Online board games to play with friends
Craving a competitive night in? These online board games will do the trick—no matter where your crew is holed up.
We’ve been way into taking on our pals virtually as of late, whether it’s by facing off in online trivia games or even, yes, tipping back a few during some spirited drinking games. (When we’re solo, we’ve been partial to these online jigsaw puzzles.) So it comes as no surprise that there are a bunch of online board games out there, ranging from classics like Monopoly and Clue to strategic favorites such as Risk and Catan. Best of all, you don’t even need a literal board to play ’em: They’re all available digitally and can afford some epic times when played over Google Hangout, Zoom or your video-conference platform of choice.
RECOMMENDED: Online party games to play with friends
Best online board games
1. Monopoly
Everyone’s favorite capitalist-minded board game—still going strong at 85 years young—has a nifty app, in which your virtual crew can create its own private game and take turns rolling the dice to see who nabs the most properties. To amp up the party atmosphere (and ensure a lot more shit-talking), we suggest battling over a video-conference call.
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2. Risk
Get a group of up to six folks together (virtually) and go on an hours-long quest until one lucky player achieves world domination. (It’s a good, powerful feeling. Trust us.) To do so, choose the “Play Friends Online” option on the app—and don’t forget to do the challenge over video so you can brag about whiping your pal out.
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3. Clue
The timeless muder-mystery game that was adapted into a film, TV show and musical also boasts an app version, so your friends can have a private game and take on different characters—Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum and the rest of the gang—to determine who was the killer. As always, this is best experienced over a video chat.
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4. Catan
This German-born board game also has an app, allowing up to five folks to go head to head to try to build the most settlements, roads and armies—all from their own respective pads. You can also ditch the classic version for more recent favorites like Seafarers, as well as Cities and Knights. Whatever you choose, it’s best enjoyed over a lively video meet.
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5. Backgammon
This one-on-one favorite has been keeping folks entertained for approximately 5,000 years. And nowadays, it's available online (and for free) via playingcards.io, so you can play together remotely from your respective PCs.
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