Berkeley Game Club FAQ - Frequently-Asked Questions
Does one just go to the meeting place to join in? Yes. We are just a bunch of people who like to play fast-action social games like the ones we mention on our list. We have also gotten to know each other over time, but we are always especially happy to see new players. So, you don't really "join". You just show up whenever you feel like it. From week to week you never know who's going to be there. Hope to see you whenever you feel like showing up!
When is the next meeting? Meeting information is elsewhere on this web site (http://berkeleygamers.com).
When is the best time to show up? If you arrive exactly at the start time, you should be prepared to wait, or to order some food, until other people arrive. Sometimes others will already be there, but you can't depend on it. People generally drift in during the first half hour or hour. Sometimes people continue to drift in even after that.
Is your group open to testing new games? Maybe. Bring your games to a meeting and see whether you can persuade anyone to play. We make no guarantees. Bear in mind that there are plenty of other groups that play heavy strategy games. We generally prefer fast-action social games.
What other places would you consider for meetings? We want places where:
- there are enough tables suitable for board games for over a dozen of us for 3 hours (until 10 P.M. or later), and they can be rearranged for large or small groups;
- inexpensive meals (not just snacks) are for sale on-site, and food orders are placed at the counter, not at the table;
- travel time from downtown Berkeley is under 15 minutes;
- there are no usage fees or minimum charges per group or per person;
- background noise is quiet enough that we can hear each other at normal volume, and exuberant games like "Outburst" will be tolerated;
- lighting is good enough for reading;
- accessibility by public transit is easy, and free parking is nearby;
- management is happy to have our business.
For a list of places we have considered, see our table of locations.
I'd like to invite you to patronize my game store, OK? If your store is the kind of place we like (see above), great! Remember that we use this site to coordinate game club meetings in or near Berkeley and to attract new participants. We do not want to chase people off the group by hitting them with advertising. If we do not know you, we consider your advertising off-topic. You are welcome to lurk (receive emails and browse through the site without sending emails to the group or attending any events). You are not welcome to send unsolicited off-topic emails if you do not participate in any other way.
I don't want to buy anything to eat where you meet, OK? Yes, that is OK. Feel free to eat before you arrive or after you leave. Sometimes, the places where we meet do not seem to mind if you bring in food from outside, but you never know. We try to buy where we meet, though, to support the management.