Hi folks! So I just finished my third game of Betrayal at House on the Hill and I was the traitor twice, a hero once. I won all three games actually, but it felt.. dirty. Unearned. Borderline mindless.

The first game I was killed as the traitor instantly, but my dolls won me the game (as I sat back for an hour moving the turn counter as my friends had all the fun). The second game the traitor's alien got stunlocked and we destroyed the ship in 3 easy turns. Third game I got a zombie popped my first turn, but the house killed the heroes for me. I didn't really feel like I did anything valuable to deserve those wins.

I'm realizing that I get really annoyed with games that seem to avoid (or lack) strategy. Of course there is SOME thought and planning that goes into the game, but even though I won those games I left them feeling dissatisfied. I despise games like Mario Party cuz I just can't get into the fun if it's heavily reliant on luck-based dice rolls, card draws, etc. I keep hearing that Betrayal is a "thematic" game, not a strategic one, what the hell is the point of a board game if not for strategy and a calculated victory?

Anyone experience something similar when playing board games? How do you move past the fact that a game may screw you over way beyond your control? Or rather, how do I learn to embrace the fact that a game might be unbalanced, in which chance has a huge part in how it plays out?

Serious post, not just venting. Genuinely looking for advice before I sourpuss the next game night.

Edit: wording