The best abstract♟ board, card & dice games 2023
Looking for a really good party game where the game experience and the game mechanics are the most important things? Then we have just the thing: A list of the 30 best abstract♟ games 2023.
What are abstract games?
In an abstract board, card or dice game, the theme or scenario is not important. So in abstract games, the focus is on the game experience itself.
Many classics are abstract games
Many of the classic board games around the world, including Chess, Go, Checkers, Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Shogi (Japanese chess), Backgammon, Reversi (marketed as "Othello") fit into the category of abstract games.
Some in addition also "combinatorial".
Many abstract games also happen to be "combinatorial", meaning there is no hidden information, no non-deterministic elements (such as shuffled cards or dice rolls), no simultaneous or hidden movement or set-up, and (usually) two players or teams take a finite number of alternating turns.
Abstract is more likely to be understood as "theme-less"
The term "abstract" here should be understood as a synonym for "theme-less" or "theoretical". An abstract game thus does not contain a theme and setting. Abstract games are primarily about the game experience and the game mechanics - not about the scenario in which it is set.
List of the best abstract♟ board games 2023
Cascadia
Nominated for 12 awards and won 6.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2022
🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Cascadia- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!25€ at
.deAzul
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!32€ at.deVideo reviews for Azul
Patchwork
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Patchwork- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Patchwork
Ohanami
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game- 1 Players
- 5 - 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Project L
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Project L- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!23€ at.deSantorini
Nominated for 7 awards.
More details for Santorini- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Onitama
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Onitama- 2 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!24€ at.deAzul: Summer Pavilion
Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.
More details for Azul: Summer Pavilion- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!36€ at.deVideo reviews for Azul: Summer Pavilion
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Mandala
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Mandala- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Mandala
War Chest
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for War Chest- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for War Chest
Calico
Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.
More details for Calico- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
NMBR 9
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for NMBR 9- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!19€ at.deVideo reviews for NMBR 9
Botanik
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Botanik- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Nova Luna
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!15€ at.deVideo reviews for Nova Luna
Tsuro
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 22% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Tsuro- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!62€ at.deNoctiluca
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Noctiluca- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Cabo
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
SHŌBU
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for SHŌBU- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Agropolis
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Agropolis- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ingenious
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!26€ at.deSpirits of the Forest
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Spirits of the Forest
Hey, That's My Fish!
Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.
More details for Hey, That's My Fish!- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Hey, That's My Fish!
Reef
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 20% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Reef- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!20€ at.deCribbage
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Qwirkle
Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2011
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2011
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2011
More details for Qwirkle- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Easy to learn
Hive
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Hive- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!29€ at.deIndigo
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2012
More details for Indigo- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: