25 Card Games for New Couples That Are Better Than Therapy

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and the creator of the bestselling card game for new couples: The Newlywed Card Game.  Let’s dive into the best card games for brand new couples.

I used to think comfortable silence was a relationship goal—until I sat across from a new partner at dinner, panicked, and realized we had absolutely nothing left to say about the weather. It turns out, I’m not the only one who needs a little nudge. It’s hard to connect when you’re tired or stressed, and sometimes waiting for the “right moment” to talk just leads to awkwardness. Lovewick suggests getting proactive, and honestly, having a prop helps.

You need a bridge between “How was work?” and actually connecting. So, I put together this list of card games for new couples to help you skip the small talk, have a laugh, or get weirdly competitive without the pressure. If you want even more ideas on how to shake up your routine, check out our other list of couples card games designed to save your Friday nights.

Quick Resources:

• Get real-time relationship and planning support with the Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

• Explore support tools for every stage of planning with All Wedding Tools

The Skim-Read Version (TL;DR)

Short on time? Here is the gist. Picking the right game is all about matching your current mood.

• Read the Room: Don’t pull out a heavy strategy game if you’re exhausted. If you want romance, grab a conversation deck. If you want to yell at each other in fun, grab a fast card game.
• Team vs. Rivals: Cooperative games are great for seeing how you solve problems together. Competitive games are good for seeing if your partner is a sore loser. You need to know both.
• Keep it Simple: Unless you are both hardcore gamers, avoid anything with a rulebook thicker than a pamphlet.
• Replay Value: Conversation decks are usually good for a few nights; strategy games last forever.
• Protect the Fun: If you’re stressed about life (or wedding planning), game night won’t fix it. Sometimes you have to outsource the stress first.

Category	Good For…	Vibe	Time Needed
Conversation	Getting deep and learning history	Emotional & Chill	15-60 mins
Cooperative	Teamwork and communication	Us vs. The World	20-45 mins
Light Competition	Quick laughs and flirting	High Energy	10-20 mins
Strategy	Mental challenge	Quiet & Focused	30-60+ mins
Date Night	Making memories	Active	1-3 hours

If stress is killing the vibe, talk it out with our Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

Don’t Buy the First Shiny Box You See

Before you grab a random game off the shelf, take a second to think about what you actually want out of the night. Is this about breaking the ice, or seeing if you can beat them in a battle of wits?

The Vibe Check

Some games are basically therapy in a box; others are just for laughs. If you try to force a deep, emotional game when you’re both tired and cranky, it’s going to backfire.

When emotions feel heavier than a game night fix, use our Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

Picture this: It’s Friday, work was a nightmare, and your brain is mush. This is not the time for a deck that asks about childhood trauma. This is the time for something dumb and fun, like Exploding Kittens.

On the flip side, if you’re feeling disconnected and want to see where you stand, try something like a marriage quiz before diving into a game.

Co-op vs. Competitive

This is a big one for new couples. Competitive games show you how they handle winning (and losing). Cooperative games show you how they communicate when things go wrong. I recommend trying both early on so you know what you’re signing up for.

The Learning Curve

Nothing kills the romance faster than reading a 20-page instruction manual in dead silence. Stick to games you can learn in five minutes (“pick up and play”) unless you’re both into complex board games.

The Top 25 Card Games (Categorized)

I’ve broken these down so you don’t have to scroll aimlessly. Here is what to play and when.

Category A: Conversation (Getting to Know You)

Put the phones away. These are for when you actually want to learn about the human sitting across from you.

Need help starting the hard conversations? Call our Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

1. The Newlywed Card Game (Bridesmaid for Hire)

Okay, I’m biased because I created this, but hear me out. This 75-card deck is designed to be a mix of fun, deep, and “future-planning” questions. Despite the name, you don’t actually have to be married to play it—it works great for engaged or serious couples, too. It’s an easy way to see if you’re on the same page. If you like it, we have a list of even more newlywed game questions to keep the laughs going.

2. We’re Not Really Strangers (Couples Edition)

This one is a cult favorite for a reason. It peels back the layers and gets pretty vulnerable. Warning: You might cry, but in a good, bonding way. Save this for a night when you have the emotional bandwidth for it.

3. TableTopics: Couples

The classic acrylic cube you’ve probably seen around. It’s great for dinner conversation because the questions are random—everything from vacation memories to specific relationship topics. It’s safe, easy, and lasts forever.

4. The Skinny Confidential: Get the F*ck Out of the Sun

This is the opposite of a therapy session. It’s bright, pink, and cheeky. It feels more like gossiping with your best friend over martinis. It’s fun, not serious, and perfect for when you just want to hang out.

5. Our Moments: Couples

A gentle conversation starter focused on gratitude and understanding. It avoids the super awkward stuff, making it a safe bet for newer relationships. Good for a quiet Sunday morning coffee date.

Deck	Intimacy Level	Best For
The Newlywed Card Game	High	Planning the future & laughing
We’re Not Really Strangers	Very High	Late night deep dives
TableTopics	Moderate	Dinner chat
The Skinny Confidential	Low-Moderate	Drinks & hanging out
Our Moments	Moderate	Chill bonding

Category B: Cooperative (Us Against the World)

You either win together or lose together. These are excellent for testing your communication skills without fighting each other.

6. The Mind

You have to play cards in ascending order as a team… but you can’t talk. At all. You have to learn to read each other’s body language and timing. It sounds simple, but it feels like you’re developing telepathy.

Real Talk: If you play a ’45’ and your partner stares at you in horror because they have a ’42’, you learn very quickly how to read their micro-expressions. It’s weirdly useful for real-life relationship tension.

When teamwork breaks down off the table, try our Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

7. Codenames: Duet

You play as two spies identifying agents using one-word clues. It’s a brain workout that makes you feel like a genius team when you win (and confused idiots when you lose).

8. Hanabi

Here’s the twist: You hold your cards facing away from you. You can see your partner’s cards, but not your own. You have to give them clues so they play the right cards. It tests patience like nothing else.

9. Fox in the Forest Duet

A clever trick-taking game (like Hearts or Spades) but you’re working together to move through a forest path. It’s quiet, strategic, and very pretty to look at.

10. Sky Team

You are a pilot and co-pilot trying to land a plane using dice. It’s high-stress teamwork but incredibly satisfying when you stick the landing. Lots of replay value here.

Category C: Lighthearted Competition (Flirty Rivals)

Sometimes you just want to crush your partner in a low-stakes environment. These are fast and funny. If you want to make things even looser, you could try some drunk card games to spice it up.

11. Monopoly Deal

All the property trading of Monopoly, but it only takes 15 minutes and probably won’t end in a breakup. A total staple.

12. Exploding Kittens (2-Player)

Russian Roulette with cats. You draw cards until someone explodes. It’s dumb, hilarious, and requires zero brain power. Perfect for a Tuesday night.

13. Love Letter

A game of risk and deduction. It’s thematically romantic (you’re trying to get a letter to the princess) but mechanically cutthroat. Rounds take 5 minutes.

14. Unstable Unicorns

Build a unicorn army, sabotage your partner. The art is cute, but the gameplay is aggressive. Good for couples who like to mess with each other.

15. Jaipur

A fast-paced trading game. You’re trying to sell goods at the market for the best price before your opponent does. It’s addictive and very quick to set up.

Category D: Strategy (For Gamer Couples)

If you both enjoy burning a few brain cells, these games offer a bit more meat on the bone.

16. Lost Cities

A classic. You place cards in numerical order to mount expeditions. It’s simple math, but the risk/reward decisions are agonizing.

17. Hanamikoji

A tense game of tug-of-war. You want to win the favor of Geishas, but every action you take also gives your opponent something. It’s a brain burner.

18. Star Realms

Sci-fi deck building. You buy spaceships to attack your partner’s authority. If you like Star Wars or just blowing things up, this is the one.

19. Air, Land, & Sea

A battle game where you can withdraw early to lose fewer points. It’s all about bluffing and knowing when to fold.

20. Rivals for Catan

The card game version of Catan. Build settlements, get resources. It’s a bit more complex, so save this for a weekend afternoon.

Category E: Date Night & Activity

These blur the line between “game” and “date.” They prompt you to actually do things.

21. The Adventure Challenge: Dinner Dates

You scratch off a card to reveal a challenge you have to do (usually cooking or a specific type of date). The catch? You can’t see it until you scratch it.

22. Talk, Flirt, Dare

Three decks, three levels of intensity. You choose the mood. It’s simple and interactive.

23. Truth or Dare for Couples

Exactly what it sounds like, but tailored for partners. A classic way to get flirty.

24. Servo

You play cards to “make” your partner do sweet gestures or chores, but they can counter-play. It gamifies doing the dishes (sort of).

25. Loopy

This one guides you through physical intimacy challenges. Definitely an “after hours” game.

Why You Need More Than Just Games

Games are great for connection, but let’s be real: as your relationship gets serious (and moves toward engagement), the “fun” often gets buried under spreadsheets, family drama, and budget stress. You can’t enjoy a game of Codenames if you’re panicking about vendor contracts.

Get instant outside perspective with our Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

This is where Bridesmaid for Hire actually helps.

Founded by Jen Glantz, this isn’t just about finding a random person to wear a dress. It’s about hiring a professional support system. Whether you need an undercover bridesmaid to manage your difficult aunt, a coach to help your maid of honor write her speech, or just someone to handle the chaos, Jen and her team are the “best friends you pay to deal with the drama.”

How this saves your game night:

• Stress Removal: They handle the logistics so you can actually unclench and enjoy your engagement.
• Relationship Protection: By outsourcing the drama, you stop arguing with your partner about wedding details.
• Reconnection: Jen created the Newlywed Card Game specifically because she saw how stressed couples get. She knows you need tools to remember why you like each other.

If you’re already feeling the heat, read our guide on how to manage your wedding planning meltdowns so you can get back to the fun stuff.

The Scenario: You planned a romantic game night, but your future mother-in-law just called with a list of demands. The mood is ruined. Instead of fighting about it, you hire a professional from Bridesmaid for Hire to run interference. You get your brain space back, and game night is back on.

Handle the drama without fighting by calling our Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

The Stressor	The Solution
Vendor Contracts	Professional vendor management
Family Drama	Undercover mediation & support
Budget Anxiety	Budget coaching
Maid of Honor Issues	Speech writing & coaching

Don’t let the stress of the future ruin the fun of the present. Let Bridesmaid for Hire handle the chaos.

Final Thoughts

Investing time in play is honestly one of the best things you can do for a new relationship. Whether you are diffusing a bomb in Exploding Kittens or talking about your dreams with a conversation deck, these moments are the glue that holds you together when life gets annoying. Pick a game, clear the table, and prioritize the fun. You’ll thank yourself later.