’t care if they’re rolling D20s, pulling cards, or using interpretive dance. If it works for them and everyone’s cool with it, then good. Play on.

Why I Keep Saying It.

I say “Do what works for your table” a lot. I even have it saved as a prewritten block in my blog software because I believe in it that much.

Please do what works best for you as a Game Master and your group. What works for me at my table may not work for yours and vice versa. The main focus is to have fun. There is no right or wrong way to roleplay.

It’s my way of reminding everyone that this hobby isn’t about proving who’s the smartest, most experienced, or most “correct.” It’s about sharing joy. It’s about listening, adapting, and lifting up the people around the table with you: players and GMs alike.

The internet is filled with voices shouting, “You’re doing it wrong!”
I’ve heard that voice before—especially coming up in the TTRPG scene as a younger player. A lot of us have. I made a promise to myself back then: I wouldn’t become that voice.

What I Am Saying.

I have preferences. I have strong opinions. I share advice based on my own experience, passions, and successes. But I’ll never claim my way is the only way. You may not like the way I run initiative. I might not like the way you narrate spellcasting. That’s okay. That’s great, even. It means we’re experimenting, refining, growing. It means the hobby is alive.

My channel, my blog, and my table are all built around one truth:
Roleplaying is a shared act of imagination—and that means it belongs to all of us.

A Closing Thought:
So if you’ve ever been told you’re “doing it wrong,” I want you to know:
You’re not alone.
You’re not failing.
You’re not a coward.

If you’re making the effort to give your players a great experience and you’re staying true to your style while respecting theirs, you’re doing just fine. Keep going. Keep experimenting. Keep rolling.

And as always: Do what works best for you and your players.

Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.