As with any guild, if you join this guild, you will be able to locate games owned by any of the members, by browsing the guild games. (My Geek / Guilds: Orange County, CA, USA / Browse.)
Gaming Groups (in order of size)
The gaming groups in OC are very friendly, making every effort to welcome spouses-of-gamers to grognards. While the primary focus of the larger groups is Eurogames, virtually any board (or card) game is played. If you want to try a specific game, you can usually find someone to bring it and people to teach it and play it.
Only the largest groups are listed here: several smaller groups, 5-10 people, also exist; however, naturally these groups could be disrupted by even a few new people--the venue might get too full, regulars might get pushed out in groups using an RSVP system, and so forth. These smaller groups meet anything from weekly to ad hoc. Please attend one of the larger groups, and ask about other groups.
* Orange County Board Gamers
OCBG is the largest group in OC, having over 500 members, despite frequent pruning of inactive members. Most of the larger gaming groups cooperate with OCBG and list their events on the OCBG site. OCBG uses the Meetup.com system, and you should RSVP using this system. Meeting dates are mostly regular, but you should check the OCBG site in case of changes.
OCBG largest venue is the Duck Club, with as much capacity as some conventions! The Duck Club is on a private road so you must follow the directions or use the map on the OCBG site--all electronic and paper maps will lead you to the mailing address, over a mile away from the venue! Times are usually 11am to 10pm. Please RSVP using the Meetup system!
OCBG has its own OCBG Guild. As of late 2011, OCBG and its associated groups (like SAGA, below) host gaming Monday evening, Tuesday evening, Wednesday Tichu evening (for much of the year, and other games if you can convince the Tichu players; you MUST RSVP through OCBG for this event!) Thursday evening, most Saturday days and many Sunday days and sometimes days and evenings.
OCBG charges $5 per year for membership to defray Meetup charges and other costs, usually collected around the end of the year. This is only collected at OCBG events (the Duck Club and Tichu). You can attend a few meeting to try the group before paying.
* Strategic & Adventure Game Association
SAGA meets at a community center near El Toro and the I-5, just south of the El Toro Y. Maps are available on the web site. SAGA games 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 10-4:45, and has been at this site since 2003. The current dates are at the link, and SAGA dates are locked in 1-7 months in advance.
You may RSVP for SAGA through OCBG (above). Or, please contact Tall_Walt by Geekmail or by sending a message on SAGA's Yahoo list if you're planning on coming. Like OCBG, we do our best to welcome all gamers.
* North Orange County Board Gamers
NOCBG holds meetings on the first Saturday of the month in a community center in Northeast Anaheim, noon-5pm. Meetings are rarely preempted due to extraordinary events. You may check status and RSVP through OCBG (above).
