Recommendations for 2 player board and card games please!

[AcerTree]

I really want to invest in some board games and card games that work well for only 2 players for ages 11-15 years. So many games say they are suitable for 2 players but in reality they don't really work that well. So I'm after some trusted MN recommendations please!

Quirkle

Catan is fine as a two player. It's quicker but other than that it's totally fine.

CaulkheadupNorth

I've never played as a 2 player seeing as the instructions say 3 - how does it play as a 2 player? Is it just that you only have one other person to trade with? I haven't really considered it as a two player, but thinking about it I guess that's the only difference - so not as many trading opportunities but apart from that the same?

Yeah one person to trade with so you end up using ports and trading with the bank more. When you move the robber you move it to the other person or to a blank one, again that's okay. As a two player It's fine, and it doesn't affect the gameplay.

Patchwork is great fun, DH and I really enjoy it.

We've also just started playing Hive and that's good too.

Castle Panic is a fun co-op game that is good with just two players.

Gloom is a fun little card card which can be played with just two, especially if you get into the theatrical storytelling

Patchwork is on my wish list and meant to be very good

Its brilliant (although I may be saying that because I always win)

NMBR 9 is another good one for two people (or just to practice by yourself - strangely addictive)

Seven Wonders: Duel

Rakpoka (like scrabble but with poker hands)

Cribbage (my all time favourite)

We love Carcasson, easy to pick up the basic but lots of strategy. Last years addition to the games shelf was Hive. It’s brilliant. Im hoping Santa brings one of the expansion sets this year

We love Carcasson, easy to pick up the basic but lots of strategy. Last years addition to the games shelf was Hive. It’s brilliant. Im hoping Santa brings one of the expansion sets this year

Thanks Caulkhead - we're about to start playing one of the expansion packs with neighbours.....

Ticket to Ride is a good one but agree with a PP that the Nordic Countries board is better (designed for 2-3 players).

I agree that patchwork is much better than it looks, it's a great game.

Jaipur
Kingdomino
Ticket to Ride
Lords of Waterdeep
Patchwork

All just as good for adults as for teens

Also Isle of Skye - like Carcassonne but with a bidding mechanism in it too where you pay your opponents for the tiles you want. Very clever but a simple ruleset.

FYi when you play Blokus as two player you should be playing two colours each (so it is still as challenging as four player version).

oobedobe - Oh of course! Why on earth I hadn't realised that I don't know! Thank you.
Now I am completely spoilt for choice with all your lovely suggestions. My children will be very happy.

I recommend NOT getting Oh my Goods. I bought it for a friend and it's complicated and hard to learn.

Dutch Blitz - great with two players; fun with more as well. Playable from about 5/6 to adult.