Picker
Three questions, five games
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Say it
What to say when you sit down
- Hi, I'm on my own tonight. Is there a table with a free seat?
- Could you teach me? It's my first time.
- I'd love to play {game}, if someone knows it.
- Please go slowly; I'm new to this one.
- Thanks for having me. Shall we play again?
More phrases for other evenings: firstphrases.app.
All 36 games
The full list
Players, time and age follow publisher information; the learn-in time is our own estimate. Check the publisher page for current rules and editions.
| Game | Players | Time | Learn in | Language | Style | Why it is easy to join | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catan | 3–4 | 60–120 min | 10 min | low | strategy | Trading means talking to everyone, so the table starts chatting within the first turn. | Catan Studio ↗ |
| Carcassonne | 2–5 | 30–45 min | 5 min | none | strategy | You place one tile per turn, so a newcomer can learn by watching two turns. | Z-Man Games ↗ |
| Ticket to Ride | 2–5 | 30–60 min | 5 min | low | strategy | Each turn is one of three simple actions, and the board shows what everyone is doing. | Days of Wonder ↗ |
| Azul | 2–4 | 30–45 min | 4 min | none | strategy | Pick tiles of one colour and place them; no reading and no hidden information to explain. | Plan B Games ↗ |
| Codenames | 2–8 | 15–30 min | 3 min | high | wordplay | You join a team, so you share the thinking and nobody is on the spot alone. | Czech Games Edition ↗ |
| Just One | 3–7 | 20–20 min | 2 min | high | wordplay | Everyone plays together against the game, so there is no one to lose to. | Repos Production ↗ |
| Wavelength | 2–12 | 30–45 min | 3 min | high | party | Teams argue about where a clue sits on a dial, which gets strangers talking fast. | Palm Court ↗ |
| Dixit | 3–8 | 30–30 min | 3 min | none | party | Pictures instead of words, so any language level works and every answer is fine. | Libellud ↗ |
| Love Letter | 2–6 | 20–20 min | 3 min | low | cards | One card in hand and rounds last a few minutes, so a new player catches up at once. | Z-Man Games ↗ |
| Sushi Go! | 2–5 | 15–15 min | 3 min | none | cards | Everyone picks a card at the same time and passes the rest, so there are no waiting turns. | Gamewright ↗ |
| The Crew | 2–5 | 20–20 min | 8 min | low | co-op | A co-operative trick-taking game: the table wins or loses together, and the host can set an easy mission. | Kosmos ↗ |
| Cascadia | 1–4 | 30–45 min | 5 min | none | strategy | Draw tiles and place animals on your own board, so it is calm and easy to follow. | Flatout Games ↗ |
| Wingspan | 1–5 | 40–70 min | 12 min | low | strategy | Everyone builds their own bird engine, so there is little pressure from other players. | Stonemaier Games ↗ |
| 7 Wonders | 2–7 | 30–30 min | 12 min | low | cards | Everyone plays at the same time, so the game stays short even with seven players. | Repos Production ↗ |
| Splendor | 2–4 | 30–30 min | 5 min | none | strategy | Take gems or buy a card: two options per turn, no reading needed. | Space Cowboys ↗ |
| King of Tokyo | 2–6 | 30–30 min | 4 min | low | dexterity | You roll dice and hit monsters, which makes noise and laughter easy. | IELLO ↗ |
| Skull | 3–6 | 15–30 min | 3 min | none | bluffing | A bluffing game with a few coasters: teach time is about three minutes and rounds are quick. | Lui-même ↗ |
| Coup | 2–6 | 15–15 min | 3 min | low | bluffing | Rounds are short, and being knocked out early is rare to last long, so nobody waits for long. | Indie Boards & Cards ↗ |
| The Resistance / Avalon | 5–10 | 30–30 min | 6 min | low | bluffing | Pure conversation with hidden roles; you can say little and still take part. | Indie Boards & Cards ↗ |
| Hanabi | 2–5 | 25–25 min | 4 min | low | co-op | Everyone helps each other, and you only give hints, so there is no strategy to hide. | Cocktail Games ↗ |
| Patchwork | 2–2 | 15–30 min | 5 min | none | strategy | A two-player game, ideal if the host pairs you with one other person. | Lookout Games ↗ |
| Kingdomino | 2–4 | 15–20 min | 3 min | none | strategy | Pick a domino, place it next to yours, repeat; a game lasts about 15 minutes. | Blue Orange ↗ |
| Blokus | 2–4 | 20–30 min | 2 min | none | strategy | One rule about touching corners and it is easy to explain across the table. | Mattel ↗ |
| Dominion | 2–4 | 30–30 min | 10 min | low | cards | Every player starts with the same cards, so nobody starts behind. | Rio Grande Games ↗ |
| Pandemic | 2–4 | 45–45 min | 10 min | low | co-op | The table plans together against the game, so questions are normal and welcomed. | Z-Man Games ↗ |
| Forbidden Island | 2–4 | 30–30 min | 5 min | low | co-op | A gentler co-op game, easy for a newcomer to learn while playing. | Gamewright ↗ |
| Jaipur | 2–2 | 30–30 min | 4 min | none | cards | Two players, trade cards for goods; the host can match you with one partner. | Space Cowboys ↗ |
| Sagrada | 1–4 | 30–45 min | 5 min | none | strategy | Dice drafting with your own window to fill, so you mostly watch your own board. | Floodgate Games ↗ |
| Decrypto | 3–8 | 30–45 min | 8 min | high | wordplay | Two teams, so you always have teammates to think with out loud. | IELLO ↗ |
| So Clover! | 3–6 | 15–30 min | 3 min | high | wordplay | A co-operative word game, so you only need to link a few words with your partner. | Repos Production ↗ |
| Telestrations | 4–8 | 30–30 min | 2 min | low | drawing | Everyone draws badly on purpose, so skill does not matter and everyone laughs. | The Op (USAopoly) ↗ |
| Cockroach Poker | 2–6 | 20–20 min | 3 min | none | bluffing | One rule to say aloud, and lying with a straight face is half the fun. | Drei Magier ↗ |
| No Thanks! | 3–5 | 20–20 min | 2 min | none | cards | One decision per turn (take or pay a chip), so a minute of teaching is enough. | Amigo Spiele ↗ |
| 6 nimmt! | 2–10 | 20–45 min | 3 min | none | cards | Everyone plays a card at the same time, so up to ten people fit in a single game. | Amigo Spiele ↗ |
| Camel Up | 2–8 | 30–45 min | 5 min | none | party | Betting on camels is loud and silly, so it is easy to cheer along with strangers. | Pegasus Spiele ↗ |
| Point Salad | 2–6 | 15–30 min | 3 min | low | cards | Draft vegetable cards from the market and score your own way; nothing to memorise. | Alderac Entertainment Group ↗ |
Questions people ask
What if I arrive at a game night alone?
Tell the host you are on your own and name a game from this page. Hosts usually seat newcomers at a table that is about to start something short.
Do I have to know the rules beforehand?
No. Every game here is chosen because it can be taught in 2 to 15 minutes, and the table normally explains it. The learn-in badge is our own estimate.
Which games are best for strangers?
Party and co-operative games such as Just One, Dixit or Hanabi: you play with people instead of against them, and talking is part of the game.
What if I do not speak the local language well?
Choose games marked language dependence none, for example Azul, Splendor or Dixit. Word games such as Codenames depend heavily on vocabulary.
Does this page store my answers?
No. The picker runs in your browser, there is no account and nothing is sent or saved. Official links go to the publishers; check them for current rules and editions.
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