15:00 to 21:00 Every Monday
Magic: The Gathering night
Retrocave, Poole. Casual and open play
Magic: The Gathering Beginner friendly
Home / Bournemouth / Beginner-friendly game nights
Game nights · Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Beginner-friendly game nights in Bournemouth
Beginner-friendly game nights across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset: learn-to-play sessions and nights that welcome new players.
36 regular nights
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Monday
15:30 to 16:15 School term time only
After School Chess Club
Tuckton Library Chess Club, Bournemouth. Junior club, ages 8 to 13
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: Free Book ahead Beginner friendly
16:30 to 18:00 Every Monday
Wyke Regis Library Chess
Wyke Regis Library Chess Club, Weymouth. Casual chess, all ages
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
18:00 to 22:00 Every Monday
From 18:45 Every Monday
Monday soft duplicate
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Soft duplicate pairs, hosts available
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: £2, non members £3 Beginner friendly
From 19:00 Every Monday
Monday Night Pokémon TCG
Trove Five Realms, Bournemouth. league and casual play
Pokémon TCG Entry: £2.60 Book ahead Beginner friendly
From 19:15 Every Monday
Poole Chess Club night
Poole Chess Club, Poole. Club night, casual and league chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
Tuesday
From 13:50 Most Tuesdays
Tuesday Gentle Pairs
Bridport Bridge Club, Bridport. Duplicate pairs for new players and returners
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
From 14:00 Every Tuesday
Tuesday improvers Chicago
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Chicago bridge for improvers
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: £1, non members £2 Beginner friendly
14:30 to 17:00 Every Tuesday
Relaxed Chess at Ludo Lounge
Relaxed Chess at Ludo Lounge, Bournemouth. Casual drop in chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: Free Beginner friendly
15:00 to 21:00 Every Tuesday
15:00 to 21:00 Every Tuesday
18:00 to 22:00 Every Tuesday
19:00 to 19:45 September to May
Beginners and intermediate lesson
Weymouth Chess Club, Weymouth. Informal tuition before club play
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
From 19:00 September to May
Weymouth Chess Club night
Weymouth Chess Club, Weymouth. Club night, casual and league chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
Wednesday
From 13:30 Every Wednesday
Wednesday Social Duplicate
Allendale Bridge Club, Wimborne. Hosted social duplicate at Wimborne Town Football Club, partner found for you
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
18:00 to 22:00 Every Wednesday
From 19:00 Every Wednesday
Bournemouth Chess Club night
Bournemouth Chess Club, Bournemouth. Club night, casual and league chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
From 19:00 Outside the summer break
Wimborne Chess Club night
Wimborne Chess Club, Wimborne. Club night, casual and league chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
Ask the venue for times Evening start time not stated; store stays open until 21:00
Gaming night
The Jedi Archives, Dorchester. Open gaming evening, store open late
Mixed games Beginner friendly
Thursday
15:00 to 21:00 Every Thursday
15:00 to 21:00 Every Thursday
From 19:15 September to May
Dorchester Chess Club night
Dorchester Chess Club, Dorchester. Club night, casual and league chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
Ask the venue for times Evening start time not stated; store stays open until 21:00
Gaming night
The Jedi Archives, Dorchester. Open gaming evening, store open late
Mixed games Beginner friendly
Friday
From 14:00 Every Friday
Friday cut in Chicago with tuition
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Cut in Chicago with help on bidding and play; mini duplicate on 4th Friday
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: £1, non members £2 Beginner friendly
15:00 to 21:00 Every Friday
15:00 to 21:00 Every Friday
18:00 to 22:00 Every Friday
Magic: The Gathering and Open Play
Roll N Play, Weymouth. casual play
Magic: The Gathering Beginner friendly
18:00 to 19:15 Every Friday
Southbourne Junior Chess Club
Southbourne Chess Club, Bournemouth. Junior club, ages about 7 to mid teens, free coaching
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: Free Beginner friendly
From 19:00 Every Friday
Friday Night Magic
Trove Five Realms, Bournemouth. Commander and draft
Magic: The Gathering Entry: £3 Book ahead Beginner friendly
19:15 to 22:30 Every Friday
Southbourne Chess Club night
Southbourne Chess Club, Bournemouth. Club night, casual and league chess
Chess, bridge and classic games Beginner friendly
Saturday
10:00 to 21:00 Every Saturday
Saturday Event Day
Retrocave, Poole. Mixed card and miniature games events
Mixed games Beginner friendly
10:00 to 11:00 Every Saturday
Ferndown Junior Chess, session one
Ferndown Junior Chess Club, Ferndown. Junior club, ages 6 to 16, lesson then games
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: Free Beginner friendly
11:00 to 12:00 Every Saturday
Ferndown Junior Chess, session two
Ferndown Junior Chess Club, Ferndown. Junior club, ages 6 to 16, lesson then games
Chess, bridge and classic games Entry: Free Beginner friendly
Sunday
10:00 to 21:00 Every Sunday
11:00 to 16:00 Every Sunday
17 venues
In Bournemouth (5)
Southbourne Chess Club
Meets on Friday evenings at Tuckton Social Club, with a free junior session from 18:00 and club and match play from 19:15. Especially keen to welcome beginners, juniors with a parent and league players, and the first week is free.
Tables to play on site
2 regular nights · Fris
Trove Five Realms
Trading card, anime figure and board game shop with The Corner coffee and kitchen under one roof. It runs bookable weekly game nights for Pokémon TCG and Magic: The Gathering.
Tables to play on site
2 regular nights · Mons, Fris
Bournemouth Chess Club
Friendly club chess every Wednesday from 19:00 at Richmond Park Bowls Club in Winton. All levels are welcome, from complete beginners to league players, and the club also runs weekly junior sessions for ages 7 to 18.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Weds
Relaxed Chess at Ludo Lounge
Drop in relaxed chess on Tuesday afternoons from 14:30 to 17:00 at Ludo Lounge in Southbourne, with equipment supplied by Southbourne Chess Club. All ages and skill levels are welcome, including people who want to learn.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Tues
Tuckton Library Chess Club
A free after school chess club for ages 8 to 13 at Tuckton Library on Mondays from 15:30 to 16:15 in term time. A friendly way for young players to challenge their friends; booking is required.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Mons
Elsewhere in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset (12)
Retrocave
Gaming cafe and shop in Parkstone with retro consoles, hundreds of board games to play, and a different card or miniatures game night most days, including Magic, Lorcana, Star Wars Unlimited and a Sunday Warhammer day. Sells Warhammer at a discount.
Tables to play on site
9 regular nights · 6 days a week
Roll N Play
Card and tabletop game store in Weymouth with open play every evening. It runs a weekly schedule covering Yu-Gi-Oh!, Riftbound, Magic: The Gathering, tabletop games and a Sunday hobby day.
Tables to play on site
5 regular nights · 5 days a week
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section
The bridge section of the East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club near Poole Harbour plays four sessions a week, from hosted soft duplicate on Monday evenings to Chicago with tuition on Friday afternoons. Improvers are well catered for, and non members may visit up to four times a year on Monday evenings or Friday afternoons.
Tables to play on site
4 regular nights · 4 days a week
Ferndown Junior Chess Club
A free Saturday morning club for 6 to 16 year olds in the upstairs room at Ferndown Library, with two one hour sessions from 10:00. Suits complete beginners through to improving club level juniors, and there is no need to book.
Tables to play on site
2 regular nights · Sats
The Jedi Archives
Star Wars collectables and gaming shop on the upper floors of Antelope Walk, Dorchester, with a dedicated Games Workshop section, Star Wars Unlimited, Legion, X-Wing and Shatterpoint, and an in-store gaming area. Gaming nights run on Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 21:00, and new players are welcome.
Tables to play on site
2 regular nights · Weds, Thus
Weymouth Chess Club
Meets every Tuesday from 19:00 in the cafe at Redlands Sport and Community Centre, September to May, starting with a beginners and intermediate lesson. Suits newcomers and league players, with teams in three Dorset League divisions.
Tables to play on site
2 regular nights · Tues
Allendale Bridge Club
Face to face pairs on Monday evenings at the Allendale Community Centre, 18:45 for 19:00, and hosted Social Duplicate on Wednesday afternoons at Wimborne Town Football Club. Beginners are well supported with courses each January, coaching and a free taster session.
Tables to play on site
2 regular nights · Mons, Weds
Bridport Bridge Club
Duplicate bridge at St Swithun's Church Hall on Wednesday evenings at 18:50 and on most Tuesday and Friday afternoons at 13:50, with refreshments provided. The Tuesday gentle pairs suits new players and returners after recent lessons.
Tables to play on site
3 regular nights · Tues, Weds, Fris
Dorchester Chess Club
Meets every Thursday from September to May at the Colliton Club, 19:15 for 19:30. Players of all standards are welcome, with informal games, a club championship and teams in every Dorset League division.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Thus
Poole Chess Club
Meets every Monday from 19:15 at the Poole Centenary Hall and Club, with free parking behind the club. Welcomes players of all levels, from social players to league teams in the B&DCL, Dorset League and 4NCL.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Mons
Wimborne Chess Club
Meets on Wednesdays at 19:00 at Merley Community Centre outside the summer break, with drop ins welcome. A small friendly club with teams in the local rated leagues, suiting newcomers and seasoned players alike.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Weds
Wyke Regis Library Chess Club
Relaxed chess for all ages at Wyke Regis Library on Mondays from 16:30 to 18:00. Juniors and adults play together, and it is a good first step towards Weymouth Chess Club.
Tables to play on site
1 regular night · Mons
More game nights in Bournemouth
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