6 Best Trading Board Games to Play in 2024
Dive into our top picks for trading board games, ensuring fun, strategy, and the best bartering experiences with friends.
Ahoy, board game enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into the bustling world of trading? We sure are! When we pick our favorites for the list, we look for games that pack a punch in strategy, fun, and, yes, the art of the deal. Trading is not just about swapping goods; it’s about outsmarting your friends, building empires, and sometimes, just having a good laugh over a ridiculous trade offer. From farming beans to building civilizations, these games have something for everyone. So, gather your friends, and let’s explore the top trading based board games that will keep you entertained for hours.
Compare a few picks
| Game | Players | Play time | Age | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bohnanza | 2-7 | 45 minutes | 13+ | Check on Amazon ↗ |
| Citadels | 2-8 | 30-60 minutes | 10+ | Check on Amazon ↗ |
| Settlers of Catan | 3-4 | 60-120 minutes | 10+ | Check on Amazon ↗ |
On this list:
6 Bohnanza
We kicked off our trading game marathon with Bohnanza. And oh boy, it was a blast! In this game, you’re a bean farmer, trading beans to make the most money. Sounds easy, right? Not when you’re trying to convince your friends to take your stinky old beans. We laughed, we traded, we backstabbed. It’s simple to learn but deep in strategy, making it a hit for new players.
5 Citadels
Next up was Citadels. Imagine you’re building the best city ever, but everyone else is too. That’s where trading comes in. We spent half the game negotiating our way to victory (or so we thought). It added a layer of deceit and strategy that had us hooked. It’s competitive, it’s sneaky, and it’s a ton of fun.
4 Settlers of Catan
Ah, Settlers of Catan, the classic game of negotiation and trading. We couldn’t have a list without it. You’re trying to build the best settlement on the island, but you’ll need resources. That’s where the trading comes in. ‘I’ll give you two sheep for your wood?’ became the motto of the night. It’s the game that makes or breaks friendships, and we loved every minute of it.
3 Chinatown
Chinatown really tested our trading skills. This game drops you in the 1960s New York, aiming to build the best businesses. We found ourselves haggling like market traders, pushing for the best deals. The open negotiation makes every game unique, and its simplicity makes it accessible to everyone.
2 Sid Meier’s Civilization: The Board Game
For those looking for a deeper experience, Sid Meier’s Civilization had us creating empires and trading to become the dominant civilization. It’s a step up in complexity, but the trading and negotiation aspect brought us together—and sometimes tore us apart. It’s an epic game for those who are up for the challenge.
1 Jaipur
Finally, Jaipur stole the show as the best trading game. Why? It’s just you and a friend competing to be the best trader in the city. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s surprisingly deep. We felt like real merchants, weighing every deal. It’s easy to learn but offers so much strategy. Jaipur was the game we kept coming back to, making it our top pick for anyone looking to dive into trading.