Looking to get into board games but you are on a budget? Or maybe you are looking to expand your board game collection but you don’t have the money to spare. This guide is for you. I will go through how to budget for your hobby as well as affordable board games for all budgets.
There are a few ways to get into board games when you are on a budget. Saving money each payday, or buying cheaper or used board games are viable options. If there is no way of getting money, board game shops may have game nights you can participate in, or play board games online.
Board games are a great hobby. Compared to other hobbies it can be inexpensive to get into. Still, when it comes to money everyone’s situation is different. Whether you are rich or broke if you are interested in board games, there are several ways to enjoy the hobby. Keep reading for tips on board games on a budget.
Establishing your budget for board games
First things first, you need to establish a budget for your board game hobby. Your budget money should come from your free money account. Free money is the money you have leftover after taking care of your necessities, savings, debts, and other expenses. The money you have leftover to spend on your board games will be dependent on these circumstances. This leftover money is your guilt-free spending money.
Other things to consider when you are budgeting for your board game hobby, is how much of your free money are you willing to allot towards gaming. With free money being the leftovers from expenses and savings, it usually doesn’t amount to significant amounts. Take into consideration other interests you might have such as traveling, or hiking, and your allotment towards board games maybe even smaller.
With responsibilities, and other interests taken care of you should now have a good idea of what your established budget for board games is. If your current budget doesn’t allow for you to purchase the board game that you want, plan on saving for a few months in order to accumulate the necessary funds. With some luck, you might even find a used version of the game you want for significantly less.
Board Games On a Budget
The next step is to decide how to spend your money. One of the great aspects of board games is there is practically no barrier to entry. On the other hand, if you have a lot of budget money there is no limit to how much you can invest. Board games are accommodating to all budget sizes.
Play Board Games For Free
It may be that you don’t have any money to spend, or that you want to dip your toes into the water before you take the plunge. Whatever the case for the zero budget funds, you still have options when it comes to board games. You can play at game shops, online, or possibly with fellow board gamers.
Play at local board game shops
At times local shops will host board game nights for people to come and play their games. If you are looking for some hands-on experience, this might be a good option for you. A quick google search will allow you to find the nearest board game shops and after some asking around you can find out if they host free-play events and when.
Play board games online
If you have access to a computer and the internet playing board games online might be the best free option for you. This option offers convenience, flexibility, and a wide range of options. The only pitfall would be that you are confined to playing digitally, and even then, that has its benefits.
A great online resource is boardgameareana.com. This site offers a variety of board games such as Chess, 7 Wonders, Sushi Go, Carcassonne, and others. You can choose to play with friends, other members of Board Game Arena. Some games even allow for local play (you play together on the same computer).
Similar to Board Game Arena are Yucata and Tabletopia. Yucata, while a little dated, allows you to play board games online completely free without registering. Tabletopia on the other hand looks really good, however, their free offerings are limited with premium games locked behind a subscription.
Another way to find free online board games is by doing a little bit of google searching. Free online board games or typing in the name of the board game you want to play and adding online at the end. For example, search google for codenames online and you will get some free options to play a great board game. With a little bit of setup and you will be gaming in no time with $0 dollars out of your pocket.
Join a Board Game Community
Taking advantage of the board game community is another option for getting your board game fix for free. Though, to get invited back you might want to offer services, such as providing food, snacks, pleasant jokes, or a guaranteed win. Reddit has a great community in the board games subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames, other great. Your friends and family also might have board games that they would love to play with you.
By reaching out to those around you, you can possibly find a good group to game with. You bring the snacks, they bring the game. Or something along those lines.
Great Board Game Communities
Reddit – The forum of the internet
Youtube – Many great youtube channels that focus specifically on board games
Board Game Atlas – Website dedicated to Board Gamers
Play Board Games Under $5 Dollars
With a board game budget of $5 dollars a month you have a few more options than our $0 dollar budget friend. Five dollars isn’t much so don’t expect your horizons to open much wider however with diligent shopping and willingness to buy used, you could find yourself with some decent games. With this amount, you can reliably buy face cards or dice which enable you to play countless games.
When searching for board games under $5 dollars second-hand shops, and online retailers might be your best bet. Both eBay and Amazon allow you to filter through prices to find the games that are $5 dollars and below. Sites like KSL or Craigslist also allow you to stretch the buying power of your $5 dollars.
Another option is to buy cheap dice or face cards and play games like Farkle, Yahtzee, War, Scum, 21, Speed, Pictionary, or other simple dice or card games.
Farkle
Roll six dice to get a high score. Ones, fives, three of a kind are what it takes to get points. Be the first to accumulate 10,000 points. Keep the rolls alive by gaining points on each roll. But beware of the Farkle as you can lose all the points you have earned in the round.
Pictionary
While you might not have the board game, that shouldn’t stop you from playing Pictionary. Write some words down, mix them up, and then let the drawing begin. While it might take a little bit of setup this simple drawing game is a good time that can be played with many people.
Play Board Games Under $10 Dollars
Ten dollars in your pocket gives you a little more purchasing options when it comes to board games. Although, you are still limited to what you can buy. Second-hand stores and online retailers are going to be a good option to increase your buying power. With $10 dollars you can buy games like Chess, The Mind, Uno, Sushi Go, or Yahtzee.
With this budget on eBay, you can find many more options. However, if going the eBay route, be aware of added shipping cost. Some sellers on eBay will offer free shipping, others will charge more for shipping than the actual game.
Popular games under ten dollars:
Sushi Go
This is a fast-paced card drafting game where each player must draft the ideal sushi combo and pass cards along. It’s fun, easy, quick, and has lots of replay value.
Yahtzee
For under ten dollars you can land yourself the complete version of Yahtzee. While playing the game without the guidance of score sheets is doable having everything nice and orderly makes for a more organized gaming session. Plus if building a gaming library is part of your goal, then this is a classic dice rolling game.
UNO
This is a classic card game. Easy to play, endless amounts of variations, and an all-around good time. Sometimes the classic games are the best for game nights. Race to get rid of your cards in this battle of numbers and colors. Strategize with wildcards, and destroy your opponents with draw-twos to ensure your victory.
Chess
Whether you purchase a cheap board, use an app, play online, or buy a fancy set this game can be played no matter the budget. This high strategy game is easy to learn, but hard to master.
The Mind
This $9.50 cent game is all about pacing. Working together with a friend or a few friends if you are up for a challenge to get your counting pace in sync. While remaining silent players must place numbers in the correct order in order to win.
Play Board Games Under $20 Dollars
A budget of twenty dollars starts to open a door to a greater selection. With twenty dollars you are not having to rely so much on the used market as there are many games that are under twenty dollars. Codenames, Patchwork, Exploding Kittens, and Sequence are some of the games you can buy with only $20 dollars.
Filtering a board game search on Amazon, or eBay by twenty dollars might surprise you with the results. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=board+games&rh=p_36%3A-2000&qid=1615332436&rnid=386491011&ref=sr_nr_p_36_1
The website boardgameatlas.com also provides a great list of games under twenty dollars and where you can buy them. https://www.boardgameatlas.com/best-cheap-board-games?lt_price=20.01
Some of the noteworthy games under $20 are:
Codenames
We mention this game a bunch, but there is a reason for that. If you can’t decide on what game to play, Codename is a good choice. This crowd-pleasing word association game combines strategy, luck, and connections to secure the win for your team.
Patchwork
Patchwork is a two-player abstract strategy game that can be played in under 15 minutes. Choose your patches carefully and keep a healthy supply of buttons to not only finish your quilt but to make it better than your opponent’s.
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is a fast-paced hot potato type of card game, but with ticking kittens as the time bomb. Play politely or play to win. All is fair in war and kittens. Spoiler alert, tacocat is the only palindrome you ever need to know.
Sequence
Sequence is a connect four type of game dictated by the cards in your hand. Strategically place your pieces with your teammate to block your opponents and gain a win for yourselves. Sequence is easy to learn, fun to play, and light on your wallet.
Forbidden Island
The cooperative strategy survival island board game. If that sentence doesn’t interest you, perhaps engaging in a do-or-die mission to capture sacred treasures on a perilous paradise will. Work together with your team to capture the four treasures before the island sinks. This two to four-player game encourages collaborative play and teamwork.
Scrabble
This classic spelling game is a great chance to flex your vocabulary. So make sure to bone up on your dictionary reading and always keep your qi, and za in mind at all times. Scrabble manages to make spelling rewarding and fun with its thrilling gameplay.
Dragonwood A Game of Dice & Daring Board Game
If the title alone isn’t enough to convince you to check out the game then perhaps the simple-to-learn but deeply engaging fantasy-themed gameplay will. I mean does there really need to be more said than angry ogres, giggling goblins, menacing orange dragons, and magical silver sword. Nope
Play Board Games Under $40 Dollars
A budget of $40 dollars allows you to play some of the current most popular games. Not only does this budget allow you to purchase games like Azul, Risk, Dominion, Lords of Waterdeep, Betrayal at House on the Hill, but if you are going more for quantity you could purchase a couple of $20 dollar games or a few $10 dollar games.
Azul
This four-player board game offers high-quality components and fun, accessible gameplay. With its tile drafting and placement mechanics, players compete to claim tiles and arranging them on their board to claim points. Every tile you take affects what your rivals can take next. You’ll have to make choices that help you while not helping others too much.
The Red Dragon Inn
The Red Dragon Inn is a fun light-hearted fantasy-themed card game that involves drinking and gambling (not actual drinking and gambling not to say that you can’t actually drink and gamble while playing. You do you, but be sure to do you responsibly).
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Build your own haunted mansion tile by tile, terror by terror – and then try to escape it alive. Players must work together to survive the nightmare. Except for one player who becomes the traitor. According to Eric on Amazon, this game is indeed perfectly thick.
It should be noted that Betrayal at House on the Hill is based on a haunted mansion. As such the theme of the game will have a much darker tone. Maybe avoid this one if you are looking for a lighter game.
Tsuro The Game of the Path
Tsuro is a fun quick family game that is easy to learn and offers high replayability. Place path tiles and lead others astray. Anticipate other player’s moves. The wisest player will remain on their own path. The last player standing wins.
Dominion
This tactical deck-building game is great for 2-4 players looking for a strategy game. You are a monarch with dreams of expanding your kingdom. Use your resources and actions to build your sad kingdom into a lucrative dominion.
Risk
The militaristic strategy game is based upon one simple idea. World domination. Build your army, conquer territories, make alliances, betray alliances, and at all costs win. Then apologize to your friends for taking the game too far and promise to never do it again.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a classic tile-laying game with easy-to-learn rules and endless strategy. Score points by claiming and completing various features including roads, cities, fields, and monasteries. Place your tiles in clever ways to outscore your opponents.
Lords of Waterdeep
An exciting euro-style board game set in Waterdeep, the greatest city of the Forgotten Realms. This immersive game casts players as the Lords of Waterdeep who hire adventurers to complete quests. Collect the most victory points to win.
Pandemic
In Pandemic you and other players work together to keep the world safe from outbreaks and epidemics. Play as a team to treat infections around the world while gathering resources for cures.
Evolution
Evolution is an award-winning game packed with a surprising amount of variety for a game with simple rules. Players work to adapt their species. Food is scarce and predators roam, so evolve your species to get the edge over your competition.
Board Games Under $65 Dollars
A board game budget of $65 dollars will allow you to purchase most big-name games. Sixty-five dollars is enough for you to buy games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, Mysterium, Smallworld, Scythe, Wingspan, and Terraforming Mars. Even after purchasing these games you still might have enough money left over to purchase games below $20 dollars.
Catan
Catan is an incredibly popular, award-winning game. Players compete in civilization-building by harvesting and trading resources. Gaining victory points is the goal and is accomplished as player-controlled civilizations are spread across the board.
Ticket to Ride
In Ticket to Ride players are competing to build their train routes across the nation. Collect points by building the largest tracks, connecting large segments, and completing missions. This strategic game is easy-to-learn and is vastly replayable.
Mysterium
In this cooperative investigation game of Mysterium, everyone loses or wins. With a strong immersive storyline, this ghostly game is fun for 2 to 7 players with high replay value. Work together to uncover the truth behind the horrible crime that was committed.
Smallworld
Players rush to expand their empires by using the right combinations of races and special powers. Using troops to occupy territory players will have to balance when to repel weaker neighbors away or when to let your over-extended civilization make way for new growth. The fantasy-themed game includes a cast of characters like dwarves, wizards, amazons, giants, orcs, and humans.
Wingspan
Play as a bird enthusiast trying to discover and attract the best birds to your aviary. Use birds to chain a powerful combination in the 3 unique habitats as you build your engine to gain food, and lay eggs. It might sound a little different, but the people love it.
Scythe
Lead your faction to victory, building mechs, working the land, and exploring the mysterious setting, all while protecting your territory from other players. Explore an alternate history of the first great war with stunning artwork and set pieces.
Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars will have players working together in the terraforming process while competing for victory points. Victory points are awarded not only for your contribution to the terraforming but also for advancing infrastructure throughout the solar system and doing other great things.
Dead of Winter
Dead of Winter is a story-centric game about surviving through harsh winter in an apocalyptic world. Players work together to accomplish missions and survive whilst trying to complete their own secret mission including missions that could lead to betrayal.
Mice and Mystics
A game of Mice and Mystics will provide any group of friends with an unforgettable adventure they will be talking about for years to come. Cool mice figurines holding weapons and wearing cloaks… does more really need to be said? This storytelling adventure game will have you working together through a series of challenges to restore peace to the kingdom.
Board Games Under 100 Dollars
A budget of $100 dollars most games are within your reach, and for the ones that are not, it will only take a little bit longer to save up for them. With $100 dollars you can buy games like Root, Blood Rage, Zombicide: Black Plague, Tapestry, Gloomhaven, Mage Knight, and Rising Sun. You have plenty of money if you want to diversify your board game library by buying more inexpensive games.
Root
This is a game of adventure and war where you battle players for control of the vast wilderness. The differences in each playable role create an unparalleled level of interaction and replayability.
Blood Rage
Blood Rage is steeped in mythological Norse imagery, with incredible art and dozens of fantastic miniatures. Players engage in strategy following the straightforward rules that will have everyone embracing the thrill of running headlong into battle.
Zombicide: Black Plague
Zombicide: Black Plague takes everything great about Zombicide and throws it into the medieval era. Players work together to fight off hordes of zombies while upgrading their characters, completing missions, and finding better weapons. If you happen to be lacking in people to play with, this game can also be played solo.
Tapestry
Start from nothing and advance your science, technology, exploration, and military to progress your civilization starting at the beginning of human-kind and reaching into the future. Choose to focus on balanced growth or go all-in on specific aspects. Tapestry also comes with a solo playable version.
Gloomhaven
Whether playing solo or in a group, you are bound to have a good time. Starting out in the town of Gloomhaven players must take on quests to proceed in the massive story that is provided in the gamebook. Along the way, you will be able to explore optional side quests to gain more loot and experience. This game offers an abundance of rewarding gameplay.
Mage Knight
Mage Knight combines elements of RPGs, deckbuilding, and traditional board games. This is a game of epic exploration and conquest that mixes character development, intrigue, and the clashing of swords to create a unique gaming experience. Mage Knight comes with a variety of campaign options, allowing you to play competitively or cooperatively.
Rising Sun
Awesome minis, fantasy art, and a unique battle system that forces players to bluff their intentions and outwit others are all part of the game Rising Sun. Controlling different clans, players will engage in combat, make offerings to the gods, and form and break treaties.
Board Games With No Budget
If you happen to be in the position where there is practically no limit to your board game hobby budget then you are free to go wild. Board games can get expensive really fast. Even some of the games on the lower budget list can double in price due to demand. My advice is to look for games that will work for your group and offer high replay value. Keep in mind, just because it is expensive, doesn’t mean it is always worth it.
That being said, with an expansive budget you could look at purchasing most of the games that I mentioned already with maybe a few really expensive board game purchases like Crokinole, Warhammer 40K, and the original Zombicide (that is if you weren’t keen on the medieval era).
You could even consider spending money on board game accessories like shelving, tables, game protection, better snack trays, chairs, paints, and other items that could increase the enjoyment of your hobby.
Crokinole
Crokinole is a dexterity game involving flicking disks across the round board. Players take their seats and once sat are not allowed to move from there. Play begins once a disk is flicked and then you are hooked. The flick of the disk and the forced interaction of gameplay will have you and others coming back for more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMKzeg78peg&t=540s&ab_channel=ShutUp%26SitDown
Warhammer 40K
I’ll be honest I don’t know much about Warhammer 40K. What I do know is that it can get pricey, it has awesome figurines, involves war mechanics (please don’t hate me for my ignorance I promise to learn more about the game), and that somehow I want to get involved in this monster of a game. If you got the money, snacks, and friends that are looking for some in-depth table-top gaming, this could be the game for you.
No Matter Your Budget There is a Board Game For You
So there you have it. Whether you are a prince or pauper, no matter the budget, board games can be your next best hobby. Or just a seasonal hobby, or just used as an excuse to get people together. It is hard to go wrong when you are enjoying board games.
No matter what you are playing or who you are playing with, remember the goal is to have fun. So relax and enjoy the games.
If you have any other budget-friendly games be sure to comment below.
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