What is a Filler game?
A filler game usually fills one of the roles:
A filler game usually fills one of the roles:
- A game that can be played while waiting for everyone to arrive for a game night
- A game that can be played between games (usually after a difficult or “brain-burner” game)
- A game to play at the end of the night when you have a little bit of time to kill
#10 Love Letter
Love Letter is the ultimate filler game. 16 cards, easy to teach, and games take about 5 minutes. Why isn’t it ranked higher? There are few meaningful choices to make in the game. There are so many instances where you can be eliminated at absolutely no fault of your own, and even eliminated before you get to take a turn. In a game that’s 5 minutes or less, it’s not that big of a deal, but it’s not for everyone.
#9: Qwixx
Chucking dice and pushing your luck is the name of the game in Qwixx. It’s a game that’s a little reminiscent of Yahtzee, in that you need to pick your spots on when you take certain numbers at the risk of being cut off a little bit later on. It’s really a risk management game and the metagame lies in when to try to end the game vs. trying to maximize how many numbers you get. It’s a very chill, laid back game that is perfect between games.
#8: Loot
Loot is kind of a silly game that centers around when to bid on ships, and when to pass. The game changes each time and with a new group because the players control everything about the market: when to bid, when to bring out ships to bid on, and whether or not to let other players win bids. A fairly simple game at its core with surprising depth, Loot is a perfect candidate for a little downtime between games.
#7: Parade
This is one of the longer, more brain-burning fillers on my list. Essentially, you are adding one card to the end of the parade each round and trying to avoid picking up as many cards as possible by picking the number and suit carefully. Every round you are looking for the ideal move and there are times in which you just have to bite the bullet and take some cards. It involves a little more thinking (and a lot of counting) than is usually warranted in filler games, but it’s a lot of fun nonetheless.
#6: Monopoly Deal
Monopoly is a game that sends hobby board gamers running, so you would think the card game version would have the same effect. However, Monopoly Deal is a fantastic little game that captures the feel of collecting sets of properties without dragging it out over 3 hours. The game can be a little mean as you have the ability to play cards to demand rent, or swap properties, or even steal whole sets of properties; but the games are over so quickly that it doesn't really hurt the appeal.