15 Best Two Player Board Games Reddit Loves in 2025
Looking for the best two player board games reddit suggests? We tested classics and new hits, so you can find your perfect match.
Welcome to our hunt for the best two player board games reddit users can’t stop talking about. We spent many evenings bickering, bluffing, and sometimes even sulking after close games, just so we could build a solid list for you. We picked games that are easy for beginners, don’t take hours to play, and—most of all—are so much fun you’ll want a rematch right away. Whether you love strategy, quick thinking, or a bit of luck, our picks have something for every kind of duo. Ready to find your new favorite game night rivalry? Let’s get started.
On this list:
15 Lost Cities
Lost Cities is a classic we always pull off the shelf when we want a head-to-head face-off that won’t end in hugs. Every move feels risky, especially when you’re eyeing that fifth expedition, knowing it could end in disaster or glory. This game belongs on every list about best two player board games Reddit fans recommend because it’s simple, tense, and never gets old. We’ve played it so many times, we can practically hear each other’s groans across the table when someone sabotages an expedition. It’s a perfect way to spend half an hour plotting and second-guessing.
14 Jaipur
Jaipur has all the tension of a high-stakes marketplace and none of the weird smells. When we first tried Jaipur, we were amazed at how quickly the rounds flew by—we wanted to play again before the camels cooled off. The game is simple to learn, but there’s a lot of tricky decisions, especially when you’re trying to collect the best goods before your sneaky opponent. It’s a favorite for couples, friends, or enemies, and appears on every ‘best two player board games Reddit’ thread for good reason. Fast, fun, and a little bit mean!
13 Patchwork
Patchwork is the only time we’re excited to do anything close to sewing. This is a clever tile placement game where you’re trying to make the best quilt, but really just blocking your friend from getting that perfect piece they want for their weirdly-shaped patchwork. The puzzles are always new, the competition is real, and despite looking cozy, the game can get cutthroat very fast (especially if you’re the kind of person who hoards buttons). No wonder it’s all over best two player board games Reddit recommendations.
12 Hive
Hive is like chess, but with bugs, and no board. We love how easy it is to teach (the ants are sneaky!) and how portable it is—no need to worry about losing cards, unless you plan to take it on a picnic with real bugs. It feels classic, but with a modern twist, and every match gets more tense as the queen bee gets surrounded. You’ll see Hive on every best two player board games Reddit post because it’s fast, clever, and always satisfying.
11 Fox in the Forest
If you’re like us and you think trick-taking games need more foxes, then Fox in the Forest is a must. It’s specifically made for two players (no more fighting over who gets to be the third wheel), and it rewards both clever play and sneaky moves. The artwork is beautiful, too—almost distracting enough to make us forget about losing. Best two player board games Reddit threads are full of praise for this one, and after a few rounds, we could see why. It’s tricky, fast, and feels different every time.
10 7 Wonders Duel
Regular 7 Wonders is great, but Duel is where the drama really happens. You get to build your own civilization from scratch, squabble over science cards, and block your opponent from getting that one military card they need to win. Playing this feels epic, even though it’s just two of you and a table full of cards. We’ve lost count of the number of times a game ended in a dramatic last-second victory. Every best two player board games Reddit thread mentions 7 Wonders Duel and we can see why: it’s deep, balanced, and full of suspense.
9 Watergate
Watergate lets you replay the historic scandal, but with less paperwork. One of you is the journalist, the other is the Nixon administration. We found ourselves talking in dramatic voices and accusing each other of ‘conspiracies’. The asymmetry is what makes it shine—the strategies feel really different for each side. Even if you don’t know much about history, the gameplay is top-notch. It’s on every best two player board games Reddit list, and after shouting ‘I am not a crook!’ one too many times, we get why.
8 Radlands
Radlands is a neon-soaked post-apocalyptic slugfest for two. We were instantly hooked by the art and the tense card battles. The rules are easy to learn, but the actual game is all mind games and resource management. We spent most of the time saying, ‘Oh no, not my camp!’ It’s fast, brutal, and feels very different every time you play. It’s a regular on best two player board games Reddit posts, and after a few games, so it was easy to see why. Also: the pink rulebook is a bonus.
7 Star Realms
Star Realms is deckbuilding at warp speed. We’re not always huge sci-fi fans, but this game had us hooked. The combos feel great, especially when you manage to chain together a barrage that wipes out your opponent’s bases. Games are fast, and when you lose, you want to start right over again. Best two player board games Reddit threads always put this one near the top, and we agree. Plus, it’s compact enough for travel—just don’t get too competitive on trains.
6 Onitama
Onitama looks classy, plays quick, and feels deep. It’s a little bit chess, a little bit martial arts, and a lot of ‘Aha! Gotcha!’ Every time we’ve played, there’s been at least one dramatic reversal that gets everyone cheering (or groaning). The movement cards make every setup unique, and you can teach it in two minutes. Best two player board games Reddit lists love it because it’s easy to learn, hard to master, and makes you feel way smarter than you probably are.
5 Targi
Targi is a mix of set collection and outsmarting your opponent. It’s a bit thinky, but we always end up saying ‘let’s play again’ whenever we finish. The unique grid mechanic makes each round different, and the choices feel meaningful every time. You’ll see Targi all over best two player board games Reddit posts for its solid gameplay and great replay value. If you like a bit of strategy but don’t want to argue for hours, this is the one.
4 Mandala
When you want something that feels both relaxing and strategic, Mandala is our go-to. Players build patterns, compete for the best colors, and still find a way to be a little bit mean. We were surprised at how much depth there is once you get past the pretty cloth mat. It’s often recommended in best two player board games Reddit crowds for couples and friends, and after a few tense showdowns, we’re recommending it too.
3 Schotten Totten
Schotten Totten is a straight-up battle of wits. We love making poker faces and bluffing each other out of a flag. This game is so easy to teach but gets tense fast—especially when you’re one flag from victory. It’s small, quick, and fiercely competitive, which always leads to best two player board games Reddit lists mentioning it over and over. The worst part is realizing your opponent has outfoxed you three turns ago, and you didn’t even see it coming.
2 Akrotiri
Akrotiri is a hidden gem. You get to explore islands, haul around ancient statues, and try to outsmart your rival with sneaky tile placement. We’ve had games decided by one clever move right at the end. It’s a bit more involved than some others, but the adventure feels worth it. It doesn’t pop up on every best two player board games Reddit thread, but it should—there’s nothing quite like it, and it always leaves us wanting more.
1 Carcassonne: The Castle
Carcassonne: The Castle tops our list for best two player board games Reddit fans love. It takes everything great from classic Carcassonne and makes it a tight head-to-head game. Scoring is tricky, and placement feels even more important since every move could swing the game. When we played, there was never a dull moment—lots of blocked roads, sneaky tower builds, and dramatic comebacks. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and has just enough luck to keep things fresh. That last epic finish where one of us scored a wall bonus for the win? Legendary. If you want a perfect blend of strategy, luck, and replay value for two, this is it.
