Do you play [...]?
A guide to join or start a local cards club
The most important technology we have right now is simple. So simple you forget it's technology at all.
After all, technology is any tool that helps us solve problems and shape experiences. During this moment in history diagnosed “the anti-social century” and a “loneliness epidemic," it’s these overlooked tools that bring us back together.
A deck of cards is one of those simple technologies – a portal to memories, neighbors, and traditions.
In 2023, Emma and I started Brooklyn Euchre Club with the hypothesis that people who lived in our neighborhood and knew our favorite game were probably our kind of people. That maybe a game of euchre could be our way to access in the flesh, face-to-face community that reminds us that being humans, together, is the whole point.
Strangers have become friends. Now we celebrate each other's birthdays, go on bike rides, help each other make furniture, some people even meet crushes, and we've indulged in too many laughs to count.
Turns out, to find your community, all you need is a deck of cards and the courage to ask someone, “do you play…?”
This is a short guide so you too can join or start a local cards club and find your people.
♣️ JOIN A CLUB
By showing up to something you care about, even if it's just for fun, you open up new possibilities for connection. But how do you find a club to join?
Search for “your favorite card game.” Use keywords like your city or popular neighborhoods plus “club,” “meetup” or “tournament.” Searching on Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook can help you uncover niche communities and ChatGPT can give you deep search super powers. Keep your eyes peeled on coffee shop bulletin boards and bar bathrooms littered in stickers, you never know what you’ll find.
Show up. Don’t be afraid to show up solo. In games like euchre, going alone is celebrated! To break the ice, ask people how they know the game — who taught them, where they were, and what else was going on in their life at the time. Games are deeply personal and open people up in surprising, delightful ways.
Keep going. Real community happens when people keep getting together. Give it another shot. And if it’s totally not your vibe after a few tries, maybe it’s your sign to start your own club.
GOING ALONE
Two of our most loyal regulars showed up to Brooklyn Euchre Club for the first time solo. They share their advice for anyone who might need a little extra courage to check out their local cards club alone.
“In other contexts, when you walk into a bar and want to meet new people, it’s awkward. There is no connecting force. But at Euchre Club, it’s essentially that: a bar and meeting new people but if we are all there for euchre club, it’s not weird to go up to someone and say hi.” — Claire
“It can be intimidating to walk into a room where you don’t know anyone but at least you know everyone knows how to play cards. It’s scary to play with someone new but it’s inherently social.” — Sam
♠️ START A CLUB
The power of starting a cards club is in its simplicity. You really only need three things: cards, tables, and humans. Lean into the simplicity as you get started.
Find somewhere to host. A venue should be a partner, not an expense. Bars, restaurants, and cafes benefit from people coming into their space to meet people and do something they love on a regular basis. Think about places you enjoy hanging out in your neighborhood, or that you want to spend some time in. Stop in to introduce yourself or send them an email letting them know what you are up to and how you might partner.
Invite people. If you do nothing else, recruit one person intentionally — your best friend, your partner, or your neighbor. Depending on the game, you might only need one other person to join you for it to be a club. And if more show up, you’ll need help. Think about reaching people you want to play with where they are at: text your friends and tell them to pass the invite along, post in local messaging boards, hang flyers, make an Instagram or an event page, or ask your local paper or neighborhood Instagram account to share it.
Greet people with care. The moment people walk in the door is the most important moment of the night. Have a sign that shows people you are here and someone near the door to say hello. We have a few talking points when people walk through the door (1) How did you hear about the euchre club? (2) How did you learn to play euchre or are you looking to learn tonight? (3) Do you need a partner tonight? Then, we can get them set up with the right people to start playing.
GETTING TACTICAL
At Brooklyn, we now have a team of 20 hosts who help us run the club and welcome the 60–70 players who join us on an average night. Each pickup night is hosted by four people: a greeter, matchmaker, teacher, and support. Here you’ll find our pickup-night checklist, which you can use as inspiration for how you might structure a cards night of your own.
A HOME TO HOST
The Parkhouse reimagined an old park locker room into a cafe, bar, and community hub, situated in the north-most corner of McCarren Park. Co-owner Aaron Broudo has become a sort of guardian angel to Brooklyn Euchre Club and a fearless supporter to gatherers of all stripes by not just offing a venue to host, but creating a home to gather. We asked him why he’s taken this generous approach to opening his doors and how other storefronts might do the same.
Why do you open your doors to community organizers?
Being that we opened in a public park, it felt important to make the Parkhouse a place people could easily meet their neighbors. Almost like a social community center. Folks from the local community are passionate about games and hobbies that we at the Parkhouse might not know too much about like quilting and midwestern centric card games. That’s where the magic happens, when community organizers bring in that type of energy.
How has opening your doors to local clubs shaped the Parkhouse?
The clubs that meet here quickly became a big part of our identity. We like to feel like we’re welcoming and that people associate us as a place to meet up, learn new games or hobbies. We’ve noticed that in this current screen-time obsessed culture, people are desperate to unplug and meetup in person. Forget social media. Euchre with real humans in person.
♥️ HAPPY PLAYING
We’re just one of many euchre clubs. The first time we ever played in McCarren Park, some friends walking home from tennis stopped in their tracks when they saw our sign. They told us they meet every Monday night at their buddy’s apartment to play. A regular told me her mom has played every Tuesday night in a neighbor’s garage for almost a decade. Another group of friends coined themselves the Gay Euchre Club. They have a group chat and play at their favorite bar.
All of this is to say, a card club is a simple yet powerful ritual — one you get to choose who you invite into. Are there people in your life you’re craving more steady, playful connection with? Or are you hoping to meet new people who can offer you that? A deck of cards can be an invitation to make new memories with the people you love, or a doorway into a whole new community.
Now go on, ask someone if they want to play your favorite game.
If you host a cards club or you’re thinking about starting one, please do say hello. I’d love to meet you and send you a print copy of the guide and poster!