Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of typical
Luckily for us, however, there are great games that can be played with just two players. In this article, I’ll give our picks for the best
In our opinion, Jaipur is the best
There are, however, plenty of other amazing
Are Board Games Fun With 2 People?
Board games can absolutely be fun with just two players. It’s important to find the right
RELATED: The Best Cooperative Board Games
What Makes a 2 Player Board Game Good?
2 player
On the flip side,
The best 2 player games, then, should take advantage of the natural tenseness of pitting one player against another, while also having enough depth and variety to keep you coming back and replaying them.
Best Board Games For 2 People
Hive- A Game Crawling With Possibilities
Players: 2
Ages 8+
Play time: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Overview
Hive is an awesome little game. This new take on chess has players maneuver a team of insects across a
Each insect piece moves in its own unique way. Grasshoppers, for example, can jump over entire rows of pieces, while beetles can crawl on top of other pieces.
The main difference between Hive and Chess, is that Hive requires you to keep all of your pieces connected together, hence the “hive” aspect.
Hive is an amazingly tactical game, perfect for people who love strategy. I personally hate games that are based around luck instead of strategy, and Hive definitely isn’t one of those games. At the same time, however, the theme is still friendly and the gameplay is light, meaning it’s easy to introduce the game to new players.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Easy-to-learn yet difficult-to-master | Highly skill-dependent, meaning more experienced players have an advantage |
| Exciting strategic gameplay | |
| Fast play-time |
7 Wonders Duel Board Game (BASE GAME)
Players: 2
Ages 10+
Play Time: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Overviiew
7 Wonders is widely regarded as one of the best
In 7 Wonders Duel, players compete against each other to develop their civilizations. Each game takes part in three different rounds, or ages. In each age, players select cards that will influence their strategy. You can decide to focus on building your civilization through military, civilian population, or scientific discoveries.
Each game takes players on an exciting journey through history. The strategy here is surprisingly varied, with three new ways to win or lose.
The main difference between the original game and this one, however, is the time it takes to play. The original game usually ends up taking me and my friends close to an hour to finish. This one, on the other hand, usually lasts less than 30 in my personal experience.
Overall, 7 Wonders Duel is one of the very best
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Exciting strategic gameplay | Above-average setup time |
| Lots of variety | |
| Fast play-time |
KLASK: The Magnetic Award-Winning Party Game of Skill
Players: 2
Time: 10 Minutes
Ages 7+
Difficulty: Easy
Overview
Klask is as simple and fun as it comes. This miniature mix between foosball and air-hockey pits two players against each other. Players control a magnet attached to the bottom of the
For an added bit of difficulty, there are also trap holes that you have to avoid.
Klask really is the perfect easy-going
Renegade Game Studios - The Fox in the Forest Card Game
Players: 2
Play Time: 30 minutes
Ages 10+
Difficulty: Easy
Overview
The Fox in the Forest is a simple, yet satisfying, trick-taking game, with a few twists. If you’re familiar with card games like Spades, then you already know the concept behind The Fox in the Forest.
Both players are dealt a hand of 13 cards from the deck. Each turn, the goal is to win tricks by playing a higher value card than your opponent. Pretty simple, right?
The Fox in the Forest takes this tried and true concept and puts a fresh new spin on it. In The Fox in the Forest, the highest value card isn’t always the highest number. The odd numbered cards, for example, grant you special powers, such as changing the trump suit.
In my opinion, the most brilliant twist that The Fox in the Forest introduces, however, is the scoring system. You see, players score the most points for taking 0-3 tricks or 7-9 tricks. Scoring 4-6 tricks, on the other hand will score less points. Rewarding the less common trick values, and punishing the most common infuses the game with an added element of strategy.
The Fox in the Forest is surprisingly strategic and yet still light-hearted. The play times are faster than a typical game of spades, and the cards are good looking and durable.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Simple, easy-to-learn gameplay | Not as deep or varied as other more “serious” games on the list |
| Surprisingly strategic | |
| Fast play-time |
Czech Games Codenames: Duet - The Two Player Word Deduction Game
2 Players
Ages 11+
15 Minutes Play Time
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Overview
Unlike the previous games on this list, Codenames Duet tasks players with working together instead of against each other. You and a partner will work together to decode messages by giving each other one-word clues to help identify field-agents, while avoiding deadly assassins.
Codename Duet features a super fun wordplay mechanic that gets couples working together fiercely to solve the puzzle before time runs out.
The game comes with 400 different cards and a campaign option, all of which gives this simple game a surprising amount of variance and replay potential.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Super fun coop gameplay | |
| Perfect for couples | |
| Very affordable |
Pandemic Board Game (Base Game) | Ages 8+ | 2 to 4 players
2-4 Players
45 Minute Play Time
8+ Years Old
Difficulty Level: Medium/Hard
Overview
Pandemic is the first game on this list that isn’t specifically designed for 2 players. Indeed, Pandemic is at it’s most intense when you have three or four players. That said, however, it’s still a lot of fun when it’s just you and a partner. And it’s nice to be able to include extra friends whenever you have the chance.
Pandemic is such a good game, it’s impossible to leave it off of this list. Simply put, Pandemic is one of the best
The decision making is really where pandemic shines the brightest. This isn’t a game where the answer to your difficulties is crystal-clear from the start.
In Pandemic, the setting is tense, the decision making is interesting, and the challenge is real. All of this makes for enthralling and satisfying gameplay each and every time you sit down to play Pandemic.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Perfect difficulty-level | More fun with three or four players |
| Intense Gameplay | |
| Interesting Decision-making | |
| Can be played with more than 2 players |
RELATED: Best Strategy Board Games For Adults
Jaipur Board Game (New Edition) | Strategy Game for Adults and Kids
Number of Players: 2
Play Time: 30 Minutes
Ages: 10+
Difficulty Medium/Easy
Overview
Jaipur is our pick for the very best 2 player
In Jaipur, players compete against each other to become the city’s best merchant and gain the favor of the maharaja. Players do this by picking up cards from the market, and then selling those cards for points once they have enough matches.
You have to be careful to sell at the right time, however. If you sell too early, or too late, your opponent can snatch victory from you before you even know what happened.
It’s really amazing how strategic Jaipur can be. Of course, there is some luck involved, and you can play the game impulsively if you want. For the best results, however, you’ll want to think through all of your decisions carefully.
Overall, Jaipur is an insanely fun and addictive 2 player game that you should not overlook.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Easy to learn | |
| Highly re-playable | |
| Tense decision-making | |
| Fun gameplay |
Best for Teens
Blokus Duo: Intense Two Player Board Game
Number of players: 2
Play time: 15 minutes
Ages 7+
Difficulty: Easy
In Blockus Duo, two players compete against each other by laying as many of their pieces down on the
When no new pieces can be played, the game ends, and the player with the fewest un-played pieces wins.
This gameplay is simple and strategic in all the right ways, Trying to think a few moves ahead in order to both block your opponents moves while still leaving yourself open to play your own blocks is incredibly satisfying. You really won’t believe how addictive this little game is until you try it for yourself.
With all of this in mind, I think Blockus duo is the perfect
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Simple and addictive gameplay | Not as varied as other games on the list |
| Fast paced | |
| Affordable |
Best for Couples
Czech Games Codenames: Duet - The Two Player Word Deduction Game
2 Players
Ages 11+
15 Minutes Play Time
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Overview
Codenames: Duet is a 2 player version of one of the most widely acclaimed
The original Codenames forces players to work together using clues to solve word-play puzzles. Codenames: Duet is basically the exact same thing, just optimized for 2 players.
Fast, easy to learn gameplay, depth, re-playability, Codenames: Duet has it all. As such, it’s our recommendation for the best 2 player
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Super fun coop gameplay | |
| Perfect for couples | |
| Very affordable |
Best for Young Children
Bandido Card Game | Fun Strategy Game for Family Game Night
1-4 Players
Ages 5+
15 Minutes Play Time
Difficulty: Very Easy
Overview
Bandito is an awesome game for kids. This simple and addictive strategy game is based around an escaping prisoner. Players have to work together to stop him from getting away. This cooperative approach gets your young kids working together instead of arguing or getting upset when someone has to lose.
Each player begins the game with three cards. Each card features a piece of a tunnel: a turn, a branch, a dead-end, or a straightaway . On their turn, players have to lay a card down, adding a piece to the puzzle, either helping or hindering the prisoner’s escape plan.
To adults, the game does get old after a while. Kids, on the other hand, seem never to tire of the fast and fun gameplay.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Fun, easy, cooperative gameplay | Not much variance in the gameplay |
| Perfect for kids | |
| Very affordable |
Best for Beginners
Jaipur Board Game (New Edition) | Strategy Game for Adults and Kids
Number of Players: 2
Play Time: 30 Minutes
Ages: 10+
Difficulty Medium/Easy
Overview
If you’re looking to start your 2 player
In Jaipur, two players compete against each other to become the cities biggest merchant. This is achieved by buying goods and reselling them in bulk. Players have to be careful to sell at the right time, however. If you sell too soon or too late you might just open the door for your opponent to overtake you.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Easy to learn | |
| Highly re-playable | |
| Tense decision-making | |
| Fun gameplay |
Conclusion
Overall, we think Jaipur is the best
Whether you’re brand new to
Until next time, I wish you and your friends/family the best of luck in all of your gaming adventures.
