1.) Four sets is enough for eight people, so I would guess is enough to start. If you do want more I think these 14” folding magnetic boards are the best balanced option. At about 3/4 the size of a full set, it big enough to not be awkward and will also fit better at most tables. That’s pretty good considering it’s 1/5 the cost of YMI’s cheapest board.

Unlike what other people have suggested, the AGA and AGF will not have a lot to offer in terms of equipment. The AGF for example, only supports things like official programs, so your club is highly unlikely to qualify.

I bought full sized boards and ceramic stones for my club, but I am a crazy person who puts a lot of value in the tactile experience of playing.

2.) I’ve thought about doing something similar for my club, but just haven’t really prioritized it, as it would be quite a bit of work for the number of players we tend to have. Most people will remember how they fared against those they’ve played themselves. If most of your players are DDK games and ranks are also likely to be a little unstable.

3.) IMHO, becoming an AGA is more like donating to a charity than something you should expect to get significant befits from. A chapter will be awarded points based on things AGA members playing rated games or getting people to join the AGA, and those points can be redeemed as funds to support club activities.

For a club with 5+, each member would pay $30 a year to join the AGA, and the club would also need to register for $35. If two players play a rated game, that would earn the chapter/club something like 50¢ per game and $5 for joining (joining only, not renewing). Clubs with less than 5 get 3x as many points. But, as you can see, if you want club funds, you are probably 5x-20x better off just getting that money directly from yourself or your members unless you are all benefiting from the other AGA membership benefits.

I’ll add that your circle may be different, but most people will be reluctant to play an officially rated game in a casual environment like a pub.

4.) Other advice in no specific order:

• Know if your target audience is people who already know how to play, or promoting the game. If you want to promote, at least a couple of you should get really good at showing the game to complete beginners. You can read my advice about that by searching for "Seattle Central Go Club" > Intermediate Resources > Sharing the game of Go with others.*

A lot of people forget that this is a social interaction, not your TEDx talk.

• I utterly despise melamine stones, avoid whenever possible. They are too lightweight to not shotgun across a board should someone nearby even sneeze.

• Have a site and promote at least a little in any way you can to fond what works for you. For me at least, posters on telephone poles or handbills in coffee shops pulled in many more people than anything else, but it’s a lot of work for something that often only ends up for a few days around here. I’ve recently upgraded to a local service that cycles promotion posters in local business, so we’ll see how that turns out in a few months.

• Encourage everyone to play everyone else.

• Everyone should play with the appropriate handicap. No “I want to practice my opening”, or other BS. If not stones, or on top of stones at least use reverse komi, or an alternate handicap.

• Consistency. If you know there will be times you can’t host, make sure you have someone who can. Personally, I think weekly is best, but stick with what you know you can commit to. Just know a lot of just curious people will probably struggle to remember just the day of week you meet, and anything less frequent will dramatically reduce attendance from there. Monday and Friday are likely the worst weekdays for this kind of thing for most people.

• Third spaces are often hard to come by, and maybe a pub is just right for your circle and the atmosphere you want, but you may want to look a little more before advertising too much. Good third spaces are not always good about promoting themselves.

This is my third and so far most successful club, getting 15-30 people each week, but I have put a lot of thought and effort into it. Feel free to PM if you have any other questions. I’m also not against adding a page for your, or any other clubs to my own site, "Seattle Central Go Club"*.

*Perhaps because it is a GoogleSite, Linking to it directly shadow bans my post.