Play board games all night at the Long Island Quest Convention

There'll be a lot of red eyes this weekend as a 30-consecutive-hour board gaming convention swoops into town.

"Some people like to play all night long," says Brad Hausman, organizer of the Long Island Quest Convention, a new overnight gaming event. "It's a thing with gamers."

Dozens of tables will be set up for board game play, with both novice and more advanced players welcome, say organizers. The day's pass gives entry to dozens of board games, such as King of Tokyo, Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride. Axis & Allies -- a World War II-styled game -- will be popular, says Hausman, 39, of Amityville.

GAMES AT PLAY

For Sarah Feingold, 38, of North Amityville, Hausman's girlfriend, the thrill is finding other players who love a game as much as she does. With dozens of different titles on hand, players can try something new.

"Some are expensive," she says. "Are you sure you want to spend $25 for a game you aren't sure you like?" There will be tables for people to bring their own games to play with others. Winners in several of the tournaments will receive gift certificates to local game stores.

Hausman also promises a poker tournament for the Texas Hold'em fans.

"That's my thing," he says.

ABOUT ROLE-PLAYING GAMES

Many gamers are into "role- playing" board games, which involve players' inventing their own characters and story lines. Dungeons and Dragons is still a big title in this genre, says David VanderWerf, the owner of Game Master Games in Hicksville, who will also be running many of the tournaments at the convention.

"There are literally hundreds and hundreds" of these games, he says. One person acts as the storyteller, giving directions to other players who move their characters within a particular story line in order to win. Players take on the personas of their characters, and often barter for tools, weapons, homes and clothing, he says.

"It can get very exciting," says VanderWerf, and play can go on for hours. For the sake of timing at the tournament, he will establish time limits.

KEEPING UP THE STAMINA

Playing for hours requires stamina and substance. Hausman notes that the hotel's restaurant will be open for part of the convention -- snacks and drinks will also be sold. But how do players stay awake for gaming all-nighters? "I've stayed out until the wee hours of the morning and played games," says Feingold, a postal worker. "You don't want to go to sleep and you're wired to play. . . . You don't want to miss anything."

MAKE YOUR OWN GAME

For those prospective entrepreneurs who have an idea for their own board games, a special session held at 6 p.m. Friday will include representatives from a local accounting firm to discuss marketing, production, copyrights and patents. It's included in the $40 weekend pass.

Long Island Quest Convention

WHEN | WHERE 6 p.m.-midnight Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday-5 p.m. Sunday at Ramada Plaza at MacArthur Airport, 1730 N. Ocean Ave., Holtsville

INFO longislandquest.com

COST $40 for weekend pass