Board Game Arena

Just joined and really like what I see so far; the only frustration I have are that I've seen a fair share of games I'd like to join restricted to players above Beginner; does paying for Club access let you bypass this or does everyone have to wait 30 days?

Beginner status means exactly you have 0 wins in this game. Joining the Club doesn't increase your number of wins.

You need to win only 1 game to change your status from Beginner to Average player or better. You don't need to play this game "ELO on". You even can create 2nd account and win against yourself, rules don't forbid it at this moment (if you play ELO off). Restrictions "Average level or above" are needed for sure your opponent knows rules. Anyway you can't join tables "Good players or above" or "Experts or above" untill you gain enough ELO and corresponding status.

yes, just play a few games until you win one - and BGA should recognise that you've done it.