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If you’re looking for the best 2 person board games, you’re in for a true treat. You’ll find some of the most fun, engaging board games for two all right here! But the question remains…who will you choose to compete against?
When it comes to playing board games, who says that you need to have a giant group of people to have fun? In all reality, some of the best games out there are just for 2 people to play.
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, evening or weekend, board games are a great way to use your mind and skills.
Most people tend to think that cards are the only 2 person option for games out there but that just isn’t the truth. There are so many great games that are perfect for just a pair of board game lovers to play together!
What is the best game for couples?
This all depends on the couple! And it can be hard to narrow it down.
This is why it’s important to educate yourselves on all the games there are out there.
Some couples like a bit of friendly competition while others don’t…before you decide what board game is best, take the time to educate on what each of you likes to play.
What is the best card game for 2 players?
Even though card games are technically board games, it’s still important to point out that you can always find a way to have fun and play games as a couple. Some of the best card games to play are:
War
Speed
Slap Jack
Palace
Skip Bo
Gin Rummu
Cribbage
And when you get tired of playing card games, just remember that there are a plethora of the best 2 person games out there to play and explore!
Best 2 person board games
Now that you know that there are options, let’s dive in and see some of the most popular 2 person board games that need to be on your radar!
Codenames Duet – The Two Player Word Deduction Game
Just when you thought you and your partner could talk to each other without any words, this fun board game comes along and throws that out the window.
In Codenames Duet you and your partner work together. You have fifteen agents you are trying to find out of a possible 25.
You’ll get one word, and one word only, to try to give clues to the other person. Will you and your partner have what it takes to succeed? Find out if you do by playing Codenames Duet.
Unstable Unicorns
Who can you trust but yourself in this hilarious and crazy game?
You might think by the name that this is a game that is all sunshine and rainbows. After all, it is about unicorns.
Except, you are trying to build your unicorn army. Plus, there are some fierce unicorns in this game and others can steal or kill your unicorns.
If you are planning to play with kids, you will want to screen this game beforehand. It is for ages 14+.
Unstable Unicorns is super easy to learn, although when playing it with 2 players you will need to go online to find the instructions.
Pandemic
It’s up to you both to save the world..and time is running out.
Four diseases have broken out throughout the world and it’s your job to find a cure and treat the people infected.
This 2 person board game takes skill, strategy, and patience to try to stop the outbreak of diseases from wiping out the world.
The great part about this game is that it’s a cooperative meaning that you get to work together to try to solve and stop the diseases before they get too far out of hand.
Pick up Pandemic today and see if you can save the world!
Battleship
There’s nothing like a great classic game like Battleship to bring out the true competition.
Take your time and try to read the mind of the other player to sink their battleships first.
This game takes some luck but once you get that first “hit”, your logic can help you out from there.
Jenga
Jenga is a super simple game that is a lot of fun.
It doesn’t take much skill, it’s just finding those “loose” pieces and pulling those ones out.
Take turns removing piece by piece of the giant Jenga tower…just don’t be the one to make it tip.
Yahtzee
Everyone loves yelling “Yahtzee!” and there’s no doubt as to why. This is one of the best 2 person board games because every roll is an exciting chance to come out on top. But beware…this game has been known to get quite competitive as well so roll those dice quickly to get that top score!
Hive
Hive is a great 2 player game that uses pieces that create the board as you play the game.
The purpose of Hive is to catch the person you are playing against’s Queen Bee.
When I first saw this game for some reason it reminded me of chess. It seems as though it is similar to chess with different pieces having different moves they can make.
The different pieces include: the queen bee, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, and soldier ants.
There are expansion packs to Hive, which will keep Hive a fun and entertaining game for years to come.
Othello
This was a favorite game of mine when I was a kid. Our school library had this game and on rainy days my friends and I would compete against each other with this game.
Othello is made up of a board and each player has 2-sided discs. One side is white and the other is black. Each person chooses the color they are playing.
You are trying to get as many pieces to be your color as possible. If you can get your colors on each side of a row, that will flip that row to your color.
Othello is super easy to play and fun as well.
Pente
Pente is a strategy game where you play a series of games to get to a certain number of points to win!
You are trying to get five of your own pieces in a row to win. It is similar to Take 5 if you are familiar with that game.
Carcassonne
My youngest received Carcassonne game for Christmas last year and not only does he love it, but I love playing it with him as well!
It works well as a two-person game.
Each turn you play a card that builds the board. You build cities and get points based on how large they are. There are ways to sabotage the cities being built so no points are awarded.
Buy Carcassonne today and play it this weekend!
Jaipur
Jaipur is a fast paced card game that is based mostly on strategy (and a little bit of luck!) where you are a merchant trying to make the most profit.
This is a fun game that is easy to learn. It’s perfect for two people.
Kingdomino
A simple and fun game, Kingdomino is easy to grasp how to play.
You are building a 5×5 square with “dominos”, but the dominos aren’t the typical dominoes with dots. Instead, the dominoes have pictures of different types of landscape. Grass, wheat, water, rock, and forest. You play similar to regular dominoes, where the domino land you are playing must match the domino land that has already been played. Some of the dominoes have crowns and points are based on the crowns as well as the land tiles.
My kids and I enjoy playing this and it’s great for two players.
7 Wonders DUEL
You need to build up a civilization, but you need to make your moves carefully. Sometimes, by taking certain cards on your turn you open up the possibility for your opponent to get cards they need. You need to weigh your decisions carefully.
This game also has several different ways you can win, increasing the re-playability. I would say this is one of the top two-player games out there.
What are the benefits of playing board games?
Playing board games offers a ton of great benefits. If you’re looking for a way to increase your analytical skills and logical thinking, board games are one way to do just that. Not only that, but playing board games also helps with:
Communication skills
Learning how to play together as a team
Processing emotions when losing
And these are just a few of the benefits of playing board games. Depending on the type of game, you’ll also learn math skills, reading skills and also the ability to adapt quickly when needing to change course.
What is the best 2 person board game of all times?
This all comes down to preference, but there are some true classics out there that just can’t be denied. Think back to when you were younger and the board games that you played…Did you have a favorite board game that you loved to pass the time with?
While there are probably a ton of great options, here is the best 2 person board game of all times: (in my opinion)
Monopoly
Everyone is familiar with this 2 person game and most people have a love/hate relationship with it as well. If your game is going great, all is good! But if you happen to start owing a ton of money, it can all go downhill really fast. The good news? You can turn it around just as easily. This is one of the best 2 person board games of all time because it’s such an awesome classic to play!
Where else can you learn about life, money and still pass go and collect $200?!
See how many fun board games there are out there that two people can play?! You no longer have to hold a giant game night to play a fun game. All you literally need is one person to play along with you and you’ll have your own simple game night with ease!
Do you have a favorite 2 person board game that you love to play?
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