Tired of sitting at home with your partner with nothing to do? Want to entertain a friend without leaving the house? Board games don’t need to be played with large groups, there are many fun 2 player board games that can keep you occupied for hours.

Choose between strategy board games to keep you on your toes or more simple 2 player card games which are perfect to take away when travelling.

Read on further to see our list of the top 10 board games every duo needs in their life.

Best 2 Player Board Games

1. Patchwork

Compete to build the most attractive, and higher scoring, patchwork quilt in this enjoyable 2 player board game.

Each player has a personal game board and must pay in buttons (the game’s currency) to gather tiles of patchwork. With tiles of different designs, shapes and sizes, you’ll want to be tactical to fill your 9x9 board fully so that there are no gaps. 

At the end of the game, players score points for every button possessed but lose two points for every square that is still empty on the game board. The player who has the most points is the winner.

A well-loved game for many, Patchwork is top-rated for being simple to understand yet requires concentration to make the best decisions.

2. Bananagrams Duel

Bananagrams Duel is a great option for duos who like word games and enjoy taking their board games on holiday.

Using 12 letter cubes, players must race to form a crossword grid that uses all 12 of their cubes. Words must be connected and be able to be read horizontally or vertically. The winner of the round is the first person to complete their own word grid and call out ‘Bananas!’. This winner is rewarded with a banana card and the first person to gather 10 of these cards wins.

A competitive word game that can be transported easily in a great banana shaped pouch - what’s not to love!

3. Mandala

This tactical 2 player game is recommended for people who enjoy abstract games full of strategy and fun.

Mandalas are created using different coloured cards, with the aim of earning the most victory points based on these valuable cards. 

The rules are intuitive once you get playing and the decisions are plenty, you won’t get bored of playing Mandala.

4. Codenames Duet

This 2 player cooperative board game sends you on a covert mission to contact secret agents in a crowded city.

You know the nine agents your partner must contact, and they know yours. With a grid of codewords laid out, you communicate in one-word clues plus the number of words on the table that are linked to that clue. Find all the words before you run out of turns to both win the game.

This interesting game removes the competitive nature of fighting against an opponent which most games focus on, and allows you to work as a team to triumph together.

5. Lawyer Up

Lawyer Up is a longer game than the others discussed on this list as it requires 2 players to argue, influence and strategize in a courtroom case.

Players will take on the role of attorneys, prosecution and defence, who are fighting against each other in court. Using evidence cards, you will build up an argument in an attempt to sway the jury to your side. 

With different stories, witnesses, and cards based on which part of the story you choose, live your crime drama fantasy with this game.

Best 2 Player Card Games

6. Jaipur

Lasting around 30 minutes, Jaipur consists of rounds where you exchange and collect goods (cards) and sell them for rupees. You can try to put together good deals with more cards to receive rewards. The winner of the round is the wealthier player, who will receive a seal of excellence. The first player to collect 2 of these desired seals wins the game.

This clever, yet simple, board game is the perfect balance of strategy and luck which really makes you use your decision-making skills. 

7. 7 Wonders Duel

Challenge your opponent over three rounds to create a more successful civilization with 7 Wonders Duel.

Playing over 3 Ages, different cards allow players to assemble their civilization with buildings and wonders. This 2 player strategy board game can be won through different routes: either the person who achieves military supremacy or, alternatively, scientific dominance in the empire. If neither happens by the end of the 3rd Age, then the player with the most victory points wins.

This game lasts around 30 minutes but is so engrossing that you’ll want to play it over and over again!

 8.  Hanamikoji

In this quick-playing 2 player card game, players compete to earn the attention of 7 Japanese Geisha’s by acquiring item cards that correspond to each Geisha. 

You must use your cards carefully to place gifts, which are signified by points, beside a Geisha.To win a Geisha’s favour, you need to have more of their gift cards than your opponent. 

Hanamikoji is a game that can be easily taught but has deeper layers of decision making and tactics that make it a tense but enjoyable game.

9. Dobble

Although Dobble can be played with more than 2 people, we think it deserves a spot in the best 2 player games because of its extremely clever design which means the fun is never- ending.

55 cards, 8 symbols per card, but no card is the same. Every card in the pack will have one symbol on it that matches the next card you see. Your aim is to be the first to find this matching symbol, testing both your observation skills and speed.

With 5 different mini games to play, this card game will keep you wanting more. 

10. Tacocat Spelled Backwards

From the creators of the popular Exploding Kittens, Tacocat Spelled Backwards is a two player board game with a palindrome-powered head to head. 

Defend your hand by placing cards which have a higher or equal value to your opponent. If you can’t do so, you have to sacrifice your lowest numbered card. Play continues until you both have only one card left. At this point, both players turn over their last card - the person with the lowest card wins.

 The portable aspect of this game means that you can enjoy some simple Tacocat fun wherever you are!

This list shows you don’t have to rely on having a large group of people together to play board games, there are so many superb 2 player game options that will easily become classics in any household. To view our full collection of board games and more, click here.