Board games that are actually fun for just 2

[Borris]

I'd like to get a board game for dd 12

On Christmas Day there will be a bunch of us, but usually it's just me and her. Lots of games say suitable for 2+ players but often aren't much fun as a 2.

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MNHQ Update
This thread is a little out of date now, but if you've come across it while on the hunt for board game recommendations, our guide to the best family board games has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options - many of which are suitable for 2+ players - and all come tried, tested and recommended by Mumsnet users. We hope it's helpful!

It’s just me and DP and he loves board games but I’m a bit more ambivalent.
I bought Quacks of Quedlinburg after seeing it recommended on here and we LOVE it, it’s one of our most played games.
We also love Munchkin (card game), Codenames Duet, Pandemic and recent purchase Evolution Climate.

We just bought Azul. Jaipur looks also good but we already have a similar one.
Carcassone - we have a card game for two that works well.

Definitely Azul. We've had it for over 2 years and dh and I have honestly played several times a week since we got it!

Bananagrams

It's not quite a board game, but Hive.

Genius square is good for two, bananagrams works well for two as does boggle slam (a card game)

Here to Slay
Unstable unicorns
Catan
Happy Little Dinosaurs

Dh and I really enjoy Jaipur, Port Royal (works for 2 or more players) and Onitama.

We love co-operative boardgames! I'd add "Forbidden Island" to the list, which is very similar to "Pandemic" but faster and simpler.

Ticket to Ride
Qwirkle Cubes
Carcasonne

Oh yes! Port Royal is a favourite here, too.
Also Wingspan.
Part of it depends on how long you want a game to take!

Yahtzee
Labyrinth
Dd and I play both quite often just the 2 of us.

I've also played some ongoing "legacy" style games with my kids (and sometimes my other half), some of which would work well at two players. But that's probably a question for another thread!

And yet we found it utterly boring. Better off just playing normal cards.

We are shit at board games. Bought Carcassonne but never understood it so it ended up in a charity shop. Clearly we need games that we(I) can understand within seconds. I cant be arsed with complicated rules and boards. In the past have enjoyed Yahtzee,Othello Scrabble. Pass the Pigs...and more recently Linkee.
What is idiot proof and quick to learn?
No young kids only teens and adults

I don't know if it's still around but Mastermind was brilliant for 2

Not a board game but Downfall

@Decafflatteplease you asked about Azul - I’m not the only fan I see, I like it as it has a good bit of skill, a bit of luck, and lots of variations. Also it’s pretty.

i recently bought one of the other versions of azul - a hexagonal shaped one. Also good…

Chinese checkers, Dobble, Shithead (card game, maybe relabel 😂)

Callisto (has different boards for no. of players)
32 Dice
www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-Games-Harry-Potter-Hogwarts/dp/B003A2JBPA

Ds and I enjoyed simpsons cludeo at that age (both of us are competitive!)

Azul is excellent - there are now 4 games in the series, the first one is simple to grasp but complex enough to be a really interesting game - and works really well for 2,3 or 4. The other 3 are also good, though a bit more complicated. I particularly love Queen's Garden but our gaming circle very happily play all 4 versions. Highly recommended

Some great ideas here thank you!

Queen's Garden - my favourite of the 4 Azul variants, though I love the original too. I enjoy the other ones in the series but QG is great.

Lost Ruins of Arnak and if you enjoy it the extension Expedition Leaders