Worker placement is a mechanism where players take turns placing their limited supply of worker tokens on action spaces on the board. Each space typically allows only one worker, creating competition for the most desirable actions. Players must prioritize which actions to take and anticipate what opponents will choose.

Worker placement creates natural tension through competition for limited action spaces. It provides meaningful decisions every turn, scales well across player counts (more players = tighter competition), and is easy to understand — place a worker, take an action. This combination of simplicity and strategic depth makes it one of the most beloved mechanisms.

In worker placement, you physically place tokens on spaces and those spaces become unavailable to others. In action selection, you choose actions from a menu without necessarily blocking others. Worker placement adds the element of blocking and turn-order importance that pure action selection lacks.

Classic worker placement games include Agricola (farming theme, tight resource management), Caverna (expanded Agricola with more options), Lords of Waterdeep (accessible D&D theme), Viticulture (wine-making theme), and A Feast for Odin (Viking theme with puzzle elements).