9 Best Cheap Board Games to Play in 2024

Looking for fun on a budget? These cheap board games bring joy without breaking the bank. Perfect for new players!
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Love Letter coverHanabi coverCodenames cover

9 Best Cheap Board Games You Need To Try Right Now

Life is too short for boring games, but who says fun has to be expensive? We rounded up the 9 best cheap board games that deliver thrills without breaking the bank. When choosing these games, we focused on replay value, ease of learning, and how well they engage a group. Whether you’re planning a game night with friends or family, these affordable options promise hours of entertainment. Ready to level up your game collection on a budget?

On this list:

9 Love Letter

Love Letter cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 20 minutes

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Love Letter is a quick and enjoyable card game that packs a lot of strategy in a tiny package. We love how it’s easy to learn yet has layers of depth. Plus, it’s super portable, making it perfect for any game night. With just 16 cards, it’s amazing how many strategic decisions you’ll need to make.

8 Hanabi

Hanabi cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 25 minutes

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Hanabi is a cooperative card game that challenges players to create the perfect fireworks display. What makes this game unique is its reverse card holding mechanic. You can see everyone’s cards but your own. You have to give clues to help teammates play the right cards. A test of memory and teamwork!

7 Codenames

Codenames cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2-8
  • Play Time: 15 minutes

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Codenames is a word game that’s perfect for larger groups. We had so much fun trying to crack the clues and avoid the assassin! Players split into two teams and try to guess the words based on single-word clues given by their spymasters. It’s engaging and makes for lots of laughs.

6 No Thanks!

No Thanks! cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 3-7
  • Play Time: 20 minutes

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No Thanks! is a simple yet addictive card game where you try to avoid taking cards. Each turn, you decide to take a card or pay a chip to pass. Collecting the lowest points is the goal here. It’s perfect for competitive players who enjoy a bit of bluffing and risk management.

5 For Sale

For Sale cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-6
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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For Sale is a real estate-themed card game that’s both quick and strategic. We love the auction mechanic in the first phase and the selling phase in the second. It’s interesting to see how much you can earn from the properties you’ve bought. This game balances luck and strategy well.

4 Sushi Go!

Sushi Go! cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 15 minutes

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Sushi Go! is a delightful card drafting game where you try to collect the best combinations of sushi dishes. The art is charming, and the game mechanics are swift, making it great for quick plays. The strategy lies in picking the best cards while also denying your opponents the best picks.

3 The Mind

The Mind cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 20 minutes

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The Mind is a cooperative card game that tests your ability to sync up with your friends without talking. We had a blast seeing how well we could read each other’s minds. You have to play cards in ascending order, but without communicating which cards you have. It’s tense and fun.

2 Skull

Skull cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-6
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

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Skull is a brilliant bluffing game that’s easy to learn and has tons of replay value. Players use cards to bluff each other into revealing skulls or flowers. The tension of guessing the right card and the thrill of victory make it a hit at our game nights. It’s simple but oh so deceptive!

1 The Resistance

The Resistance cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 5-10
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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The Resistance is our top pick because of its intense gameplay and the way it encourages social interaction. Players are either members of the Resistance or Imperial spies. The game revolves around passing or failing missions through secret voting. The deception and deduction required are top-notch. We’ve had some of our most memorable game nights with The Resistance.

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.