We play bridge. The card game made popular by the likes of Culbertson and Goren.
I play it because it is one of the best strategy games I can find. Also there are regular organized tournaments - probably 9 or 10 a year within driving distance.
Imagine if there was a gamers convention almost every month.
In fact, of the group of 6 Space Empires players that I play with locally, 4 of them are avid bridge players as well.