The best push-your-luck board, card & games 🍀 2026

Are you risk-ready and looking for a good party game? Then we have just the thing: The 30 best push your luck games 2026 🍀.

What is Push your luck?

Push your Luck games are games in which you test your luck by pushing it more and more - you "play poker". Players usually have to decide whether to settle for existing winnings or risk it all for more rewards. In German, it is best described as "pushing your luck".

Push Your Luck as a game mechanic

"Push your luck" or "press your luck" games are games where a game repeatedly asks you a question or task and you can keep answering or completing the task endlessly (or very often). So you can continue with this action and win more and more points. Note, however, that the stakes increase each time, as does the tension, because one misstep.... and everything is gone. It's a kind of double or nothing game.

Probability calculation

The player must keep track of his odds (what he can roll, what's left in the deck, etc.) and make decisions based on this incomplete knowledge or probabilities. Similarly, in a game like blackjack, you can keep telling the dealer to give you another card. If you don't stop, you will go over 21 and lose.

So don't push your luck too far in these "push your luck" games!

List of the best push your luck games 2026 🍀

This list was last updated on June 6, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Flip 7

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2025

    More details for Flip 7
    • 👥 3 - 18 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  2. Sea Salt & Paper

    Sea Salt & Paper is a set collection card game that combines strategic decision-making with the excitement of timing your moves just right. Similar to Rummy in gameplay, it involves collecting sets of cards to score points, while also navigating the timing of when to end the round for optimal advantage.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    More details for Sea Salt & Paper
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  3. Smart10

    Smart10 is a quiz game where players quickly take their turns. Each question has ten possible answers, and everyone must respond. Players earn answer markers for correct answers, but they risk losing them if they hesitate. It works well in teams, adding to the excitement of decision-making.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for Smart10
    • 👥 2 - 8 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  4. In this list we have picked out the best modern dice games 🎲 for you. We like the classic dice games like Yahtzee, Backgammon, Can't Stop or Lügen Mäxchen some of which have been around for hundreds of years. But the creativity of game developers has blossomed enormously in recent years - and in the process, some great alternative dice games have emerged that bring entirely new elements to the dice game genre.

    The best modern dice games - alternatives to Poker & the like 🎲 →
  5. No Thanks!

    No Thanks! is a straightforward and captivating card game that offers a blend of strategy and luck. The game's simplicity makes it appealing and accessible to a wide range of players.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for No Thanks!
    • 👥 3 - 7 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  6. The Quack of Quedlinburg (Kennerspiel 2018 winner)

    Become a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quack of Quedlinburg (Kennerspiel 2018 winner)
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  7. Heat: Pedal to the Metal

    Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a dynamic and strategic racing board game that simulates the thrill and intricacies of car racing. It offers players a chance to experience the excitement of racing while managing crucial elements like speed, car upgrades, and varying track conditions.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.

    More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal
    • 👥 1 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  8. Stella: Dixit Universe

    Stella: Dixit Universe offers a fresh and competitive twist to the beloved Dixit game, inviting players to dive into a world where interpretation and intuition meet under the stars. As Starseekers, players will explore thematic imagery on Dixit cards, using a shared clue to guide their choices and strategically score points by aligning their interpretations with those of others.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 1.

    More details for Stella: Dixit Universe
    • 👥 3 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  9. Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West

    Players embark on twelve journeys through North America as 19th-century pioneers. Starting on the East Coast, they face challenges while aiming to complete ticket objectives and develop new skills to overcome unexpected events and rivals. As the campaign progresses, players unlock new rules and content, creating a uniquely tailored experience that evolves with their choices, resulting in a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024

    💰 5% cheaper on Amazon than at other retailers

    More details for Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 - 90 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty
  10. Lost Cities

    Lost Cities is a two-player card game focused on building profitable archaeological expeditions. Part of the Kosmos two-player series, it features a deck with cards ranked 2–10 in various colors, including a new sixth color added in 2019. The game also employs "handshake" cards as multipliers for scoring.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    More details for Lost Cities
    • 👥 2 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  11. King of Tokyo: Dark Edition

    King of Tokyo: Dark Edition is a limited collector's edition of the popular game King of Tokyo. Set in an alternative, darker version of Tokyo, this edition brings a new level of intensity to the battle for control of the city.

    More details for King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  12. The "À-la-Carte" award🇩🇪 is awarded by the German magazine Fairplay to the best card game of the year. A 35-member jury decides on the winners from among all the card games published in the current year. The prize will be awarded in October at the international game fair in Essen.

    The best "À la carte🇩🇪" award card games →
  13. Take 5 (1994 Edition)

    6 nimmt!, also known as Take 5, Category 5 and other names, is a card game focused on scoring as few points as possible. It combines elements of strategy, prediction, and a bit of luck.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for Take 5 (1994 Edition)
    • 👥 2 - 10 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  14. Captain Flip

    Ahoy, Captain! Raise your flag, recruit a crew, and fill your coffers with shiny gold coins. The game is simple and can be explained faster than a cannon shot. On your turn, draw a tile from the bag; if you like it, keep it, and if not, flip it over. Place it on your board to build your crew. With nine characters and four boards featuring different tactics, it offers an engaging and fun experience.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2024

    More details for Captain Flip
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  15. Can't Stop

    Can't Stop is a classic dice game designed by Sid Sackson, renowned for its blend of luck, risk-taking, and tactical decision-making. It's a game that challenges players to wisely balance their boldness and caution as they aim to complete columns on the game board.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Can't Stop
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 9+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  16. Coconuts

    Coconuts is a lively dexterity game inspired by the "Monkey King" character from Chinese mythology. In this engaging and playful game, players take turns launching coconuts towards cups positioned in the center of the play area. Successfully landing a coconut in a cup allows you to stack it on your board. Even more strategically, if you land a coconut in an opponent's cup, you can claim it and move it to your board. The game also features "Monkey King Magic" cards, which add a twist by allowing players to disrupt their opponents' shots in various ways. The first player to build a pyramid of six cups on their board is the winner.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Coconuts
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 6+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Coconuts

    • YouTube Review for the game "Coconuts" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  17. Strike

    Strike is a thrilling dice game that combines luck, skill, and a bit of daring. Players toss dice into an arena (the game box itself, cleverly designed to keep the action contained) with the aim of matching dice numbers to keep playing and ultimately be the last one standing with dice in hand.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Strike
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Strike

    • YouTube Review for the game "Strike" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  18. Incan Gold

    The board game known as Diamant or Incan Gold unfolds as an exhilarating press-your-luck experience, offering players a quick and enjoyable journey into mine shafts and jungle paths. As participants flip cards from a deck, the gems discovered are evenly distributed, creating a shared bounty. However, the decision to venture deeper comes with the risk of encountering hazards like scorpions, snakes, poison gas, explosions, and rockfalls.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Incan Gold
    • 👥 3 - 8 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  19. Clank!: Catacombs

    The catacombs of the skeleton dragon Umbrok Vessna are mysterious and dangerous. Portals lead you through the depths of the dungeon, while shrines offer great riches to fearless explorers. Each trip into the catacombs is unique as you tile the dungeon layout, and you can play with the new dungeon deck or incorporate cards from previous games.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Clank!: Catacombs
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  20. Fruit Fight

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    💰 31% cheaper on Amazon than at other retailers

    More details for Fruit Fight
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  21. Spots

    Players roll dice and place them on dog cards during their turn. Dice that cannot be placed are buried in their garden. If too many dice are buried, the player goes bankrupt. Completing 6 dogs wins the game!

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    💰 23% cheaper on Amazon than at other retailers

    More details for Spots
    • 👥 1 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 25 - 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  22. Coloretto

    Engage in the colorful and strategic gameplay of Coloretto, where simplicity meets tactical decision-making. The game revolves around drawing cards to play into rows or claiming entire rows to expand your collection. As the rounds progress, players aim to create extensive sets, but there's a catch – exceeding three colors incurs penalties, adding a layer of strategic depth.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    More details for Coloretto
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  23. Ticket to Ride: Europe

    Ticket to Ride: Europe invites you to embark on an exhilarating train adventure through the heart of Europe. From the historic streets of Edinburgh to the vibrant city of Constantinople, and from the sunny shores of Lisbon to the grandeur of Moscow, you'll traverse the great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a family looking for a fun challenge, this game, like the original Ticket to Ride, offers an elegantly simple gameplay experience that can be mastered in just five minutes.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Ticket to Ride: Europe
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  24. Lands of Galzyr

    Lands of Galzyr is an adventure game set in an open and persistent world where players' actions have consequences in both current and future sessions. Players take on the roles of cunning adventurers, navigating the lands, completing quests, and striving for fame and prestige. Each game continues from where the last left off, thanks to a clever save and load mechanism, allowing for seamless play even with different players in between sessions.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Lands of Galzyr
    • 👥 1 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 - 150 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  25. King of Tokyo: Monster Box

    All the King of Tokyo fun comes in a Monster Box. The battle for dominance in Tokyo has never been more intense, packed with excitement and adrenaline! It includes the essential Power Up! and Halloween expansions, evolution cards to enhance your monsters, and even a new version of Gigazaur with exclusive cards and a new dice tray for stylishly wreaking havoc in Tokyo.

    More details for King of Tokyo: Monster Box
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  26. Deep Sea Adventure

    Deep Sea Adventure is a light and engaging board game that combines elements of press-your-luck and resource management. Players take on the roles of daring explorers, seeking treasures in undersea ruins. The twist? Everyone shares a single rented submarine and, crucially, a single tank of air. The game unfolds over three rounds, and the player who accumulates the most points by retrieving underwater relics is declared the winner.

    More details for Deep Sea Adventure
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  27. Archaeology: The New Expedition (2016 Edition)

    Archaeology: The New Expedition revitalizes the classic thrill of discovery with a fresh twist on the original Archaeology: The Card Game. As an intrepid archaeologist in the Egyptian desert, your quest is to unearth fragments of ancient artifacts and assemble complete treasures, from torn parchments to shattered pots. Brave the risks of sandstorms and thieves to excavate valuable relics, then astutely trade your finds at the marketplace or exhibit them at the museum for profit.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Archaeology: The New Expedition (2016 Edition)
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  28. Herbaceous

    • Golden Geek (nominated)Golden Geek (nominated)
    • Family GameFamily Game
    • Solo ModeSolo Mode
    • Push Your LuckPush Your Luck
    • Set CollectionSet Collection
    • Card GameCard Game
    +5 more

    Herbaceous is a charming and engaging card game that revolves around the theme of herb collecting. Players compete to gather and store a variety of herbs in the most effective way to score the highest points. The game is known for its simplicity, quick play, and strategic depth, making it a great choice for both casual and seasoned gamers.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Herbaceous
    • 👥 1 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Herbaceous

    • YouTube Review for the game "Herbaceous" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  29. Exploding Kittens: Party Pack

    Players take turns drawing cards in a cat-themed version of Russian Roulette until someone picks an exploding kitten and loses. The deck includes cards to avoid explosions, force opponents to draw multiple cards, or shuffle the deck. This standalone game accommodates 2 to 10 players and features content from the Exploding Kittens series and its app.

    More details for Exploding Kittens: Party Pack
    • 👥 2 - 10 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 Minutes
    • 🧒 7+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  30. BANG! The Dice Game

    BANG! The Dice Game transports players to the U.S. wild west, where the classic confrontation between the law and outlaws unfolds with an added threat of Indian attacks. This dice game adaptation retains the essence of the original Bang! card game while introducing new dynamics and challenges.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for BANG! The Dice Game
    • 👥 3 - 8 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  31. Smart10: Family

    🔥 Deal: 26% cheaper on Amazon than at other retailers — at a recent low!

    More details for Smart10: Family
    • 👥 2 - 8 Players
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  32. Celestia

    Celestia is a reimagined version of Cloud 9, where players join an adventurous journey through the mythical cities of Celestia to gather treasures. It's a game of risk, strategy, and decision-making, set in a whimsical and perilous airspace.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Celestia
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Celestia

    • YouTube Review for the game "Celestia" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  33. If you are looking for a really good board game that can be played with 2 👯 to 5 👨👩👦👧👦 people super... then we have something for you:

    The best board games for 2 to 5 people 👯‍♀️-👨‍👩‍👦👧👦 →

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: