The Best 2-Player Board Games

This list is pulled from BGG community poll data — specifically the "Best with 2" votes cast by thousands of players who have actually played these games at the table. That filters out multiplayer games that technically allow two players but quietly fall apart without a full group.

The range here is intentional. Jaipur runs 30 minutes and teaches in five; 7 Wonders Duel takes 45 minutes but rewards deep strategic thinking. Between those poles you will find abstract two-player classics, asymmetric duels, cooperative games that work at two, and head-to-head card games sharp enough to fill an entire evening. Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight game or a rivalry that lasts for months, the right pick is on this list.