16 Best Games to Play with 3 People for Endless Fun and Entertainment

When you’re looking for fun games to play with 3 people, it can sometimes feel tricky to find one that fits the right dynamic. You need a game that’s engaging enough for everyone but also provides a fair playing field for all participants. 3 player games offer just the right balance of complexity and fun, without the chaos of larger groups or the quiet competition of two-person games.

The following games are ideal for trios. They offer fun experiences ranging from strategic board games to quick card games. Whether looking for something light-hearted or intensely competitive, these games will keep everyone entertained.

From classic games, we grew up with to modern favorites, each of these 3 players games ensures that all three players are actively involved and engaged throughout the gameplay.

Top Fun Games to Play with 3 People

From card games to board games, we’ve curated the best options for 3-player games that offer the perfect mix of competition and fun.

3 Players Game	Number of players
Spades	2 to 4 players
Catan	3 to 4 players
Ludo	2 to 4 players
3 Card Flush	4 to 10 players
Snakes and Ladders	2 to 4 players
Gin Rummy	2 to 4 players
Ticket to Ride	2 to 5 players
Monopoly	2 to 8 players
Pictionary	3 to 16 players
Clue	2 to 6 players
Exploding Kittens	2 to 10 players
Codenames	4 players or more
Pandemic	2 to 4 players
Forbidden Island	2 to 4 players
Risk	2 to 6 players
Uno	2 to 10 players

1. Spades

Spades is a popular trick-taking card game that has been a staple in American households for decades. While traditionally played with four players, the game adapts well to three-player variations with slight rule modifications. Spades is all about strategy, prediction, and a little bit of luck.

What makes Spades especially exciting with three players is the increased need for sharp decision-making. Without a partner, each player is fully responsible for their own bids and tricks, making it a true test of individual skill.

For those who enjoy card games to play with 3 people that require both strategy and careful planning, Spades is an excellent choice. Play Spades on MPL and earn up to $50,000 daily through events and cash tournaments.

Features of Spades

While traditionally played with a total number of 4 players, Spades can be adapted for 3 players.
Ideal for ages 10 and up.
Players must accurately use strategy to win tricks.
It’s fun for players who enjoy bidding games to play with 3 people.
Spades offer hours of fun and competition

2. Catan

Catan, also known as The Settlers of Catan, is a modern board game classic that has gained immense popularity worldwide, including in the U.S. This game is ideal for three players and combines strategy, negotiation, and a bit of luck.

The premise of Catan revolves around building settlements, cities, and roads on an ever-expanding island, where players gather resources such as wood, brick, wheat, ore, and sheep. These resources are used to develop your civilization, and the first player to reach 10 points through building and expansion wins the game.

Features of Catan

Best played with 3 to 4 players.
Suitable for ages 10 and up.
Trading resources with other players is essential to progress.
Catan offers fun for everyone with its balance of luck, strategy, and negotiation.

3. Ludo

Ludo is one of the timeless board games to play with 3 people that have entertained families and friends for generations. Originating from the ancient Indian game Pachisi, Ludo has made its way across the globe, becoming a household favorite in many countries, including the US.

The game is simple yet filled with excitement, making it perfect for casual get-togethers. With three players, the game becomes even more dynamic, as players can block each other, form temporary alliances, and create thrilling moments of victory or defeat.

You’ll need to watch your opponent’s moves carefully and time your own moves perfectly to avoid getting caught and sent back to the start. Participate in Cash tournaments and daily events on MPL Ludo and win up to $50,000 daily.

Features of Ludo

Best played with 2 to 4 players.
Suitable for ages 6 and up.
The game can be set up in minutes, and the rules are simple to learn.
Ludo is ideal for a relaxed, enjoyable game night.

4. 3 Card Flush

A 3 Card Flush game is a popular card game variant where players have to make the highest 3 card combination with cards from the same suit. The highest ranking combination wins the hand.

Three cards of the same suit are called flush or color in 3 card flush game.This game can be played with 3 or more players.

Play exciting quick battles and multiplayer cash tournaments on MPL and win up to $50,000 daily. You can withdraw the winning amount directly on your PayPal account.

Features of 3 Card Flush

The 3 card flush can be played with 3-6 players online
Play with real-time players or your trios anytime
Suitable for ages 7 and up
Participate in multiplayer tournaments and quick battles on MPL.

5. Snakes and Ladders

Snakes and Ladders is a childhood classic 3 players game that continues to entertain players of all ages. The game is simple yet filled with surprises, making it a great option for casual fun. Perfect for three players, Snakes and Ladders is all about racing to the top of the board with the roll of a die.

As you move your piece forward, you’ll either land on ladders, which boost you closer to victory, or on snakes, which send you sliding back down the board. The game’s unpredictability makes it exciting, with fortunes changing on every roll.

Play quick battles, events, and cash tournaments on MPL with your trios anytime. Compete them and win real cash on MPL Snakes and Ladders.

Features of Snakes and Ladders

The following are features of Snakes and Ladders:

Best suited for 2 to 4 players.
Ideal for ages 4 and up.
The rules are easy to understand.
Easy to set up and play.
Everyone has an equal shot at winning, making it lighthearted and stress-free.

6. Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is a timeless card 3 players game that offers the perfect blend of strategy and chance, making it a fantastic choice for three players. Originally designed as a two-player game, Gin Rummy can easily be adapted for three players while maintaining all the excitement and mental challenge.

It’s a game that requires players to think ahead, plan their moves, and make quick decisions. The objective of Gin Rummy is to form sets or runs of cards in your hand and minimize the points left over (known as “deadwood”) by the end of each round.

The player with the lowest deadwood points wins the round, and multiple rounds are played until a player reaches the winning score. Participate in cash tournaments and events on MPL Gin Rummy and win up to $50,000 daily.

Features of Gin Rummy

The following are features of Gin Rummy:

Typically a 2-player game, but works well with 3 players.
Suitable for ages 10 and up.
The basic rules are simple to understand, but mastering the game’s strategy takes time and practice.
Skill in arranging your hand and discarding wisely makes all the difference.

7. Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a strategic board game that takes players on an exciting railway adventure across North America. Perfect for three players, the goal of the 3 players game is to collect cards of various train types and use them to claim railway routes on the board, connecting cities across the map.

While the game is easy to learn, it offers deep gameplay with plenty of tactical decisions, such as deciding when to claim key routes or when to block an opponent’s path.

The game’s historical setting, which recreates the early days of train travel in the U.S., adds an interesting twist for fans of history or geography. Whether you’re trying to build a coast-to-coast railway or just connect a few key cities, Ticket to Ride promises a thrilling game night for all.

Features of Ticket to Ride

The following are features of Ticket to Ride:

Best played with 2 to 5 players.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Easy for beginners to pick up.
The 3 players game offers a balance between strategy and fun.
The North American train theme adds historical context to the game.

8. Monopoly

Monopoly is a famous board game that has been a staple of game nights for decades. Perfectly suited for three players, it challenges participants to build a real estate empire by buying, trading, and developing properties.

The game’s objective is simple but ruthless: bankrupt your opponents while increasing your wealth through smart investments. As players make their way around the board, they can land on properties, utilities, and railroads, purchasing them to build houses and hotels.

The more properties you own, the higher the rent you can charge, making Monopoly a game of both strategy and financial management.

Features of Monopoly

Best played with 2 to 6 players.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Combines elements of chance with tactical decision-making.
Players must buy, sell, and trade properties to build their empires.
Perfect for those who enjoy long, strategic, and fun games to play with 3 people.

Also Read : Play These 11 Fun Board Games Online with Friends

9. Pictionary

Pictionary is a fun, fast-paced drawing and guessing 3 players game that’s perfect for three players. The game is simple: one player draws a word or phrase from a card while the other players try to guess what it is.

The catch? You can only draw pictures no letters or numbers allowed! This leads to lots of laughter as players try to decipher each other’s artistic (or not-so-artistic) creations. Pictionary is a fantastic game for those who enjoy light-hearted, creative challenges and it works equally well when played in teams or individually.

With three players, the game can be modified so that one person draws while the other two compete to guess, making it equally engaging for smaller groups.

Features of Pictionary

The following are features of Pictionary:

Best played with 3 or more players.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Requires little to no preparation.
Players use their artistic skills.
Hilarious results often come from misinterpretations of the drawings.

10. Clue

If you love solving mysteries, Clue is the perfect 3 players game. This classic board game turns every player into a detective, tasked with solving a murder mystery in a grand mansion.

The objective is to figure out three things: who committed the murder, in which room it happened, and with what weapon. Each player moves their character around the mansion, collecting clues to eliminate suspects, rooms, and weapons from the list of possibilities.

The first player to correctly solve the mystery wins the game. Clue offers a great balance of strategy, deduction, and a thrilling storyline.

Features of Clue:

The following are features of Clue:

Best suited for 3 to 6 players.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Players must carefully piece together clues while keeping their findings secret from opponents.
The game’s murder mystery theme keeps everyone involved.
Ideal for players who enjoy using logic and reasoning.

11. Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens is a wildly entertaining card game that’s perfect for three players looking for fast-paced, quirky fun. The goal is simple: avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card, which will instantly knock you out of the game.

To survive, players must use strategy and luck to outwit their opponents by playing special cards that allow them to skip turns, peek at the deck, force others to draw more cards, or even defuse an explosion. The game is filled with unpredictable twists, making every round a chaotic and hilarious experience.

The humor and absurdity of the game lie in its wacky illustrations and card names, which range from “See the Future” cards that let you peek at the next few cards in the deck to the iconic “Defuse” cards that save you from an explosion. The game’s unpredictability keeps everyone on their toes, as the stakes rise with each turn.

Features of Exploding Kittens

The following are features of Exploding Kittens:

Works best with 2 to 5 players.
Suitable for ages 7 and up.
Each round is quick and action-packed.
The game’s humor and randomness make it a hit.
Easy to pick up, play, and repeat.

12. Codenames

Codenames is an exciting and clever word association game that’s perfect for groups of three players. In this 3 players game, players are split into teams, and one person on each team becomes the “spymaster.”

The spymaster provides one-word clues to help their teammates guess which words on the board are theirs while avoiding the words that belong to the opposing team or the dreaded assassin card.

Codenames is all about thinking critically and making connections between words. The challenge comes from the need to come up with creative clues that point to multiple words without leading teammates astray.

Features of Codenames:

The following are features of Codenames:

Best for 2 to 8 players.
Suitable for ages 10 and up.
It offers language-based puzzles and teamwork.
The rules are simple, but mastering the art.

13. Pandemic

Pandemic is a thrilling cooperative board game where players join forces as a team of specialists working to save the world from deadly outbreaks. The game is set on a global scale, with various diseases spreading across different continents.

Each player takes on a unique role, such as a scientist, researcher, or medic, and collaborates with others to treat infections, prevent outbreaks, and ultimately discover cures for the diseases before they spiral out of control.

Pandemic is ideal 3 players game, as the teamwork aspect becomes even more crucial. Every move counts, and effective communication and coordination are essential to stay ahead of the rapidly spreading diseases. The game offers various difficulty levels, making it accessible to casual gamers but challenging enough for those who love deep strategy.

Features of Pandemic

The following are features of the Pandemic:

Best with 2 to 4 players.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Instead of competing, players work together, pooling their strengths and skills.
The game constantly presents new challenges that require quick thinking and adaptability.

14. Forbidden Island

Forbidden Island is an exciting cooperative board game where players must work together to recover ancient treasures from an island that is slowly sinking into the sea. Each player takes on a unique role with special abilities, which helps the team move across the island and collect treasures faster.

As the game progresses, parts of the island begin to sink, so you’ll need to strategically plan your moves to collect all four treasures before the island is completely submerged.

If you are looking for fun games to play with 3 people, the game is particularly well-balanced. You’ll need to coordinate your actions and communicate effectively to make the most of each turn, as the water levels continue to rise, threatening your mission.

Features of Forbidden Island

The following are features of Forbidden Island:

Ideal for 2 to 4 players.
Suitable for ages 10 and up.
Work together to achieve a common goal.
Easy to learn, but offers challenging gameplay.
Combines action, strategy, and adventure in a race against time.

15. Risk

Risk is one of the classic fun games to play with 3 people that brings a thrilling sense of competition as players strive for global domination. This strategy game allows you to command armies, conquer territories, and ultimately attempt to take over the world.

With each player starting from different regions, the game unfolds as alliances may form or shatter, creating a dynamic environment filled with tactical decisions and unexpected turns.

Risk is excellent for three players, as it allows for engaging gameplay without the chaos that can come with larger groups. Players must strategize their moves, defend their territories, and plan their attacks carefully, balancing offense and defense.

Features of Risk

The following are features of Risk:

Designed for 2 to 6 players.
Suitable for ages 10 and up.
Players must form alliances and negotiate against others to achieve domination.
The thrill of conquering territories appeals to lovers of strategy.
Offers hours of engaging gameplay.

16. Uno

Uno is a beloved card game known for its fast pace, simplicity, and ability to stir up friendly competition. It’s the perfect choice for three players, offering rounds that are quick and filled with excitement.

The objective of Uno is simple, be the first player to discard all your cards. But as straightforward as it sounds, the 3 players game is packed with twists and turns thanks to its special action cards, such as “Skip,” “Reverse,” and “Draw Two,” which can completely change the course of the game.

With three players, Uno remains lively and engaging. Players take turns matching a card from their hand to the card in the center by color or number. If you can’t make a match, you must draw from the deck, hoping to find a playable card.

Features of Uno

Best played with 2 to 10 players.
Suitable for ages 7 and up.
The rules are simple, allowing new players to jump.
Special cards like “Reverse” and “Skip” keep the game unpredictable.

Got Questions?

What games can you play in real life with 3 people?

There are many 3 players game you can play with your friends, families, colleagues, and real time players on the internet. Some of the popular games are Ludo, Snakes & Ladders, Clue, Uno, Monopoly, Gin Rummy, Pictionary, etc.

What games to play in a trio?

There are plenty of games to play with 3 people. Some of the games are

Spades
Ludo
Snakes and Ladders
Ticket to Ride
Pictionary
Monopoly
UNO
Gin Rummy
Pandemic
Clue
Risk

Which game has three players?

Three players game allow 3 people at a time to play. There are many games which allow three players to play at a time, some popular examples are listed below.

Ludo
Snakes and Ladders
Gin Rummy
Spades
Codenames
Uno
Monopoly
Clue
3 card flush

What is a 3-person game?

A 3-player game allows three players to participate in a game and play together locally or via the Internet. The winner is decided at the end of the round. Many classic board games, card games, puzzles, etc, allow three players to play at a time.

Top 16 Games To Play With 3 People