TL;DR
Start with BoardGameGeek for comprehensive game info and trading. Join r/boardgames for casual discussion and recommendations. Find game-specific Discord servers for deep strategy talk and regular online sessions. Use Facebook/Meetup for local group discovery. Each platform serves different needs—most active gamers use several simultaneously.
When I moved to a new city, I knew precisely nobody who played board games. My collection sat untouched for months until I discovered online communities weren't just for discussion—they were doorways to local groups I'd never have found otherwise.
Three years later, my game nights are packed. The internet made it happen.
The Landscape of Board Game Communities
Online gaming communities exist on a spectrum from massive general-interest platforms to tiny niche servers. Understanding where to find what saves time.
Online Board Game Community Overview
| Platform | Best For | Activity Level | Learning Curve | |----------|----------|----------------|----------------| | BoardGameGeek | Game info, trading, deep discussion | Very High | Moderate | | Reddit r/boardgames | Casual chat, recommendations | High | Low | | Discord | Real-time chat, online gaming | Varies | Low-Moderate | | Facebook Groups | Local meetups, trading | Moderate | Low | | Meetup.com | In-person event finding | Moderate | Low | | BGG Regional Forums | Hyper-local connection | Low-Moderate | Moderate |
BoardGameGeek (BGG): The Encyclopedia
If there's one site every board gamer eventually joins, it's BoardGameGeek. Think of it as Wikipedia, Amazon, and a forum combined for tabletop gaming.
What Makes It Essential
The Database: Every published board game has an entry. Ratings, complexity scores, player count recommendations, photos, rule clarifications, variants—it's comprehensive.
GeekLists: Curated lists from community members covering every conceivable topic. "Best Two-Player Games Under £20" or "Games With Asymmetric Powers" or "Worker Placement Games Without Wood Resources."
Forums: Every game has its own forum. Rules questions get answered, strategies get debated, expansions get reviewed.
The Marketplace: Buy, sell, and trade games. GeekMarket handles transactions; the "Trade" system lets you list what you want and what you'll give.
Navigating BGG's Interface
The site's design is... functional. Dense. Overwhelming for newcomers. Here's how to survive:
💡 BGG Beginner Tips
- Create an account immediately (needed for most features)
- Start with the "Hot" list to see current discussion topics
- Use the search bar for specific game forums
- Install the "Better BGG" browser extension for UI improvements
- Ignore the ranking wars (subjective, endlessly debated)
Finding Local Players
BGG's regional forums often contain "looking for players" threads. Search your city name + "forum" within BGG. Many local groups originated here.
The Math Trading System
One of BGG's best features: algorithmic trading rings. You list games you want to trade away, games you want to receive. The system finds multi-way swaps. You might trade your copy of Catan to someone in Manchester who sends Azul to someone in Bristol who sends Ticket to Ride to you.
BGG isn't just a database—it's where the hobby's institutional knowledge lives. Rule clarifications, variant collections, and strategy guides accumulated over decades save countless confused game nights.
Reddit's Board Gaming Corner
For casual, accessible conversation, Reddit's board game communities are welcoming.
r/boardgames (4.4 million members)
The main subreddit. Excellent for:
- "What should I buy" recommendations
- Casual news and discussion
- New gamer questions without judgment
- COMC (Collection On My Calendar) posts showing off collections
- Weekly threads for trading, rules questions, and more
Best threads to follow:
- "WSIG" (What Should I Get) posts—watch these to learn recommendation patterns
- "Midweek Mingle"—social chat, community bonding
- Weekly "Kickstarter Roundup"—crowdfunding news
r/soloboardgaming
Dedicated to single-player gaming. Reviews, recommendations, and discussion of solo variants.
r/boardgamescirclejerk
Satirical take on hobby trends. Funny if you understand the in-jokes; confusing otherwise. A sign you've been in the hobby a while when the humour lands.
Game-Specific Subreddits
Popular games have dedicated subreddits:
- r/Gloomhaven
- r/spiritisland
- r/twilightimperium
- r/wingspan
These offer deeper strategy discussion than general subreddits allow.
Reddit's Limitations
Upvote dynamics favour consensus opinions. Controversial or nuanced takes often get buried. Use Reddit for general guidance, not authoritative answers.
Discord: Real-Time Connection
Discord servers offer what forums can't: live conversation, voice chat, and scheduled online gaming sessions.
General Board Gaming Servers
The Board Game Community (65,000+ members) General-purpose server with channels for specific game types, LFG (looking for group) posts, and active discussion.
Heavy Cardboard Focus on complex, heavy games. Strategic discussion, analysis, and organised play.
Shut Up & Sit Down Community around the popular review channel. Friendly, moderated, accessible.
Game-Specific Servers
Most popular games have official or unofficial Discord servers. These offer:
- Real-time rules questions
- Scheduled online play sessions
- Variant development
- Direct developer interaction (sometimes)
Search "[Game Name] Discord" to find them. Join through invite links posted on BGG, Reddit, or official channels.
Why Discord Works
ℹ️ Discord Advantages
- Voice chat enhances online play
- Screen sharing for teaching games
- Bot integration for dice rolling, scheduling
- Private channels for regular groups
- Less formal than forums
Finding and Joining Servers
Use Disboard.org or the Discord server discovery feature. Search "board games" and sort by member count or activity.
Facebook: The Local Connection
Facebook groups serve a specific niche: local community organisation.
Local Gaming Groups
Nearly every city has a Facebook group. Search "[City Name] board games" or "[City Name] tabletop gaming." These groups organise:
- Pub game nights
- Home session invites
- Café meetups
- Convention carpools
- Local trading
UK-Specific Groups
- UK Board Game Trade & Sell (50,000+ members)—largest UK trading group
- Board Gamers UK—general discussion and meetups
- Regional groups for every major area
Facebook's Decline
Younger gamers increasingly avoid Facebook. Many groups have migrated to Discord or remain quiet. If local Facebook groups are dead, check if Discord alternatives exist.
Meetup.com: Event Discovery
Meetup specialises in organising real-world events. Board game groups flourish here.
Finding Meetups
Search "board games" in your area. Typical groups:
- Weekly game nights at pubs/cafés
- Monthly sessions at member homes
- Strategy-specific groups (war games, Euros)
- New-gamer-friendly introduction sessions
Attending Your First Meetup
RSVP Early
Popular events fill up. Confirm your attendance to guarantee a spot.
Message the Organiser
Introduce yourself. Ask what to bring (games? snacks?). Mention your experience level.
Arrive On Time
Arriving late means missing game starts. Early arrival ensures table selection.
Bring Something
A game you'd like to play, or snacks to share. Contributing builds goodwill.
Be Open to New Games
Don't fixate on playing your favourite. Flexibility makes you a welcome addition.
Creating Your Own Meetup
If local options don't exist, create them. Meetup charges for group creation, but alternatives (Facebook events, Discord organisation) work too. Five committed people can build a thriving scene.
Building Your Online Presence
Active participation opens doors.
Contributing Valuably
- Answer questions you're qualified to answer
- Share session reports (others enjoy living vicariously)
- Review games honestly (both positives and negatives)
- Participate in discussions respectfully
- Avoid constant self-promotion
Building Reputation
On BGG, your post history and GeekBuddy network create reputation. Positive trading feedback builds trust. Consistent, helpful participation makes you a known community member.
Finding Your Niche
General communities are great starting points. Eventually, you'll gravitate toward specific interests:
- Solo gaming communities
- Two-player specialists
- Heavy Euro enthusiasts
- Miniature gaming crossover
- Print-and-play creators
- Accessibility advocates
Finding your niche means deeper connections with people who share specific interests.
Safety and Community Standards
Online communities require judgment.
Red Flags to Watch
- Groups without moderation
- Excessive negativity or gatekeeping
- Trading without feedback systems
- Private deals without public accountability
- Communities tolerating harassment
Protecting Yourself
- Use PMs for personal info, not public posts
- Check trading reputation before deals
- Meet strangers in public spaces initially
- Trust your instincts about uncomfortable situations
Being Part of the Solution
- Report rule violations
- Welcome newcomers explicitly
- Challenge toxic behaviour politely
- Support moderation teams
- Model the community you want
The best gaming communities are intentionally welcoming. It doesn't happen accidentally—it requires active effort from members to make newcomers feel they belong.
From Online to Offline
The ultimate goal for most: translating online connections into real-world game sessions.
Making the Transition
- Be active first: People invite known community members
- Attend organised events: Meetups bridge online/offline
- Propose sessions: "Anyone near [area] want to try [game]?"
- Start small: Coffee + one game is less intimidating than full game nights
- Be patient: Trust builds over time
Maintaining Both Worlds
Online communities remain valuable even after building local groups:
- Rules clarifications during sessions
- New game discovery
- Trading with distant collectors
- Connection during travel
- Strategy improvement
Platform-by-Platform Action Plan
Your Community Building Action Plan
| Week | Action | Platform | |------|--------|----------| | 1 | Create BGG account, log your collection | BoardGameGeek | | 1 | Join r/boardgames, lurk to learn norms | Reddit | | 2 | Find and join 2-3 relevant Discord servers | Discord | | 2 | Search for local Facebook groups | Facebook | | 3 | Attend first Meetup event | Meetup.com | | 3 | Post first question/contribution | BGG or Reddit | | 4 | Participate in online game session | Discord or BGA | | 4+ | Maintain consistent, helpful presence | All platforms |
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm introverted. Is online community enough?
Absolutely. Many gamers primarily interact online. Solo gaming communities in particular offer deep connection without face-to-face requirements.
How do I handle disagreements in communities?
Disengage from bad-faith arguments. Report genuine violations. Pick your battles—not every wrong opinion needs correction.
What if my local community is cliquey?
Try multiple groups. Most areas have several options. If all local options fail, online play through Board Game Arena or Discord remains fulfilling.
Should I join every platform?
Start with one or two. Spreading thin means shallow engagement everywhere. Deep involvement in fewer spaces beats surface presence in many.
How do I know if a community is LGBTQ+ friendly?
Check for explicit welcoming policies. Observe how members discuss identity topics. Ask directly in DMs if unsure. Many communities now signal inclusivity explicitly.
Final Thoughts
The board gaming hobby is remarkably welcoming. Perhaps because shared enthusiasm for niche interests creates instant common ground. Perhaps because the hobby skews toward people who enjoy spending hours collaborating around tables.
Whatever the reason, community exists for those who seek it. The right platform, the right group, the right niche—they're out there. Finding them takes effort, but the payoff is game nights that never end and friendships that transcend the table.
Start with one platform. Post once. See what happens.
The Smoothie Wars Content Team creates educational gaming content. The team moderates one Discord server, lurks in dozens more, and still hasn't properly organised their BGG collection.
