By Kreighton Long
In this article we will continue our exploration of how various Tournament Organizers (TO) from around the country approach the Best Painted awards of their Bolt Action tournaments. In the previous article we looked at TOs from Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Virginia, and California. This round I spoke with TOs from Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland.
by Kreighton Long
A few months ago, I wrote an article sharing different ways Bolt Action Tournament Organizers from around the country manage the flow of their tournaments. After wrapping up that article, I started thinking about other topics on which to shed some light. I found the inspiration for my next topic at a tournament I attended shortly thereafter. The impetus came from a discussion regarding the results of a Best Painted Army award. As this is painfully subjective (as all things art end up being), I figured this would be a topic with some potential. After interviewing ten tournament organizers from across the continental US, I put this together for your thoughts and comments.
By Kreighton Long
A few weekends ago I had the privilege to attend the Operation Amherst Bolt Action tournament at Bazooka Games in Westminster, Maryland. This tournament is the spring tournament run by Mike Kehs and the event reflected his veteran TO status. Rounds began in a timely manner, questions from players were quickly addressed, the atmosphere was friendly and constructive, and the tables were gorgeous and thematic. From a players perspective the event was well worth the drive and I left with some swag, a raffle prize, and some new friends.
By Kreighton Long
I recently wrote an article about a Bolt Action tournament I attended in February. One of the commenters made me think about how different Tournament Organizers across the country approach the time management piece of running a tournament. So I set out to collect some answers.
I reached out to TOs from coast to coast, some I knew from attending their events and others via Facebook or recommendations from others, and started to compile some ideas. The conversations began with point/order dice limits, how long rounds lasted, scenarios chosen or avoided, and additional measures put in place to help ensure well timed events. Take a look below on comments made by eight TOs. At the end you’ll find my key take-aways from this experience.
By Kreighton Long
On 21 February, thirteen players gathered at the Williamsburg Muster in Williamsburg, VA to compete in another one of Kalissa Skibicki’s Bolt Action tournaments. Most of the participants were returning players with friendly catch-ups throughout the weekend. A few new faces joined the usual gang over three rounds on gorgeous tables prepared by David Skibicki.
By Kreighton Long
This past December I was introduced by a friend to a new hobby store in Culpeper, Virginia — Brickhammer. I quickly made a trip to the store and met the owner, Kevin, and offered my services as someone who knows a bit about Bolt Action. He eagerly accepted my offer and we scheduled a demo game at the store in January. This was my first demo game and I challenged myself to do quality work for a group of potential new players.
By Richard Steer
Every year, our wargaming club in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, runs a one-day tournament for club members at the final meeting of the year. Named Remember December, this event commemorates club member Nick Garden, who passed away in 2015. The 2025 edition of the event was held on 13 December, playing Flames of War.
Remember December often has a themed format or unusual list restrictions, and this year was no exception, The format used was 55-points Late War, with infantry formations only. In addition, your force could not include more than one tank unit, a maximum of four vehicles, and a maximum Front Armor of 7. Three 1.5-hour rounds were to be played using the Extended Battle Plans mission selector, and each player had to use each stance once during the event.
By Aaron Kamakawiwoole
Hey Reader!
I had a chance to sit down with Jesse Marcelo (the 2025 Bolt Action Maryland State Runner-Up) to discuss the unique army he took to the event.
Sporting a Polish Partisans list (with Partisans being one of the armies in the new edition that people seem to be most displeased with since they lost so many of the tricks and unique elements that made them interesting), Jesse finished the day 3-0, with his final win being against me (the previous Maryland State Champion from last year).
The list performed really well, even though it defined conventions, so I sat down with Jesse to chat about what went into his choice of army. Take it away, Jesse!
By Aaron Kamakawiwoole
Hey Reader!
I had a chance to sit down with Joe Lint (the 2025 Bolt Action Maryland State Champion) to discuss the unique army he took. Having chatted with Joe in advance of the tournament on lists, Joe mentioned that he wanted to challenge himself and run with no tanks, which is a big loss for the US since they have a really good suite of tanks and tank destroyers.
So he went full swing into the 2nd Ranger Battalion for D-Day, complete with a display board with grappling hooks for ascending the cliffs, landing craft to showcase the men (they were not part of the army), and a painted fighter for his Air Observer to call in:
Seeing this army in-person was a real treat: it looks even better in-person, as the battle patches on their arms pop more, and the highlighting job in particular was very, very good.
But the list also performed well, so to guide that discussion, I had a few questions for him. Take it away, Joe!
By Kreighton Long
Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to compete in a Bolt Action tournament organized by Jesse Marcelo at Your Hobby Place in Alexandria, VA. This was Jesse’s third time as Tournament Organizer since hosting his first tournament last year in an effort to help grow the community. Each player was permitted a 1100 point list not to exceed 20 order die.
The mood of the event was friendly and light-hearted. All three of my opponents were a pleasure to play against with no absence of good humor and laughter while we worked through the three, two hour rounds. What I overheard throughout the day was that most of the players were congenial and friendly — minus one exception that the TO dealt with quickly and quietly. Overall, it was an excellent atmosphere for both green and veteran players alike.
