This presentation explores how local card game communities create spaces for structured social engagement and interpersonal connection. Drawing on survey responses (N=33) from players of Flesh and Blood, a collectible card game that emphasizes local, offline play, this presentation highlights how in-person formats can encourage community building, friendship, and travel, even for those who may otherwise find social interaction challenging, such as neurodivergent or socially anxious individuals. By looking at the history of competitive trading card game communities and how they have evolved over time, alongside recent shifts in post-pandemic design and increasing online play, this study highlights how in-person formats can offer structure, safety, and meaningful connection, especially for those often excluded from traditional social spaces.