Good two player card and board games

[CapnPitt]

The GF and I are getting tired of watching TV and movies and doing *ahem* "other things" during this long winter. Knowing Dopers are game crazy (hence the new forum), I was wondering if folks had suggestions on good two player board games or card games.

We just got Fluxx (http://wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Fluxx/Default.html) which is pretty awesome.

I like cribbage, but she's not really into it.

So, suggestions?

[Mosier]

Starship Catan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_Catan) is a pretty fun space-themed game for two players. It takes about an hour to 90 minutes to complete a game, and the main focus on the game is to manage a sort of mini-economy by trading resources and upgrading your ship. There's no "fighting" in the game, but it is competitive in that both players are usually racing for the same types of resources and upgrade components.

Also, Mille Bournes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mille_Bornes) is a pretty fun and fast two player card game that plays similarly to Uno. The object is to race your opponent to 1,000 kilometers, and each card either helps you get there faster or interrupts your opponent's progress. It's over in about 20-30 minutes, but it's really fun.

Also, there's always collectible card games like Magic if you're interested in starting a hobby. It's really easy and cheap to see if you like Magic, because whenever a new set is released they also sell pre-constructed decks made of cards from that set, that have everything you need for a player to get right into the game.

One really great tabletop game I've found is Pirates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_the_spanish_main). This game comes in packs, like cards, but the game is actually played with model ships you assemble from materials in each pack. Each pack comes with enough material to construct 2 specific ships, so one pack (costing like 3.99 or less) is enough to learn the game and see if you like it. If you decide to try to play more seriously, you will need to buy more packs so that each player can construct a fleet. It should end up costing somewhere around 20-30 bucks for enough stuff for two people to play.

[N9IWP]

Lost Cities (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/50)
Alhambra (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/6249) can be played with more but 2 player is supposed to be good
(I have played niether)
Blokus (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2453) can be played with 2 (travel blokus is a smaller board desighed for two people)

Brian

[pulykamell]

For classic two-player card games I suggest:

Cribbage. Easy to learn, fast-paced, and room for lots of strategy. There's enough luck in it to keep a weaker player in the game, but enough skill involved that a stronger player will always beat out a weaker player in the long run. It's at about the skill level of something like backgammon. Plus, you get to use a cool board and race pegs around it. Great game to play with a giant mug of beer.

Piquet. Probably one of the most skillful two-hander out there (minus something really obscure and academic as Svoyi Koziri, which contains no luck whatsoever). If you're a fan of trump trick-taking games (like bridge or spades), this is for you. It's a classic game, considered one of the best, but has more of a learning curve than cribbage.

Bezique or Two-Player Pinochle. If you like pinochle, you'll like either of these two card games (which are closely related). Bezique has got a zillion variants and was Winston Churchill's favorite card game. Loads of fun.

Gin. I've burnt out on this game, but no two-player card game discussion would be complete without gin. There is some difference in terminology depending on where you grew up, but gin (gin rummy) is the card game where you go for melds of sequences or sets and keep them in your hand, as opposed to standard rummy where you lay your melds on the table. I far prefer gin to rummy.

As for board games, the usual--Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Carcassonne. To be honest, I could never get into the last one, but it's a perennial favorite in board game discussions, and plays well for two.

[Sanity Challenged]

Fish Eat Fish (http://boardgames.about.com/cs/abstractgames/gr/fish_eat_fish.htm) is a nice little game. Fun pieces, simple rules, quick to play, and a good amount of strategy.

[mmouse9799]

Carcassonne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcassonne_%28board_game%29)

This is a great two player game.

[Hawkeyeop]

The GF and I are getting tired of watching TV and movies and doing *ahem* "other things" during this long winter. Knowing Dopers are game crazy (hence the new forum), I was wondering if folks had suggestions on good two player board games or card games.

We just got Fluxx (http://wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Fluxx/Default.html) which is pretty awesome.

I like cribbage, but she's not really into it.

So, suggestions?

If you like Fluxx, you just need to play Zombie Fluxx :cool:

[Captain_C]

My girlfriend and I play guillotine alot. Guillotine (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/116) is a great 2-4 player game that works great for gamers and non-gamers. If it tell you anything about how uncomplicated it is, I taught it to my parents in about 5 minutes, and they then requested a copy for Christmas

[CapnPitt]

Great stuff folks...keep it coming. I'm sure you'll have my wallet empty in no time.

[twickster]

A less expensive approach: buy two decks of regular cards and learn spite and malice (http://www.pagat.com/patience/spitemal.html). It's a strategy version of double solitaire -- very addictive.

[Zebra]

Devil Bunny Needs a Ham (http://www.cheapass.com/products/boardgames/cag018.html)


Check out the other games from the makers of Devil Bunny. Cheep Ass Games!

[MsWhatsit]

Fury of Dracula (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/20963). One player is Dracula; the other player controls the four vampire hunters. The vampire hunters travel around a map of Europe hunting for Dracula, while Dracula secretly travels around the map trying to avoid the vampire hunters during the day and trying to attack and kill them during the night. It's a longish game and more complicated than many of the others mentioned in this thread, but it is seriously a ton o' fun, and very replayable.

MrWhatsit and I have also been enjoying 1960: the Making of the President (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/27708), which is a 2-player game simulating the 1960 US presidential election. Sounds mind-numbingly boring, but actually is a lot of fun, and you don't need to know squat about US politics or history in order to play. (Although some historical knowledge may enhance your enjoyment of various cards in the game, e.g. the "Tricky Dick" card.)

I will second the recommendations for Carcassonne and Lost Cities, although I lost interest in Lost Cities fairly quickly after the first 10-15 plays or so.

For your further perusal, here's a good list at BoardGameGeek for 2-player games (http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/8691).

[robardin]

Backgammon and Chess are two timeless board games for two.

For a True Flavor of the East there's also Go (Chinese: Weiqi) and Chinese Chess (Jap.: Shogi). For a Faux Flavor of the East, there's Chinese Checkers.

From my increasingly long-ago childhood, my favorite two-player games included Stratego, Mastermind and Othello (aka Reversi). I'm surprised they haven't been named yet.

As for card games, Cribbage and Gin (Rummy) have already been mentioned, as has Spite and Malice. Another childhood favorite was "Spit", a fast paced game that requires dexterity as much as (or more than) strategy.

[robardin]

Oh yeah -- there's also the game of Rochambeau, which now even has a national (even international) circuit of tournament competition. You might know it better as Rock-Paper-Scissors.

http://www.usarps.com/about-rps/history/

[Alive At Both Ends]

For a True Flavor of the East there's also Go (Chinese: Weiqi) and Chinese Chess (Jap.: Shogi).
Chinese Chess and Shogi are two different games.

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

If you're into roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons or CCGs like Magic: the Gathering, but you don't want to take the time for them (or if you just don't find them fun with two players), then check out Munchkin and it's derivatives. The basic Munchkin game makes fun of D&D, then there's Star Munchkin, Munchkin: Impossible, Munchkin Cthulhu, and so forth when you want variation.

Just a basic two+ player card game, but it's a blast.

Actually, Magic: the Gathering is still fun, now that I think about it...

[Hawkeyeop]

If you're into roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons or CCGs like Magic: the Gathering, but you don't want to take the time for them (or if you just don't find them fun with two players), then check out Munchkin and it's derivatives. The basic Munchkin game makes fun of D&D, then there's Star Munchkin, Munchkin: Impossible, Munchkin Cthulhu, and so forth when you want variation.

Just a basic two+ player card game, but it's a blast.

Actually, Magic: the Gathering is still fun, now that I think about it...

Eh. I like Munchkin, but I wouldn't recommend playing it with only two players.

[rainy]

Hive is an awesome 2 player game. The pieces build the board as you go so it is never the same.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2655

It is also immensely portable.

-rainy

[burundi]

Cribbage. Easy to learn, fast-paced, and room for lots of strategy. There's enough luck in it to keep a weaker player in the game, but enough skill involved that a stronger player will always beat out a weaker player in the long run. It's at about the skill level of something like backgammon. Plus, you get to use a cool board and race pegs around it. Great game to play with a giant mug of beer.

I grew up watching my parents play cribbage after dinner most nights, and now my husband and I play a ton of it. You can also play three- and four-handed versions.

We also play casino (http://www.pagat.com/fishing/casino.html), which is a bit simpler, but still a fun two-person game.

Folks have already mentioned Scrabble, but Boggle is also good, especially if you get the deluxe 5 x 5 version instead of the traditional 4 x 4.

[Purgatory Creek]

A friend and I had a years-long game of two-handed Spades. Addictive, fun, and easy to play for hours in a restaurant over "bottomless" cups of coffee.

[Drain Bead]

My mom once taught me a game that she called Two Can Play. The rules were vaguely like a two-person version of Freecell. The problem is, I can't remember the rules, and trying to Google a game called Two Can Play is a pain in the ass. Grrrrr.

I'll ask her the rules and then post back.

[Captain Klutz]

Knightmare Chess (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/227) is chess except the players have cards that they play before or after their move. Each card breaks the rules in a wild way. I like the comment on the linked page: "not recommended for purists".

[Asimovian]

A less expensive approach: buy two decks of regular cards and learn spite and malice (http://www.pagat.com/patience/spitemal.html). It's a strategy version of double solitaire -- very addictive.You should be fair and mention that many a relationship has been put at risk playing this game, but yes, I would absolutely second this suggestion. :) If the two of you are competitive at all...well...yeah. Have fun!

Also, two-person solitaire can be surprisingly entertaining. Just like regular solitaire, building your own foundation piles and getting rid of your stacks, but the foundation piles are shared territory. Much hand-slapping of your opponent will ensue.

I'll also second Mille Bornes.

[BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed]

Second on gin. Start with 11 cards, begin by flipping one face up. You choose either that one or draw from the deck. The subsequent plays either draw from either the top of the deck or from the last discard your opponent made.

Aces are worth 1, face cards worth 10, other cards have their face value.

Your goal is to get either sets of 3+ or runs of 4+ (all same suit), which you continue to hold in your hand. When cards in your hand are parts of either sets or runs, they are worth 0. When the points in your hand are 10 or below, you have the option of ending the game by playing your discard face down (ie knocking). You then lay down your sets and runs and your opponent has the opportunity to play her cards on top of your sets and runs. After that, you both count the amount of points left in your hand and you get the number of her points minus the number of your points as your game score. (eg you end a round with 5 points, your opponent ends up with 23 points, so your game score for the round is 18)

If you manage to put all of the cards in you hand into sets and/or runs, you can knock and declare gin, in which case you get a 25 point bonus plus your opponents points for the game score, and she is not allowed to play any of her remaining cards on your sets/runs.

If your opponent ends up having fewer points than you after you knock, she gets your points (minus hers) plus a 25 point bonus toward game score.

You also have total score. When you win a round, you get 25 points added to your total score. Declaring gin gives you a 100 point bonus toward your total score. The game ends when one player's game score is 100 or more, at which point the game scores are added to the total scores to determine the winner.

It really is one of the better 2 player card games.

[Parthol]

My wife and I enjoy Jambo (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/28953) and Odin's Ravens (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/4396) in addition to Lost Cities, mentioned previously.

-P

[Harmonious Discord]

Board and Tile Games:
Rummikub (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rummikub) - This is very popular and strangers have walk up during camping to ask to play.
Aggravation (http://www.centralconnector.com/GAMES/aggravation.html)
Headace (http://www.neighborhoodvalues.com/nv/Toys&Games/T&G3/397tg.htm) with Pop-O-Matic - A dice roller you pushed down to use. I'd have to say it's one of the best game improvements ever thought of.
Trouble (http://www.neighborhoodvalues.com/nv/Toys&Games/282tg.htm) with Pop-O-Matic
Othello
Mastermind
Booby Trap (http://www.neighborhoodvalues.com/nv/Toys&Games/198tg.htm) This was an old favorite when a kid. It has the finger snapping potential of a muskrat trap.

String Game:
Cat's Cradle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat's_cradle) This requires a cord tied into a loop and two or more players with two hands each. This is a fun game to play, with lot's of moves for any pattern. The more skilled you are, the more variations you can pull off for a move.


Cards:
Rummy
War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_(card_game)) - This takes hours or days to complete.

[pulykamell]

Second on gin. Start with 11 cards, begin by flipping one face up. You choose either that one or draw from the deck. The subsequent plays either draw from either the top of the deck or from the last discard your opponent made.

I'm confused by this instruction. With gin, you deal 10 cards to each player, and flip the 21st card. The person who is not dealer gets first choice of the upturned card. If they decline it, the dealer then has the option of taking it. If dealer then declines, the play proceeds normally with the non-dealer taking a card from the stack, discarding, etc.

One popular variant is Oklahama gin, in which the first upcard determines what the value of your deadwood (unmelded cards) must be in order to knock. Face cards and tens call for knocking with 10 or less in your hand (i.e. like in the standard game). Otherwise, you need the pip value of the card or less to go out (e.g. a 7 requires 7 or fewer points in deadwood to knock.) I play the variant where an upturned ace requires a gin. Some also play that spades doubles the score for that hand.

[CapnPitt]

At the turn of the month, it looks like I'll be buying Lost Cities and Hive. They look superb. Might give CheapAss games a go too.

Keep the list coming folks, there's always next winter to think about! Thanks so much for all the suggestions so far!

Oh yeah, Munchkin was actually the reason I started the thread, because I wanted to get it but then I looked at SJ Games and they say 3 or more. So I figured y'all would know and you've come through so far.

And also for the record, I know I said it before, but if you guys haven't played Fluxx, it's an absolute blast.

[BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed]

I'm confused by this instruction. With gin, you deal 10 cards to each player, and flip the 21st card. The person who is not dealer gets first choice of the upturned card. If they decline it, the dealer then has the option of taking it. If dealer then declines, the play proceeds normally with the non-dealer taking a card from the stack, discarding, etc.

One popular variant is Oklahama gin, in which the first upcard determines what the value of your deadwood (unmelded cards) must be in order to knock. Face cards and tens call for knocking with 10 or less in your hand (i.e. like in the standard game). Otherwise, you need the pip value of the card or less to go out (e.g. a 7 requires 7 or fewer points in deadwood to knock.) I play the variant where an upturned ace requires a gin. Some also play that spades doubles the score for that hand.
Oh right-- I forgot about the choice that results after the other player declines it. But I always did play with 11 cards instead of ten; the 23rd card was the first one flipped. Just a variation I suppose, and I don't know if it makes it harder or easier.

[Just Some Guy]

Kosmos is a publisher to watch for; they have a line of high quality two player games that in the US are mainly distributed by Rio Grande Games. They're the ones who originally backed Lost Cities and Odin's Ravens which have been mentioned already in the thread. Another popular title in this line is Balloon Cup.

[Panurge]

As mentioned, Guillotine is fun, but I prefer Family Business (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/170) which is related but more frustrate-your-opponent than help-yourself (like Guillotine is).
Steve Jackson also makes Illuminati (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/859) which is really fun - but I'm not sure whether you need at least 3 players or if two is enough.
Carcassonne is a great game, but not as portable as the card games. How about Tantrix (http://tantrix.com/) or Set (http://setgame.com/)? - Both are abstract little games that require combinatory skills - and they're fun, too!

[rainy]

Family Business which is related but more frustrate-your-opponent than help-yourself (like Guillotine is).



Oh yeah, what a great game that is. I don't think I've ever played it with just 2 players though.


And I just re-read the OP and maybe if you guys are getting bored with *ahem* "other things" then maybe it's not your gaming skills you should be brushing up on. Just saying.

-rainy

[Rysto]

I actually prefer Rummy to Gin, but that might be because my family and I aren't very strategic about knocking without Gin.

And since when do runs need to be 4 cards or more?

[Lute Skywatcher]

How about Rummy 5000 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6036738&highlight=5000#post6036738)? (warning: very old thread)

[CapnPitt]

And I just re-read the OP and maybe if you guys are getting bored with *ahem* "other things" then maybe it's not your gaming skills you should be brushing up on. Just saying.

-rainy

Everybody gets sore after a while. :cool:

[pulykamell]

I actually prefer Rummy to Gin, but that might be because my family and I aren't very strategic about knocking without Gin.

And since when do runs need to be 4 cards or more?

Heh, I missed that in Bell's post. It's three or more cards for either runs or sets for the standard flavor of gin, but Bell seems to play some kind of variant with 11 cards each, and I guess four-card-minimum runs.

[chique]

I like cribbage, but she's not really into it.

So, suggestions?Get a new girlfriend? :D