How to Choose an Asynchronous Two-Player Board Game to Play with a Friend
To find a two-player board game you and a friend can play asynchronously, start with the pace you both want, then choose a game whose turns are easy to take and resume. Agree on a platform, game length, and a comfortable move window before you begin. A small, low-pressure first game—such as Jaipur or Lost Cities on Board Game Arena, or Daily Chess on Chess.com—lets you see whether the format fits your routines before you commit to a longer match.
Decide what “asynchronous” should mean for you
Asynchronous play means each person can take a turn at a different time instead of arranging one shared play session. On Board Game Arena, a turn-based table lets players leave and return when it is their turn; the game can span multiple days. Its FAQ also describes the clock in terms of additional time per move, so check the displayed speed and timing before you start. Board Game Arena FAQ
That flexibility can still feel quite different from one game to another. A compact card game may move along in a handful of turns, while a longer strategy game may stay open for days. A chess game with a multi-day limit for each move can last days, weeks, or even months, according to Chess.com’s explanation of Daily Chess. What Is Daily Chess?
Before choosing, ask each other one practical question: “Would you rather this be a quick game we finish soon, or a slower one we can dip into?” If the answers differ, choose the quicker option for a trial. You can always try a longer game later.
Choose a pace that does not require reminders
The time setting is part of the game choice. A short move window may suit friends who check the game regularly; a longer window leaves more room for busy days, travel, or simply forgetting about a turn. Agree on a pace both of you can meet without daily nudges. The platform’s timer still matters: Board Game Arena explains that, for example, “2 turns / day” gives 12 hours of additional time per move. Check the current table settings rather than assuming that “turn-based” means there is no deadline. Board Game Arena FAQ
For a first match, make the agreement simple: “Let’s pick a game with a few days per move, and neither of us has to explain a slow turn.” That sets expectations without turning the game into a schedule. If a platform offers a visible clock, read its description together and choose a setting with enough slack for ordinary interruptions.
Chess.com’s Daily Chess is one concrete example of a per-move time limit: players select how many days each person has for a move when creating a game. That can work for friends who already enjoy chess and want time to consider each turn; it may be a poor fit if either person would rather learn a new game casually. What Is Daily Chess?
Match the game to the kind of decisions you enjoy
A good fit depends less on a “best” game list than on the decisions you want to make. Consider whether you both like reading an opponent’s plans, building a personal collection, or making short tactical choices. For example, Jaipur asks players to take, trade, and sell goods and camels in a two-player market. Board Game Arena lists it for two players, with a stated game duration of 11 minutes. That makes it a reasonable candidate if you want a direct head-to-head card game with a relatively compact play loop. Jaipur on Board Game Arena
Lost Cities is another two-player option listed on Board Game Arena. Its expeditions develop as players play cards, and the platform describes the game as three rounds with a listed duration of 10 minutes. The decision is about which expeditions to invest in and whether to stake them; players who like evaluating risk may prefer that texture to Jaipur’s market trades. Lost Cities on Board Game Arena
Treat platform duration estimates as a way to compare options, not a promise about how long your particular asynchronous match will take. The wall-clock span also depends on when each person returns to the game. If you are unsure which style sounds fun, describe the central choice in one sentence and let your friend pick between two options.
Check that the game really supports two players
A game’s title or theme does not tell you whether its online implementation works for exactly two. Check the current game page for its player count, then confirm that the platform supports a private or friend-only table if that is how you want to play. Board Game Arena’s page for Jaipur specifies two players; its Lost Cities page does the same. Those are useful checks before sending an invitation, especially when browsing a large catalogue. Jaipur on Board Game Arena, Lost Cities on Board Game Arena
If you have a physical game in mind, check its player count and whether both people can access the same digital version or another suitable way to play. A physical box designed for two or more players may be enjoyable at two, but it will not automatically provide asynchronous turns. The official Ticket to Ride page, for example, describes the tabletop game as a 2–5 player route-building game; that information alone does not establish whether a particular digital edition has asynchronous play. Ticket to Ride — Days of Wonder
Make the first match easy to start
Use a short setup sequence so neither person has to guess what happens next:
For Daily Chess, Chess.com’s instructions show how to set the days-per-move option and choose a friend as the opponent. They also identify unrated play as an available setting. If you both prefer a relaxed trial, agreeing on an unrated match can keep the focus on trying the format. What Is Daily Chess?
Use a light invitation and leave room to decline
A good invitation gives your friend enough detail to decide without turning a yes into a commitment to keep playing indefinitely. Mention the game, approximate pace, and a clear option to pass. For example: “Would you be up for one async Jaipur game this week? It’s two-player, and we can take turns when convenient. No worries if it’s not your thing.”
If your friend is interested but unfamiliar with the game, offer a brief rules walkthrough or a link to the game page. If they decline or do not respond, let the invitation rest. The activity works best as something both people choose, and one match is enough to learn whether you want another.
Know when to switch games or stop
A slow match does not necessarily mean either player chose badly. The game may simply ask for more attention than you want to give it, or its turn clock may not match your schedules. If a game stalls, check the rules and timer first; then send one neutral message such as, “Would you rather keep this going, switch to something quicker, or leave it here?”
Use the answer to guide the next choice. If you both liked the turns but found the match too long, pick a shorter game next time. If one of you enjoyed the theme and the other did not, try a different style rather than persuading anyone to continue. You can also agree to finish the current game, pause new invitations, or stop. The goal is a game both people are glad they chose.
A simple decision rule
Choose asynchronous chess if you already like chess and want a slow, deliberate game with a clear days-per-move setting. Try Jaipur if you want a two-player trading game with a compact sequence of market choices, or Lost Cities if investing in expeditions sounds more appealing. Verify the player count and turn-based settings on the platform, agree on a move window, and invite your friend to try one match. That gives you a concrete, low-effort way to find out whether the game fits both of you.