One of the most common questions I hear as soon as I step into the library to offer help is, “Are there any good games for two people?” My answer is always an enthusiastic YES! There are a lot of games that play well or even better with two players and almost as many that are specifically designed with that in mind.

Today, I’m going to focus on three games that were designed for two, but I’ll list what plays well with two at the end as well.

Patchwork

Competitive quilting? Sign me up!

Currently ranked #60 on BoardGameGeek.com (BGG) and designed by the prolific Uwe Rosenberg, Patchwork is a cute game about creating the prettiest quilt in the world by placing tetris-esque shaped pieces of fabric on your quilting board. Your goal is to have as many buttons as possible at the end of the game, as each is worth one point. It scratches the puzzle itch many people have, as well as having some neat mechanics without being overwhelming.

Lost Cities: The Card Game

Who knew counting to ten could be so stressful?

Lost Cities is a – you guessed it – card game where your goal is to score as many points as possible over three rounds by funding expeditions. Each turn you either play a card or discard card, and then pick up a card. Matching colour to colour, and playing numbers in sequential order, you will soon be on your way to victory! But if you don’t get enough funding it will cost you. It’s a quick, easy to get into, and hard to quit game.

7 Wonders: Duel

It’s pretty wonder-full

One of my absolute favourites (and many others as it ranks #13 on BBG) is 7 Wonders Duel. It’s an adaptation and re-imagining of the original pick-and-pass game of 7 Wonders. In this game you’re building the wonders of empires past, like Rome’s Circus Maximus, and funding the empires through three ages. On your turn you have three options: buy a card, sell a card, or build a wonder. By building up your resources, you make your way to victory, of which can be obtained through three different paths: victory points at the end, or through military oppression or scientific advancement. It’s an ever changing landscape of strategic possibilities.

These three games have been created with just duos in mind, and I highly recommend all three for your next friend-date, date-night, or while you’re waiting for the rest of your pals to arrive.

There are many other great games that play well with just two but have the capacity for more players, such as Splendor (a cafe favourite), Reef, Clank, Azul, Santorini, Forbidden Island, Unlock!, and so on – the list is truly endless. Next time you’re in the cafe, definitely ask the Hexperts for their favourite two player game!