The Best Board Games for Only Two Players

Hey there! This website does contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through this page, Cats and Dice may earn a share of sales from the link. Learn more.

For some reason, the magic number of board game players seems to be four. We imagine that most, if not all, board games are designed for this number of players. As a result, many new players feel it would be quite difficult to find good board games for only two players.

This is far from the truth. Most card and board games designed for four players can narrow down to two quite easily. In fact, some four-player board games even play better with two players. But not everyone agrees on this. So instead of deciding on good board games for two players, let’s look at a category many people do not even know exists: board games for only two players.

Why Board Games for Only Two Players?

It seems like a strange category. Why would designers make board games for only two players? Better yet, why would you buy a board game for only two players? These are three common reasons.

#1 You are looking for a two-player game.

I recommend games to people all the time. And the most common question I am asked is, “What games are good for two players?” It’s hard to gather a large number of players sometimes. Plus, the fact that you’re reading the list shows that you are interested in board games for only two players. That’s reason enough to buy one right there!

After all, games are a social activity, and as a result, they are an intimate one as well. So it’s natural that people would want to play board games with just two players.

#2 They are interesting to design and play.

A lot of variables go into board game design. Not every board game designer enjoys creating board games for two. But some might view designing board games for only two players as an interesting challenge. Fewer players mean fewer variables, so the game itself needs to provide some of this variety.

Similarly, players enjoy seeing how games play differently with two players than in big groups. While party games may not play well with two, the games in this list wouldn’t play well with a group. It’s fun to see the differences.

#3 They give you variations on your favorite games.

As you’ll see in the upcoming list, many board games for only two players are spinoffs of larger games. If you like the “full” version of a game, you are just as likely to enjoy a two-player version. In fact, I prefer some of the two-player versions of games over their originals!

Board Games Just for Two Players

Onto the main event! If you’re searching for a board game for only two players, try one of these out. If available, we will also note if the game is a spinoff of a larger game.

Patchwork

Quilting fans love this game. Each player in Patchwork makes their own quilt by combining Tetris-like pieces onto an individual board.

To take a turn, either claim a piece from the choices or earn more buttons by hopping ahead of the other player. The more unique pieces you use and the better you sew them together, the more buttons you will earn. Whoever has the most buttons at the end of this game will win!

This is a great game for players who are fans of Azul, too.

Spirits of the Wild

Make the most beautiful constellations in the sky in Spirits of the Wild. Players will take turns choosing an action for their turn, which will allow them to collect stars and place them on their board. Be careful, though! If the coyote comes to visit, you won’t be able to finish your constellation. The player with the most complete constellations (and therefore the most points) wins.

Jaipur

In Jaipur, players hope to become the Maharaja’s (king’s) personal trader. To win his favor, players compete to become the richest trader by collecting goods, then exchanging them for money. Camels will help you carry your goods, and if you earn the most money, you win!

Lost Cities

Lost Cities allows two players to fulfill their need for adventure Around the World in 80 Days style. Players will play as many cards as they can in different location categories to score points. They can also bet on their expedition before they set off for bonus points. If they do not complete their adventure, though, they could lose a lot of points.

To try this game out before buying, you can play it for free online at Happy Meeple.

Fog of Love

Most first dates are a little awkward, but in Fog of Love, they’re entertaining. Players will create unique identities through trait and occupation cards. Then, they will play out the relationship of their couple by deciding how their character would react to certain scenarios. You will have to decide if your character has found true love in the other player!

7 Wonders Duel

Build your own civilization in 7 Wonders Duel. Unlike 7 Wonders, only two players will compete to create the best civilization and most wondrous of wonders in this game. There are three ways to win this game. First, you could have the largest military. Next, you can make all scientific discoveries possible. Finally, earn a civilian victory by developing the highest scoring city.

The Fox in the Forest

This trick-taking game uses a beautiful and unique deck. There are three suits, and the cards in each suit are numbered 1-11. All the odd-numbered cards have special abilities that allow you to take a good number of tricks from your opponent. But you don’t want to take them all! That would be greedy in this game.

Small in size, this game also travels well if you need a new card game for your upcoming vacation. And it’s one of many excellent two-player card games.

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

Agricola gives players the opportunity to develop their own farm. There’s a lot of resources players can manage, and the full game goes up to four players. Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is just for two, though. In this version, players focus on the livestock part of farming, gathering cows, sheep, pigs, and horses. The player with the most points acquired from their furry friends will win.

Onitama

Like chess, players in Onitama seek to capture the other player’s master pawn or take over the other player’s temple space. All the pieces in this game move according to unique cards, which players swap throughout gameplay. You can sample this game as a free app, too.

Codenames Duet

A two-player version of Codenames, players in Codenames Duet work together to find all the secret words indicated on the other player’s grid map. But be careful! There are only so many rounds between the two of you to get them all. Plus, you don’t want to hit any assassins.

Morels

Foraging for mushrooms in the woods might make a whimsical date, but just in case you’re stuck inside, Morels makes a great alternative. In this game, you and another player will gather morels during the day and night, cook them up or sell them if you’d like. The player with the most points wins.

Hive

Make sure your Queen Bee has the freedom to move, or you’ll lose this two-player game! In Hive, players each control a Queen Bee along with other bugs like grasshoppers, ants, and beetles. The first player to surround the other player’s Queen Been with either player’s bugs will win the game.

Blokus Duo

Blokus is an addicting abstract puzzle game where players lay down as many pieces as possible by connecting corners. The original requires four players, so this two-player version is perfect for a pair of gamers.

Hundreds of new board games come out every year. This, like all our board game lists, is not a complete list. We hope it will get you started, though. If you haven’t already, check out our list of best two-player card games, too.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments. We might just add it to the list!

Kristen

Hi there! I’m Kristen. I’m a game writer, a Dungeon Master, and like you, I love tabletop games. Visit our About page to learn more about me.

I wrote this Cats and Dice article to help you enjoy gaming even more. Did it help? If so, our kitties (and our site) would be grateful for a little gift through Ko-Fi.