

Fri 13 Feb
|Retrocave
Cardboard Carnival: A Gaming Circus Preview Night
We are inviting just eight people to step a little closer to the future of board games. Spend the evening learning, laughing and exploring brand new titles in a cosy private space, with everything taught as you play. It is a shared sneak peek designed to feel welcoming, social and special.
Time & Location
13 Feb 2026, 18:00 – 21:00
Retrocave, 498 Ashley Rd, Poole BH14 0AD, UK
Guests
About the event
The Gaming Circus Ltd Invites You In…
A Secret Preview Night of Upcoming Board Games
Some games arrive on shelves. Some arrive in communities first.
On Friday 13th of February, we are opening a small, private table event in Retrocave, Poole for something special. Not a big public demo. Not a busy convention hall. Just a handful of curious, friendly gamers gathering to discover new titles together before the rest of the UK even knows what is coming.
This is less “event,” more being let in on a secret.
🎟 Your Seat at the Table
We are keeping this intentionally tiny so it feels relaxed, welcoming and shared.
Only 8 tickets available
£5 per person
Private downstairs space at Retrocave
Ticket only entry
Everyone there is part of the same little group for the night. No random foot traffic. No crowd noise. Just us, the games and that “we are seeing this first” feeling.
🤝 How the Evening Feels
This is about playing together, not performing.
You will be in two tables of four, and each table will have a Gaming Circus team member with you the whole time. We will teach as you play, guide the flow and handle the rules so you can focus on the fun, the chat and the moments where everyone leans in at once.
It is designed to feel like:
Sitting down with friends
Learning something new together
Sharing those “wait, that is clever” discoveries
No rulebook stress. No pressure. Just a smooth, welcoming night of play.
🎲 The Games You Will Be Among the First to Try
We cannot reveal the names just yet, but you will be helping us explore four upcoming French titles that will be releasing later this year.
You will experience…
🃏 A Trick Taking Game That Bends the Rules
Your hand is not set in stone. You reshape it as you play, making small sacrifices that ripple through the round. Familiar foundations, surprising decisions and plenty of table talk.
🏘 A Beautiful 3D Town Builder
Little buildings rise right in front of you as you create a tiny town. Where you place them matters, because your residents care about their views. It is tactile, thoughtful and very satisfying to see your town grow.
🖼 A Dreamy Image and Word Game
Striking artwork fills the table. You connect images to words, trying to understand how others think and see the world. Expect those lovely moments where someone says, “I see it now.”
🏛 A Co operative Twist on a Beloved Tile Game
A well known tile placement game changes its heart. Instead of competing, you work together to meet architectural challenges, build divine altars and tackle scenarios that ask the whole table to plan as one.
🍕 Food, Drinks, and Space to Relax
Retrocave will be serving food and drinks throughout the evening, so you can grab what you need without leaving the atmosphere. The downstairs area is just for us, which gives the whole night a cosy, almost club like feel.
🌟 Why We Are Doing This
At The Gaming Circus Ltd, we love games, but we love the people around the table even more. This night is about sharing that early excitement with our community and letting you help shape the buzz around these titles before they launch.
You are not just attending.
You are part of the first group to experience them.
A small table. A shared secret. A night of discovery.
We would love you to be one of the eight. 🎪 This event is now sold out, if you would like to be added to the waiting list and be notified about other preview events drop us an email where we can add your name to the list.
Tickets
General Admission
This ticket gives you entry to the event and a reserved space at the demo table.
£5.00
Sold Out
This event is sold out
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