Monte's Top 10 Rules of DMing

10. It's not cheating to use a prepared adventure.

9.5 It's not cheating to steal bits and pieces from various prepared adventures and incorporate them into your own.

9. Figure out what sort of game your players want to play. Make sure that's what you're providing (as well as the sort of game you want to run).

8. It's your (group's) game. It's not the game designers' game, it's not the module writer's game, it's not the message board regulars' game or the game shop owner's game. Do what you (and the players) want.

7. Be fair. Even if it ends up not the way you want it. Even if it makes you look foolish.

6. Be consistent. Know the rules, or at least the rules as you want to play them. If a character tries to grapple a foe, it should work just like it did the last time he tried. Know your world. If there was a broken window in the tavern the last time the PCs were there, it should be broken when they get back -- or show obvious signs of recent repair.

5. Be serious. Present the players with a world that they can understand, that they can believe in, and that they can care about. Don't do anything to remind the players that they aren't really characters in a fantasy milieu. It's hard enough to achieve verisimilitude as it is without distractions from you.

4. Never let anyone into your game that you wouldn't want to spend an evening with doing something else.

3. If you can run a pretty decent game "winging it," you can probably a really kickin' game with just a little preparation and forethought. Don't be afraid of a little work. Your players deserve it.

2. Be entertaining. Roleplay the NPCs as if each was a real person. Use voices, facial expressions, gestures, posture, props, illustrations from books or magazines, diagrams, sketches, sound effects, music or anything else you possible can. Even if it makes you look foolish (because it won't -- it'll make you entertaining).

1. Remember, it's a game. It's supposed to be fun. Fun for everyone sitting around the table.