A word game where players build words from letter tiles to score points. It’s popular due to its mix of vocabulary, luck, and strategy. Winning edge: Memorize short, high-scoring two-letter words like “Qi” and “Jo” for maximizing tile usage.

A classic property-trading game, loved for its mix of luck and strategy. Key tip: Railroads are the best investment early on—they yield consistent cash flow and are often overlooked.

A murder mystery deduction game. The appeal comes from the social deduction and logic. Pro tip: Always make suggestions even when you know the answer—it misleads opponents while confirming their guesses.

A classic alignment game where players aim for four in a row. Its simplicity and strategy make it timeless. Secret strategy: The center column is the strongest spot—controlling it creates multiple win conditions.

A two-player guessing game of naval warfare. The thrill comes from the mind games. Winning trick: Start with diagonal shots—it maximizes coverage and increases early hits.

A dexterity-based game where players extract body parts without touching the edges. The fun lies in the challenge. Hidden trick: Exhaling before making a move steadies your hand.

A fast-paced word-search game where players connect adjacent letters. It’s loved for its mix of speed and vocabulary. Winning tip: Learn prefixes and suffixes so you can rapidly form multiple words from a root word.

A simulation board game about life choices. Its simplicity and randomness make it entertaining. Hidden strategy: College is usually worth it—higher salaries mean more financial stability in the long run.

A knowledge-based game where players answer trivia questions to collect pieces. Its appeal is the challenge of knowledge. Edge: Choose categories your opponents are weak in when given the chance.

A party game with a mix of trivia, charades, and word puzzles. The variety makes it a hit. Secret edge: Stack your team with diverse skill sets—one strong in words, another in drawing, etc.

A fast-paced card game of shedding cards. It’s beloved for its accessibility. Hidden tactic: Holding a Wild Draw Four as your last card often secures a sneaky win.

A fast-paced word-description game. The thrill comes from rapid thinking. Trick: Focus on synonyms—describing around a word can help teammates guess quickly.

A chaotic, luck-based card game of avoiding explosions. It’s popular for its humor and unpredictability. Secret tip: Holding onto a Defuse card until late game can be a game-winner, as others will assume you’re vulnerable.

A resource-trading, tile-based strategy game where players build settlements, roads, and cities. It’s popular due to its mix of luck and strategy, plus player interaction through trading. Lesser-known strategy: Prioritize expansion early rather than hoarding resources—securing multiple settlements can create exponential growth.

Players build train routes across a map to connect cities, earning points for completed routes. Its easy-to-learn rules and strategic depth make it a favorite. Hidden trick: Disrupt opponents by claiming critical mid-route segments, even if it’s not part of your destination tickets.

A dice-based strategy game combining luck and skill. The appeal lies in its balance of tactics and probability. Secret strategy: The doubling cube is underused—aggressive doubling can pressure your opponent into errors.

A global conquest strategy game where players command armies to take over territories. Its mix of diplomacy and strategy makes it thrilling. Overlooked strategy: Fortifying a continent early can provide steady reinforcement bonuses, giving long-term dominance.

A simple yet deep strategy game. Its appeal lies in its accessibility and skill depth. Secret move: Controlling the center gives an advantage, forcing your opponent into passive play.

A Rube Goldberg-style game where players build a contraption to trap opponents. The fun is in the mechanical chaos. Strategy: Set traps on spaces opponents frequently land on rather than focusing on aesthetics.

A classic two-player game of pure strategy. Its depth and history make it iconic. Little-known tip: The endgame is where many falter—learning basic checkmating patterns (e.g., king and rook vs. king) can significantly improve your winning chances.

A word game where players name items within categories that start with a given letter. The competitive creativity makes it fun. Trick: Use obscure words—common words are often duplicated and don’t score.

A building game where players create marble tracks. The appeal is in creativity and engineering fun. Tip: Elevate sections for longer runs—height allows more intricate paths.

A tile-based game combining elements of rummy and mahjong. It’s engaging for its blend of luck and logic. Winning move: Holding onto jokers too long is a mistake—use them early to disrupt others' plays.

An ancient strategy game with deep complexity. Popular for its endless strategic possibilities. Little-known tip: Controlling the corners early provides a strong territorial advantage.

A party game where players complete sentences with humorous or offensive cards. It’s popular for its irreverence. Trick: Playing unexpected, non-obvious responses often wins over predictable ones.