Cooperative Games Sydney

Rummy + Games - Hotel Centennial

By the fire at Hotel Centennial on Monday nights: backgammon, rummy, uno, steak night, good drinks, and a room for people with minds of their own. Less small talk, more books, ideas, stories and interesting conversation. Come for the games; stay because the company is unusually good. For those tired of run clubs, apps, promotions and scrolling. Bring a friend - build something special :) https://chat.whatsapp.com/IyI8RWd1QUFLoYrzgWg2hA?mode=gi_t The Winter Table Backroom Bar & Lounge Room

Bondi Board Games - ECBG Friday Meetup

We are ECBG, the Eastern Community Boardgame Group and we meet every Friday at 7pm. Come join us to experience lots of fun with board games, card games, social deduction games and more! We're a friendly group with a diverse group of attendees and welcome everyone to participate. Feel free to come along whether you're a seasoned veteran or just want to try out the hobby. We have lots of people that bring games along and they're all happy to teach games to new players. Bring your own games if you like too, announce the game you wish to run and you'll find players within our group. If you're new, don't worry about lack of numbers in prior attendance lists, we typically have 20-35 players each week. Attendance at our meetups is free, but Easts Club do require you to sign in to enter the club so valid ID is required. Although optional, if you start to attend our free events regularly, you may wish to consider joining Easts as a member in which case there is a small per year membership fee (under $10) to Easts and comes with perks and discounts. You can inquire further on this with Easts direct as you enter the club. We generally meet in the auditorium area next to Artie's Bar on Level 1. Sometimes when there is an event on, we might be in Artie's Bar itself instead. Club staff should be able to direct you to us if you're lost. Just ask where the Free Board Gaming Group is located known as ECBG. Note there is a smaller project group that operate within Easts on a Friday night as well, that charge an attendance fee so be clear you're looking for the free community boardgames group ECBG and you'll find us. See you there!

Monopoly Anzac Day Long Weekend

Monday Board Games!

Where: We can be found in the dining area to the left of the entrance, behind the bar. Make sure to come in and say hi when you get there! Everyone is super friendly and can point you towards a moderator if you are new. When: From 6:30 pm till 10:30 pm every Monday Ages: 18+ Price: $6 to be paid by card We are a relaxed group of gamers who meet to play a few games and have a laugh. Mondays are a time to play any game you feel like. We are a friendly community and new people are welcome all the time! If you don't have a game to play then there is sure to be someone available to teach you. Make sure to go up to a table and introduce yourself, we are all really friendly. Looking forward to seeing you all at an event soon! **Venue Support Policy** Our board game nights are hosted by a food and drink venue that generously provides us with space each week and allows us to store our games. In return, we have an agreement to support the venue by purchasing food and drinks on site. To respect this agreement and ensure we can continue using the space, **outside food and drink are strictly not permitted at our events**. We ask all participants to please support the venue instead when attending. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive relationship with the venue and keep the group running.

Why War Rather Than a Deal? How Bargaining Can Break Down

As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran unfolds in real time, it raises one of the oldest question in politics: why do wars start? The familiar answers are tempting — greed, power, hatred, the darker instincts of human nature. But they are often too simple. War is ruinously expensive for both sides, and almost any deal is better than destruction. The costliness of war is precisely why it remains the exception rather than the rule — rivals usually prefer to loathe one another in peace rather than fight. The book we will be looking at in May takes that observation seriously. Instead of asking why humans are warlike in general, it asks a sharper question: if peace is usually the better choice, why do deals collapse and wars break out anyway? By mapping the specific strategic breakdowns — miscalculations, hidden uncertainties, promises that can't be kept — that derail even willing parties, it offers a diagnostic framework for understanding why conflicts erupt despite overwhelming incentives to avoid them, and how those same insights can be used to chart a path to peace. Come along and let's dig in. **Primary Reading:** ***[Why We Fight Summary](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCksASUdxdGRogAVU6VPwJjAeOtxA7Gdo9LgvTDTezGwjs?e=jwHnwr)*** (A 38-page guide prepared for this meetup) **The Book:** ***Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace* (2022) by Christopher Blattman.** Christopher Blattman is a professor at the University of Chicago who has spent decades doing something rare in conflict studies: actually going to war zones and high-violence communities to run rigorous field experiments and test his theories against reality. Drawing on political science, economics, and psychology, he builds a framework that applies equally to international wars, civil conflicts, drug cartel turf wars, and street gangs — the same underlying logic, he argues, explains them all. His central claim is that war is almost never inevitable — peace and compromise are almost always available, and almost always better for both sides. When wars do break out, it is because one of five specific mechanisms has caused the logic of peace to collapse: **(1) Unchecked interests** — leaders pursuing personal gains at their people's expense; **(2) Intangible incentives** — goals like honour, ideology, or religious duty that no material deal can satisfy; **(3) Uncertainty** — where private information and the temptation to bluff make it rational to call an adversary's hand; **(4) Commitment problems** — when a rising power cannot credibly promise not to exploit its future advantage, making conflict feel safer than a deal that won't hold; and **(5) Misperceptions** — when leaders systematically misjudge their enemy's strength, intentions, or resolve. The guide we prepared should give you a solid grounding in all of these ideas, but I hope it leaves you wanting more and that you will track down the book. It is easily available as an ebook and audiobook, and likely in libraries. If you want to buy a physical copy, you may need to order one, so don't leave it too late. One honest caveat: although Blattman writes for a general audience — enlivened by his firsthand accounts of fieldwork in war zones and gang-controlled neighbourhoods — this is a substantial book that requires some effort. One request, though: only arrive having done some reading. The summary guide is there precisely for this — it won't take long and it will make the evening far more rewarding. We've all sat through discussions that devolve into "well, Netanyahu is just..." or "the Ayatollahs are simply..." and while those conversations have their place, they're not what the Big Ideas Book Club is for. Blattman's whole project is to get beyond personality and prejudice to the structural forces that drive conflict. Come ready to think at that level, and the discussion will be genuinely illuminating. Join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 4th May, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. Do the reading and bring along your favourite war to discuss, and maybe we can also help deescalate the parking-spot war you are currently waging with your neighbours. 😊 Hope to see you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to other people if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just some optional links to consider to supplement the main reading. But please do the reading! Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Video & Audio** * Talks and Podcasts with Blattman: [Blattman Presentation on the Book (1 hr)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d57pqL-9cg&t=1096s) [Vox’s Weeds podcast with Blattman on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tC2NJ1WaMO4MlYi3zdEuX) [Interview at the U.S. Institute of Peace](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_vyJj-l3nY&t=182s) (Now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace!) **Written** * Blattman's writing on the book: [5 Key Insights -- The Next Big Idea Club](https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/fight-roots-war-paths-peace-bookbite/34151/) [The Roots of War - Boston Review](https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/the-roots-of-war/) [Five Reasons War Happen](https://mwi.westpoint.edu/the-five-reasons-wars-happen/) [Blattman on the prospects of war with China](https://chrisblattman.com/blog/2022/10/26/the-prospects-for-war-with-china-why-i-see-a-serious-chance-of-world-war-iii-in-the-next-decade/) * Summary of the book: [Tosummarise book summary](https://www.tosummarise.com/book-summary-why-we-fight-by-chris-blattman/) * Other books. If you are interested in how historians rather than political scientists approach the causes of war, two books worth knowing about are listed below. Geoffrey Blainey — one of Australia's most eminent historians — argues in his 1973 classic work (now updated to 2025) that wars typically begin when nations hold conflicting beliefs about their own relative power, a thesis that maps onto Blattman's uncertainty and misperceptions mechanisms. Richard Overy's recent book takes a broader and darker view, surveying the deep biological, psychological, and cultural foundations that make humans a persistently warlike species — essentially the kind of sweeping "why are humans aggressive?" question that Blattman deliberately sets aside in favour of his sharper diagnostic approach. \- Blainey \(2025\) The Causes of War \- Overy \(2024\) Why War?

Friday Night Games!

Every Friday, 7pm, Boards games, people! Come experience the great fun and excitement of board, card and other tabletop games with a diverse group of friendly people. We typically have 10-30 players each week and have been running strong since 2022. We suggest $5 for attendance (first time is free!) that goes towards managing the group, stocking our vast library of games and organising extra events with feasts, birthdays and celebrations! Feel free to bring your friends, family, lovers or anyone else you think deserves your wrath in a game of Settlers of Catan, Splendor, Coup, Codenames, Dixit, Ticket to Ride, whatever! We're sure they did something to warrant it! We meet in two possible places. The main location is the auditorium area next to Artie's Bar on Level 1. Occasionally (especially when the Easts Roosters are playing) we will be in the meeting room on Level 3 instead (take the lift to get there). See you there!

Monday Board Games!

Where: We can be found in the dining area to the left of the entrance, behind the bar. Make sure to come in and say hi when you get there! Everyone is super friendly and can point you towards a moderator if you are new. When: From 6:30 pm till 10:30 pm every Monday Ages: 18+ Price: $6 to be paid by card We are a relaxed group of gamers who meet to play a few games and have a laugh. Mondays are a time to play any game you feel like. We are a friendly community and new people are welcome all the time! If you don't have a game to play then there is sure to be someone available to teach you. Make sure to go up to a table and introduce yourself, we are all really friendly. Looking forward to seeing you all at an event soon! **Venue Support Policy** Our board game nights are hosted by a food and drink venue that generously provides us with space each week and allows us to store our games. In return, we have an agreement to support the venue by purchasing food and drinks on site. To respect this agreement and ensure we can continue using the space, **outside food and drink are strictly not permitted at our events**. We ask all participants to please support the venue instead when attending. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive relationship with the venue and keep the group running.

Campsie Game Lovers

* **Fun Social Board Games** Large selection of games, let us know if you want to play anything specific or feel free to bring your own. Bus stop at door and a short walk to Campsie Station. Pub bistro very reasonably priced and delicious.

Team Up Tuesdays

*🎮 Play games. Make friends 🎲* Make new mates every Tuesday night at Team Up Tuesdays: A fun, social gaming night at Fortress. Hosted in our Tavern, you can enjoy friendly team-based games in a welcoming, social environment. **The Games 🕹️** After checking in with our host, you'll be sorted into one of two teams. These two teams will go head-to-head across 3 rounds of casual games every week: From Uno to Jackbox and everything in between! **The Prizes 🏆** \- Fun prizes for everyone on the winning team \- Spot prizes throughout the night \- Best of all\, spending $15 on food or drinks gets you a spin on **The Wheel**: Your chance to win from a random selection of vouchers, merch and other fun prizes **The Venue 🍻** Held in our Tavern, you can enjoy hot food and cold drinks in a fun fantasy setting. [RSVP now!](https://events.humanitix.com/team-up-tuesdays-free-fortresssydney)

Terraforming Mars at mine - Olympic park

Terraforming mars at mine. Snacks and drinks provided. Moodlighting and music. Let’s make memories and have fun. Everyone welcome.

Blood on the Clocktower

A Deamon is loose is The small village of Raven’s Bluff and you must find it before the entire population falls victim… Join us for a touch of class: a night of wine & cheese, where you will take on the role of either Townsfolk, Deamon or one of it’s Minions. Work with your team in the popular social deduction thriller for the victory! If you are a regular attendee of Friday Night Games, you will receive a $10 discount to your entry! We run every month and play at least 3 games each night. Come for 1, stay and slay for 2 or more!

Play pickleball at Pennant Hills Park! Sunday 2pm

Come play pickleball with us at Pennant Hills Park! **What to expect:** 12 outdoor courts All skill levels welcome Introduction to pickleball for those new to the game Game Play for seasoned players Lots of fun! Ages: 10+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult) **What to bring:** Comfortable sportswear and non-marking shoes Water bottle Sun protection A pickleball paddle if you have (we have extras if you don't) **Where to find us:** Netball courts 3, 4 and 5 inside Pennant Hills Park **Cost:** $12 Payable via Tap and Go (+1.6% processing fee), Pay ID or Cash **How to join:** Please RSVP to reserve your spot. (**Please do not pay** **for Meetup.** Subscribe using the free version!) Please mark off your name with the host upon arrival and pay before playing. If paying via Pay ID, please include your name and the date of the session in the payment description. We look forward to pickling with you! **Event updates:** Important notices, including event cancellations will be communicated via the Penno Pickleballers Whatsapp Group. [Click here to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KyxHvvSx0bK9rcYhnSgiAK) **Disclaimer** Attendees and their guests play at their own risk. By confirming your RSVP to this event, you and your guests acknowledge and accept full responsibility for any risk of injury or damage to your property. The hosts and organizers are not liable for any injuries or property damage that may occur. Additionally, photos and videos may be captured during the event for our social media and promotional materials. By attending this event, you and your guests consent to the use of these images and recordings for such purposes.