The 8 Best Two-Player Board Games of 2021

Best Overall: Jax Sequence

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If you think a little healthy competition is good for game night, then you can't go wrong with Sequence, a versatile strategy game you can play with two people or a large group.

Sequence is recommended for players 7 and older, and you can play with anywhere from 2 to 12 people, broken up into teams. The concept of the game is relatively straightforward: you put down playing cards from your hand and place a chip on the corresponding space on the game board. The object is to get five chips in a row, but your opponent may very well see your strategy and work to block your progress. Even though the game is relatively simple, people say it's both entertaining and challenging for players of all ages.

Runner Up, Best Overall: Czech Games Codenames: Duet The Two Player Word Deduction Game

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If you usually love working with other people during team based games, the best two player game for you might be something collaborative, rather than competitive. Try Codenames: Duet, which promises to provide hours of fun with its cooperative gameplay. This game is an adaptation of the highly rated, team-based game Codenames board game, adjusted so it can be enjoyed by just two players.

Codenames: Duet is recommended for two players age 11 and up, and each round will take about 15 minutes. During gameplay, you take turns giving one-word clues to your partner, striving to identify your team of “secret agents” from a grid of 25 cards. If you reveal the assassin or too many innocent bystanders along the way, you lose!

This game does a great job blending the basics of the original Codenames with cooperative play, making it a great two-player game that you'll want to play over and over. Plus, the rules are easy to learn and gameplay is quick!

Best Strategy: Asmodee 7 Wonders - Duel

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Love a game that challenges your brain to think outside of the box? This pick is an adaptation of the award-winning original board game, 7 Wonders, but it's designed specifically for two people.

7 Wonders: Duel is recommended for ages 10 and up, and each round takes about 30 minutes. During the game, two players go head-to-head, competing to build a civilization to crush your competition, striving to build architectural “wonders” along the way. You can win by achieving military, scientific, or civilian supremacy, so you can play a different strategy every time you play.

Reviewers call this game one of the best two-player games they've ever owned. Many love the variability and mechanics of 7 Wonders: Dual, writing that the numerous ways to win make it an engaging game with lots of replay value.

Best Cooperative: Z-Man Games Pandemic

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Cooperative games are the latest trend in board games, allowing you to work together instead of competing against one another. If you're looking for the best cooperative game to play with two people, you should definitely consider Pandemic—but only if you're up for a challenge.

Pandemic is recommended for players ages 8 and up and each game will take between 45 minutes to an hour. The object of this cooperative game is to save the world from an outbreak of disease by working together to contain and cure the various strains. This game is especially challenging, as epidemics and outbreaks can spread diseases across the board faster than you can contain them, and there are several ways you might lose.

Reviewers write that this game is particularly addicting, as you'll want to keep playing until you can best it. Pandemic has ample replay value, as no two games will ever be alike, making it in essential for your collection of board games.

Best for Families: Spin Master Games Santorini - Strategy-Based Board Game

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Whether you're 8 or 80, you'll love playing the strategy-based board game Santorini. While you can play this game with up to four people, it's still just as fun and engaging when you have two players.

Santorini is recommended for players age 8 and up, and you can play with two to four people. The object of the game is to build structures on the island, racing to be the first person with a three-story building. Each player also holds a game-changing God card, however, which you'll need to anticipate if you want come out on top.

Many people play this game with their families, as the rules are easy enough for children to grasp. However, there is still a lot of critical thinking and strategy involved in Santorini, making it a top-rated game, even among experienced gamers.

Best for Adults: Days of Wonder Ticket To Ride

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If you're looking for a board game to play with adults, you can't go wrong with Ticket to Ride. This extremely popular game can accommodate up to five players, but it's equally entertaining when there are just two of you.

Ticket to Ride is recommended for players eight and older, and each game will take between 30 minutes in an hour. To play, each person races to build train routes across a map of North America, connecting various cities and earning points along the way. You can earn bonus points by having the longest continuous path or by completing routes given on your “destination tickets.”

People describe this as a “light” strategy game, because you do need a game plan to win, but it's not too thought-intensive. Overall, many people say this is one of their favorite board games, and it gets especially competitive when you're playing with all adults.

Best for Kids: Zobmondo!! The Ladybug Game

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Keep young children entertained for hours with the two-player Ladybug Game. This is a perfect first board game for little ones, as it's easy to grasp and supports both reading and counting skills.

The ladybug game is best for children ages 3 and up, and it takes about 20 minutes to play. During the game, players lead their ladybug home across the board, trying to avoid praying mantises and aphids, which will hinder their progress. The game teaches children about numbers, words, and colors, all while being a whole lot of fun.

This is a great game for children in preschool and lower grades of elementary school, and many note the games are fast-paced and easy to understand for all ages. Overall, it may not be a whole lot of fun for adults, but The Ladybug Game will certainly keep children engaged.