Are you looking for a new favorite game to play on your next date night? Well, you’re in luck because today I am sharing the best 2 player board games for couples!

(Because let’s face it, some games say they can be played as two-player games, but they aren’t fun to play with just two people!)

The 64 Best 2-Player Board Games For Couples 

Playing Board Games Together

That said, you know I love to play everything! Today, I want to talk about the best 2 player options for couples.

What Makes A Good Board Game For Couples?

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a 2 player board game for your next date night:

1. You want to find a board game that plays well with two players

   If you’re a gamer, you already know this but many games claim they can be played with 2 players, but the gameplay is downright terrible. Today, I am sharing 2 player games that play well!

2. Replayability

   Games can be pricey. You want to be sure to purchase games that you’ll want to play again and again. I always recommend that you try before you play. Check out your local game store and play-test a game before putting it in your Amazon cart! Many libraries are now offering games, so be sure to check your local library!

3. The time factor

   If you’re paying a babysitter, you’ll want to consider the length of gameplay. Most games have estimated time listed on the box, but you can also check out Board Game Geek in a pinch!

4. In some cases, portability and size can be important

   It can be really fun to take a game on the road with you and play it over a cup of coffee or during a picnic. If you are looking to play a game outside of your home, you’re going to want to consider how portable the game is and how much space it takes up. Here are a few examples of games that travel well and that have a relatively small footprint:

   • Bananagrams
   • Card games like:
     • Five Crowns
     • Fluxx (series)
     • Love Letter
     • Star Realms
     • The Game
     • The Mind
   • Hive Pocket
   • Travel Chess

5. You want to find a board game that fits both of your personalities

   Are you a couple brand-new to the world of gaming? If so, you’re going to want to pick a game that is easy to play and one that plays quickly. Some examples are Mastermind, Bananagrams, Battleship, Jenga, Qwirkle, or Yahtzee.

   Or, are you and your partner big-time gamers? You might want a more complex game such as Flash Point, Go, Race for the Galaxy or Terraforming Mars.

   Are you a super competitive couple? You might want a strategy game, such as Chess or Hive, or one that includes some trick-taking like The Fox in the Forest.

   If competition is not your jam, you’d probably prefer a cooperative game like Pandemic, Forbidden Island, The Game, or The Mind.

The Best 2 Player Games For Couples

7 Wonders Duel

7 Wonders Duel is the 2-player version of the very popular board game, 7 Wonders. In this strategy game, each player leads a civilization and constructs wonders and buildings over the course of three ages. A player can win in one of three ways, by achieving military, scientific, or civilian supremacy.

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is a 2-player take on the board game, Agricola. This game plays similarly to the original but focuses only on the animal husbandry aspect of the game. In this version, players breed horses, sheep, pigs, and cows. The player who earns the most victory points through enclosing pastures with fencing and breeding the largest number and variety of animals will be the winner.

Arboretum

Arboretum is a strategic card game in which players are challenged to create the most beautiful path through the garden. This is accomplished by selecting the correct cards and placing them in an orientation that scores the most points. 

Azul

Azul is a beautiful abstract strategic tile placement game. In this game, players compete as artisans to decorate palace walls. To win, a player must draft the correct style and number of tiles and arrange them strategically to maximize points. If you are a logic game or puzzle lover, you’ll love this one!

Backgammon

Backgammon is an ancient abstract strategy game played with dice and checkers on a board. Players must move their 15 checkers around the board and off the board. Along the way, players can capture their opponent’s checkers, forcing them to restart. 

Bananagrams

Bananagrams is a word game that includes 144 letter tiles. To play, each player independently creates their crossword as quickly as possible. Once a player exhausts their letters, all players take a new tile from the tile pool. The first player to complete a word grid after the tile pool is emptied is the winner.

Battleship

Yes, that classic childhood game! Take a trip down memory lane by playing Battleship on your next date night!

Calico

Calico is an abstract strategy game that feels like a puzzle. In this game, players compete to sew the coziest quilt that will attract the most cats. Each quilt has a required pattern to be followed. Players also have certain color combinations they must follow. Points are scored for buttons, cats, and how successfully players were able to complete the required quilt pattern. The player with the most points wins.

Carcassonne: The Castle

Carcassonne: The Castle is a 2-player version of the original tile placement game, Carcassonne. In this version, all tile placement is contained within the castle walls. 

Castles of Burgundy

Castles of Burgundy is a strategic territory-building game that takes place in the Burgundy region of High Medieval France following the Hundred Years’ War. Players are aristocrats building settlements and castles, operating silver mines, raising livestock, and trading along the river, earning victory points along the way.

Chess

Chess is a fantastic 2-player game for all ages! It is a fantastic game for those who love strategy and competition. (Love chess? This magnetic chess travel board is GOLD.)

Clank!

My youngest son introduced me to Clank!, a strategic deck-building game. In this game, players sneak into a dungeon to retrieve at least one artifact and collect points without disturbing the dragon. The player who makes it out alive with the most points is the winner.

Codenames Duet

Codenames Duet is the 2-player version of the very popular Codenames game. It plays similarly to the original. In this cooperative game, players must work together to reveal all 15 undercover agents, without revealing the assassin or too many innocent bystanders, before time runs out. But there’s a catch- players can only use one-word clues along with a number!

Cribbage

Cribbage is a classic and much-loved card game for 2-3 players that incorporates a board with pegs for scoring. The first player to reach 121 points is the winner. 

Dominion

Dominion is a popular deck-building game with oodles of expansions available. Each player is a monarch who wishes to build dominion. Each player starts with a small, identical deck of cards. Players must race to buy cards to accrue unclaimed land, hire minions, create buildings, improve their castles, and build their wealth. The player with the most points wins.

Dutch Blitz

Dutch Blitz is a quick-to-play card solitaire style card game that can be played with up to 8 players, but works well as a 2-player game.

Evolution: The Beginning

Evolution: The Beginning is designed for 2-5 players, but plays very strategically as a 2-player game. In this game, players work to adapt their species in an ever-changing ecosystem where food is scarce and predators abundant. It’s similar to the original, Evolution, and the art is just as gorgeous, but this is a stand-alone game.

Exit (series)

The Exit game series is designed for 1-4 players but plays best as a 2-player game. These are cooperative escape room games that can only be played once, but they offer fun riddles and puzzles, making for a memorable experience.

Five Crowns

This is one of my faves and is another highly-addicting card game. (Don’t believe me? It has five stars with over 20k reviews on Amazon!) Five Crowns is affordable, travels well, and is flexible as it can be played with up to 7 players and also includes a solitaire version.

Flash Point

Flash Point is a cooperative game during which players work together to rescue humans and animals from a burning home. But players must do so quickly because the fire is spreading quickly! The game offers two levels of play, standard, and expert, which is great for big-time gamers.

Playing Flash Point in ’18.

Fluxx (series)

Fluxx is a great card game with ever-changing rules and it plays well with two people. Plus, there are oodles of versions of this game, from Pirate Fluxx to Marvel Fluxx to Chemistry Fluxx!

Forbidden Island

Forbidden Island is a cooperative game during which players work together to search a ruinous and dangerous island for four sacred treasures. But players must do so quickly because the island is sinking! If you love Forbidden Island, be sure to check out Forbidden Desert and Forbidden Sky.

Genius Star!

Genius Star is my favorite logic game of all time. It can be played as a solo-player game or with two players. The goal is to race to find the solution. Bonus points if you complete the puzzle with the golden star!

Go

Go is a complex abstract strategy game during which players place colored stones on grid intersections. Players take turns placing stones in an attempt to trap or enclose their opponent’s stones. Gameplay ends when all stones are placed and the winner is the player with the most territory.

Harbour

Harbour is a strategic worker placement game. In this game, each player must move their worker from structure to structure. All the while, they collect and trade wood, stone, fish, and livestock. They can cash in these resources to purchase buildings. The game ends when a player has purchased a fourth building and the player with the most points wins the game.

Hive

Hive is a highly-addictive abstract tile placement strategy game for two players. If you love games like Chess and Onitama, you’ll likely love Hive. The object is to surround your opponent’s queen bee (with tiles) while guarding your queen. Each tile represents an insect and has its unique way of moving, adding to the strategy! Hive Pocket is the travel version of Hive.

Jaipur

I love this game! Jaipur is a strategic trading game. This game combines strategy and luck and has a high replayability value (ask me how I know!). My youngest and I have played this a million and one times!

Jaipur, summer of ’21.

Jenga

Jenga is a dexterity game for two or more players. Set up involves building a tower that consists of 54 wooden blocks (see photo below). Players take turns removing one block from any story (except for the topmost story) and placing it on the top of the tower. If and when the tower falls, the player who caused the crash is the loser.

Kingdomino

Kingdomino is a strategic card drafting and tile placement game that is reminiscent of dominoes. It is simple to learn and offers a high replayability factor. Great for two players but also plays well as a 4-player game, making it perfect for date night or family game nights.

Lost Cities

Lost Cities is quite possibly our family’s favorite 2-player card game and it works great for couples! Players are explorers on research journeys all over the world. Players earn points on their journeys. The player with the most points after three rounds is the winner.

Love Letter

Love Letter is a highly-rated card game for 2-4 players. Players compete to win the affection of the princess by having their love letters delivered to the princess. Gameplay involves deduction, risk, and a little bit of luck.

Mastermind

I’m sure you played this code-breaking game as a kiddo and let me tell you, Mastermind is just as much fun for teens and adults! It’s so simple and yet offers a great challenge for young and old.

Memoir ’44

Memoir ’44 is a historical WWII battle game that my boys adore. Memoir ’44 is historically accurate and educational with engaging battle scenarios and a host of available expansion packs.

Memoir ’44, Christmas of ’19.

Morels

Morels is an educational and strategic card game for fungi lovers. Players earn points as they forage for mushrooms and cook mushrooms. 

Odin’s Ravens

Odin’s Ravens is a fast-paced strategic card game for two players. Every morning, Odin sends his two ravens out and across the planet in search of news of what is happening on earth. These two competitive ravens must race to gather information and get the first to return to Odin. 

Onitama

Onitama is a 2-player abstract strategy game. The game is beautiful and it’s easy to learn, yet it offers a nice challenge. If your love chess, check out Onitama!

Pandemic

Pandemic is a cooperative game during which players must work together, using their characters’ strengths, to defeat four diseases that are spreading across the globe.

Paperback

Paperback is a card game that melds word-building and deck-building. Players must use their hands to form words and purchase more powerful letters. Many letters have abilities that are activated when used in a word. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins. 

Patchwork

Potion Explosion

Potion Explosion is a family favorite over here! Players are in their senior year at an academy for wizards and witches. Players must learn to handle the dangerous ingredients and transform them into magical potions! (Do you love fantasy and Harry Potter? Check out THIS POST.)

Quarto

Quarto is an abstract strategy game for two players. The object of the game is to be the first player to achieve four-in-a-row with a single shared characteristic (height, color, shape, solidness), placing one piece per turn.

Qwirkle

Qwirkle is a colorful abstract strategy game featuring tiles with certain patterns and colors. To play, players score points by connecting tiles. Players connect tiles by matching a single tile attribute (eg., color or shape, but not both) with a tile already in play. Players earn extra points for completing a line that includes all six shapes or colors.

Quoridor

Quoridor is a quick-to-learn and quick-to-play abstract strategy game for 2-4 players. At first glance, it appears simple, but Quoridor offers an exciting challenge!

Race for the Galaxy

Race for the Galaxy is a fairly complex card game during which players build space civilizations by playing cards that represent worlds, technical developments, and/or social advancements. In this game, players explore space, conquer other galactic civilizations, and build a space empire. 

Rivals for Catan

Rivals for Catan is a 2-player spinoff of the ever-popular board game, Catan. Like the original version, players roll dice, collect resources, and spend resources to build settlements connected by roads.

Rummikub

Rummikub is a classic rummy-style tile game. The goal is to group tiles in rummy-style runs or groups and to be the first person to get rid of all tiles.

Sagrada

Sagrada is one of my favorite games and my tween and teen love it, too. This beautiful game is easy to learn and has high replayability.

San Juan

San Juan is a strategic card game based on the game Puerto Rico. San Juan would be a great match for those who like economic strategy and role-drafting games.

Santorini

Santorini is an abstract strategy game based on Greek Mythology. Santorini is super accessible, so it’s one of those games that all ages can enjoy. And it’s fun, so it’s perfect for date night, too.

Scrabble

Scrabble is popular the world over and is fun for all ages. If you love to complete the daily Wordle, don’t forget about Scrabble on your next date night!

Splendor

Splendor is a game that incorporates card development and chip collecting. In this game, players compete to create Renaissance Europe’s best jewelry business. This game is easy to learn and fun to play for all ages. It makes a great date night game and a fantastic family game.

Star Realms

My sons introduced me to Star Realms several years ago. This deck-building game is affordable, easy to learn, highly engaging, and travels well, making it easy to play on the go.

Succulent

Succulent is a perfect game for gardeners and plant lovers. In this abstract strategy game, players compete to become the best succulent gardener.

Targi

Targi is a game where two nomadic tribes compete over desert trade routes. It’s high on strategy and low on luck, which is a win for many gamers.

Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars is a fairly complex futuristic sci-fi game. It’s the 2400s and players work together with major corporations to terraform the planet Mars. The gameplay involves the completion of projects that help to make Mars habitable.

That’s Pretty Clever!

That’s Pretty Clever is a dice-rolling game that is perfect for two players. The goal of the game is to score the most points. The game involves strategy and luck. Players must choose their dice carefully to accrue maximum points.

The Game

The Game is a cooperative card game that plays well with two people. Together, players race to discard all 98 cards into four decks, each with certain discard rules. Players can’t share their hands, but they can make suggestions. 

The Fox in the Forest

The Fox in the Forest is a fairy-tale-themed trick-taking game. The player who wins the most tricks is the winner.

The Mind

The Mind is a cooperative card game during which players work together to complete 12, 10, and 8 levels of play. During each level, players work together to play cards, numbered 1-100, in the discard pile in ascending order. The trick is that players cannot talk to each other or share what cards are in their hands.

Tides of Time

Tides of Time is a strategic drafting card game in which players build civilizations. There are three rounds in each game during which players build their kingdoms by drafting cards.

Twice as Clever

Twice as Clever is a game from the makers of That’s Pretty Clever and plays similarly, except that players must be twice as clever!

Wingspan

I loooooove this game! Honestly? Wingspan probably plays better with three or more players, but I’ve played it a gazillion times as a 2-player game and have loved every second. If you’re a birder, this is your game. This competitive strategy engine-building game is jam-packed with art and bird facts. It can be played as a solo-player game, or for 2-5 players. (Have I mentioned how much I love this one???)

Yahtzee

Yahtzee is a classic dice game for 2 or more players. Players take turns rolling the five dice up to three times to fill in a category on their score card. Yahtzee involves both luck and strategy. The game is over when all categories have been completed and the player with the most points is the winner.

Now that I’ve shared my favorite 2 player board games for couples, you might be interested in more gaming resources (especially if you’re a parent!)

• Never Board Learning [Gameschooling Community]

Never Board Learning is a private online community for creative parents and educators who embrace play-based learning and gameschooling. This is a wonderful way to add more educational games and interest-led learning to your homeschool routine.

Never Board Learning features a private community forum (not Facebook), guest speakers, live Q and As, day-in-the-life family spotlights, a private blog, and access to a growing printable resource library. 

Join Never Board Learning today and have more fun tomorrow! Learn more here. 

• Gameschooling 101: How to Add More Play to Your Homeschool Day [Self-Paced Digital Course]

Play can boost connection, fuel learning, and revolutionize your homeschool routine. We all know play is an essential part of child development, but how do you fit it in when you have a huge homeschool to-do list?

In this digital course, you’ll learn how to add more play to your homeschool day with gameschooling. Gameschooling is the intersection of play and homeschooling and it can change your entire homeschool atmosphere for the better! 

Join the fun today!

• Never Board Learning and My Little Poppies [Storefront]

Visit the NBL and MLP Amazon Storefront for more gameschooling, homeschooling, and book recommendations!

Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: What is your favorite 2 player board game for couples? Share here!