Party of 2? The Best 2-Player Board Games (June 2022)
There are many boardgames that can be played with 2 players but in a cafe setting like ours, a quick and easy to explain board game is the go-to.
The most asked question regarding board games here is definitely “what is a good 2-player board game?” Why? Good question.
It’s very common for people to come in pairs.
For tourists, as a cafe in the heart of Osaka Japan (Namba/Shinsaibashi), there are many shopping and tourist spots in the area, including many hotels and hostels. A short coffee break and board game is sometimes just perfect for the time before your check-in at the hotel or in-between stops.
For couples or dates, a short board game is sometimes just the perfect icebreaker and/or 20 minutes before dinner well-spent.
For locals, Cafe LA is a great gathering spot to wait for the whole group so a short 2-player board game is usually just enough time for the rest of the group to arrive.
After a year of watching people pick and play from our selection, here is a list of the best 2-player board games as of June 2022.
First, what makes a good 2-player game and why?
Quick to play
A game that is just enough time to finish a cup of coffee during your short cafe break or wait for friends is ideal.
Easy to learn/explain
Low complexity games that are easy to learn and explain so too much time isn’t spent on just explaining the game, especially if you only have ~30minutes-1hour for your coffee break.
Low complexity but high strategy
Replay value is important! After you try it once and pick up some strategies, it makes you want to play it again without the feeling of it being too repetitive.
Based on my experiences, game selection, and customer picks, here is my Top 5 Most Played 2-Player Board Games list.
The list is not in any particular order.
1. Carscassonne
In Carscassonne, players take turns drawing and laying tiles like a puzzle, trying to complete features such as roads, cities, monasteries, and earning different amount of points for each feature you claim and complete.
This tile game takes a bit longer to explain but rather than explaining everything at once, it’s much easier to add rules as you play.
After a few turns, all the possible rules can be easily explained without much effect on the end game points.
3. Blokus Duo
In Blokus, players take turns playing tetris-like pieces from their pool and try to end up with the least amount of “squares.”
This 2-player version of Blokus is a great 2-player game.
It’s a low complexity game with an even higher strategy aspect to it than Othello.
The original 4-player version is a personal favorite of mine.
5. Splendor
In Splendor, players take turns either receiving gem resources or using their current resources to buy development cards to race to 15 points.
This game is a great resource management game and most of the strategy is in what resource to get and when to buy.
1. Connect 4
This game was a more recent addition to the cafe’s collection, but it has seen the most play since and with good reason too. It checks all the boxes.
Quick to play, easy to explain and play, but reading 1 or 2 moves ahead is necessary.
It’s quick enough that losses don’t stay in your mind for too long and you can immediately start a new game without much clean up and setup.
2. Othello
In Othello, players take turns placing a piece of their color to sandwich and reverse the other colors into theirs.
Rules are simple and a new player quickly picks up strategies as they play.
Games usually run ~5-10minutes and a great follow-up to Connect 4.
Other 2 player games not mentioned in the list but nonetheless, fun and recommended.
If you come by to the cafe and aren’t sure what game to play,
Feel free to give us a shout and I am also more than happy to recommend a game and/or teach people how to play.
(Photo credits. All from amazon.co.jp)
