Many board games are at their best with exactly two players: no waiting, no table talk, just a duel or a team of two against the game.
Every game here won or was shortlisted for a major prize. Some are made only for two; others shine with two even though they play more.
Designed by Luc Rémond
220′10+Great for a couple who like to work together
Two pilots land a plane together by placing dice in secret, without talking. Tense, clever and cooperative; it won the Spiel des Jahres.
2024 Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) winner
Designed by Uwe Rosenberg
230′8+Great for a cosy evening for two
Sew a quilt from patches of different shapes, paying with buttons and with time. A small gem for couples by Uwe Rosenberg.
2015 Deutscher Spiele Preis, 10th place
Great for a competitive couple
Take cards from a shared pyramid to build a civilisation and win by science, military or points. One of the most loved two-player games.
2016 Deutscher Spiele Preis, 9th place
Great for travel and cafes
Insect tiles move in different ways, and the first to surround the opponent's queen bee wins. No board, so you can play it anywhere.
2006 Mensa Select
Great for a playful gift
Cats on a bed push each other off when they land. Cute on the outside, a real brain-burner on the inside.
2023 Mensa Select
Designed by Blaise Muller
215′8+Great for a gift that looks good on a shelf
Place one of 16 pieces on the board, but your opponent chooses which piece you get. A beautiful wooden abstract game.
1993 Mensa Select
Designed by Rüdiger Dorn
245′12+Great for card game lovers
Merchants trade goods at a market in Africa, playing cards to buy low and sell high. A tense trading duel.
2005 Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) nominee
Designed by Andreas Steiger
260′12+Great for strategy fans
Tuareg traders gather goods in the desert by placing workers on the edges of a grid of cards. A strategy duel for players who like to plan.
2012 Kennerspiel des Jahres (Connoisseurs' Game of the Year) nominee
Great for a couple who like to bluff
Caesar and Cleopatra fight for the support of Roman senators with cards. A bluffing duel.
1998 Deutscher Spiele Preis, 8th place
Designed by Günter Cornett
230′10+Great for abstract game fans
Two sorcerers build bridges between islands to control them. A short, clever duel.
2000 Super As d'Or winner
Sky Team if you like to play together, Patchwork or 7 Wonders: Duel if you like to compete.
Yes. Sky Team is made for exactly two, and cooperative games like The Crew and Pandemic also work well with two.
Hive needs no board and comes in a small pouch; boop. and Patchwork are also small and quick.
