Women's leisure has a long history of its own, with much of it preserved in the customs carried from one generation to the next. In 19th-century Europe, educational board and card games offered women and girls opportunities to explore subjects such as science, mythology, and music theory within domestic settings; Victorian parlour games and bridge clubs also became spaces for social connection and strategic play.
Across India, games like Carrom and Teenpatti have likewise found a place within the fabric of social life, especially during festive occasions such as Diwali, when friends and family gather over cards and boards to share in the spirit of celebration. These moments have allowed women to engage in playful competition, exchange banter, share laughter, and introduce younger generations to familiar traditions with mothers, grandmothers, and aunties often serving as the keepers of these games.
Today, the tradition of women gathering to play is finding new audiences and fresh expressions. Across social media, women-led game nights are gaining visibility, from small-town American Mahjong circles to elaborate Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Online communities have also made it easier for women to find fellow players and organise regular meet-ups. What remains unchanged, wherever these women gather, is the desire to carve out time for one another through the simple pleasure of playing together.
Here in Thailand, this same impulse is found within the Thai-Indian community, with women gathering weekly over cards, boards, and tiles, turning game nights into opportunities for companionship and connection. Masala wanted to explore what these games look like, and what it means to the women who continue to carry them forward. Through their anecdotes, we look at why women continue to convene, how familiar traditions find new meaning across generations, and what makes the art of shared play worth preserving in a world that offers ever more ways to spend our time apart.
Did your mother or grandmother play? If so, what did that mean to you growing up?
I grew up seeing ladies get together in the afternoon around the table to unwind, meet friends, play cards, and go back to their responsibilities.
Back in India, my mother and grandmother used to play a card game commonly known as Rummy which later evolved into a more complex 21-card game. My mother often said she preferred playing cards through the long afternoons, after finishing her chores for the day, rather than going out for lunch and chatting about random things.
How were you first introduced to game nights, and what keeps you returning to them?
When I stopped working here in Bangkok, I was struggling to find a way to keep myself busy through the afternoons. Finding out about women-led game nights was the best thing that happened to me.
I too, like my mother, would rather spend my afternoon doing some activity where you can stimulate your brain in some way. I know it sounds like a very privileged life, but when women are in their mid-ages and not working it can be challenging to find an occupation, especially overseas, that gives you something to look forward to every day. Also, the fact that you get to meet people your age is a bonus.
Overall, I find it to be a fabulous routine that allows you to stretch your cognitive muscles while helping you meet and connect with like-minded individuals. For me, these games have evolved into part of my retirement plan.
What do you think women are returning to these games?
Indeed, women are returning to these games as they offer both mental and physical engagement. The physical aspect involves the act of dressing up for game afternoons or evenings, while the mental engagement provides a valuable pause from the fast-paced nature of our modern social lives.
Historically, table games have often been important social spaces for women. Do you think that tradition is continuing in a new form?
The tradition is absolutely continuing but in a different way.
Modern life frequently separates families and friends, many of whom live in different countries. Dedicated time for socialising has also dwindled due to increased screen time and the perceived convenience of staying in touch online. Women’s table game groups invite us to a feeling of community through meeting in-person routinely with like-minded people in a shared environment to socialise and sharpen your mental activity.
What does a game night look like?
A round of games typically lasts one to three hours, creating a balance between focused play and relaxed conversations, allowing time for chatting, sharing, and laughter. These games are simple enough for newcomers to enjoy yet challenging enough to develop skill and bring together people of different ages and experience levels, creating a setting for genuine social connection.
What do you think women are really returning to when we come back to these games?
We women are turning to board and table games to escape the confines of a digital world in which we have numerous connections, yet still feel a sense of distance.
Our childhood memories are intertwined with family game nights, when classic board games like Monopoly and Cluedo brought the noise, laughter, friendly competition, and everyone together. These games naturally sparked jokes, discussions and provided a welcome break from our daily routines. That being said, choosing games, organising players, and setting up can require effort.
When you look around the table, what do you see beyond the game?
They say games are an exercise of partnership, and I’m so grateful for that… Sitting around a table gave me exactly what I was looking for: a real community and some of my best friends.