There are some of us who may be put off by tabletop games because they either take multiple sessions, like Dungeons & Dragons, or take a whole night to complete, like Monopoly. If you look closely, there are countless tabletop games that you can knock out in under an hour, with many taking barely half an hour.

We've gathered a list of some of the best tabletop games you can find when you want a quick game. These games are perfect for casual game nights, high-energy party games, or even learning your first tabletop game.

Updated January 29, 2024 by Kenny Kimberly: Getting a group together for a tabletop game night is hard enough without having to dedicate the entire night to one round of a chosen game. We've updated this list to include more games and flesh out some of our suggestions so you know what you're getting into.

Machi Koro puts the players in the shoes of a mayor overseeing a developing and expanding township. Citizens will demand certain amenities or improvements, from jobs to entertainment institutions. Games are controlled by dice and winners can usually snowball, with the winner being whoever constructs all their landmarks first.

This game plays best with four players, but many enjoy this game solo. You can set goals or timers on how fast you can finish your landmarks and practice up for the next time you face your friends.

Much like real sushi, Sushi Go! is a speedy card-based game that can be finished pretty fast. As long as you're decent at math, one game shouldn't last more than 15 minutes approximately. To add to that, the art may just make you hungry enough to finish the game off sooner. Keep this one around for a quick break from work.

Ticket to Ride plays more like an express train than one that stops at every station. While the large board looks intimidating, its claim to fame is simple gameplay that streamlines rounds. You can learn this game and finish up a round in under an hour, with subsequent games only getting faster.

This card game is played at the speed of an exploding kitten. Games tend to get faster once you get used to the funny and cute art. Should you happen to be the unlucky player to draw an Exploding Kitten card, make sure you waste no time in dropping a Defuse card. Games do tend to get longer with more players.

Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 is suited for up to 4 players and tells a story over about 12-24 sessions. Experienced groups can knock a session out in under an hour, but you should set aside some time to learn. Once you can get games going quickly enough, your group can knock out a few story sessions a night.

Experienced board game enthusiasts likely won't struggle to learn, but to newcomers to the field, it can seem hard to approach. Focus on learning what actions you can take on your turn, your specialist's skills, and each round's goals to help games go quicker while you learn.

Hopefully, real spymasters have a much better system of getting in touch with their spies than what Codenames makes it out to seem. Regardless, it's at least much quicker the way the game does it. Each game of Codenames doesn't last for more than 15 to 30 minutes.

Azul's tile-placement gameplay ensures that each game doesn't last longer than 30 to 45 minutes. Once you build up enough steam, it's only a matter of matching more tiles and continuing combos.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf brings its own twist to the classic hidden role formula. If you enjoy deceiving and manipulating your friends (harmlessly, of course), then this game is ideal. Lie and gaslight your way to victory as a werewolf or master your abilities as a villager.

A standard game can take less than ten minutes, depending on your group. Much of the time comes from deliberating who is or isn't a werewolf. This game is suited for as few as three or as many as ten, which can drastically change the time it takes to play.

In Santorini, you'll build a city in a setting inspired by Grecian myth. Unique god powers, interesting movement rules, and meddlesome gods will challenge you on your way to the top of the three-story tower. This one's quick to learn and quicker to play, with experienced groups knocking out full rounds in under half an hour.

If you keep the game going by saying the right words and performing the right actions, you could get in at least two to three games of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza during your coffee break. The game only pauses when one of you gets it wrong, forcing you to add all the cards on the table to your deck.

A game where placing tiles to create patterns might seem like a slow burn, but a game of Azul will barely go over an hour even for beginners. Once you train yourself to see the right patterns and learn how to work towards them, you'll be rushing through games in about 30 minutes at max. While you learn, expect games to take closer to an hour, especially as competition ramps up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are All Tabletop Games Competitive?

Not at all! Many games, such as Pandemic, will put players on a team as they play against a deck or the roll of the dice.

Are Quick Board Games Easier Than Long Ones?

That depends on the game in question. Some require certain skills, like the social savvy and poker face needed for games like One Night Ultimate Werewolf. Others require planning, quick decision-making, and a touch of luck.

Where Can I Find Board Games?

Check around for a local comic store or gaming shop, as these often carry board games. If you can't find the game you need, online retailers often carry a plethora of options.