A 2 player board game, on this page, means a game whose listing gives a player count of two, plus one that plays two to four. We compared 25 dedicated two player games on Amazon Australia and kept the eight with the best ratings for their job. Player counts, ages and play times are written the way each listing states them. Our best board games guide covers games for bigger tables; this page focuses on playing as a pair.
Best 2 player board game overall: 7 Wonders Duel
Best 2 player board game overall: 7 Wonders Duel by Repos Production, because it is designed specifically for two player, head to head battles, it is easy to learn and play, and it holds 4.8 stars from 9,575 ratings.
The listing describes a similar style of play to the award winning original 7 Wonders, designed specifically for two player, head to head battles, where you build a civilisation that will crush your competition and flourish for centuries, and it calls the game easy to learn and play. Its detail table gives a player count of 2 and a minimum age of 10 years. It holds 4.8 stars from more than 9,500 ratings, a count that may pool editions.
It suits two adults, or a parent and a teenager, who want a civilisation game designed for two. The honest catch: one bullet on the listing calls it a multiplayer game, which is at odds with its two player design.
Best two player card game: Lost Cities
Best two player card game: Lost Cities by Thames & Kosmos, because two explorers lay cards along expedition routes to remote corners of the world and bet on which expeditions will pay off, in a card game whose listing calls the rules simple.
The listing describes two explorers on research journeys to the Himalayan mountains, the Central American rainforest, the Egyptian desert, a mysterious volcano and the bottom of the sea. As the cards are played the expedition routes take shape and the explorers earn points, and the highest score after three rounds wins. Its detail table gives a player count of 2 and a minimum age of 10 years. It holds 4.8 stars from more than 1,900 ratings, a count that may pool editions.
It suits couples who want a card game for two; our card games guide has more decks for two or more. The honest catch: the listing calls the rules simple but adds a warning that the Lost Cities hold many unseen mysteries.
Best cooperative game for two: Sky Team
Best cooperative game for two: Sky Team by Scorpion Masque, because a pilot and co pilot silently assign dice to land an airliner together, working as a team instead of competing.
The listing calls it a cooperative game, exclusively for 2 players. You play a pilot and co pilot at the controls of an airliner, work together as a team to land it in different airports around the world, and silently assign your dice to the correct spaces in your cockpit to balance the axis of the plane. The listing describes 11 airports and 21 scenarios inspired by real landing conditions. It holds 4.7 stars from more than 1,000 ratings.
It suits couples who would rather solve something together than beat each other. The honest catch: the listing asks players to assign dice silently, so choose another game if that does not appeal. Its detail table gives 5 years and up, the lowest listed age here.
Best for date night: Jaipur
Best for date night: Jaipur by Space Cowboys, because it is a classic, award winning two player trading game that the listing calls easy to learn with a lot of depth and strategy.
The listing describes a classic, award winning card game by Sebastian Pauchon, with new artwork by Vincent Dutrait, the first game in the Space Cowboys two player collection. The title describes a two player trading game for ages 10 and up. It holds 4.8 stars from more than 3,300 ratings, the most of any card game on this page.
It suits a couple's night in, where a second game is always on the cards. The honest catch: it is strictly two players with no way to add a third.
Best deeper strategy game for two: Targi
Best deeper strategy game for two: Targi by Thames & Kosmos, because it is a worker placement game for 2 players with an intermediate skill level, a Kennerspiel des Jahres finalist that also comes with a solo variant.
The listing describes a worker placement game for 2 players, with a Board Game Geek rating of 7.6 and a top 100 ranking, a solo variant and a skill level of intermediate. The title names it a Golden Geek Award nominee and a Kennerspiel des Jahres award finalist. Its detail table gives a recommended age of 12 years and up. It holds 4.8 stars from 942 ratings, the smallest count on this page, which may pool editions.
It suits two players interested in worker placement, and the solo variant suits a gamer whose partner is not always keen. The honest catch: its listing gives an intermediate skill level and 60 minutes, the longest play time here.
Best two player game that also plays four: Azul
Best two player game that also plays four: Azul by Next Move Games, because its tile drafting and placement is listed for 2 to 4 artisans aged 8 and up, plays in 30 to 40 minutes, and has the most ratings of any game on this page.
The listing describes high quality components and fun, accessible gameplay built on tile drafting and tile placement, for 2 to 4 artisans, age 8 and up, in a game that plays in 30 to 40 minutes. The title gives 2 to 4 players and 30 to 45 minutes. It holds 4.8 stars from more than 16,000 ratings, a count that may pool editions.
It suits a couple who often have friends or family over, because the same box plays two on a weeknight and four on the weekend. The honest catch: it is not a dedicated two player game, because its listing gives 2 to 4 players rather than 2.
Best classic naval game for two: Battleship Classic
Best classic naval game for two: Battleship Classic by Hasbro Gaming, because the call a shot and fire game of naval combat is pure two player, listed for ages 7 and up, with two portable battle cases that store the ships and pegs.
The listing describes the classic game of naval combat for kids ages 7 and up: call a shot and fire, and sink all of your opponent's ships for the win. It includes 2 portable battle cases that store the ships and pegs, and a Salvo feature that lets advanced players launch multiple attacks. Its detail table gives a player count of 2. It holds 4.7 stars from more than 8,100 ratings, a count that may pool editions.
It suits a parent and child or a holiday house. The honest catch: it is listed for two players, so choose Azul for a larger group. The listing also includes a Salvo option for advanced play.
Best quick game for two: Tacocat Spelled Backwards
Best quick game for two: Tacocat Spelled Backwards by Exploding Kittens, because its foldable box is the game board, so two people open it and play a palindrome powered tug of war with 38 cards.
The listing describes a little board game with a cat who is also a taco, in a portable, foldable box that is also the game board, recommended for picnics, camping or travel. You win duels by playing a card of matching or higher value or sacrificing your lowest card, and on your final card the lowest value wins the round and pulls Tacocat closer to your side. The box includes 38 illustrated palindrome cards with values from 1 to 12 and one Tacocat token. Its detail table gives a player count of 2 and an age of 7 years and up. It holds 4.7 stars from more than 1,000 ratings, a count that may pool editions, and it is the lowest priced pick on this page.
It suits a camping trip or a warm up before a longer game. The honest catch: its listed play time is 15 minutes, the shortest here, so choose Targi if you want a longer session.
How to choose a 2 player board game
Decide if it must be two only
Six picks require two players: 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities, Sky Team, Jaipur, Battleship and Tacocat Spelled Backwards. Targi lists two players and a solo variant. If a third person sometimes joins, Azul is the pick, since its listing gives 2 to 4 players.
Compete or cooperate
Most two player games are a contest. If one of you hates losing to the other, Sky Team turns the night into a shared job: the listing has you work together as a team to land the plane. It is the one cooperative pick on this page.
How long you want to play
Every listing here gives a play time: Tacocat Spelled Backwards 15 minutes, Sky Team 20, 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities, Jaipur and Battleship Classic 30, Azul 30 to 40 in its bullets and Targi 60 minutes. Azul's title gives 30 to 45 minutes. Allow the most time for Targi, which its listing also rates intermediate.
Check the age on the listing
Battleship and Tacocat Spelled Backwards are listed for ages 7 and up, Azul for 8 and up, 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities and Jaipur for 10, and Targi for 12 and up. Sky Team's detail table says 5 years and up, the lowest listed age here.
Giving one as a gift
For a couple who wants a card game, consider Jaipur or Lost Cities. For a gamer partner, Targi offers a solo variant for the nights they play alone. Battleship suits a child's birthday and Tacocat a stocking. Our gifts for couples guide has more date night ideas by budget.
The picks side by side
| Game | Players as listed | Age as listed | Play time as listed | Type | Rating |
|---|
| 7 Wonders Duel | 2 | 10 years | 30 minutes | civilisation duel | 4.8 from 9,575 |
| Lost Cities | 2 | 10 years | 30 minutes | expedition card game | 4.8 from 1,932 |
| Sky Team | 2 | 5 years and up | 20 minutes | cooperative dice game | 4.7 from 1,072 |
| Jaipur | 2 | 10 and up | 30 minutes | trading card game | 4.8 from 3,378 |
| Targi | 2; solo variant included | 12 years and up | 60 minutes | worker placement | 4.8 from 942 |
| Azul | 2 to 4 | 8 years and up | 30 to 40 minutes in bullets; 30 to 45 in title | tile drafting | 4.8 from 16,271 |
| Battleship Classic | 2 | 7 years and up | 30 minutes | naval combat | 4.7 from 8,114 |
| Tacocat Spelled Backwards | 2 | 7 years and up | 15 minutes | 38 card tug of war | 4.7 from 1,083 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best 2 player board game for adults?
7 Wonders Duel is our pick for two adults: its listing says it is designed specifically for two player, head to head battles, with a minimum age of 10, and it holds 4.8 stars from more than 9,500 ratings, the biggest count at that score of any dedicated two player game we checked. For a longer think, choose Targi.
What are the best 2 player board games for couples?
For a couple, pick by mood. Jaipur is our date night pick, a trading game the listing calls easy to learn with a lot of depth. Lost Cities is a three round expedition card game with simple rules. Sky Team has you land a plane together instead of competing, for couples who hate losing to each other.
Which 2 player board games are cooperative?
Sky Team is the one cooperative game on this page. Its listing calls it a cooperative game, exclusively for two players, where a pilot and co pilot silently assign dice to balance the plane and land it at 11 airports. Every other pick here, from 7 Wonders Duel to Battleship, is head to head.
What is the best strategy board game for 2 players?
Targi is the deepest strategy game here: a worker placement game for two players, listed as intermediate skill level, a Kennerspiel des Jahres finalist with a solo variant. 7 Wonders Duel is the better first strategy game, because its listing calls it easy to learn and play while still building a civilisation to crush your opponent.
Which board games are strictly two player, and which also play more?
Six picks require two players: 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities, Sky Team, Jaipur, Battleship and Tacocat Spelled Backwards. Targi is a two player game that also offers a solo variant. Azul lists 2 to 4 players, so it is the one to buy if friends sometimes join the table.
What is a good 2 to 4 player board game for adults?
Azul is our pick for a table that is sometimes two and sometimes four. Its bullets describe tile drafting and placement for 2 to 4 artisans, age 8 and up, in 30 to 40 minutes. The other picks list two players, with Targi also offering a solo variant.
What is the quickest 2 player board game to play?
Tacocat Spelled Backwards and Sky Team have the shortest listed play times here: Tacocat lists 15 minutes and Sky Team 20. Tacocat is a palindrome powered tug of war with 38 cards valued 1 to 12 whose foldable box is the board. Battleship, 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities and Jaipur list 30 minutes.
Which 2 player board games suit kids as well as adults?
Battleship and Tacocat Spelled Backwards are listed for ages 7 and up, and Azul for age 8 and up. 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities and Jaipur list 10 years, and Targi 12 years and up. Sky Team's detail table says 5 years and up, the lowest listed age on this page.
What is the top rated 2 player board game right now?
Among the eight picks on this page, 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities, Jaipur, Targi and Azul share the highest score at 4.8 stars. 7 Wonders Duel is our top pick, with 9,575 ratings. Azul has the largest count at 16,271, and its listing gives 2 to 4 players.
