Games to play with friends: best online and offline picks

Who would pass up a chance to spend some quality time with their friends? Whether it’s a weekend, a long weekend or a vacation, nothing beats the joy of having your friends around. All the fun, games, and shared experiences make it all the more fun to have these times in your life. Because when you look back all you carry is a big bag of joyous memories! Know what adds to the ultimate fun of having friends around? Games! From classic board games around the table to exciting multiplayer challenges online, there’s a game for every mood and occasion. And let’s say you couldn’t be a part of the vacation or an outing, you don’t have to miss out on fun! With evergrowing technology, all you need is a smartphone, a good internet connection and of course, friends!

Why is playing games with friends so important? 

Well, when it comes to playing games, it goes far beyond just having fun. It is actually a great way to build strong friendships and bonds all while boosting well-being! Games create shared experiences that enhance trust, communication, and teamwork.

They also offer a much-needed escape from your daily monotonous routine providing mental relaxation and joy. On the top of that, many games challenge your mind that ultimately sharpen your reflexes, improve decision-making, and encourage strategic thinking. Whether you’re socializing in person or connecting virtually, gaming with friends brings people closer while keeping your brain active and entertained.

Best online games to play with friends 

All thanks to the digital age, staying connected with your friends 24/7 is no more a hassle. A quick gaming session or an all-nighter gaming spree, online games offer endless opportunities for fun, competition and bonding!

Multiplayer card & board games

Traditional card and board games are now available online, offering new ways to enjoy timeless classics with your gang.

Rummy
Rummy is a social, skill-based card game that’s all about strategy, memory, and observation. It has become a favorite among groups of friends looking to add some competitive spice to their free time.

RummyTime, in particular, makes playing rummy online seamless. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, RummyTime app offers a smooth, interactive way to enjoy rummy, no matter where you are.

Poker
Love bluffing and reading your friends’ moves? Online poker platforms let you host virtual poker nights with just a few taps. Choose your favorite poker game and set up private tables, and get ready for a night of chips, calls, and camaraderie.

Ludo
How much do you love the 1s and 6s in this game? The oldest forever favorite game has gotten a tech upgrade. Ludo King and Ludo Club bring the board game to your phone, allowing you to connect and compete with friends in real-time.

UNO
The childhood favorite game known for its reversals and last-minute surprises is now available online. Platforms like UNO Mobile and various gaming sites give you the same fun and seamless gameplay experience.

Best online video games to play with friends

For those craving immersive gameplay and action-packed adventures, these multiplayer video games offer unforgettable experiences:

Among Us
Perfect for 4-10 players, this game of deduction and deception is hilarious and intense. You can consider this as the online version of Mafia.

Call of Duty: Warzone
Team up for an intense battle. Coordinate strategies, loot gear, and outlast the competition together in this high-octane war zone.

Fortnite
Jump into this colorful and fast-paced survival game where building skills and combat come together for a thrilling multiplayer experience.

PUBG Mobile
A more realistic take on the battle royale genre, PUBG is perfect for squads that thrive on teamwork, strategy, and survival instincts.

Minecraft Multiplayer
Get creative with your friends in a shared sandbox world. Build, explore, and survive together in this endlessly imaginative universe.

Best virtual party games

Looking for something casual, quirky, or perfect for a group call? Let us show you a few virtual party games for you go-to laughs and light-hearted fun!

Houseparty Games
This video chat app doubles as a gaming platform with quick, social games like Heads Up!, Trivia, and more. That adds to the overall fun to the group!

Jackbox Party Pack
From drawing games to trivia and witty wordplay, Jackbox offers a variety of party games where friends use their phones as controllers, also great for a minimal setup. Perfect for game nights over Zoom or Discord.

Online scribble
Unleash your inner artist or laugh at your lack of one. This free online drawing and guessing game is a hit in every group and you can easily be so

Psych!
Created by Ellen DeGeneres, this bluffing game challenges you to make up fake answers to real trivia questions. Can your friends tell when you’re faking it?

Best offline games to play with friends

Nothing compares to the ultimate fun that happens when you and your friends gather in the same room! Endless banters, competition and friendly arguments fill up the room. These shared experiences make everyone in the room bond easily and make it a lot of fun.

Best card games for friends

Card games are a staple of friendly gatherings – minimal set up, quick to play, and always entertaining.

Rummy
This classic game of matching and strategy has several exciting variations like Points Rummy, Deals Rummy and Pool Rummy, making it perfect for both short and long sessions. With just a deck of cards and a group of friends, you can enjoy hours of gameplay that tests your memory, calculation, and bluffing skills.

Poker
A favorite for game nights, poker adds a touch of competitive thrill. It’s not just about the cards – it’s about reading your opponents, calculating odds, and knowing when to hold or fold. Whether you’re betting chips or candy, the fun is guaranteed.

Bluff
Also known as Cheat or I Doubt It, this game is a laughter-filled exercise in deception but also a way to get into fun-filled sincere arguments with your friends. Players take turns placing cards face down while claiming what they played – but are they telling the truth, really?

Teen Patti
One of India’s most-loved card games, Teen Patti is a very popular card-game, often played during Diwali and house parties! With real stakes or just for fun, it keeps the table buzzing with excitement.

Best board games for group fun

Board games offer a nostalgic charm and immersive experience that still holds strong today.

Monopoly
The ultimate trading and strategy board game. Buy properties, collect rent, and bankrupt your friends. The more the investments, the nearer you are to winning the game!

Chess
If you’re just two friends and are tired of scrolling through reels, it’s time for a mental challenge. Chess is a game of strategy, skill and patience. A board game where each side aims to checkmate the opponent’s king by skillfully moving the rest of the pieces on the board.

Catan
Also known as Settlers of Catan, this game blends trading, building, and resource management and is fun all while building skills of negotiation.

Scrabble
A perfect combination of fun and brain exercise, Scrabble lets players compete to create the highest-scoring words.

Fun indoor party games

Ideal for large groups and spontaneous fun, these games turn any gathering into an instant party.

Charades
Time to wake up the Bollywood in you! The teams are split into two and each team takes turns to act and explain movies while their teammates try to guess the name of the movie.

Truth or Dare
A bottle is kept in the centre with the players surrounding it. Upon rotating the bottle, the two ends of the bottle decide the questioner and questionee of that round. While one asks a fun question or a dare, the other one has to answer the question or perform the dare respectively. This game helps to know the person at a deeper level while keeping it all the more exciting with fun questions and dares involved.

Pictionary
Drawing meets guessing in this creative and often comical game. Get ready to unleash the inner Van Gogh in you and help your teammates win the game by sketching the word as relevantly as possible.

Never Have I Ever
A conversational icebreaker that helps you know the other person better by talking about different experiences in life and if the other person has also experienced something similar they talk about it in detail too!

Texting games for virtual fun
Now, imagine virtual charades on text?
Guess the movie using emojis!

Recently, even texting games are a fun way to keep the conversations lively especially when you’re apart from friends and it becomes difficult to keep in touch on a daily basis. From quick-fire trivia questions to creative Emoji Challenges, and the classic mind-bending 20 Questions, these games turn everyday chats into entertaining interactions. Perfect for killing time and sharing laughs, these games are a perfect way to learn new things about each other. Whether you’re waiting in a queue at the bank or relaxing at home, texting games add a playful twist to regular conversations!

Choosing the right game for your group

Selecting the perfect game for your friend group depends on several factors – interests, group size, and whether you’re looking for lighthearted fun or competitive challenge. For example, games like Rummy and Poker involve an element of chance when the cards are distributed initially, but the skilled players are aware about how to make the most out of their current hand using strategy and observation. Similarly, in fantasy sports and stock market trading games, even though the outcomes might vary with the real-world circumstances, the experienced players often use research and analysis to reduce unpredictability. The idea is to pick a game that matches your group’s energy and encourage everyone to stay engaged!

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