Sometimes, though, physical board games aren’t the best way to go. Maybe you want a more affordable option, or every time your friends get together they want to play the same game over and over again.

Whatever your reasons may be, you can enjoy plenty of board games online for a low price or for free and not just classic board games. You will see there are lots of modern board games online you can play.

Play Premium Online Board Games

Anything free is awesome. Sometimes, though, you want to pay to play. Maybe you want a certain game for a few dollars. Or, you might want a higher quality design. Maybe you simply want to get rid of ads. Whatever the reason, there are premium options for playing board games online, too.

Steam

Many, many, many modern board games are available on Steam at a fraction of the cost of their physical counterparts. It’s a great way to play your favorite games on the go or with friends far away. If you’re unfamiliar with Steam already, it’s a free application you can download to your computer where you can download games. Alternately, Steam also has a handheld console called a Steam Deck. You can either purchase directly in the app or from a third party seller like Humble Bundle where you’ll receive a digital code to download the game in Steam.

Here is a list of some of our favorites. If you have a Mac instead of a PC, make sure to note if the online board game you’re looking at is available.

• Ticket to Ride
• Splendor
• Wingspan
• Quilts and Cats of Calico
• Mysterium
• Small World
• Carcassonne
• Exploding Kittens
• Patchwork

This is just a taste of the many games you can find on Steam. If you’re looking for a certain game, make sure to visit the Humble Bundle store and search the specific game.

Tabletop Simulator

Tabletop Simulator is as close as you’ll get to feeling like you’re playing games at a real table. More of a gathering space, Tabletop Simulator comes with a set of classic board games, but it gives you the opportunity to find or upload hundreds of games. This includes tabletop RPGs or even games you designed yourself! If things aren’t going your way, you can even flip the table.

The best way to understand this platform is to see a bit of it for yourself. Watch the trailer video below.

Tabletop Playground

For a more affordable online tabletop space with a sleek user interface, Tabletop Playground is a good option as well. When asking if you should buy Tabletop Simulator or Tabletop Playground, many users do seem to prefer the classic Tabletop Simulator. Both are available on multiple systems, are VR supported, and allow you to play modern board games online as well as tabletop RPGs. However, the cost and the graphics seem to offer some points in favor of Tabletop Playground.

Free Modern Board Games Online

When playing modern board games online, you can choose from several platforms. Some sites will let you play in-browser. Some online board games come as apps. Others use a gaming platform like Steam. All of the options in this section are free to you. Some of these sites also offer a premium upgrade, which will unlock more board games.

Free Board Game Apps

Lots of popular board games are available on smartphones or tablets or even in the Steam store for a price. We’re going for free, though, and there are free ones as well. Asmodee and B&CO are two game publishers that offer some of their board games online for free as apps. Some of these games include:

• Catan (iOS, Android)
• Fluxx (iOS, Android)
• Ascension (iOS, Android)
• Wavelength (iOS, Android)
• RISK (iOS, Android)

Don’t see a game you’re looking for? Make sure to search the app store too. Many modern board games online as apps are paid apps, but a lot of classic board games are free.

Board Game Arena

Some of the more popular games on Board Game Arena like 7 Wonders require a modest subscription to start a game. However, other games like Terra Mystica are free to you. And most games can be played even without a membership as long as a member starts the game. There are also forums and a community section available so you can regularly find players for your favorite free board games.

You are not limited to playing in your browser, either. Board Game Arena is available on phones, tablets, and popular gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.

If you can’t gather your friends to play board games online, you can play with people on the site. Board Game Arena also offers a ranking system. This will show you two things. First, it will show you how well a player has done with a particular game. Second, and more importantly, it will show you how reliable the other player is during gameplay. If they leave games a lot or are unresponsive, their rating will go down. That way, you can avoid a frustrating game.

Visit their game list for a full list of available games.

Tabletopia

Like Board Game Arena, Tabletopia also has a premium version that allows you to play popular games. However, their free version allows for many modern board games including Secret Hitler, Santorini, and Love Letter. Some of them will only allow you to play with one other player, while others will allow you the full experience for free.

The games in Tabletopia are laid out similary to an actual board game rather than being modified to an online version. There’s also no tutorial for the games (although a rulebook is provided), so it plays as much like a physical board game as possible. For a full list of their games, check out the All Games category.

Board Space

This is a great free site for online board games if you enjoy abstract games. In addition to more well-known games like Chess, Checkers, Go, and Hive, other popular games include Fanorona and Zertz.

If You’re Looking for More Games

For more ways to play board games online, either premium ones or for free, check out this list of links from Board Game Geek. They are listed in alphabetical order. There are a couple of terms you’ll find there and at other sites we’ve recommended you might want to know.

Real-time games are those you will play live. This is like playing with people in person where everyone takes their turns in a timely manner. Sometimes online board game sites set a time limit to ensure that players respond quickly.

Turn-based games allow players to make their move whenever they want. They might still have a limit, but the time limit will be in days rather than minutes. That way, people can play without worrying about how much time they have to play a game.

Some sites only offer real-time games. Others only offer turn-based ones. Many sites offer both options. When you start or join a game, make sure you know which play style you are joining.

Keep in mind, too, that not all of these games give you a platform to find other players or play against a computer. Some of them are giving you a free online version to play in real life in lieu of a physical copy.

What are you waiting for? Start playing more board games now with these awesome sites! Each one gives players like you a unique way to play modern board games online. And if you enjoy tabletop RPGs, you can visit our guide on how to play tabletop RPGs online, too!

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.

The post Where to Play Modern Board Games Online (Sometimes for Free!) appeared first on Cats and Dice.

I started at a young age with games like Candyland and Monopoly. I even have a clear memory of playing a heated game of High-Ho Cherry-O against my dad in our recently renovated basement.

It’s a strange memory to have, but it’s there.

For those of you unfamiliar, High-Ho Cherry-O is a counting game. It’s not too different from those story math problems you get in school. You know the ones. “If Susie has three apples and Johnny gives her five, how many apples does Susie have now?”

Here’s the thing, though:

As random and specific as that memory is for me, I don’t remember learning at all.

(Well, I did learn I was a sore loser around then.)

Looking back on it, though, I see how much the best educational board games and card games taught me about math, science, language arts, and other topics. In fact, they’re still doing that today. I’ve learned all kinds of things through modern board games since so many of them are educational.

This post can’t possibly list every single one, but it will list some of the best educational board games for kids and adults, too. Some of my favorites even made this list.

You will find the best educational board games for the following subjects:

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
• Social Studies (History, Geography, etc.)
• Language Arts (Spelling, Reading, Creative Writing)

You can buy these games right now and start learning with your kids.

The Best Educational STEM Board Games

These games focus on developing math and science skills. Almost all board games require some amount of math for scoring, but these games really dig into the subject. Many of these games combine several STEM subjects without players even fully realizing it.

Math Fluxx and Chemistry Fluxx

These are two different versions of the same amazing game. The rules are simple: draw a card, play a card. Well, they start out simple. Players will play new rules cards along the way. Then, the rules will change.

In Math Fluxx, players will have to add, subtract, multiply, or divide digits to come up with the winning answers.

Similarly, in Chemistry Fluxx, players will need to pair the right elements together to make naturally-occurring substances. Did you know that the sun is largely comprised of hydrogen and helium? I didn’t… until Chemistry Fluxx.

Photosynthesis

In addition to being one of the most beautiful games I own, Photosynthesis is one of the most educational. Players will grow trees through the help of sun points, which they can only earn when the sun hits their tree just right. They will spend those sun points to plant seeds, make small trees grow into large trees, and eventually “retire” large trees. Retiring trees will get players extra points, which will help them win the game.

This educational board game is full of biology, but players will need to use a fair amount of math to keep track of their sun points and their overall score, too. Buy it here.

Blokus

At first glance, Blokus may seem just like Tetris in board game form, but that’s not quite it. In Blokus, two or four players will attempt to play as many pieces as they have so they have the fewest amount of squares left at the end.

This is a great introduction to STEM for its math components and its spatial reasoning. Players can only play pieces at the corners of their existing ones, so it will take some maneuvering to play as many as you can. Buyer beware! This game is super addicting along with being one of the best educational board games around.

Wingspan

Wingspan will turn each player into bird watchers. Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, an avid ornithologist, this game is overflowing with information about birds.

Players will entice birds to their preferred habitat by giving them food. Once a bird comes to rest, it may lay eggs which can be used to play more birds.

Each bird card is filled with information about where a bird lives (both in habitat and geographically), what it eats, how many eggs it can lay, and what kind of nest it makes. This information can earn players bonus points if they pay attention and make birds happy.

If you have an Android device, make sure to download this fan-made companion app, too. You can scan each bird card and listen to its bird call! This adds an extra level of education to this board game for you and your kids.

Periodic: A Game of the Elements

Players will collect sets of elements in Periodic to advance their research. Everyone will need to use energy to achieve their goals. You do not have unlimited energy, though, so you will need to use it wisely.

With a scientifically-accurate board and goals, this is one of the best educational board games to learn about the periodic table and how elements interact with each other.

Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game

Cytosis is to cell biology as Periodic is to elements. Players will build enzymes, hormones, and receptors by working with proteins, lipids, and DNA just like real cells do. You will need to manage your “workers” wisely in order to score the most Health Points and win the game. Recommended for players 10 and older, this game has enough complexity to teach kids and adults alike about cell biology.

Planet

In Planet, each player plays with their own magnetic dodecahedron, which they use to build their own planet. They will place terrain tiles that have water, grasslands, deserts, and other kinds of real-life terrain. Animals will begin to inhabit their planet (under the right conditions, of course) and these animals will earn players points. The player with the most points once everyone’s planet is complete wins.

I learned so much from these board games, even as an adult! #familyboardgames
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Social Studies Educational Board Games

A lot of board games cover themes and strategies about war. That’s because of the history of wargaming in Germany, where modern board games originated from.

With that said, there are plenty of educational board games for topics like history and geography that aren’t about war, either. These are some of the best.

Timeline

Timeline merges trivia and history flawlessly. This game is simple (and portable). To play, place a single topic card in the center of the table so both the date and the event are flipped up. Each player will start with four cards in front of them flipped to the event-only side.

On their turn, players will try to place one of their cards into the correct spot in the “timeline.” If they place it correctly – that is, if the date is in the right order with everything else placed – then they are down to three cards. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.

In addition to the base game, there are themed versions, too. These include Americana and Events.

Trekking the National Parks

Visiting National Parks is a fun and educational way to spend a summer vacation. But with Trekking the National Parks, there’s no need to wait until a vacation! You’ll learn about the geography of the National Parks, what each park offers, and more. You can even buy it in the visitor’s center for many of the National Parks listed in the game. Or, you know, you could buy it here and now.

Ticket to Ride

Similar to Trekking, Ticket to Ride takes players on a journey through the continental United States. The goal? Build great train routes that will get passengers to where they need to go. The greater the distance between two locations, the more points you can earn.

The base game will test your understanding of United States geography. There’s no need to stop there, though, as there are other versions. The Europe version heads across the Atlantic and First Journey works well for younger players.

Freedom: The Underground Railroad

Freedom: The Underground Railroad takes a difficult moment in American history and encourages players to truly understand it. It’s a cooperative game, meaning players must work together to raise funds, free slaves, and ultimately end slavery in the United States.

The game includes real historical figures and events to enhance each player’s understanding of this pivotal moment in time.

Great Language Arts Board Games

Classic board games like Scrabble and Boggle develop a player’s spelling skills in obvious ways. There are newer games out there, though, that give the same benefits with a fresh viewpoint.

Codenames

Many board game fans call Codenames a popular party game, but it’s really a powerful word association game. Players form teams where one team member acts as a clue giver, while the other teammates are guessers. Everyone can see a spread of words, but only the clue giver knows which words they need their teammates to guess.

In Password-like gameplay, the clue-giver can only give one word to get their teammates to associate with as many other words in the spread as they can without hitting any of the opposing team’s words. To win, your team needs to find all their words before the other team hits theirs.

It might sound a little confusing at first, but it’s a blast once you see it played. So check it out in this gameplay video below.

Rory’s Story Cubes

Aside from roleplaying games, Rory’s Story Cubes are one of the best ways to encourage creative writing through games. The base gameplay is simple: roll the dice, and make a story based on the pictures you rolled.

Different versions have different ways to play. You can also play with others by building a story based on what you roll. In other words, players customize the game as much as they customize the story.

Bananagrams

Bananagrams takes Scrabble and turns it into a speed game. Each player has their own set of letters which they must arrange into a Scrabble-like board as quickly as possible. When they use all their letters, they shout “Peel!” and everyone must draw a new letter. Play continues on like this until the draw pile runs out of tiles. The first player to complete their board at that time shouts, “Bananagrams!” and wins (provided they finished with valid words!).

Paperback

Paperback takes the joy of spelling high-scoring words (like in Scrabble) and turns it into a card game. Each player has their own deck of cards which they will “build” by buying new letters to make better words.

A deck begins with ten cards, but interestingly, five of them are wild cards. That means players need to get creative and fill in the blanks for their first few words. Once the buy more cards, their hands may have fewer wilds, but they still need to find the best words to spell.

After playing Paperback, follow it up with Hardback, which has competitive, cooperative, and single-player gameplay options.

Start Learning!

This scratches the surface of educational board games. Many games can teach kids of all different ages, but some are better for younger kids and some are better for older kids. Kids learn at different speeds, and you most likely know what level the kids in your life are at. When in doubt, check the product description on each page for recommended ages (or ask in the comments!).

Make sure to keep a close eye on what makes a board game “educational,” too. While most board games are educational in some way, some games focus on education more than others. Board Game Geek’s Educational category is a great way to find more since other players like you have voted on the game’s quality and educational standards.

What have you learned from an educational board game? Let us know in the comments!

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.

The post The Best Educational Board Games for Kids (and Adults!) appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Are you scared?

No need to be.

After all, Halloween means its time for some spooky board game nights! 

There are tons of Halloween board games or board games that fit the Halloween vibe. In fact, there are so many, that you could center your Halloween party around board games. Choose the board games first as they’ll set the tone for your party. Then, keep reading for ideas on spooky, thrifty, and clever decorations. 

Halloween Board Games

You can find the right spooky board games for any kind of Halloween board game night. Strategy games are a great way to brew up some competition and come out as the last surviving player. Cooperative games play much like haunted houses where you all need to work together to survive or escape. And if your board game night includes kids, there are great Halloween board games for them, too.

Strategy

Betrayal at House on the Hill

At first, this game seems like a cooperative game. Players will choose characters that come with different stats, much like an RPG, and explore a haunted house to uncover its mysteries. But soon enough, one player will start the “haunt” and betray everyone else! That’s when the goal of the game becomes clear.

This one versus all game has endless possibilities as the objective depends on what room is haunted and what object triggers the haunt. This will lead to one person having a separate goal from the group. Will the group win, or will victory go to the betrayer? Buy it now to find out.

The Bloody Inn

On the surface, this game seems more economic in nature than scary. Each player will play as a member of a greedy family. The family owns an inn so that they may steal from visitors and become rich. 

To avoid detection, though, things get dark as players need to kill off guests and others to keep the scheme going. Players will need to bribe guests, kill them, bury them, and launder money to win this game. Whoever has the most money at the end wins. Start killing today. 

Gloom

This game may sound miserable, but it’s not directed at you. In Gloom, 2-4 players will control one family, which consists of five cards. Your goal is to make your family as miserable as possible and then kill them off! 

You do so by playing bad fortune cards on your family, good fortune cards on the families of others so they’re less miserable. Then, you will eventually kill off your family members with untimely deaths. The player with the lowest score from the most miserable family wins. Get it for your miserable family here.

Zombie Dice

Each person plays as a zombie in this game, and you want brains! In this press-your-luck game, you will roll dice on your turn to see how many brains you can eat. Watch out for the shotguns, though! If you roll three of them on your turn, then you lose all the brains you ate for that turn. Stay patient, though, and save up your brains, and you’ll win the game when you eat enough of them. Zombie Dice is a nice, compact game to bring to Halloween board game parties, too. 

Letters from Whitechapel

For players looking for a more in-depth Halloween board game night, Letters from Whitechapel is the game for you. Much like Betrayal, this game is also a one versus all game. One player will play as Jack the Ripper in London, 1888 while the other players play as detectives trying to catch Jack the Ripper. 

The person playing as Jack the Ripper wins by killing five victims before being caught. The detective wins by catching the infamous Jack the Ripper. Visit Whitechapel in this thrilling game now.

Nyctophobia

Many horror board games turn out to be one versus all. It makes sense; what could be creepier than having one of your own players turn on you? Not being able to see them as they do it.

In Nyctophobia, which means “fear of the dark,” players wear black sunglasses to feel their way across the board in this tactile game. They play as the Hunted. Their goal is to find the car space and hide out there until the police can rescue them. The single-player must hunt down these players and kill one of them before they reach safety. Will you hunt or be hunted? Get Nyctophobia here. 

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

This mafia-style game will be a big hit any night of the year. Each player will receive a secret role in this game that will either put them on the side of the townspeople or the werewolves. But things will happen in the night that will help you either find out who someone is or make you a suspect. Your role could even change without you knowing! 

You’ll win this game of secret roles by catching the wolf as a townsperson or successfully hiding from the townspeople as a wolf. This game is great for larger, groups, too. Get it now.

Cooperative

As popular as competitive strategy board games are for Halloween, cooperative ones are just as popular. In many of these games, the monsters live within the game and you must kill them, escape from them, or solve the mystery surrounding them. 

Eldritch Horror

Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s famous telling of Cthulu and the madness it brings, both Eldritch Horror and Arkham Horror are in-depth cooperative games where players must work together to protect the world from the Ancient One. Players must find clues, solve mysteries, and remain in good health to save the world. Otherwise, they will fall to Cthulu’s madness. There’s a 1-2 player card game, too, for parties of one. 

Horrified

This brand-new cooperative game is out just in time for Halloween! Players work together to defeat different monsters within the game, which will change every time. How they defeat the monster depends on what it is. The Wolf Man, for example, will perish in a very different way than Dracula. Different monsters have different difficulty levels, too. Can you beat them all? Find out today. 

Mysterium

For a lighter, more mystery-focused cooperative Halloween board game, Mysterium is the choice for you. One of the players has been murdered and is now a ghost. The rest of the players will play as psychics who can communicate with the ghost in the beyond. The ghost, though, can only give the psychics clues about their killer through abstract images which the psychics must decipher. If they manage to do so before reaching the seventh hour, then they will avenge the ghost’s death. Buy it here. 

Zombicide

It’s finally happened. The zombies took over and the world has come to an end. In this apocalyptic game, players will kill off hoards of undead. Since zombies are not too bright, it’s not hard. But the better you get, the more they appear, and you’ll run low on supplies as they keep coming. If you’ve ever wondered if you’d survive the zombie apocalypse, now’s your chance to find out. 

Dead of Winter

In Dead of Winter, the group of players has a goal they are all working toward together. But each player as a secret personal goal, too, and these two goals could be at odds with each other. Players will play as a group of survivors in a world that has perished due to disease, and the choices they need to make will be anything but simple. Winter is coming. Survive it. 

Kids and Classics

A lot of the games mentioned already can be quite intense for a family of gamers, either through theme or gameplay. Fortunately, there are great options for family Halloween board games that will give everyone a chance to play.

Shadows in the Forest

This isn’t your average board game. In Shadows in the Forest, you play in the dark! One player will use the LED light to search for Shadowlings in the forest. The other players will work together to keep their Shadowlings out of the light. (They dislike the light, after all.) Can you find the Shadowlings? Can you stay out of the light? Find out now. 

Ghost Blitz

This quick, light-hearted game will make a great addition to any Halloween game night. The cards have different images on them. Some images will show one of the five objects that are in the room, such as a red book. Other images will have the colors and objects all mixed up, leaving one object out. The first player to figure out the object and grab it will earn the card. The player with the most cards at the end wins. Grab it now. 

Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters

This game makes a great introduction to cooperative board games for kids. Players will work together to get jewels out of a house before it becomes too haunted. They do so by getting to the right rooms, fighting off ghosts, and getting out. Be careful, though! If you let a room become too infested with ghosts, then it will become haunted, making it even more difficult to complete your goal. Fight some ghosts today. 

13 Dead End Drive

For a classic Halloween board game experience, 13 Dead End Drive is a must. Old Aunt Agatha has died, and she will leave her massive fortune to one of you. You don’t want to take any chances, though. To make sure you get all that money, you need to kill everyone off or get out of the house when things are in your favor! Kill off players with 3D pieces such as a ladder, a bookshelf, and a chandelier in this classic board game. 

Clue

Clue has been a favorite of families all over the world for years on Halloween and any other night. Players will play as one of six guests to a mysterious mansion where a murder has occurred. If they manage to solve the mystery of who committed the murder, in what room, and with what object, they’ll win the game. And with different themed editions, there’s a version of Clue for everyone.

Ouija Board

It’s not quite a board game, but there is a board and it’s great fun, so it’s made its way onto the list. Communicate with the beyond through the power of the Ouija Board. Ask a question to the supernatural realm, and receive an answer as the spirits guide your hands to the answer. Buy a beautiful Ouija Board here. 

Halloween Board Game Night

As both seasoned and new board game enthusiasts know, the games are only half the fun at a Halloween board game party. The food, decorations, costumes, and music count for just as much.

Food

To make your Halloween board game party stand out from any other Halloween party, give guests snacks that play off the games available. 

For example, serve some “Bloody Inn Marys” as you kill off people in The Bloody Inn. Grab some ghost peeps as you grab the ghost in Ghost Blitz. Or, play with homemade ghost cookies. Lay your Gloom family to rest with some graveyard brownies. 

Eat some brain cupcakes as you play Zombie Dice. Even better, make some Cthulu cupcakes as you kill off the Ancient One in Eldritch Horror, and line the cupcakes with these Cthulu liners. 

Finally, munch on some vampire donuts as you defeat Dracula in Horrified. Do so by popping fake vampire teeth into the holes. 

Decorations

Halloween board game party decorations can be pretty much anything you want. With that said, there are some wonderfully thematic ways you can decorate your party to make it stand out from any old Halloween party. 

First, use the games as part of the decoration! Board games look amazing these days. Plus, setting up the board games beforehand to enhance the look will also encourage people to play. You won’t need to worry about setup or cleanup time. 

Then, upgrade the pieces to make old classics seem new. Add these skull dice to any of your games that call for standard six-sided dice. These organizers and game pieces will help take your copy of Betrayal to the next level, too. 

Finally, hold a costume contest to encourage guests to get into the mood of the night. Give extra points for thematic costumes that are based on board games. You can even add costumes to some of the games. Buy a ghost costume for the ghost in Mysterium to wear, for example. 

Whether you’re the one throwing the Halloween board game party or a friend of yours is, make sure to share these ideas so that everyone can have a great time for Halloween. Enjoy your night – or any night – with some awesome spooky board games. You’ll be glad you did.

What are your favorite board games to play at Halloween?

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.

The post Halloween Board Games: Everything You Need for an Awesome Halloween Party appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Let us guide you to the best two-player card games around. First, we’ll start with our favorite two-player card games you can play with a standard deck of cards. We will tell you what they’re about and give you the basic rules. Then, keep reading for games that come with unique decks that you may have never heard of.

The Best Two-Player Card Games With a Standard 52-Card Deck

A standard deck of 52 playing cards offers flexibility and, for me, nostalgia. I grew up on classic card games like these. As such, they will always have a special spot in my heart. I truly consider these some of the best two-player card games out of all the cards games you could play with a standard deck.

If you’re short on decks of cards, I love the look of my Animal Portraits Playing Cards. For a more classic deck, I usually prefer Bicycle Playing Cards.

Casino

Despite its name, this card game doesn’t actually involve gambling or betting of any sort. I couldn’t even really tell you why it’s called that. I can tell you, though, that this game is great fun.

To play Casino, deal each player a hand of four cards. Then, flip up four cards in the center. Your goal is to get the most points. You can earn points for having the following kinds of cards in your pile once the deck runs out of cards.

• Most Cards (3 points)
• Most Spades (1 point)
• Aces (1 point each)
• The Ten of Diamonds (2 points)
• The Two of Spades (1 point)

You take cards mostly by matching them to the cards in the center. For example, you can take a seven with another seven.

You can also take cards by adding them up to make larger cards. For example, if you have a seven in your hand, you can take a three and a four together since they add up to seven. You can even build towards something by playing a four in your hand onto a three. In this way, you can come up with clever ways to get the cards you want.

The game will continue for as many rounds as it takes for a player to reach 21 points. The first player to reach 21 points wins.

Cribbage

Cribbage may not seem like a standard card game at first as most people play it with a board. However, a board is not actually required as long as you keep score on your own. Plus, if you’re worried about portability, there are travel cribbage boards available for purchase.

This classic two-player card game is straightforward to play once you get a hang of the scoring. Your goal is simple: be the first to reach 121 points. You do this over a series of rounds, which consist of three parts.

In the first part, you will have a hand of six cards. You must choose two of those to put in the “crib” (an extra hand for the dealer) and which four you would like to keep.

In the second part, you will play out the cards between the two players to score points.

Finally, you will score the cards in your hand based on the combinations you have.

Many points you can earn are similar to poker hands. You will get points for pairs, flushes, and runs. However, there are certain rules about what makes a flush or a straight, and three of a kind are actually considered three sets of pairs. You can find a full rulebook for this wonderful two-player card game here. You can also try it out for free online here.

Kings in the Corner

Also known as “Kings Corners,” you want to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your hand in this classic card game. To play, deal out seven cards to each player. Then, place the deck on the table between the two players and flip up four cards, one for each side of the deck. If any of them are Kings, place them in a corner between the face up cards.

On your turn, play as many cards as you can or would like to under the following rules:

• You can always place a King in a corner.
• You can always place a card in an empty space.
• Played cards must be one face value lower than the card it is placed on and of the opposite color.
• You may move a pile on top of another pile if it follows the previous rule.

Once you have played as many cards as you can or wish to, you must end a turn by drawing a card. If you finish your turn with no cards left, then congratulations! You won. For a full set of rules and scoring, visit this page.

Gin Rummy

A twist on the classic game Rummy, Gin Rummy plays well with two players. You want to get to 100 points before the other player does. How do you do that? By making sets or sequences of cards in your hand each round.

To play, deal out 10 cards to each player, then flip over a card to form a discard pile. This flipped card is called the upcard. Each player will have a chance to take the upcard, starting with whoever did not deal. If neither player wants it, then the starting player will draw a card from the top of the deck, then discard a card.

Your goal for a round is to get sets and runs. A set includes three or four matching cards, like three Jacks. A run consists of three or more cards of the same suit that go in a row. So a 5-6-7 of Spades is a run, but three cards in a row of different suits are not.

A round ends in one of two ways. One player can put all their cards in sets or runs first. A player can also “knock,” meaning they did not complete their sets or runs, but they feel confident enough that whatever they have left over will be lower than what the other player has left over. Either way, whoever has the lower points left over will earn the difference between those points. So while you don’t want points in your hand, you do want to earn points overall.

Golf

Just like a real game of golf, this easy two-player card game is all about going for the lowest score possible.

Using a standard deck of cards, each player is dealt six cards. One card is flipped up to start a discard pile. Players will swap out cards over the course of play to get a lower score. A card is considered played when it is put face-up on the table. Cards drawn from the discard pile must be put face-up, while cards drawn from the deck can be played or held. A round ends when a player has all six cards face up.

The game is played over either nine or eighteen rounds, also called “holes.” The player with the lowest total score at the end of the game wins.

For a full set of rules for other classic two-player card games, check out The Ultimate Book of Card Games. I often check it out when I need to remember the rules to classic solitaire games, two-player card games, and others.

The Best Two-Player Card Games With Special Decks

Each of these games come with their own deck. You can’t play these games without buying the set, but they are well worth it. Some of my favorite games are on this list, and I play them all the time. Most of them work well with more than two players, too, but they all play well as two-player card games.

Love Letter

If I could only play one card game for the rest of my life, this might be it. And considering how much I love games, that’s saying something!

In Love Letter, each player plays as a suitor attempting to win the princess’ heart. However, her mother has recently been arrested for treason! The princess is so distraught, she has locked herself in her room in her tower in her castle and she will not come out for anything. So, in order to get to her to win her heart, you must call for help from different people in her court such as guards, a baron, or the countess.

This game is simple to play. Deal one card to each player. Then, discard one card face-down to the side. That card will not be used in the round. When playing with two players, flip three cards face up to the side. They will not be in play, but you are allowed to look at these three.

When it is your turn, draw a card. Then, choose one of the two cards in your hand to play. To play it, simply discard it in front of you. Once you play it, that card will take effect. Make sure to read the bottom of the card before you play to see what it does! Most cards will help you knock the other player out of the round.

A round ends in one of two ways. Either if the deck can run out of cards, or if there is one player left in the round. If there’s only one player left, then that player wins an affection token and is that much closer to winning the princess’ heart! If both players are still in the round (or multiple players), the player with the highest value card wins the round.

In a two-player version of this game, the first player to seven affection tokens wins. You can get a classic version of the deck here or the newer boxed version here.

The Mind

This newer card game has taken the world by storm. As soon as you play it, you’ll understand why. Players have to work together to win this one, but it’s not as easy as it seems!

Players must place their cards in order (lowest to highest) from the hands they are dealt. The deck has cards numbered 1-100, and players will receive cards equal to the level they are on. In a two-player game, players will attempt to beat 12 levels. So, for the first level, each player will receive one card. In the second level, they will each get two cards. And so on.

There are no turns in this game. Instead, players will try to decide when it’s the best time to play their card. But wait! You can’t ask the other player what they have to know. In fact, there’s no talking allowed in this game. Can you read the other player’s mind? You’ll find out!

A couple of cards can save you from or help you avoid mistakes. Use throwing stars to get rid of the lowest card in both of your hands. Or, if you make a mistake, you can lose a life! The more levels you defeat, the more opportunities you have to get a life or throwing star back. You can buy it here.

Fluxx

The rules to this card game are simple. Draw a card. Play a card. They do not stay simple, though. As you play, you will have the chance to put down “rules” cards, which will change the rules of the game. Maybe you need to draw more cards on your turn. Maybe you need to play more. It’s possible that you will have to draw four but can only hold two in your hand. Whatever the case may be, this game gets wonderfully weird.

Eventually, someone will play a “goal” card. This will tell you how you can win. The goal usually combines two “keepers.” For example, a goal card might require you have both the milk card and the cookies card in front of you. If you manage to meet the requirements of the goal before a new goal card is played, you win!

This great two-player card game has lots of different versions, too. Some of these include

• Batman Fluxx
• Zombie Fluxx
• Math Fluxx
• Fairy Tale Fluxx
• And More!

My personal favorite is the Doctor Who version as it really acts like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff.

Sushi Go!

Mmm, sushi! Whether or not you love sushi, this drafting game makes a great two-player card game. In Sushi Go!, you’ll deal out cards to players. Each card represents a different part of a sushi meal. These might include things like maki rolls, tempura, sashimi, or even the chopsticks! Your goal is to get the most points by having the most delicious and complete sushi meal.

To play, deal out cards to players. In a two-player game, you will deal out 10 cards to each player, meaning there will only be 20 cards in a round. There are no turns in this game. Each player will choose a card from their hand that they want to keep. Then, once each player has chosen a card and put it face down, they will pass their hands to the other player. Now you have a whole new set of cards to choose from!

The round will end when both hands are empty. (This should happen at the same time). Each player will score up their points and return the cards to the deck for a new hand. After three rounds, whoever has the most points wins.

Sushi Go! is the classic, portable version of this game. For sushi lovers, you may enjoy Sushi Go Party!, which comes with extra decks for extra special meals.

Exploding Kittens

You have one simple goal in this game: don’t explode! Exploding Kittens combines everything that’s awesome about Uno and musical chairs. You will win the game by staying safe and making sure your friend or friends explode first. Different cards like Skips, Attacks, See the Future, and Favors will help you do this.

In most card games, you will draw cards, then play cards. This game does not do that. You will play as many cards as you want or can first and then end your turn by drawing a card. That’s because everything you play will help you not explode. Drawing a card, however, might make you explode.

If you do explode, you can only stop it with a “defuse” card. This might include belly rubs, laser pointers, or kitty therapy. Once you defuse an exploding kitten, you put it back in the deck anywhere you want. You can even put it right on top if you want the other player to explode right away! But if you can’t defuse a kitten, then it’s rotten luck. You’ve exploded and lost the game.

While this is a great two-player card game, the standard deck does go up to five players. You can even get the party pack, which allows you to play with up to ten friends.

The Fox in the Forest

Not only is this one of the best two-player card games, it’s only for two players! Fans of the classic trick-taking mechanic will love The Fox in the Forest. Plus, the artwork is absolutely lovely.

Players will compete to take tricks in this game, but not in the usual way. If you take too many tricks, you’re considered greedy. If you take too few, you have poor luck. You’ll want to take only a few tricks in this game to get the most points and win.

And this can’t be played with a standard deck of cards. This unique deck comes with three suits, each suit containing cards 1-11. All the odd-numbered cards also come with special powers. Some allow you to change the trump suit. Others allow you to lead even if you lose the trick. There’s quite a bit of strategy to this modern trick-taking game that makes it a must-have for your card game collection. Buy it here.

Hanabi

This is another cooperative card game where you and your fellow player must work together to win. In Hanabi, you both play as terrible firework technicians. Why are you terrible at your job? Because it’s the night of the big fireworks show and you’ve gotten everything out of order!

Don’t worry, though. There’s still time to get everything back in place before the show begins. To do so, you will need the help of your colleague.

To play, you will deal out a hand of five cards to each player. Don’t look at your cards, though! You must show them to the other player who will give you information about what you have. You, in turn, will tell the other player what they have. On your turn, you can give information to the other player about a single number or a single color. In other words, you can tell them all the ones they have or all the reds they have but not both.  

Once you have a good idea of what you have, you’ll need to play cards to get the fireworks in order. But if you play something out of order or something you’ve already played, the the fuse will get shorter. If it explodes, you lose!

Fortunately, there’s not much winning or losing otherwise in Hanabi. You and your fellow player are going for the highest score possible to make a great fireworks show. Can you get a perfect score?

Gloom

The theme of this game may be dark, but that only makes the game better. In Gloom, players each control a family of five. Your goal is to make your family as miserable as possible and then kill them off with untimely deaths.

“How horrible!” you might be thinking. Don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. (Well, maybe it is. That is the name of the game.) You can also strive to make your opponent’s family a little bit happier and then give them a peaceful untimely death. It will help you win, but hey, reasons are reasons.

To say this deck of cards is unique would be an understatement. Each card is clear and see through so that you can stack effects to family members on top of each other. As you play cards, you will make family members a little happier or sadder, depending on how the card lines up.

The game ends when someone’s entire family is dead. Whoever’s family members died more miserable wins Gloom.

Which Two-Player Card Games are Good for Kids?

Out of all these amazing two-player card games, you might be wondering which ones are good to play with kids or in families. The good news is, most of these games are great for kids and families! Some of them are better two-player card games for kids than others, though.

On this list, our favorite two-player card games for kids include Kings in the Corner, Fluxx, and Sushi Go. These games are easy to learn, quick to play, and may even teach kids a few things!

What are you still doing here? Start playing! It was difficult to narrow down the absolute best two-player card games, but we’re confident you’ll find one you will love. When you do, let us know by commenting on and sharing this post below. Don’t forget to follow and tag us on social media, too. Let’s all play some great games together!

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.

The post The Absolute Best Two-Player Card Games You’ll Ever Play appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Fortunately, set collection board games allow you to collect to your heart’s desire for very little space or cost. Many modern board games use the set collection mechanic, and it’s quite straightforward to understand. Learn how it works below. Then, check out our favorite set collection board games.

Set Collection in Board Games

Set collection is almost exactly what you think it would be in board games. In set collection board games, players collect pieces in the game to make a set of them. These pieces can be anything, but they are usually cards or tiles. Completing sets will earn players extra points, which in turn will help them to win the game.

These sets can score you points either by having a specific number of them or by having the most. Sushi Go! Party models this well. In the “My First Meal” deck, you can earn points by having sets of tempura or sets of sashimi. The tempura set must come in pairs to score, while you have to have three sashimi cards to complete a set. Maki, on the other hand, simply requires having the most. If you play the most maki rolls, then you’ll earn extra points.

While many games use the set collection mechanic, not all games focus on it. Instead, other mechanics come into play. Again, Sushi Go! Party is a great example. It’s primarily known as a drafting game since that’s how the play moves. However, it is also a set collection game because that’s why players choose certain cards during the drafting phase.

Think of set collection like this: other mechanics usually answer the how of playing a game. Set collection often answers the why behind particular choices.

5 Set Collection Board Games for Newer Players

Set collection is so popular and enjoyable, many games feature this mechanic. This list only scratches the surface of the possibilities. The ones here rank well on Board Game Geek by players like you. They also happen to be some of our personal favorites.

Ticket to Ride

Set collection in its purest form, Ticket to Ride will help you understand this mechanic in no time. Players draw cards to get sets of train colors. Once they have a completed set, they can play the cards to claim a “route.” A completed set will consist of anywhere from 2 to 6 cards of one color. Players may also use wild cards, or “locomotives” to complete their route.

This set collection game is so popular, there are many expansions, maps, and a children’s version you can enjoy, too.

Azul

In Azul, players will work to make the most beautiful and complete tile mosaic wall they possibly can. They do this by collecting tiles from decorative circles called “factory displays” and placing them in the row of their choosing. If they complete the row with a set, then they will score a tile for that row.

Like Sushi Go! Party, this game also relies on drafting for the “how” of the game, while focusing on set collection for the “why.”

Splendor

Players aim to create a thriving gem-trading business in Splendor. To do this, players must collect gem tokens and gem cards, which will allow them to buy more valuable cards along the way. Nobles may come to visit their thriving business if they collect enough of certain sets, and this may help a player win the game.

Set collection appears in two ways in Splendor. First, players can collect tokens. Second, players can collect cards. While tokens can only be used once when collected, cards have reoccurring benefits. That makes them more powerful… and more expensive.

Pandemic

Panic and chaos have spread among citizens of the world as diseases attempt to kill the entire population of Earth!

The players of Pandemic must stop this catastrophe by working together and collecting sets of cards to “cure” diseases. The sets must match the color of the diseases they cure. Then, players can play a set of five cards while at a research station to cure that disease.

If they manage to cure all four diseases before any one of them becomes too widespread, then they win! Otherwise, the world may be doomed.

Tokaido

Players travel along the Tokaido road in this beautiful set collection board game.

Known as a “point salad” game, you can earn points by collecting sets of almost anything in this game. Having the largest sets of certain kinds of cards will get you bonuses at the end of the game. You can also earn sets to complete panoramas, or you can buy sets of souvenirs.

Tokaido truly is a set collector’s dream.

Many popular games, such as Terraforming Mars and Spirit Island, also use set collection. If you are already familiar with the games above, check out these more in-depth options.

Set collection is everywhere in board games. It’s straightforward and fun! Again, many more board games feature set collection. These offer a great place to start.

What are your favorite set collection board games?

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.

The post Board Game Mechanics: Set Collection appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Board game storage is no small feat. There are many levels to consider. First, you need good storage inside the box. Then, you need good board games shelves to store the box itself. And sometimes, you need board game storage for travel.

Let’s consider all these levels today. We’ll talk about games big and small, and hopefully, you’ll find some creative solutions you haven’t thought of before.

Where to Start?

If you’re overwhelmed with your board game storage problems, start with whatever you perceive to be the biggest problem. If you have plenty of shelf space but your lids won’t close, start with in-the-box storage. On the other hand, if you have zero shelves, then let us tell you about our favorites.

When it comes to changing up your board game storage, start small in thought, too. Many people (myself included) sit with poor board game storage for years because they view it as an all-or-nothing task. You don’t have to get everything just right! You’ll be glad just to start.

With that, we will be ironic and start big, then go small. Let’s talk shelves for board game storage first, and then open up the box to see what’s inside.

The Best Board Game Shelves for Storage

Now that you have an idea of what kind of board game shelves you might need, let us show you some of our favorites.

Ikea Shelves

At Ikea, there are lots of options. The Kallax is popular for good reason. Not only will your square games fit well there since the shelves are quite deep, but you can also buy bins to put in and add your smaller games.

Kallax shelves also come in a variety of sizes and colors. Some are cubes with four shelves, while others stand four shelves tall. I have a few of the cubes, which I like because I can stack them on top of each other or side-by-side as needed. You can also buy them with doors.

The Hoghem offers a more open-faced solution. I’m considering them for my floorboard heater problem. The lower shelves would fit larger games while the higher shelf would fit smaller ones. I imagine using this for my most often played games.

I also own a few Gersby bookcases. They’re great for my RPG books or for rectangular games but are not great for standard square board games.

Amazon Shelves

The cubed shelving options on Amazon do not run as deep for some reason. My widest board game at the moment is Tokaido at a 12”x12” square. Most of the shelving units on Amazon, however, stop at 11.5” deep.

This shelf from Better Homes and Gardens does the trick, though. It also has a lot more shelves than the Kallax, which makes it a worthwhile competitor. Buy it here.

For a more industrial and minimalist option, chrome shelving units work well. They’re deep, sturdy, and offer a lot of shelf space while taking up very little space themselves.

Specialty Shelves

Big brand names and sellers aside, there are lots of wonderful options out there for board game storage and shelves made by board gamers like you and me.

BoxThrone offers unique and customizable shelves that will fit any size board game you could possibly imagine. Once all the games are on the shelves, they practically look like art. They are certainly a worthwhile investment for serious gamers out there.

You can also DIY it. These homemade board game shelves are genius. I love the roll-out shelves, and the cabinet doors make it look clean. You can also get specialized plans for board game shelves specifically.

Board Game Storage: Inside the Box

Now that you know where you will put all your board games, let’s take a look inside the box. Fortunately, there aren’t quite as many things you need to consider as there were for board game shelves. Yet you may not have thought of some of these solutions.

Many modern board games come with awesome inserts that do most of the storage for you. Sometimes that’s not enough, though. Inserts don’t always account for storing games on their side. Some of them don’t leave room for expansions or other pieces you would like to add. Maybe you want to take the insert out altogether. There are plenty of options for all these situations.

Baggies Galore

There’s nothing quite like having a bunch of perfectly-sized baggies for your small gaming pieces. Tokens, coins, cubes, and other small pieces often need baggies or similar containers. Games like Pandemic include them, but not all games come with them. Fortunately, they’re not hard to find. And you don’t need to settle for sandwich bags from the grocery store.

You can get many baggies at once in a variety of sizes. These are great if you want to have options around rather than buying sets for each individual board game. 3×4 baggies will fit most board game pieces if you’d rather not worry about size, too.

Some gamers like to take it an extra step and protect their tokens, too. Use coin capsules and the container they come in to keep game pieces even more protected and organized.

Containers

Some games provide containers with a beautiful effect. Wingspan, for example, comes with 4 plastic containers that both store and hold the food tokens.

Not all games come with containers, but it’s easy enough to get some for yourself. Here’s a pro tip from veteran board gamers: you can use plastic bead boxes to store your pieces. Buy them online or in a dollar store. Smaller ones will store your tokens well, while larger ones will hold decks of cards. You might prefer round ones with removable lids for some pieces or square ones with attached lids for others.

For a higher class option, you can also check out handmade wood containers. These come with removable lids and can hold pieces as you play or for storage.

Rubber Bands

Before the more intense gamers freak out, I’m not talking about rubber bands for cards. Instead, I’m talking about nifty rubber bands like these that hold your box together. I first encountered them when checking out a board game at my local library, and I’m a fan. They’re sturdy without digging into the box.

These bands are specifically designed for board games. Black, sleek, elastic, and stretchy, they are flexible without being too tight or loose. Geek On really knows their stuff when it comes to board game storage.

Rubber bands are particularly nice if you have expansions in your box, or if you turn your boxes on their sides. They also help if you’ve removed the insert. That way, extra components don’t shift and fall inside.

Customized Inserts

Good board game storage is a worthwhile investment. It means less time on organization and cleanliness and more time playing. A customized insert can give you this freedom and peace of mind.

Wayfarer Printing offers effective and elegant board game inserts. They make some components out of wood, but they 3D print most of them. They each have an excellent selection, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, many Etsy sellers make inserts for particular games.

Traveling With Games

Board game storage at home is one thing. Bringing board games on the road? That’s a new level of storage needs! Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as you might think.

Focusing on board game storage for the inside of your games first will help you when traveling. Baggies, rubber bands, and proper inserts go a long way to keeping things steady in a bumpy car, bus, or plane. Index card boxes, as we mentioned earlier, help when traveling with smaller card games. You can put several games in small boxes, then put those in one larger case. But these are not the only way to travel well with games.

Board Game Backpacks

Board game backpacks are easily the best way to travel with board games. A good board game backpack comes with lots of room for games of all sizes, along with space for a beverage. You can buy one on Amazon, or you could get one here for more color options.

If backpacks aren’t your thing, board game briefcases are an option, too. They also come with room for all kinds of games while allowing you to carry it over-the-shoulder.

Having an option for board game storage while traveling helps in many situations. You might want to take your favorite games on vacation. They also come in handy when heading to conventions. Whatever the case may be, you will want an option beyond a standard duffle bag.

Questions to Ask About Storage

When looking for shelves to store board games, there are a couple things you’ll want to keep in mind. Many people swear by Ikea’s Kallax shelves for board games. They’re great, but not if they don’t meet your needs. How do you know? Consider these factors.

How much space do you have for board game shelves?

This is a big one. No shelf will help you if you don’t have anywhere to put it! Consider the room in your home, and be as creative as possible with it.

By way of example, here are things I think about with my board game shelves. First, my home has floorboard heaters. That means most shelves will not comfortably fit along those walls. Bummer! Fortunately, I have plenty of wall space without the floorboard heaters, but that might not be true for you.

I also used to have much less space than I do now. At that time, storage that could serve multiple purposes was a big deal for me. Even now, I keep my longer, classic games on the shelf below my coffee table.

Where do you play your games?

This is one I’m still working on. Ideally, you will store your games in the same space or close to where you play them. I play the majority of my games in the dining room, but I don’t really like the look of board games sitting around when I have others over for dinner.

That doesn’t mean I can’t store them there, though, or that I even have to play board games there. Here are a couple of solutions I’m currently considering.

• Keep them stored in a cabinet with a door.
• Move a table into a different area to play games there.
• Shelve games in the living room next to the dining room.

Each of these comes with their own pros and cons, but there are options.

What is the average size of your games?

Board games come in wildly different shapes and sizes these days. It seems no two games are alike. Many board games are square, and that’s partly why the Ikea Kallax shelves are so popular among board gamers. But not all games are the same. If yours do not fit the standard mold, then why buy a standard shelf?

I have a ton of board games in many different shapes. Some of them are small enough to store in storage bins. Some are rectangular enough to keep on more standard bookshelves. And some, yes, are big enough and square enough that I do like the square Ikea shelves.

How attached are you to the boxes?

For serious gamers, the thought of getting rid of boxes feels like a stab to the heart. Don’t worry – you don’t need to get rid of your board game boxes if you don’t want to! If you’re not that attached to them, though, you might want to consider alternate storage solutions.

Our Pinterest board shows some great examples. Smaller card games and dice games can go in index card boxes, for example. Heck, some can even fit into ziplock bags! Make sure to follow our Pinterest page to find new solutions for board game storage as soon as we do.

The Next Steps

Once you have your board games all nice and neat, tell us about it! Tag us on social media or send us an email. We would love to see your awesome board game storage, especially if it’s something we haven’t mentioned here.

Good board game storage can lead to a happier gaming experience all around. No longer will you dread opening a box just to find all the pieces got mixed up inside. Or worse, you will never again lift a box to have all the pieces fall out. You don’t need to use every suggestion on this list. A few choice ones for your personal board game collection will go a long way towards good board game storage.

.

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.

The post Brilliant Board Game Storage Tips for Every Single Game You Own appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Wasn’t it amazing? 

(Don’t worry, this post doesn’t contain any spoilers!) 

It doesn’t matter if you’ve finished it yet or not, though. There’s always more room for Stranger Things in your life. That’s why you must have these Stranger Things games.

Stranger Things makes a great theme for tabletop games. Not only did the entire show begin with a game of Dungeons and Dragons, but it also has the perfect blend of mystery and action. You’ll often find these in a great board game or roleplaying game. That’s why you as a Stranger Things fan must have at least one of these Stranger Things games.

Related Posts

• 7 Marvel Avengers Board Games for Die-Hard Marvel Fans
• How to Find a D&D Group and Start Playing Now

Dungeons and Dragons Stranger Things Starter Set

There’s no better way to indulge your fandom of Stranger Things (aside from actually watching the show) than to play the Stranger Things Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying game. It does not matter if you have not played D&D before. The designers made this module with entirely new players in mind.

You will get to play as one of your favorite Stranger Things characters in their Dungeons and Dragons form. Play as Will the Wise Wizard or Dustin the Dwarf, for example. Then, you’ll explore a mysterious castle and eventually battle the Demogorgon. The set even includes your first set of dice and a Demogorgon miniature. 

Stranger Things Ouija Board

What is Will trying to say to you from the Upside Down? This Ouija board is the second most obvious Stranger Things game theme after the D&D set. 

Players will ask a question to the Ouija board. Then, they will place their hands on the Ouija board and “sense” its movement. The movement will spell out a word or a phrase, which players must interpret to understand the message from the Upside Down. 

The letters on the board match the handwriting of Joyce Byers and come with a string of lights above each one. Can you understand the message and save those trapped in the Upside Down? 

Stranger Things: Eggo Card Game

You can’t escape the Upside Down without some delicious Eggo waffles! Each player will play as one of the Stranger Things characters. Your goal is to escape the Upside Down and to get rid of all your Eggo cards before the Demogorgon attacks. Do this through Uno-like moves such as making another player draw two or reversing the order of play. You can even send a player to the Upside Down or summon the Demogorgon! 

This delightful card game comes with round waffle-like cards. It even comes in a box you might mistake for an Eggo waffle box. Just make sure not to put it in your freezer.

Trivial Pursuit Back to the 80’s Stranger Things Edition

This version of Trivial Pursuit plays like most others: you will go around the board and answer trivia questions to earn wedges and win the game. There are two major differences in this 80’s version of the game, though.

First, you will answer Stranger Things questions along with general 80’s questions. 

Second, the board includes portals. What do those do? They can send you to the Upside Down! There, if you answer questions incorrectly, you can actually lose wedges you’ve already earned. This isn’t your parent’s Trivial Pursuit!

Kids on Bikes Roleplaying Game

This is not an official Stranger Things roleplaying game by any means. It’s not even an unofficial Stranger Things roleplaying game. If you arrived at this list because you’re looking for a Stranger Things roleplaying game, though, then you’re looking for Kids on Bikes.

Each player in Kids on Bikes will create a character in a small town either built collaboratively or by the Game Master (GM). Players will play as kids, teens, or adults. They can build a character through tropes such as a Scout or a Conspiracy Theorist, or they can start from scratch. 

Once everyone has a character built, players will build the story together through rumors about the town, relationships with each other, and by answering more questions. Eventually, they’ll encounter some mysteries. When they do, they might encounter a powered character, too. Each player will control the powered character in some way, allowing everyone the chance to use powers.

You can watch a playthrough of the game below. Then, buy it here.

Whether you’re feeling the letdown from finishing Stranger Things 3 already or just can’t wait for Stranger Things 4, these Stranger Things games will hold you over in the meantime. Play them enough, and the time will fly until you can once more visit Hawkins, Indiana. May it be free of the Upside Down once and for all.

Which Stranger Things character do you want to play as in these games?

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.

The post 5 Must-Have Stranger Things Games for Every Stranger Things Fan appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Solitaire has been around for years, but it might be brand new to you. The term “solitaire” refers to any card game played by just one person. Popular games like Aces Up, Free Cell, and Pyramid all fall under the “solitaire” umbrella.

When someone wants to know how to play Solitaire, though, they usually mean Klondike Solitaire. You will learn how to play Klondike Solitaire through this post today.

Klondike Solitaire Set Up

To set up a game of Solitaire, you will need a deck of 52 cards. Buying several at once in a pack will save you money on decks, which are prone to wearing out with use.

Remove the Jokers and shuffle the deck thoroughly. Then, deal out the cards.

You will have a row of seven cards. The first column will have a single card face up. The second column will have two cards, the bottom one face down and the top one face up. The next column will have three cards with the top card face up. This pattern will continue until you reach the seventh column. One card will be face up and the rest will be face down.

Leave room above your columns for four piles. Then, place the deck to the side or in your hand. You will be using it often throughout gameplay.

How to Play Solitaire

The goal of Solitaire is to get all the cards in order from low to high in the correct suits in your “suit piles,” starting with Aces.

To do this, you will draw three cards from the top of the deck at a time and flip them over. Do not change their order! This will ensure that the cards are flipped in the right order as you go through the deck. You then may play the top card if possible into a pile or a column.

To play in a pile, whenever you can reach an Ace through your flipped cards or your columns (that is, it’s not buried by other cards), you will place it in your designated area for suit piles. After that, you will place the Two into the pile that matches the Aces suit, then the Three, and so on all the way to the King.

To play in a column, you may place a card of the opposite color one number lower onto a card. For example, if you flip up a Nine of Diamonds, you may play it on top of a Ten of Spades or a Ten of Clubs if one is currently in a column. You may move cards from one column into another in the same way. When you move cards from a column, you will flip over the top card in that pile.

If a column is empty, you may place any King into that column and stack cards following the rules above.

When you run out of cards in your deck, you will pick up the discard pile, flip it over, and begin going through them again. Do not shuffle the cards!

Play will continue until you have completed all four columns or until you cannot play anymore. If you cannot play anymore, you have lost and will need to deal out a new game.

For variations on Klondike Solitaire or to learn other solitaire games, check out the Ultimate Book of Card Games.

Simple Solitaire Strategy Tips

When you first learn how to play Solitaire, don’t worry too much about the strategy. Like with any game, you will learn it as you go along.

With that said, there are three pieces of strategy that will help you out right away.

#1 Open up as many cards as you can.

To win Solitaire, you need to get every single card face-up and placed in order into the suit piles. But you won’t be able to do that if cards are buried in the columns or the deck! So it is to your advantage to stack cards in the columns as much as possible with one exception in mind.

#2 Keep lower numbers open as much as possible.

I cannot tell you how many times I played a Two of Hearts on top of a Three of Clubs, thinking that surely the Ace of Hearts must come up soon just to get stuck. Early on in the game, it’s possible you will get jammed up if you play too many low cards on top of each other. It’s okay to do this if doing so will free up an Ace or another low card you can move right away. Otherwise, you might want to avoid it.

#3 Play a lot to learn.

One of the best ways to learn strategy for any game is to simply play it. Solitaire is a quick game to learn but a difficult game to win. The odds just aren’t in your favor sometimes. As you play more, though, you will understand more about the strategy. It’s a quick game, so play a lot to get better and win more.

Play Solitaire Online

You can play free solitaire card games almost anywhere. Microsoft Windows computers still come with it for free. Or, you can play it any number of places online. In fact, if you simply Google “Solitaire,” Google will give you a way to play for free.

There are also dozens of apps that allow you to play Solitaire on your phone so you can play on the go. Many of these apps include multiple kinds of solitaire so you can learn a different version of the game.

It is worth noting that if you play on Google or through other websites and programs, they will often automatically move cards for you. This helps you think about less as you’re learning to play. Playing with physical cards, however, will make sure you fully understand the rules of the game.
To play other amazing games online, check out our post on where to play board games online. (sometimes for free!)

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.

The post How to Play Solitaire appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Now, believe it or not, there are enough cat-themed board games to create two categories, one for kids and one for adults. Let’s start with the adult games first. Then, you can find lots of great cat-themed board games for kids afterward.

Board Games About Cats for Adults

Some of these games have boards, and some of them only use cards. Just make sure your cats can’t knock the pieces over when playing each of these delightful cat-themed board games for adults!

Exploding Kittens

With artwork by Matthew Inman, the artist who brought us The Oatmeal, Exploding Kittens is easily one of the most popular board games about cats available today. The objective is simple: don’t explode! This game is like a combination of Uno and Musical Chairs. Players play cards to help them not explode and then end their turn by drawing a card. If a player draws an exploding kitten, they better hope they have some sort of diffuse card, like a laser beam or belly rubs! Otherwise, they explode and they are out of the game. The last player standing wins.

Isle of Cats

Quick! Save as many cats as you can before the evil lord Vesh comes! In Isle of Cats, 1-4 players will need to get as many cats onto a boat as possible while still keeping families together. You will do this by placing unique cat tiles into the boat. The more cats you manage to save, and the more areas you explore in the process, the more points you will earn. The player with the most points after five rounds wins.

Schrödinger’s Cats

How many cats are alive in the boxes and how many are dead? This card game plays like Liar’s Dice with a cat-themed twist.

Players are dealt the number of cards equal to the number of players (so four players each get four cards) and an optional cat physicist card. Then, they make bets on how many cards are on the table of one kind of cat. For example, the first player might bet that there are three “alive” cats. From here, players will raise or change the bid. But be careful what you bid! Another player can call you out, and if you’re wrong, you’re out.

Cat Lady

This game gives you the chance to prove you’re the ultimate cat lover! Players will try to gain as many cats as possible by giving them treats, toys, and other goodies cats love. But just like with real cats, some cats will only eat one thing, or they don’t like to play with certain toys. You’ll need to make sure you can give your kitties what they want in order to earn the most points and win the game.

Calico

Calico is like Patchwork with a cat-themed board game twist! Players will collect tiles that represent quilt pieces to create cozy quilts and entice cats to cuddle. Certain cats will come once different color and pattern combinations are achieved, so players will want to pay attention to win the affections of their favorite cat. Win the game by scoring the most points through buttons, cats, and completing your quilt.

Purrrlock Holmes

Put your detective skills to the test with this cat-themed version of Sherlock Holmes! Players are each trying to catch Furriarty before he makes his escape. They will investigate for clues about the suspect and the hour to get on Furriarty’s trail and beat the other players. Whoever finds Furriarty first wins, but be quick! If he escapes, no one wins the game.

Cantakerous Cats

In most board games about cats, you get to play with cats. In Cantakerous Cats, you get to play as a cat! You live in a house with your pet “Hoomin,” and you must give them affection in order to get away with mischief. Once a player has gotten away with mischief nine times while holding the cat toy wins them game.

Slap Cat!

Cats meet Dr. Frankenstein in this quick assembly game. Players take on the role of mad scientists working to build the most adorable cat possible by combining heads, tails, and everything in between. You will earn more points for assembling cool looks with kitty fedoras, bows, and more. You have to be quick, though! Otherwise, you’ll end up with loads of fish bones.

The Cat Game

Pictionary gets a kitty makeover in this drawing-based adult party game. Players or teams will draw a card, select a category like fLICKS or CAT-tivities, and then draw the word to get their fellow players to guess. But there’s a twist: each picture must use the provided cut-out cats. Whoever gets the most correct wins.

Cat-Themed Board Games for Kids

While kids certainly can play some of the board games about cats from earlier, a lot of the games below are specifically designed for kids. But just as kids might enjoy the games from above, many adults will enjoy these next games, too!

Rat-a-Tat Cat

This cat-themed card game with delightful artwork mixes fun and learning at only $10. Players want to get the lowest score possible, but they will need a sharp memory to win! Rat cards are high while cat cards are low, so everyone wants the cats of course. You’ll get them by drawing cards, seeing what other players have, and keeping a straight face throughout.

Feed the Kitty

Keep your mice safe from the hungry cat! If you’re the last player with mice left in your bowl in this fast-paced game, then you win. Roll dice to find out what happens. You can squeak by a sleeping cat, but a hungry cat spells trouble. This adorably thematic game comes with little mice pieces, unique dice, and a bowl for the kitty.

Here, Kitty, Kitty!

The players of Here, Kitty, Kitty! live in a neighborhood overrun with cats. No one thinks it’s a problem, though, since everyone wants the cats for themselves! Everyone works to get the most cats to their house by the time the deck runs out of cards. Earn points based on how many cats you coaxed into your house to prove yourself to be the best cat collector.

Kitty Paw

Players must think and act quickly in this cat-themed card game. All kinds of square and rectangular cats such as Persians and American domestics sit in the center of the playing area. You and your fellow players must grab the cats you need to make up the image on your card. Finish it correctly and you’ll get points. Finish it incorrectly and you’ll lose points!

Cat-tastrophe!

Cats meet Jenga in this beautiful cat-themed board game. Kids and adults will love this one. Poor kitty is stuck in a tree made of round wooden pegs. Players take turns removing pegs to help kitty down. Be careful, though! If you make the cat fall out of the tree, then you’ll lose!

Wizard Kittens

Everyone plays as kittens in this magical card game, and mischievous ones at that. You’ve all accidentally released some curses into the library’s restricted section, and you have to clean up your mess before the librarian catches you! This quick set collection card game is great for families that enjoy a bit of magic with their kitty cuddles.

You might not be able to get your furry friends to play these board games about cats with you, but your friends and family sure will have a good time. Share your cat-themed game nights with us by tagging @catsanddice on Instagram.

What are your favorite board games about cats? Let us know in the comments.

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.

The post 15 Cat-Themed Board Games Everyone Will Love appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Board games make a great hobby for foodies, too. It’s easy to sip and munch as you roll dice and move pieces. People can gather with loved ones of all ages, enjoy some good food and drink, and play hundreds of games they may have never heard of. Plus, all of this comes with the guidance of knowledgable staff members.

I am one of those staff members.

Every day, I get lots of questions about what I do and what led me to this job. I hope to answer as many questions as I can for you now about what it’s like to work at a board game café. If I miss anything, please feel free to ask in the comments.

A Little About Board Game Cafés

First, each board game café is different. I work at Thirsty Dice, the first board game café in Philadelphia. Thirsty Dice is a restaurant with appetizers, meals (you have to try the mac and cheese!) and even brunch on the weekends. In addition to this, Thirsty Dice offers a nice selection of beers and mixed drinks. And to go with your meal, there are over 800+ board games.

Not all board game cafés are like this, though. Some are primarily coffee shops. Some have more games. Many have less. Some have staff dedicated to the games, while others have servers who can help you out.

At Thirsty Dice, we have staff specifically to help you find and learn new games. That’s what I do, and that’s what I’ll tell you a bit about now! Staff members at different board game cafés may have a different experience.

My Job at a Board Game Café

What’s your job title?

Officially, I’m called a Gametender. I have had people also call me the Game Specialist and, my personal favorite, Game Master. In fact, please feel free to call me the Game Master. It makes me feel all powerful.

What do you do?

In short, I’m sort of like a librarian with a bit more show. My fellow Gametenders and I have specialized knowledge of many of the games. This means we do a couple of things:

• Recommend games to you.
• Teach you how to play the games and answer any questions you may have.
• Help you find specific games you are looking for.

The games we’ll recommend are based on a couple of things. We’ll keep in mind how many players you have, what kinds of games you already enjoy, and what you’re in the mood for. If you have a time limit, want to hate your friends after you play, or just want a good laugh, we’ll consider that, too.

We also make sure the games remain organized and well-maintained. There’s a game return bin we constantly check for your finished games. Then, we’ll place them back on the shelf so other customers can find them easily. We also make sure each game has all the components and report back on it if it doesn’t.

Do you know all the games?

Sadly, no. Hundreds to thousands of new games come out each year, and Thirsty Dice gets a healthy selection of them. I do my best to learn at least two new games every shift, but it takes time to fully understand a game. Sometimes I read rulebooks and watch tutorial videos on my own. Still, I dream of one day catching up.

I do make sure that I learn the most popular games. Usually, if I don’t know a game, it’s because it’s not often requested. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great game! In fact, if you’re interested in it, I’m going to become interested in it, too. And if I don’t know a game, I’m more than happy to read through the rules with you. I read a lot of rulebooks. As a result, I can often find answers quickly.

What’s your favorite game?

One magical day, I will have a good answer to this! Board games are so varied, it’s hard for me to choose just one, or even a few. If someone asks me this while I’m on the clock, I’ll usually ask what they’re looking for in a game (number of players, playtime, etc.). Then, I’ll give my favorite game that meets those requirements.

With that said, I have made a (short) list of my current favorites. Make sure to check back, as I update it all the time. I’m also an avid Dungeons and Dragons player, for the curious.

Would you like to play with us?

You are my new favorite person for asking me this question, and I will love you forever. Unfortunately, though, this is still a job for me, and I cannot play with you right now. I hope you have a great time, though!

How I Got Here

In addition to questions I receive about what I do on a day-to-day basis, I get a lot of questions about how I came to this job. This makes all kinds of sense! After all, it’s not like there’s a clear career path out there for the board game industry.

How did you find this job?

Honestly, I looked for it. I had wrapped up a blogging contract for two other game websites (which focused on crosswords and word searches), and I wasn’t sure of my next steps. While I knew I wanted to continue to write for and about games, I didn’t quite know what that might look like. I had been a longtime board gamer myself, so I literally searched for board game jobs in Philadelphia. The timing couldn’t have been more fortuitous, as Thirsty Dice was hiring the same week I searched.

What’s your training like?

There are really two parts to this question. First, there’s my background before I came to Thirsty Dice. Then, there’s the on-the-job training I’ve received.

Before entering the board game industry, I worked as a performer. A lot of my coworkers currently work as performers, although I no longer do. I started a blog for that career track a few years back and found I really enjoyed blogging. My blogging eventually led me to games. This motivated me to seek out opportunities to immerse myself more fully in the industry, and here I am! (You can learn a bit more about me here.)

Once I got this job, we did have a few training sessions. In that training, we taught board games to each other and gave each other feedback on our process. We shared what was clear and what we liked about the presentation, and we gave notes on what was difficult to understand or what we could do without. While we only had a few formal sessions of this, we teach each other new games on a regular basis.

Is this job as fun as it looks?

Yeah, it really is! I don’t get to sit around playing games all day, and I do have to clean the bathrooms when closing, but other than that, it’s a pretty awesome job. You want to have a lot of fun while hanging out with your friends and family, and I get to help you with that. I believe board games are an amazing way to bring people together, and it’s my honor to be a part of that for you.

Come Say Hi!

If you haven’t been to a board game café yet, I highly recommend it. I’ve been to several aside from Thirsty Dice, and each one has been wonderful in its own unique way. If you need help finding one near you, feel free to leave a comment or send an email. Otherwise, if you’re near Philly, I hope you’ll stop by and say hello! I’d love to help you find your new favorite game.

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.

The post I Work at a Board Game Café. Here’s What That Means. appeared first on Cats and Dice.