Ever find yourself hunting for fun and interesting travel games for 2 players? Here we take a look at 5 of our favourites
Introduction
Travelling is a great way of escaping the routines and trappings of everyday life. It’s one of the main reasons why we chose to be a full-time travel family last year. Sometimes it’s good to be without a TV and enjoy some family time together, with playing games one of the perfect activities for this. For some inspiration for fun games to play with kids, see our top 5 travel games for children.
Games needn’t be just for children though. My husband and I have long enjoyed them, going back to before we had any kids of our own. While the best games are arguably played in a group (for both gameplay and sociability), we have always been on the lookout for games that we could play with just 2 players, particularly those that were easily portable for times that we were away from home or on holiday just as a couple.
So, here are 5 of our favourite 2-player travel games…
#1 Backgammon
I thought I’d start my list with a classic. With a history going back almost 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), Backgammon is just that. Simple to pick up and learn, at a first glance the game appears to be largely luck-based and lacking any real substance. However, once you have played the game a few times, you begin to notice extra layers of strategy contained within. This is what has given the game its lasting appeal, with it remaining a global favourite.
A good feature of the game is that, due to the dice rolling mechanism, this luck element means that anyone (even a first time player) can win any one game. This is good for keeping the game interesting for players of all ages and abilities (nobody likes losing all the time!). A single game can also be usually played in under 15 minutes as well, so it is not too much of a commitment to play.
That said, once you have played the game a lot, the addition of the doubling dice, as well as keeping a long term score chart, ensures that skill level can also be demonstrated, so that players with more experience will also want to keep playing.
As you would expect from a game with such a long history, there are Backgammon sets of all shapes,sizes and materials available to buy. I bought my husband a small, wooden set (as a wooden 5th wedding anniversary present), that we use when travelling.
If you’re a fan of the classics, other great 2-player games of this type include things like Chess, Draughts, or Go, all of which can also be bought in travel-size sets and provide interesting alternatives.
#2 Jaipur
Jaipur, from Asmodee games, is a fun 2-player game that I discovered and bought a couple of years ago. Primarily played with cards, the game also uses an assortment of different counter tokens. This means that while it all packs up into a small box, it does need a flat, stable surface to play on. It is not really suitable for play on your lap on a bus!
The gameplay is based around collecting and swapping the cards in your hand to gain groups of different commodity cards, that can then be sold for tokens. The player with the most token points at the end of the game is the winner. In turn, each player has the option of 4 different moves that they can choose. This means that the game is fairly simple to pickup and play, but there is also surprising variety and tactical aspects to the play. While luck is a large feature (reflected in the order of which the face down cards enter the game), there is enough strategy that better players can definitely show their skill by dominating the win percentage against less experienced players.
Jaipur is stated as being intended for ages 12+, making it a good option for an adult 2-player game. However, with a little instruction and assistance, I have successfully got my 6 and 4 year old playing it, showing that it is actually a fun game for all ages and playing abilities. Each individual game can be completed in only around 15 minutes, or the suggested best of 3 format in under 45 minutes, so it is also very easy to pick up and play.
It is not often that you come across a new 2-player game with a genuinely fresh and interesting playing dynamic, but Jaipur is definitely one of these occasions.
#3 The World Game
As somebody with such a long-standing love of travel, I always like to find things with a world theme. I find them great for inspiring wanderlust. I was recently lucky enough to be sent a free copy of The World Game to take a look at, that I hoped would fit into this niche perfectly. I am pleased to report that I haven’t been disappointed, with the game proving to be a lot of fun.
Part top trumps, part pub quiz, the game includes individual cards for every country in the world. The mechanics are based around turn based questioning from these cards. There are different types of questions that can be asked, each representing different difficulty levels, ensuring that all people (over the suggested minimum age of 7+) can play. The game can also be played with up to 6 players. While arguably more fun with more players, it still makes a pretty decent 2-player game.
I have always been a fan of geography and world knowledge, as well as quizzes in general. If you’re like me in this regard, this game could be perfect for you. It keeps me thinking of all the places I want to go next!
#4 Puerto Rico (iPad)
Puerto Rico, from Rio Grande Games, is one of my long-standing absolute favourite board games. Actually designed for 3-5 players, our version of the game at home has been so heavily played with friends that the individual card pieces are battered and bruised!
The game mechanic is based around each player choosing a role each turn. This chosen role determines an action that affects all players. There are no dice, so strategy and careful planning are the winners here. For people who get frustrated with bad fortune from more luck-based games, Puerto Rico is the ultimate antidote. A game typically takes around 30 minutes per player to complete (so 2 hours for a 4-player game).
You’d be right in thinking that none of this sounds like this game should be in a list of 2-player travel games. However, there is also an excellent iPad version of the game. While perhaps a little more tricky than the larger board version for a new player to understand (don’t worry, there are instructions though), the game is otherwise a very faithful conversion. Computer players can be added to make up the numbers, with 2 human players taking it in turns. This is what makes it a great 2-player travel game, as if you have an iPad, it can literally be played anywhere (it is entirely offline once downloaded). Sharing one device and taking turns also makes the game much more sociable than simply playing a solo game alone. The computer-controlled mechanics, combined with only 2 human players, also serve to significantly speed up the playing time of the game, when compared to its traditional board counterpart.
While I will accept and usually support the view that games present a great opportunity to escape screens, there are times that screens can be used as a force for good. There are some great learning apps for kids, some fantastic travel apps for van living, and also, in this instance, for use as a portable board game (with the added benefit of inbuilt extra digital players!).
#5 Playing Cards
The humble playing card. No list of 2-player games could be complete without them. Despite playing a whole multitude of games over the years, I always find myself coming back to a good old pack of cards. There are more games to play than can be mentioned in one place, and everyone will have their own favourites.
Some of my all-time favourite 2 player games to play are ‘Shithead’, for easy pick-up and play (everyone has their own special card rules but the gameplay remains the same), ‘Cribbage’, for a game with a little more longevity, and ‘Slam’, for when I want something fast-paced and frantic. Whatever you like to play, the small size and endless possibilities mean that a pack of playing cards remains the ultimate travelling companion.
In Summary
Playing games is a timeless way of passing time and having fun in a sociable environment. They are great with children to encourage learning new skills and ways to behave, they are fun with groups of friends for getting people together, but also, equally, they can still be an engaging activity with only 2 players.
I have always enjoyed playing games in all of those scenarios. The one time that I will consistently return to them however, is when I am away travelling. Previously, this would have been with just my husband for company. Now, that means bringing our 4 young children along as well. While the usual style of our games may have altered and simplified to reflect this new audience, my husband and I still like to snatch 5 minutes when we can for a quick 2-player game. I have found there is no better way of forcing our noses out of our phones!
I hope you can take some inspiration from this list of games and are now ready to enjoy some 2-player fun of your own.
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Great list of games. #KCACOLS
Some great gamlisted here#kcacols@_karendennis
Other than the deck of cards at #5 I’ve never played any of these. I’ve also wanted to try backgammon, its kind of ridiculous I never have #KCACOLS
Haha I used to like playing Shithead! Also used to like backgammon but haven’t played for years. Haven’t tried any of the others but they look fun! #KCACOLS
How have I never heard of shithead haha. Some great games here, I’ve only ever played snap, pairs or solitaire with a deck of cards, clearly I’ve got some research to do!
Katrina x
#KCACOLS
I love a good game. I used to love backgammon – I need to go dust it out and getting playing again X #kcacols
That Jaipur looks good – will investigate. We play Banagrams a lot….#KCACOLS
Cards are one of our holiday essentials, perfect for a chilled out day on the beach or lounging at a hotel bar. Will give the others a little try next time we can escape abroad!
#KCACOLS
My husband’s birthday is coming up and I think I’ll be getting him the World Game. It looks right up his street! #KCACOLS
You can’t beat a good pack of cards can you – endless fun! #KCACOLS