Age and experience
Younger children find it easier with games whose aim fits into one sentence: make a row, collect more pieces, march your pieces into a corner. Teenagers and adults enjoy games with compulsory moves and long-term plans more.
How to choose
How to choose a game for your group
There are no best-of lists or ratings here: a good game is one your group will want to play again. Whether it suits you depends on the players' ages, how much time you have, how deeply you want to dive in and whether there is a board to hand. Below are the questions that make choosing easier, and a table of signs that a game has found its place.
The best game for an evening is the one after which someone says: “Let's play another.”
How this section works: no rankings, brands or prices — only questions you answer for yourself.
Questions to ask before choosing
Answer them together with the people you plan to play with.
Game length
Gomoku and ugolki take a few minutes, draughts and reversi take longer, and Go on a full board can stretch over a whole evening. If time is short, use a smaller board.
Depth
If you want a light game over conversation, choose short rules. If you want to think and analyse games, pick one that still leaves plenty of questions after your first win.
Ease of learning
How soon will a beginner stop losing every game? A handicap often helps — an advantage agreed in advance for the person who is still learning.
Do you need a set?
Many games need nothing more than paper and pebbles: a board for gomoku, nine men's morris or ugolki takes a minute to draw, and saucers can stand in for mancala pits. A special set isn't always necessary.
How many at the table
Almost all the games in the catalogue are for two. If there are more of you, take turns playing or play in teams, discussing each move quietly.
Signs that a game suits you
| What you assess | A good sign | A reason to think again |
|---|---|---|
| Rules | A beginner can explain them after the first game | Explaining took longer than playing |
| Length | A game fits into your evening | You have to abandon games halfway |
| Interest | Everyone wants to play again straight away | Whoever isn't moving gets bored |
| Fairness | With a handicap, anyone can win | The same player always wins |
| Preparation | Paper and pebbles are enough | You can't start without a special set |
Why we do without rankings
A game that becomes a favourite in one group may never catch on in another: it all depends on the players' character, their experience and the mood of the evening. A number on a best-of list tells you nothing about that.
So we offer questions instead. They apply to any classic game and help you choose not the “best overall” but the one that suits you.
Related reading
- Strategy
The centre, tempo, exchanges, sacrifices, weak points and the endgame — general strategic ideas for any board game.
- Games
Game cards: Russian draughts, Go, reversi, nine men's morris, mancala, gomoku and ugolki — the board, the aim and where to start.
- Questions
Answers about the guide, rules and disputes at the board, teaching children and playing as a family.
- Guides
Your first game of draughts step by step, from setting up to reviewing the game. Plus the catalogue of our articles.
What we rely on
- Rulebooks of federations and clubs (in general terms)
- Editorial material of this guide
We describe the rules in general terms. Clubs, families and different rulebooks have their own variations, so before a serious game check the rules you agreed on at the board.