7 Best 2 Player Board Games Reddit Loves in 2025
Looking for the best 2 player board game reddit recommends? We tested top picks, laughed, argued, and found the perfect games!
We hear the call for the best 2 player board game reddit picks loud and clear. With so many options, it can feel like picking the last chip out of the Pringles can—tricky, but worth it. When choosing our top games, we focus on quick setup, replay value, easy-to-learn rules, and pure fun, even if you play with someone who always forgets their turn order (looking at you, Dave). Whether you love card games, strategic showdowns, or a bit of both, our list will help new players find the perfect game for two. Let’s get rolling!
On this list:
7 Jaipur
Jaipur is the true gateway game for couples or friends who just want to chill and trade camels (yes, camels). We kept coming back to this one after long days, probably because the rules fit on a napkin but still keep you thinking. It feels competitive, but not like you’re going to lose any friendships over it (unless someone keeps hoarding those camels). Easy to teach, quick to play, and the game never overstays its welcome. No wonder everyone on the best 2 player board game reddit threads keeps bringing it up. If you want a great mix of luck and skill, Jaipur delivers.
6 Patchwork
Patchwork is perfect for those of us who wish Tetris was a cozy date night activity. You and your opponent scramble to make the best quilt, but you might end up building the worst blanket (ask us about the time our blanket had a giant hole in the middle). The rules are simple, but the strategy will twist your brain just the right amount. It’s a go-to recommendation on best 2 player board game reddit posts, and for good reason. Plus, it’s one of the few games where losing can still feel like a win if you make a really weird-looking fake blanket.
5 Lost Cities
Lost Cities is the awkward sibling of poker and Uno, in the best way. We learned it in about five minutes, and then realized we’d been quietly holding our breath for the entire first game. Every card played feels like a risky investment, and that tension makes for some epic showdowns. It’s no surprise that Lost Cities pops up all over the best 2 player board game reddit discussions. If you love games where you can bluff and groan at your own bad luck, this is a keeper. We keep it in our bag for coffee shop battles.
4 7 Wonders Duel
If regular 7 Wonders made your head hurt, 7 Wonders Duel is like the perfect antidepressant. It takes all the best parts, drops the weird science cards, and makes the competition fierce. We lost count of how many times one of us was so close to winning, only for the other to snatch victory with some sneaky science tokens. The variety and replay value are huge. It’s always on best 2 player board game reddit lists for a reason: it’s balanced, smart, and a total blast. Protip—never ignore the military tokens, or you’ll regret it.
3 Fox in the Forest
Fox in the Forest is charming, quick, and somehow makes trick-taking feel fresh. We laughed a lot when someone accidentally helped the other win, just because we forgot how many points would trigger the “greedy” penalty. This game feels classic but with a twist, and it fits right into that best 2 player board game reddit mood. The art is gorgeous, and every match feels like a little fairy tale competition. If you grew up playing Spades or Hearts and wish they worked for two, this is your jam.
2 Hive
Hive is chess without the pain of setting up all those tiny pieces. This game lives in a little travel case, so we play it everywhere—beaches, parks, bus stops. Every move is pure strategy, and you’ll be surprised how often you get tricked by a bug. It’s like a puzzle that keeps changing, and it’s another staple from best 2 player board game reddit threads. If you like the idea of outsmarting your opponent with no luck involved, Hive is a must. Plus, you get to shout “Queen Bee!” for dramatic effect.
1 Watergate
Watergate is our top pick for best 2 player board game reddit. This is the only game where you get to yell “I am Nixon!” and not get weird looks (well, not too many). The tug-of-war card play is tense in the best way, and every game tells a story. We love how each side feels different, and no one’s ever quiet while playing. The theme is unique and the gameplay is tight, making it a real standout. If you want something with a bit more depth but still fast-paced, Watergate is the game we always recommend above all others.
