Bridge and card games in Palo Alto

Bridge has deep roots on the Peninsula and Palo Alto's bridge players are a sociable crowd. The local unit of the American Contract Bridge League has about 1,000 members, runs a game almost every weekday and teaches classes from first deal to advanced bidding. Avenidas, the downtown nonprofit for older adults, adds casual bridge, lessons and several mahjong groups. For younger players there is a youth bridge program and a game store with weekly trading card nights.

This guide covers card and tile games we confirmed in early November 2026. The main bridge club plays at a center just over the line in Mountain View, which we name. Schedules shift around holidays and tournaments, so check before you go.

Where to play at a glance

Palo Alto Bridge and its Bridge Center

Palo Alto Bridge is the ACBL unit for this part of the Peninsula, Unit 503, with about 1,000 members. It holds regular club games Monday through Friday at its Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Road in Mountain View, about 5 miles from downtown Palo Alto. It also runs special weekend games several times a month. Most games are open to the public. ACBL membership is encouraged but not required and most clubs offer half price to students 25 and under. Games use pre-dealt hands with computer-analyzed hand records.

Weekly game schedule

EZ Bridge is the friendliest place to start. It costs $15 per person, includes a short lesson, lets you ask questions during play and will match you with a partner if you come alone. The unit says it serves snacks and light lunches at no cost. Pre-register through the Palo Alto Bridge game page, which also lists closures for holidays and tournaments.

Classes and mentoring

• Beginning Bridge. Monday evenings, 7 to 8:30 p.m. The current series runs September 28, 2026 to February 8, 2027 and the next starts March 8, 2027 and runs to June 7. Each class mixes instruction and play. Children and teens are welcome.
• Supervised Play. Monday evenings from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., a 10-minute lesson followed by practice play with experienced helpers.
• Intermediate classes. In fall 2026, Card Combinations on Tuesday evenings and Mostly Notrump on Thursday evenings through December 3.
• Mentoring. Unit 503 members can sign up for a mentor's table and two-month mentoring with stronger players.

The unit hosts the Silicon Valley Fall Sectional tournament at the Bridge Center on November 7 and 8, 2026, so regular club games may shift that weekend. Its holiday party and unit game is Sunday, December 13.

Bridge and mahjong at Avenidas

Avenidas at 450 Bryant Street in downtown Palo Alto is the city's main center for older adults. Its fall 2026 catalog included several table games:

• Casual Bridge. Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., listed at free or $5 depending on membership.
• Intermediate Bridge Instruction. Six Wednesday mornings, October 7 to November 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m., focused on notrump bidding and play, listed at $135 or $165 depending on membership.
• American Mah Jongg. A club on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, listed at free or $5.
• Scrabble Club. Third Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., with an RSVP.

The Avenidas Chinese Community Center (ACCC) adds Chinese-style mahjong. Its Mahjong Club meets at Cubberley Community Center on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at 450 Bryant Street on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, for members, with a $20 per activity fee for nonmembers. A two-session Cantonese Style Mahjong Workshop runs at Cubberley on Mondays, November 16 and 23, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with RSVPs due November 4. Avenidas is closed November 26 and 27 and December 25 and 31. Our resources for older adults page has more on Avenidas and our guide to things to do for seniors covers classes, walks and outings.

Youth bridge

Silicon Valley Youth Bridge (SiVY) teaches bridge to students entering grades 2 through 12, with support from the Palo Alto Bridge Center. It runs camps with separate tracks for brand-new and experienced players, taught by youth and adult teachers. New players aim to learn enough to enter their first tournament by the end of camp. In 2026 it held summer camp on two weekends, June 13 and 14 and June 20 and 21, at the Bridge Center, with a fee of $50 for a single weekend. It also held a winter camp in December 2025. Watch its site for winter and 2027 dates.

Trading card games and game nights

Not every card player wants bridge. California Avenue's Gamelandia is the city's hub for trading card games. It runs weekly nights, tournaments and learn-to-play sessions for Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon, a Pokemon Jr. League for children and a large open play library of board games. The library's free board game days at the Downtown Library welcome card games too. Our board games and chess guide has the details and dates.

Tips for new bridge players

1. Learn the basics first. A beginning class teaches the bidding system most local players use, which makes club games far less confusing.
2. Start with a newcomer game. EZ Bridge and limited masterpoint games keep you away from expert pairs.
3. Bring a partner or ask for one. Most clubs will pair you if you call ahead.
4. Play often. Weekly play matters more than any book. Online games between sessions help too.
5. Mind the etiquette. Palo Alto Bridge enforces a zero tolerance policy for rude behavior, which keeps games friendly.

Frequently asked questions