The Best Cheap Board Games

Running on a budget can sometimes make us feel like we can’t risk spending money on entertainment, whether that’s music, TV or even board games. That’s why we think it’s a good idea to show you the following board, dice and card games. Despite being rather cheap, these games are highly enjoyable and replayable!

Uno

Pros:

✓ Cards can be carried anywhere without any hassle
✓ The whole family can play
✓ This is the classic version, which has simple rules

Cons:

✕ There aren’t as many variations as there are with regular playing cards.
✕ The cards are to be handled with delicacy so that they aren’t worn out too quickly

Characteristics:

• Brand: Mattel Games
• Number of players: 2 to 10 players
• Age: 7 years and over

• Duration of a game: 20 to 30 minutes
• Type of game: Cards, chance, observation

The cards are of 4 colors, and they are numbered from 0 to 9. Each color has special cards, which involve particular actions. The objective is to get rid of all the cards in your hand by placing them on the discard pile. When a player reaches 500 points, the game is over. The value of the cards they have left is deducted from the points of the others.

A player deals the cards. Each player receives 7 cards. The top card of the draw pile serves as the first card of the discard pile, and is placed in the center of the table face up. The player who has the hand must discard a card of the same color, or having the same number, or carrying an identical symbol. Whoever does not have a matching card draws, and can play the new card, if it follows the aforementioned rules.

When a player lays down a +2 card, the one following them passes their turn, and draws 2 new cards. When a Reverse card is placed in the middle, the direction of play is reversed. A Skip card forces the next player to skip their turn. A Wild card can be played at any time, no matter what the color of the last discarded card is.

Our opinion: It’s a simple game, with easy rules, and can bring the whole household together around a table. In addition, you can take it with you everywhere, and it does not cost much.

Chabyrinthe

Pros:

✓ An exciting game for kids and adults
✓ Quick setup
✓ Metal storage box

Cons:

✕ The board, represented by 4 x 4 Gutter cards is rather small
✕ Cards are too thin

Characteristics:

• Brand: Asmodee
• Number of players: 2 to 4 player
• Age: 6 years and over

• Duration of a game: 30 minutes
• Type of game: Strategy, course, cards

The cat moves through gutters to enter a home. The role of the players is to connect the gutters together, in order to create a route for the cat. The points are in the form of Cat cards. Whoever gets the most wins the game. The board is set up beforehand, using 16 Gutter cards.

The 2 Home cards are to be placed next to the board, as well as 2 Cat cards. There is a deck with the Gutter cards, face up, and another with the Cat cards, face down. During a turn, the player has the choice between rotating a Gutter card on the board, or inserting a new one. If a player chooses the former, they remove one to slip in another.

When a continuous route is created between a Home card and a Cat card, the cat becomes the property of the player. Another Cat card is then placed next to the board. As for the Home card, it is pushed close to the next space. When there are no more Cat cards available, the game is over. Whoever has the most Cat cards wins the game.

Our opinion: The strategy lies in the inserted cards when changing the Gutter card. Do not rely too much on the new card because it can lead to unexpected results.

Timebomb

Pros:

✓ A cooperative game full of suspense
✓ Fast games with an uncertain outcome
✓ Suitable for all family members

Cons:

✕ The villain has a higher chance of winning
✕ The rules are a bit confusing at first

Characteristics:

• Brand: Iello
• Number of players: 4 to 8 players
• Age: 8 years and over

• Duration of a game: 15 minutes
• Type of game: Bluff, deduction, roleplay

Throughout the game, players do not know which team they are on, with Moriarty or Sherlock’s. Moriarty planted a bomb to blow up London. Sherlock will do everything he can to defuse the bomb. Each player receives, at random, a Role card, to integrate them into one of the 2 teams, and 5 Cable cards.

The game is divided into several rounds. Each player announces how many defuse cards they have. The cards remain face down, in front of their owner. Whoever has the hand chooses a card among those of the others. They place the token or the Wire Cutters card in front of the card. Only then is the card revealed.

If the cut card is a Safe Wire, it has no effect. If it is a Defusing Wire, the card is cut. To make Sherlock’s team win, you must cut all the Defusing Wires. If the Bomb card was cut, Moriarty and their team win because that causes the bomb to explode. After the fourth round, if the bomb has not been revealed, and if there are still missing defusing cards, Moriarty’s team wins the game.

Our opinion: The choice of the card to be cut must be made, thinking about the cards available to each player. Whoever has the hand then guesses the cards of the others, taking into account their own, before making a decision.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Pros:

✓ A captivating game, to bring together up to 10 players
✓ The game only includes Character cards, no installation required
✓ The Game Master can be replaced by the app, if there are not enough players, or for more atmosphere

Cons:

✕ The mechanism of the game does not work if there are too few players
✕ Some players might get tempted to spy on what is going on, while everyone is supposed to be sleeping

Characteristics:

• Brand: Ravensburger
• Number of players: 3 to 10 players
• Age: 9 and over

• Duration of a game: 30 minutes
• Type of game: Bluff, storytelling, strategy

Players will take on the role of various Characters, divided into 2 groups: simple Villagers or Werewolves. One group must eliminate the other. Among the simple Villagers, each Character has its particularities. Some may be suspected, while they are only night owls. At the start, everyone receives their Character card. They become aware of their abilities, and leave the card face down.

One participant plays the role of the Game Master. They direct events. The first night, they call the characters one by one. Whoever hears their title opens their eyes, then closes them once again. Every night, the whole village sleeps. Some night owl characters act during the night. Werewolves seek each other at night, to choose who to kill. 

During the day, the Villagers vote on who the Werewolves are. The player with the most votes is killed. If only one real Werewolf is killed, the Villagers win the game. Otherwise, the Werewolves are victorious. If there is only one Werewolf in the game, they bribe some Villagers to team up with them.

Our opinion: The game is based on narration. Participants do not need to move. They open their eyes when their name is called, and apply the action that corresponds to the Character. Everyone must commit to their role!

Qwixx

Pros:

✓ Short games that can be replayed unlimited times
✓ The rules are quickly understood, even by complete beginners
✓ The game can liven up an evening with family or friends

Cons:

✕ When the block of cards is exhausted, it will be necessary to make copies
✕ It’s not enough to tick the boxes, you have to think about the points to be won

Characteristics:

• Brand: Gigamic
• Number of players: 2 to 5 players
• Age: 8 years and over

• Duration of a game: 15 minutes
• Type of game: Dice, numbers, strategy

This game consists of ticking number boxes, according to the result of the roll of the dice. Each player receives a card with the squares, and a pencil. The 6 dice are rolled in the first rounds, until a color is blocked. Then the die of that color is removed from the game. 

During their turn, the player rolls the dice. They add up the numbers of the 2 white dice, and announce the result quickly. Anyone can check the box corresponding to this number, in any color. The player who has the turn can, in addition, add a white die with a die of another color, and check the box that corresponds to the result in the row of the color of the second die.

The active player does not have to check a box during their turn. If they check none, they mark a Missed Hit box with a cross. A row is closed when a player has checked 5 boxes on that row. The game is over, when there are 2 checked rows, or when 4 Missed hit boxes are marked. The points are indicated on each row. Whoever has the most points is declared the winner.

Our advice: The player must employ strategy to choose the color of the die to add with the white die, and therefore the color of the second box that they can tick during their turn.

Strike

Pros:

✓ A simple game of rolling dice
✓ Games end quickly, and the game starts again
✓ The whole family can join in

Cons:

✕ You have to know how to throw the dice, so that it does not leave the arena
✕ Because the game is highly dependent on chance, some players might feel unluckier than others

Characteristics:

• Brand: Ravensburger
• Number of players: 2 to 5 players
• Age: 8 years and over

• Duration of a game: 15 minutes
• Type of game: Dice, atmosphere, chance

The game takes place in a miniature arena, in which a die is already placed. Each player receives dice, the quantity of which varies according to the number of participants. The objective is to be the last to have dice, when the others have lost everything. During a turn, the player must roll one of their dice. 

The action depends on the results displayed by the dice. If there are dice with the same number, the player takes them and adds them to their supply and that ends their turn.. If there are no dice with the same value, the player can roll a second dice. However, they are not obliged to do so. Dice displaying an X are out of play, they must be removed from the arena.

When a player empties the arena because all the dice had the same value, or because they displayed an X, the other player claims the Grand Lancer. In this case, the player who’s seated to the left of the first player rolls all the dice they have. The game is over when only one player still has dice, that player is the winner.

Our advice: To collect more dice, players must use skill to move all the dice in the arena. However, care must be taken not to take them out of play.

Citadels

Pros:

✓ Players can choose a Character and take advantage of its special powers
✓ An action-packed game full of twists and turns
✓ A cheap game

Cons:

✕ The distribution of cards varies according to the number of players
✕ Beginners need to learn about the powers of each Character

Characteristics:

• Brand: Asmodee
• Number of players: 2 to 7 players
• Age: 10+

• Duration of a game: 60 minutes
• Type of game: Development, construction, strategy, bluff

The game is about building a city, developing it, and making it the most beautiful city in the world. All means are allowed to achieve this. A player is designated to take the crown. They will be the player who shuffles the Character cards. After removing the cards that will not be used, they pass the remaining ones to the other players.

Each player chooses a Character, and passes the rest to the other players, who in turn choose their Characters. During a turn, everyone has the choice between 2 actions: take 2 Gold Pieces or 2 District cards. For the latter option, the player chooses a single card, and discards the other. To build a District, they pay the price to the bank. 

Throughout the game, the player has the opportunity to change their Character. Each time, they have the right to use the Character’s powers. The Magician has the power to exchange all their cards with those of another player. The Merchant earns 1 Gold Coin for each Trading District. When a player has finished building 7 Districts, the game is over. Everyone calculates their points. Whoever has the highest score wins the game

Our opinion: The choice of Character is strategic. Everyone tries to make the most of their special powers, before ending their turn.

Pickomino

Pros:

✓ Fun and simple theme designed for family play
✓ Innovative game mechanism, unlimited replayability
✓ Learning rapid mental calculation

Cons:

✕ The rules are a bit long
✕ Hard start for new players

Characteristics:

• Brand: Gigamic
• Number of players: 2 to 7 players
• Age: 8 years and over

• Duration of a game: 20 to 30 minutes
• Type of game: Dice, tactic, numbers

The players take the roles of the hens, which love eating worms. The objective is to peck the most worms. Worms are Pickominoes, in the form of dominoes. The Pickominoes are lined up in ascending order in the middle of the table. Dice faces display numbers and worm symbols.

During a turn, the player rolls the 8 dice. They choose dice, depending on the number or symbol they want. They keep these dice, and roll the others again. They can retrieve dice with numbers or symbols different from what they already have. The game progresses in this fashion, until the last die. The players count all the dice they have kept. If the total gets a Pickomino, they take it and put it in front of themselves.

A player has the right to steal a Pickomino already taken by another, provided that it is at the top of the pile. Each player stacks their Pickominoes, the ones at the bottom of the stack are protected, the one at the top can be stolen by an opponent. When there are no more Pickominoes to take, the game is over. Whoever has the most Pickominoes wins the game.Our opinion: The player must use clever tactics to obtain the wanted Pickominoes. Then, it is necessary to protect the taken Pickominoes under the pile. Peeking at the top of other players’ piles is very useful to see what can be stolen.

Comparison Table