Just like our cups of kopi and matcha, Wordle has become a daily ritual. More than 4 years on from its viral debut, millions of players worldwide – including the TSL team – still open the New York Times app every morning to test their vocabulary in 6 guesses or fewer. Whether it’s to maintain the streak or compete with friends for a faster solve, the starding word makes a bigger difference than one might think.

To uphold our reputation as wordsmiths, we decided to find out which are the best words to start Wordle with. Thankfully, plenty of data scientists – who are equally addicted – have done research into the most optimised 5-letter word for us. Here are 12 of the most efficient starters for your next Wordle round.

TL;DR Start your daily Wordle rounds with SALET, and then CRONY.

What are the rules for Wordle?

World’s a simple game – all you have to do is guess the 5-letter word of the day within 6 tries. After each guess, you get a hint on how close you are – if a tile turns yellow, it means that the letter appears in the word but is at the wrong place. If the tile turns green, the letter is in the right place. A grey tile simply means that the letter doesn’t exist in the word at all.

Wordle is currently run by the New York Times and is completely free to play. All you need to do is to create a free NYT account.

The game resets every day at midnight in the UK, or at 8am in Singapore. No worries if you missed the previous day’s games – past games can be found on the Wordle archive online, also available for free.

1. SALET

If you want the most mathematically-optimised Wordle opener in existence, SALET is it. Mathematician Alex Selby was the first to identify it through an algorithm, and this was also independently verified by at least 14 researchers. However, SALET will never be the answer, as it’s not in the answer bank. But according to the pros, using SALET will let you guess the Wordle in an average of 3.4212 guesses, the lowest of any starting word.

Best second word: CRONY

2. CRATE

CRATE is a double whammy, as it sits high on the algorithmic leaderboard and is also a valid Wordle answer; in fact, it was the word of the day on 3rd August 2021. The letters C, R, A, T, and E are among the most common letters found across all 5-letter English words, and CRATE uses all of them in a single guess.

Best second word: SOUND

3. TRACE

Data analysts have also entered the chat. Researcher Daniel Kats analysed the Wordle dictionary and arrived at TRACE as the word with the lowest average guesses to solve. It also uses the same letters as CRATE, so you can switch things up every other day for options.

Best second word: LOUSY

4. SLATE

Before CRANE, SLATE was the recommended word by the New York Times WordleBot companion. Its individual letters, S, L, A, T, and E are some of the most common letters within the answer pool.

Best second word: CRONY

5. CRANE

CRANE was the OG “best Wordle word to start with”, on both our list and the New York Times’ WordleBot from February 2024 to July 2025. But its reign has since ended after some further analysis by mathematician Grant Sanderson.

Best second word: SPLIT

6. ROAST

If you want a fast win, take a page out of this Reddit user’s book. According to PedanticOwl, there’s a good chance you’ll get the winning combination in just 3 tries when you start Wordle with ROAST. The combination of “roast” and  “cline” gives you a chance of winning on the third guess 46.95% of the time. This is second only to the “clint” + “soare” combination.

Best second word: CLINE

7. AROSE

Another YouTuber, MrExcel.com, who specialises in Excel and statistics, looked at 8,000 five-letter Scrabble words and ended up with AROSE. A, E, O, R, and S are the letters most commonly found in his analysis of words, and together they spell “arose.” Another option to start off is ARISE.

Best second word: UNTIL

8. LEAST

The least expected addition to this list is LEAST. While it doesn’t have a viral YouTube video to back its merit as the best starting word for Wordle, its letters L, E, A, S, and T are some of the most frequent letters seen in the answer bank. It’s also a possible Wordle answer, and achieving that sweet 1/1 guess will always be a flex.

Best second word: ROUND

9. ALTER

ALTER shares the same high-frequency letter cluster as TRACE and CRATE, just in a different arrangement. You could also use LATER, both of which are in the Wordle answer list.

Best second word: SONIC

10. AUDIO

AUDIO is a community favourite that we’ve seen said by many as their go-to starting word since it checks off 4 different vowels and it’s a commonly-used term. Plus, it’s included in the 2,309 possibilities of being a Wordle answer.

Best second word: STERN

11. ADIEU

No, we didn’t forget about ADIEU, but it’s not as efficient of a word as you might think. Like AUDIO, you can find out if the daily Wordle has any vowels immediately. However, it’s not that common of a word, and you should only use it if your strategy involves getting vowels and common consonants out of the way. It’s not an official Wordle word.

Best second word: SNORT

12. SOARE

More than 7 million people watched YouTuber Grant Sanderson’s video on why Crane is the best Wordle starting word. Unfortunately, he got one tiny detail wrong and uploaded a follow-up video naming “SOARE” as the best opener instead, but only if you’re trying to guess it on the first try.

Best second word: CLINT

Other good starting words to use for Wordle

• Dealt
• Roate
• Store
• Stare
• Pious
• Ouija
• Aisle
• Ocean
• About

How to win Wordle every day with the best guessing strategy

Think simple and common. Of the 14,855 words that you can key into Wordle, only 2,309 are possible answers as they are common words, not “aargh.” You can also try to hit common consonants like R, S, and T as it might benefit you more than vowels. While you’re at it, remember that letters can repeat, so don’t be afraid to guess “BUNNY” or “HAPPY.” The New York Times even developed WordleBot to help analyse your answers and give you advice for future Wordles.

If all else fails, you can turn to Unwordle. This website tells you the best word to guess next. It kind of goes against the spirit of Wordle, so use this only as a last resort if you can’t think of a word anymore!

Finally, if 2-word starters aren’t enough, some Wordle players also use 3-word combinations to start. Though its effectiveness is debatable, those that use it swear by it. If you wish to give it a shot, here are some popular combinations:

• SCALY, GUIDE, THORN
• SCALP, TIGER, MOUND
• SPINE, LOATH, MURKY
• INLET, SHARP, DUCKY

What words are not used in Wordle?

In case you’re wondering, offensive words are 100% out of the picture so don’t waste your guesses there. Words in plural and past tense – for example, those that end with “s”, “es” and “ed” – are excluded from Wordle’s list of possible answers. Common names, popular brands, and destinations like countries are excluded as well.

If you wish to play like a pro, search up past Wordle answers. Unlike Taylor Swift’s surprise songs, none of the answers have been repeated so that can help to narrow down the options.

Best words to start Wordle with

Everyone I’ve spoken to has a different strategy when it comes to Wordle. Some people start with a different word every day, while others are determined to guess it in the least attempts possible. There’s no right or wrong way to play the game, but if you’re in the “minimum effort, maximum reward” camp, here’s a list that will keep your Wordle streak going.

Check out similar articles:

• Play Squabble with your friends
• Free online multiplayer games
• Best poker card games

Originally published on 11th February 2022. Last updated by Josiah Neo on 23rd April 2026.

The post 12 Best Starting Words For Wordle, Including Second Word To Maximise Guesses appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

For most of us, taking the MRT has become second nature due to the amount of time we’ve spent in its train cabins. As such, you might be pretty confident when it comes to identifying stations in our ever-expanding rail network, from the newly minted Thomson-East Coast Line to the one that started it all, the North-South Line.

But this new time waster will have you questioning your MRT knowledge. Enter MRT Guessr, a fun online game developed by an SUTD student that tests how well you know the locations of Singapore’s MRT stations. Here’s all you need to know about it before you start chasing high scores.

What is MRT Guessr?

Image adapted from: MRT Guessr

MRT Guessr is an online, browser-based game created by Rat Games Studio, a local game development team spearheaded by Aaron Tua, a Design and AI student at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

You can play MRT Guessr on both your smartphone and computer; simply load it up with your preferred browser, and you’re good to go; no download required. The goal of the game is to correctly identify MRT stations on LTA’s MRT system map, and in some game modes, in the shortest possible time.

Image adapted from: MRT Guessr

As of writing, there are 5 game modes available: Daily Challenge, Quickplay, Multiplayer, Singapore Tour, and Speed Run, but the main gist of the game is simple. Each game will begin with an unmarked MRT system map, and you’ll be given an MRT station to point out on the map.

BTW, LRT stations aren’t included in the game, and if you’d like to show some love, you can tip Aaron for his hard work via Ko-fi link, in denominations of $3.

Daily Challenge

MRT Guessr’s Daily Challenge features a fixed set of 5 MRT stations to pinpoint correctly. You’ve got 3 tries to do so for each of them, and if you guessed wrong, a hint will pop up on the top left.

Image adapted from: MRT Guessr

You’ll first be given which line the station sits on, and then the general region of Singapore it’s located in. If you still can’t get it, a red circle will appear on the map, revealing where the station is. After you’re done guessing all 5 stations, you’ll be given a score based on how well you did.

Much like how Wordle works, these 5 random MRT stations are the same for every player and will reset daily, so you can see how you measure against your friends. You’ll only be able to play the Daily Challenge once every day, so make each attempt count.

Quickplay

MRT Guessr’s Quickplay mode is essentially the exact same as its Daily Challenge, but you’ll be able to attempt it as many times as you want.

Multiplayer

Mulitplayer is the latest game mode added by the developers, where you can flex your MRT station expertise with a friendly competition. Simply enter a username, click “Create lobby”, and send the game invite link to your group chat. You don’t have to wait for everyone to enter the lobby before you start, it’s OTOT.

Image adapted from: MRT Guessr

You’ll be given a total of 10 stations to identify correctly, and you’ll be timed too, for an added layer of anxiety. At the end of it all, your username will appear on a leaderboard, and your score will be based on how many attempts you take per station and how quickly you breeze through them.

Singapore Tou

You’ll want to sit down for this one, as the Singapore Tour mode will have you naming each and every one of the Little Red Dot’s 146 MRT stations.

Image adapted from: MRT Guessr

It took me just under 12 minutes to get them all, and it was pretty dang difficult, since I had been brought up in the East with no inkling where places like Bukit Gombak and Marsiling were. Heck, I don’t think I’ve even alighted the train at these stations.

You can also submit your scores to be featured on the leaderboard. Right now, the fastest anyone has completed the Singapore Challenge is 3 minutes; a feat that definitely deserves its own congratulatory post on LinkedIn.

Speedrun

Image adapted from: MRT Guessr

Speaking of leaderboards, if you’re truly the competitive sort, the Speedrun mode will be up your alley. As usual, you’ve got 5 stations to correctly identify, and you’ll be timed. But, for each wrong attempt, 5 seconds will be added to your timer. The fastest time on the Speedrun mode’s leaderboard is 4.87 seconds, which is mighty impressive.

Try the MRT Guessr game on your daily commute

The MRT Guessr game took our team by storm, and as I’m writing this article, I’ve got a couple of colleagues pitting their skills against each other in its new Multiplayer mode. Give it a try on your daily commute, and you’ll find it to be oddly addictive; just remember not to miss your stop.

For more interesting MRT-related reads:

• Everything you need to know about the upcoming Cross-Island Line
• Funny MRT station names & their history
• Ranking the best MRT toilets

Also read: 13 Free Online Games To Play With Friends Like Among Us & Cards Against Humanity

Cover image adapted from: MRT Guessr

The post There’s An Online MRT Guessing Game With 5 Challenge Modes That Might Humble You Real Quick appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Chinese New Year gatherings are that one time a year many of us get to catch up with relatives. But after some 364 days of not seeing them, we might have to face the dreaded small talk to get through the festivities. Thankfully, poker card games can always easily solve this conundrum.

Competition is always a great way to break any ice, so here are 8 poker card games to keep everyone entertained, instead of racking your brain for how to siam questions about your love life.

Is it legal to gamble at home in Singapore?

Yes, under the Gambling Control Act, social gambling in the privacy of your own home with friends and family is permitted.

What’s not allowed is running a gambling den where:

• The host earns a cut or commission.
• Participants win additional prize money apart from whatever’s in the betting pool (e.g. cash prize for participating).
• Strangers are invited to play.
• The gambling takes place in a public space, including HDB void decks, hotels and chalets, dining establishments, event spaces, and community centres.

If in doubt, choose to gamble at home or with cash prize alternatives, such as with tokens or points just to keep track of who’s won.

Gambling can become a problem when it is no longer a casual recreational activity, but an addiction that brings harm to families and communities. If you or someone you know is facing a gambling problem, you may seek counselling by calling the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800 666 8668.

What do I need to play CNY poker card games?

Just a standard deck of poker cards, which you probably already have lying around the house. This will have 4 suits of 13 cards each: Heart (red), Diamond (red), Club (black), Spade (black). A pack of cards usually includes 2 joker cards as well, which you may or may not use, depending on the house rules of the games you’re playing.

To keep track of how much everyone is winning – or losing – you’ll need poker chips in various colours so you can assign values to them.

Get poker cards and poker chips on Amazon.

Common terms in poker card games

(Rank) of (suit): The ace of clubs, two of hearts, jack of spades, queen of hearts and king of diamonds.

Before you start, here are some common terms you’ll hear while playing, especially if you’re a card game newbie:

• Rank refers to the card’s “number” itself, i.e. 2-10, jack, queen, king, and ace.
• Value refers to the numeric value given to a card. For example, an ace can be worth 1 or 11 in Blackjack.
• A suit refers to one of the 4 categories – or shapes – that a card belongs to, i.e. diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades.
• To call is to place a bet by matching the previous amount placed by another player.
• To raise is to place a bet that is higher than the previous amount placed by another player.
• To check is to maintain the original bet amount. If you previously raised a bet, you’ll be the last player to check.
• To fold is to end a turn without placing any bets.

1. Go Fish

Image credit: The Spruce Crafts

We all have that one blur sotong friend in the group – try teaching them Poker and you may start tearing up. Luckily, Go Fish would be your go-to poker card game as it is a simple one that even kids can pick up in a jiffy.

Difficulty score: 2/10

Number of players: 2 and above

Go Fish set up: For 2-player games, deal 7 cards each. For 3-player and above games, deal 5 cards each. All remaining cards go in a “pond” in the middle of the table.

How to play Go Fish: Player 1 asks anyone in the circle for any rank they already have currently in their hands. For example, Player 1 has a queen of hearts, they may ask Player 2 if they have any queens. If Player 2 does, they’ll then have to give you all the queens they have. If not, Player 2 can tell you to “go fish” and you’ll have to pick up a card from the pond.

Upon getting all 4 cards of the same rank, put that set down. The game ends when a player puts down all their cards or the pond empties.

How to win Go Fish: Match sets of 4 same ranks to form a “book”. The player with the most books wins.

2. Old Maid

Another game about matching cards, Old Maid requires players to pair cards of the same rank and pick out a random card from the previous player to form more pairs.

The twist is that there’s an odd number of queens in the deck, so you’ll have to avoid being the last player with a single queen card. For kids, it’s an easy way of teaching them how to hold a poker face – if their opponent looks happy when you hover a card, it might just be a sign you’re about to lose the game!

Difficulty score: 2/10

Number of players: 2-8

Old Maid set up: Remove 1 or 3 queens from the deck. The odd queen left is the Old Maid. Deal the rest of the cards to all the players evenly.

How to play Old Maid: Discard any pairs of the same rank from your hand. If you’ve got 3 of a kind, you’ll need to keep the extra card. When it’s your turn, the player to your left should hold up their cards – backs facing you – and let you pick a card.

If the card’s rank matches another one in your hand, put down that pair. If not, add it to your hand. The game goes clockwise until everyone puts down their pairs, and ends when the last player has the odd queen card, or the old maid, left in their hand.

How to win Old Maid: The game continues until one person is left with the last remaining queen. That person now loses and is out of the game. You can also continue with more rounds to eliminate players until the last person standing wins.

3. High-Low

A toddler could easily play High-Low, as long as he knows how to count. It’s a quick poker card game to easily pass the time and grow your angbao collection once you get the hang of it.

Difficulty: 2/10

Number of players: 2 and up

High-Low set up: Everyone contributes a bet amount to the pot first. Appoint a dealer who’ll then throw a card facing up at each person’s turn. You’ll make a bet amounting to as much as the pot during your turn.

High-Low card values: Cards are ranked in running order from ace to king. In some variations, the ranks go in a cycle, so an ace can also be considered higher than a king.

How to play High-Low: After the initial card has been thrown, everyone makes a bet if the next card will have a higher or lower value. If your prediction is right, you win the total bet amount divided between the number of winners. If your prediction is wrong, you lose your bet amount.

How to win High-Low: The best part of High-Low is enforcing a no pass rule, so everyone has to make a prediction, no matter the outcome.

Most common High-Low scenarios and bet wins/losses:

• Prediction is correct: win bet amount.
• Prediction is wrong: lose bet amount.
• Card is of same rank as initial card: no win or loss of bet amount.
• If your version allows ace to be of higher rank than a king, and the initial card thrown is a king and the second card is an ace, and the prediction was ‘low’: lose double the bet amount to the pot.

4. Ninety-nine

For those who are good at quick maf, Ninety-nine would be a piece of cake. Each player takes turns to add a card into the discard pile and call out its total value before drawing a new card. And as its name suggests, the goal of the game is to ensure that the pile’s total value does not exceed 99 during your turn, or you lose!

If you’re lucky enough to have low-value cards as the pile approaches the limit of 99, you could sabo the next player too.

Difficulty score: 3/10

Number of players: 2 and up

Ninety-nine set up: Deal 3 cards per player. Place the remaining cards face down in the centre of the table as the draw pile. Leave a spot empty for the discard pile. Additionally, you can also deal 3-5 poker chips per player.

Ninety-nine card values:

• 2-3 and 5-8: face value
• 4: reverses rotation of gameplay and worth 0 points
• 9: passes the player’s turn and worth 0 points
• 10: -10 points or +10 points (player decides)
• Jack and queen: 10 points
• King: brings value of the discard pile to 99

How to play Ninety-nine: Throw a card into the discard pile and count the value. Then say the new value out loud. Replace the thrown card by drawing from the draw pile. Count until the value of the discard pile reaches 99, not more. The value of the discard pile then resets to 0 and the game continues until there are no more cards left.

How to win Ninety-nine: The player who throws a card that exceeds 99 then loses a poker chip. Once a player loses all their chips, they’ll be eliminated from the game. The last player standing wins.

5. Indian Poker

The objective of Indian Poker is simple: the player with the highest value card wins. Sounds easy, right? Not quite. Unlike most poker card games where you’ll know what cards you have, this one amps up the suspense by letting you see everyone’s cards but your own.

Difficulty score: 3/10

Number of players: 2-8

Indian Poker set up: Deal one card face down to each player. They’ll then hold it to their foreheads without looking at their card.

How to play Indian Poker: You can see your opponent’s card, so you’ll want to bluff them into thinking that they have a high or low value, so they’ll place a bet. This goes around the table with players either folding, calling, or raising the bet. The betting ends when all players have called on the bet.

How to win Indian Poker: Folded players can reveal their cards once they’re out. The rest of the players will reveal their cards after the betting round ends. The player with the highest value card wins the pot. The one with the lowest value card will usually have to take a shot as punishment. To prevent people from folding too early, you can also enforce a drinking rule to get them to drink as well.

6. In-between

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Difficulty: 4/10

Possibly one of the easiest poker card games to pick up and to be introduced to social gambling is In-between. All you need is to guess the value of a third card and you’ll be able to win. You can always make calculated guesses and win for the most part. But there’s also a supposed jinx where those who win the whole pot early on will lose in subsequent rounds. You’ve been warned.

Number of players: 2 and up

In-between set up: Everyone contributes a bet amount to the pot first. 2 cards are dealt to one player at a time. The dealer will then reveal a third card after a bet is made. This continues for all players.

In-between card values: Cards are ranked in running order from ace to king.

How to play In-between: When the 2 cards are dealt in front of you, you’ll have to guess whether or not the third card will have a value between both cards.

How to win In-between: Some variations of In-between allow players to pass on their turn if they don’t have confidence that the third card will have an in-between value. If they’re right, they don’t lose their bet or win anything from the pot. But if they’re wrong, they’ll lose their bet.

Most common In-between combinations and bet wins/losses:

• Third card value is in between first 2 cards: win bet amount.
• Third card value is not between first 2 cards: lose bet amount to the pot.
• Third card value equals any of the first 2 cards: lose double bet amount to the pot.
• First 2 cards are in sequence order (e.g. 5 of clubs and 6 of diamonds): lose minimum bet amount to the pot.
• First 2 cards are of same rank (e.g. ace of spade and ace of hearts): win double the minimum bet amount from the pot.

7. Stress

The layout of the game involves 2 central piles and 4 rows of distinct card ranks per player.

The layout of the game involves 2 central piles and 4 rows of distinct card ranks per player.

Most of us would remember playing the UNO variant of this game where having lightning-fast reaction times is key. If you don’t, Stress involves placing cards down and reacting quickly based on the rank of the cards. It is one of the most fast-paced and exciting card games that vary in difficulty depending on your opponents.

Difficulty score: 5/10

Number of players: 2

Stress set up: Split the deck of cards evenly between both players – 26 cards each. Each player should open the top 4 cards of their deck and place them on the table in front of them. If there are cards of the same rank, place them on top of each other. Each player will then open one card from their own deck to make 2 discard piles in the middle of the table.

How to play Stress: Using cards from your row of 4, add to either discard pile in rank order in either direction, up or down – 5 can follow a 6 or 4, and aces come after a king. Replace the empty slots in your row with new cards from your deck.

If you can’t put down any cards, you’ll need to wait till your opponent can’t as well before each of you opens a new card from the deck in your hand into the discard pile. You might reach a point where there are no more cards for you to overturn. When that happens, both players can close their eyes and randomly grab a card from their discard pile to use as their new start card.

Watch for the cards in the discard piles. If both discard piles show the same card, you must be the first to yell “Stress!” and place your hand on either discard pile. Your opponent must then take all the cards in the discard pile except the 2 last cards, and add them to their deck.

How to win Stress: Your goal is to get rid of your cards, so getting the smaller deck during Stress is important. If Stress doesn’t occur during a round, the first person to finish all the cards in their hand wins.

8. Bluff

Remember calling out your friends as kids with the phrase “liar liar, pants on fire”? Do that again with Bluff, a.k.a. Cheat or BS, where opponents are called out if you think they’re lying about the rank of their card.

Difficulty score: 5/10

Number of players: 2-6

Bluff set up: Split a deck evenly among all players.

How to play Bluff: Nominate someone to take the lead. The lead will put one card face down and call a rank. The next player then puts down any number of cards of the rank one higher, or one lower. This continues until someone calls Bluff.

Since there are only 4 cards to each rank, it’s very possible that someone throws down a false called rank card. At any time you think that’s happening, you can call out “Bluff!” to the last player. They’ll then have to overturn the stack to show if they’ve been bluffing. If they did bluff, they must take all the cards in the stack. If they were not bluffing, then the stack goes to you and into your hand.

How to win Bluff: Be the first one to get rid of all your cards. There’s strategy involved in knowing when to bluff and when to hold back.

9. Mafia

As Singaporeans who’ve been through camps and chalet gatherings when we were younger, it’s safe to say that most of us would have played a version of this game without cards called Polar Bear, Werewolf, or Mafia. But here’s a version you can play with a deck of poker cards.

Difficulty score: 7/10

Number of players: 6-16 with 1 non-playing moderator

Mafia set up:

Players will be assigned a role based on the card they receive:

1. Ace = Mafia (2-4 players)
2. King = Sheriff (1-3 players)
3. Queen = Doctor (1 player)
4. Others = Civilian (0-7 players)

How to play Mafia: Everyone closes their eyes and the moderator will ask the mafia, doctor, and sheriffs to take turns opening their eyes. When these players have their eyes open, they’ll choose a player to kill, save, or identify as a mafia respectively.

Everyone then opens their eyes and the moderator will let all players know who has been killed or saved. The players will then have some time to discuss and collectively vote on who they think the mafia is. The voted player is then eliminated.

How to win Mafia: The objective of the mafia is to kill the sheriff or all players in the game without being detected. For everyone else, you win if the mafia is killed. The trick to winning is to seem the least sus as possible to your fellow players!

10. Dai Di (Big Two)

Dai Di was my introduction to poker card games when I was still in primary school. It’s a game that’s relatively easy to pick up, but knowing the best hands to throw is where skill and strategy is needed. Unlike most games where the ace or king is the highest-ranking card, Dai Di sees the 2 card as the highest in gameplay.

Difficulty: 7/10

Number of players: 2 and up

Dai Di set up: Distribute a deck of cards evenly among players. In some variations, if the 52 cards cannot be split equally, any leftover cards go into a ‘pass’ pile.

Dai Di card values:

Both ranks and suits follow a specific order for Dai Dai. 3 is the smallest rank, followed by 4 till king, then ace, then 2, which is the biggest card. As for suits, from smallest to biggest suit, goes diamond, club, heart, spade. Therefore, the 3 of diamonds is the smallest card, and 2 of spades is the biggest card.

How to play Dai Di: The player with the smallest card (3 of diamonds) goes first. They can choose to put down a single card or a combination such as double, triple, or group of 5. The next player must throw down a combination that is of higher standing than the previous player.

For example, if player A throws down 3 of diamonds and 3 of spades, player B cannot throw a 3 of clubs and 3 of hearts, even if he has it in his hand. He must throw a double of higher value, such as a pair of 4s with any suit. If a player doesn’t have a higher combination, they may skip their turn. If there are cards in the ‘pass’ pile, they must take one and add it to their hand.

If everyone has done a pass, the game restarts and the player who threw the last card gets to decide which card(s) to start with. For example, if player A throws a 2 of spades, they’ll automatically get to go again since no other card can be put down. He can then start the game with a triple 6 or any combination of cards in his hand.

How to win Dai Di: Your goal is to be the first to get rid of all the cards in your hand. If any betting is involved, this could mean winning the pot. In some games, the play continues and the last one to get rid of their cards will have to throw an extra chip into the pot in the next round.

If you’ve got a 2 in your hand, knowing when to throw it down is crucial. You don’t want to throw it too early or you’ll be at a disadvantage as the game progresses. You’re also not allowed to end a game with a 2 in your hand. In some cases, that calls for the player to pay the bet amount to the other players.

Here are the most common Dai Di 5-card combinations you can throw:

• Straight: 5 cards in ascending rank order, regardless of suit.
• Flush: 5 cards of any rank, but all of the same suit.
• Full house: 1 triple and 1 pair.
• 4 of a kind: 4 of any rank and 1 other card of any rank and suit.
• Straight flush: 5 cards in ascending rank order and all of the same suit.

11. Ban Luck or Blackjack

One of the most popular poker card games you’ll see people play during CNY gatherings is Ban Luck or Blackjack. It’s another game that requires quick and calculative counting to win. In fact, you can even increase your chances of winning if you know how to count cards – i.e. the probability of getting a certain card to hit 21. If you plan on playing in casinos, just note that counting cards is almost always banned.

Difficulty score: 7/10

Number of players: 2 and up

Ban Luck set up: Nominate one person to be the banker who will deal 2 cards to each player. Everyone places a standard bet to participate.

Ban Luck card values:

• 2-10: face value
• Picture cards: 10 points
• Ace: this depends on the number of cards in your hand:
  • 2 cards: 10 or 11 points
  • 3 cards: 1 or 10 points
  • 4 cards: 1 point

How to play Ban Luck: Both the banker and players must have at least 16 points to proceed with play. If your hand has less than 16 points, you must draw from the banker when it’s your turn. You can have a maximum of 6 cards in your hand before everyone has to show their cards.

The exception is when your first 2 cards amount to 15 points. You can then decide to fold and keep your bet.

How to win Ban Luck: The objective of the game is to hit 21 points or as close as possible without exceeding it, in as few cards as possible. However, if you have a hand of 5 that is less than 16, you lose instantly and must pay 2 times your bet amount to the banker.

The major difference between players and the banker is that players only play against the banker, so only your hand matters. The banker, on the other hand, plays against all the players. For example, if player A hits 17 and the banker hits 18, player A has to pay the banker. But if player B hits 19 and player C hits 20, then the banker has to pay both players B and C.

Here are the most common Ban Luck winning combinations and bet wins:

• Ban ban: A pair of aces. Win 3 times your bet.
• Ban luck: 1 ace and either a 10 or a picture card. Win 2 times your bet.
• 7-7-7: A hand of triple 7s. Win 7 times your bet.
• Dragon: A hand of 5 cards with a value of more than 16 but less than 21. Win 2 times your bet.

12. Baccarat

Baccarat is only complicated because you’re only looking at one digit to determine whether or not you can win your bet. Like Ban Luck, In-between, and even High-Low, you can technically count cards and make an educated guess, but there’s way more math involved. If you can calculate probabilities, then this is the poker card game for you. If not, it’s still a fun game to host during CNY.

Difficulty: 8/10

Number of players: 2 and up

Baccarat set up: Everyone contributes a bet amount to the pot first. Then, 2 cards are dealt to everyone face up.

Baccarat card values:

• 2-9: face value
• 10 and picture cards: 0 points
• Ace: 1 point

How to play Baccarat: Calculate your total points but only look at the number in the ones position. For example, if you draw a 7 and an 8, your total would be 15, and the number you’ll need to take note of is 5.

A third card can be drawn to get your number closer to 9. All players can do this and after this round, the final numbers are tallied.

How to win Baccarat: Of course, for each round, the closest to 9 wins, and the fewer draws you need means better luck for you.

Most common Baccarat combinations and bet wins/losses:

• First 2 cards total 8 or 9: this is considered a natural, and you’ll win your bet. In some variations, you could possibly win double your bet amount.
• First 2 cards total <5: must draw a third card. If you get 8 or 9, you win your bet amount.
• First 2 cards total 6-7: you may stand and not draw a third card. If after a third card is drawn by other players and you have the highest value, you win your bet amount.
• You and dealer have same total: no win or loss of bet amount.

13. Texas Hold ‘em Poker

The Royal Flush, the strongest combination of cards in poker.

Texas Hold ‘em Poker is a game that involves deception, risk-taking, and memorising a huge combination of cards. Most of us would know of the term “poker face”, which is what you’ll need to master to avoid giving away how strong your hand is while tricking your opponents into taking risks.

This simplified version revolves around trying to construct the strongest poker hand. Even if you have no idea what’s going on, you can simply try bluffing your opponents and hoping none of them catch on.

Difficulty score: 9/10

Number of players: 2-8

Texas Hold’em set up: Dealer deals 2 cards face down to each player. Everyone makes a bet based on their 2 cards, and after the bets are made, a card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is a community card. There are 5 rounds of betting where players can raise, call, check, or fold, which also means 5 community cards on the table.

Blinds can be added to a game to make them more competitive. This involves having up to 2 players, usually seated to the left of the dealer, make forced bets. Player A will make a small blind, usually half the minimum bet set by the group, while Player B will make a big blind, typically the minimum.

As more rounds take place, the setting of blinds can be shifted to other players to keep the game fair. Whenever a new community card is thrown onto the table, the players have the option to call the big blind, raise the small blind (hence tripling the small blind bet), or fold.

How to play Texas Hold’em: Each player will then build a 5-card poker hand based on the cards shown on the table. In constructing your hand, you may use a combination of any of the cards available to you, such as 2 of your own, and 3 from the table, up to all 5 from the table.

Players still in the round will then reveal their hand of 5 to each other.

How to win Texas Hold’em: Similar to the 5-card hands in Dai Di, you’ll want the strongest 5-card combo to win. Then you win the entire pot. If you fold, you get to keep your bet amount, although some variations may impose a penalty where you have to add a chip to the pot when folding.

Here are the most common Texas Hold’em 5-card combinations you can throw:

• High card: Hand includes an ace, jack, king, or queen, and any 4 cards.
• 1 pair: 1 pair of same rank, and any 3 cards.
• 2 pair: 2 pairs of same rank, and any 1 card.
• 3 of a kind: 1 triple rank and any 2 cards.
• Straight: 5 cards in ascending rank order, regardless of suit.
• Flush: 5 cards of any rank, but all of the same suit.
• Full house: 1 triple rank and 1 pair rank.
• 4 of a kind: 4 of any rank and 1 other card of any rank and suit.
• Straight flush: 5 cards in ascending rank order and all of the same suit.
• Royal flush: 10, jack, queen, king, and ace of the same suit.

Should players have matching hands, then the player with the highest-ranked card wins the pot. On the rare occasion that it’s equal, the pot will be split among both players.

Poker card games to enjoy with friends

With these games of varying difficulty, you’ll now have plenty of game ideas to pick and choose from to play with your friends and family. If your new card game kakis are willing, turn these playing card games into a lifelong hobby so you’ll always have something fun to do together during gatherings.

Check out more CNY things to do:

• Hotpot hacks for CNY
• CNY markets in JB
• Cute merch to cop during CNY
• River Hongbao 2026

Photography by Justin Oh and Huiwen Chan.
Last updated by Jasper Yip on 27th January 2026.

The post 13 Poker Card Games To Skip Small Talk At Your CNY Gatherings, Ranked From Noob To Pro Player appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Calling all Pokémon trainers and trading card fanatics – Singapore is getting a dedicated space for you to battle it out, and it’s the first of its kind in the world. The Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe, opening at *SCAPE on 18th January 2026, is an official venue fully dedicated to Pokémon, unlike other game shops that cater to all types of trading card games (TCG).

Just last year in August, the first Pokémon TCG Gym opened in Guangzhou. This one at *SCAPE is a Deluxe version of that gym; what additions does a “deluxe” version of the gym bring? No clue. But still, here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *Scape.

Learn how to be a Pokémon trainer

Don’t fret, even if you have zero experience with Pokémon cards or being a Pokémon trainer. After all, even Ash Ketchum started out as a noob. At the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *SCAPE, there will be New Trainer Journey sessions meant to guide you to becoming the very best like no one ever was.

Image credit: Pokémon Singapore

Each New Trainer Journey experience first starts with a Trial Battle. You don’t need to own any cards or a deck, as the trainers will provide you with all you need. There are 2 battles you can choose from as your tutorial: the Basic Battle and the Mega Evolution Demo Battle.

The Basic Battle comes with a 30-card deck that, as its name suggests, covers the basics of the Pokémon TCG with a simplified ruleset just to give you the vibe of how the game works. The Mega Evolution Demo Battle, on the other hand, throws you into the deep end with a 60-card deck with Mega Pokémon cards included. This is better for those who have some experience with trading card games and want to level up their skills.

After successfully battling it out, participants will be gifted 2 sets of Basic Battle Decks with 30 cards, a large metallic coin, a set of paper damage counters, a rule booklet, and a half-sized playmat to take home. Get more premium loot, like a deck box and card sleeves, by creating a Trainers Website account and following the official Trainers Facebook profile.

Once you’re done with the trial battle, you’ll get a voucher to trade for a Pokémon-themed tote bag at the Pokémon TCG Gym.

Try out Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the Nintendo Switch 2

If you’ve been on the fence about buying a Nintendo Switch 2 or the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game, the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe will let you try the game for free. The game itself is the latest in the Pokémon series and was released just a few months ago in October 2025. One difference is that it uses real-time combat instead of the turn-based battles you might know from older Pokémon games.

Buy official Pokémon merch

Image credit: Pokémon Singapore

When your battles are won, treat yourself to some official Pokémon merchandise at the store. From plushies to building block toy sets and even boxes of cards to open, you can rest assured that all the merch at the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe is licensed and legit.

Catch them all at the new Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *SCAPE

Even though you might not be well-versed in trading card games, the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *SCAPE has plenty to offer beyond card battles. Plus, it’s still a fun new hangout whether you grew up hunting Shiny Pokémon on your Game Boy or accumulated thousands of steps thanks to Pokémon Go. After all, everyone is there to celebrate Pokémon.

On top of the TCG games, the venue will also feature a Pokémon MEZASTAR corner, as well as a Pokémon Gym Battle for you to put your battling skills to the test. Pokémon trainers who have an artistic eye can also pick up some Pokémon TCG colouring sheets to fill in between battles. The Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe will be open on 18th January 2026 from 11am-9pm.

Check out other Pokémon-related articles:

• Guide to collecting Pokémon cards
• PokéPark Kanto to open in Japan in February 2026
• How to redeem Pokémon pickleball gear from FairPrice

Cover image credit: Pokémon Singapore

The post First Deluxe Pokémon Trading Card Gym In Singapore Opens At *SCAPE On 18th January 2026 appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

When you think of horror games, you might picture sudden jump scares that make you fling your controller across the room. But before Five Nights at Freddy’s and Phasmophobia came along, the foundations of the horror genre were built by classics from the 90s and 2000s.

These OGs didn’t just give us goosebumps – they shaped the mechanics, storytelling, and terrifying vibes modern horror games still draw from today. Here are some classic horror games to revisit or discover this spooky season.

1. Clock Tower (1995)

One of the pioneers of point-and-click survival horror games

Image credit: Steam

If you’re into point-and-click games that keep your heart rate up, Clock Tower (1995) is a gem worth revisiting. You play as Jennifer, an orphan trapped in a creepy mansion, constantly stalked by Scissorman – a pair of giant scissors in human form.

Image credit: Steam

What made Clock Tower so terrifying wasn’t just its haunting soundtrack, but the infamous “panic meter” – when Scissorman closes in, Jennifer would stumble and struggle to run, leaving you sweating over every escape attempt.

Games inspired by Clock Tower today

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit (2024) took major inspiration from the old-school Clock Tower franchise –  something game developer Jay Deighan revealed in an interview. Like Clock Tower, it uses hide-and-evade survival mechanics, forcing you to think fast when a relentless enemy is hot on your heels. On top of that, multiple endings mean every choice counts, so one wrong move could completely change your fate.

The game went on to rack up over 4,800 “overwhelmingly positive” Steam reviews at the time of writing, making it one of the most loved Five Nights at Freddy’s entries to date.

Purchase Clock Tower ($29) and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit ($18.50).

2. Silent Hill 2 (2001)

An original & terrifying psychological masterpiece 

Image credit: Steam

At some point in our lives, some of us may have that one guilty conscience that we find difficult shaking off – now imagine that feeling manifesting itself into a horrifying and monstrous form, to haunt you in real life. That’s the reality of James Sunderland, the main character you play in Silent Hill 2 (2001), who visits the fog-filled town upon receiving a letter from his missing wife to meet him there.

Image credit: Steam

What follows isn’t merely a horror story, but a distressing journey of unending psychological torment. James enters Silent Hill as he confronts his deepest fears and traumas, manifested in grotesque, human-like creatures, all while unravelling the town’s dark mysteries in search of his wife.

Players often describe feeling an unsettling sense of melancholy throughout the game, as monstrous beings emerge to attack – seemingly as punishment for James’s sins.

Games inspired by Silent Hill today

Image credit: Steam

2 decades since the successful release of countless Silent Hill games, Taiwanese studio NeoBards Entertainment created Silent Hill f – the newest entry in the franchise, which draws inspiration directly from the tone of Silent Hill 2. The new game reportedly sold over a million copies on its first day of release in 2025.

Purchase Silent Hill 2 ($87.11) and Silent Hill f ($84.70).

3. Resident Evil (2002)

The iconic blueprint of survival horror games 

Image credit: Fandom

Imagine this: you’re in a police special force unit sent to uncover murders occurring in a city, only to be attacked by zombie dogs, and your only option is to seek refuge in an eerie mansion. That’s only the beginning for something much deeper unravelling in the Resident Evil (2002) gameplay.

Image credit: Steam

Trapped in the infamous Spencer mansion – a disguise for a top-secret underground laboratory for biological weapons – you’re tasked to solve puzzles and explore the vicinity while being stalked by zombies roaming around.

What makes this game so iconic is its fixed-camera angle playstyle, so you literally can’t tell if there’s danger lurking in a corner. Not only that, but the in-game inventory space is very limited, which forces you to manage your resources very carefully.

This mix of suspense, problem-solving, and realism in the gameplay is what players adore till today, forming the building blocks of the Resident Evil storyline for more games to come.

Games inspired by Resident Evil today

Image credit: Steam

Indie survival horror game Heartworm (2025) brings back the nostalgic fixed-camera angle made famous by the Resident Evil franchise, paired with a retro-style aesthetic that hits right in the feels for old-school gamers. Ever since its release on Steam, the game has earned a “Very Positive” rating – proof that vintage horror still has a hold on us.

Purchase Resident Evil ($24.90) and Heartworm ($14.50).

4. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (2003)

Japanese-style survival horror game

Image credit: Wikipedia

Ghost hunting may seem like fun and games to some, but what happens when you actually get a photo of a ghostly apparition on your camera on the spot? In Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (2003), you can’t freak out or run away when that happens; your camera is your only best friend, acting as a weapon for you to fend off ghosts in-game.

Image credit: Fandom

The game revolves around 2 sisters who find themselves lost in a haunted village, with no choice but to fend for themselves using the Camera Obscura – their only means of protection from evil ghosts. And the scariest part is you can’t just snap photos of ghosts like shooting bullets at a target upon sight; you have to take the “fatal frame” shot – a photo of the ghost a few seconds before it attacks for the strongest effect.

This gameplay mechanic leaves players sweating buckets as they come face-to-face with near-death in-game if they fail to take the right shot in a short amount of time. And with the ominous music, suffocating walls, and worn-out tatami mats closing in, the whole experience feels like a slow, terrifying descent into madness.

Image credit: PlayStation Universe

Since its rise to fame in the early 2000s, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly has become a cult classic – and now, it will be getting a remake with better gameplay, graphics, audio, and mechanics for existing and new players to enjoy.

Games inspired by Fatal Frame today

Image credit: IGN

Both the 2014 and 2020 versions of DreadOut took massive inspiration from the Fatal Frame series – most notably in how players fend off ghosts using the main character’s smartphone as their main weapon.

But what sets both games apart is the type of ghosts involved: Fatal Frame draws on Japanese mythology, while DreadOut brings Indonesian folklore to life.

Purchase Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake (price TBA), DreadOut ($14.50) and DreadOut 2 ($18.50).

5. Dead Space (2008)

Survival horror game set in space

Image credit: Steam

In the year 2508, humans are facing near extinction due to the lack of resources on Earth, and the only way to prevent that is to get resources from outer space through Planetcracker ships. But as the game’s name suggests, there are sinister creatures lurking outside the Earth’s crust.

Image credit: Steam

Throughout Dead Space (2008), you’re bound to an enormous mining ship in space, called USG Ishimura, and tasked to find supplies to bring back to Earth. You’ll have to navigate tight spaces within the confines of the spaceship, which often makes players feel quite claustrophobic. While exploring in a dimly lit and eerily quaint setting, grotesque creatures called Necromorphs pop up when you least expect them.

The game was well-liked and praised for its immersive and unique gameplay, and was a standout in the survival horror genre.

Games inspired by Dead Space today

Image credit: Steam

Considered the spiritual successor to Dead Space, The Callisto Protocol was created by Glen Schofield, the co-creator behind the original Dead Space franchise. What sets this award-winning game apart is its combat system, which focuses on melee combat instead of the usual firearm-heavy gameplay.

Since its release in 2022, it’s reported to have sold over 3 million copies, and is available on Steam for those curious to try it out as well.

Purchase Dead Space ($24.90) and The Callisto Protocol ($49).

6. Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)

Popular first-person survival horror game

Image credit: Steam

If you’ve ever watched YouTuber PewDiePie in his earlier years, you may have heard of Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010), an intense first-person survival horror game where you solve puzzles and mysteries in a castle while hiding from monsters.

With no weapons to defend yourself, the game keeps you constantly on edge, forcing you to stay alert and rely purely on stealth and sheer willpower to survive.

Image credit: Screen Rant

This iconic game leans hard into your character’s helplessness, forcing you to leverage your surroundings to hide and crack puzzles to avoid monsters, even when they’re approaching you headfirst.

Adding to the tension is its unique sanity meter. In first-person mode, close encounters with monsters will turn players’ screens into a blur and trigger eerie auditory hallucinations, cranking up the fear factor and immersing you fully in the nightmare.

Games inspired by Amnesia: The Dark Descent today

Image credit: Steam

Another horror favourite, Outlast, in its 2013 and 2017 versions, took heavy inspiration from Amnesia: The Dark Descent, from its first-person horror setting to the tense run-and-hide gameplay.

What makes Outlast stand out is the way it delivers scares – from the twisted design of its monsters to just how often they appear around each checkpoint. Players obviously loved it too, with the game garnering an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam.

Purchase Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010) ($18.50), Outlast ($14.50) and Outlast 2 ($18.50).

Classic horror games that carried the horror genre

While a lot of modern horror games nowadays rely on cheap jumpscares to throw players off, there are also plenty that deliver a truly horrifying experience – and even if they’re not an OG themselves, they were probably inspired by one.

This Halloween, gather your friends, dim the lights, and dive into some spine-chilling games for a scare-worthy night.

More horror reads:

• Horror movies & series on Netflix
• Most haunted hotels in BKK
• Most haunted places in Singapore

Cover image adapted from: Steam

The post 6 Classic Horror Games From The 90s & 2000s That Paved The Way For Modern Titles appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

As a Gen Z kid who grew up with Millennial siblings and cousins, I got pretty familiar with these games and even have some old sets lying around. Don’t you just miss those days? Festivities like CNY and Hari Raya used to mean hours of non-stop card and board games with family and friends.

Fast forward to now, and everyone’s glued to their screens, while these classic games are left by the wayside. But at some point, everyone needs a mobile phone detox every now and then, and what better way to spend that screen-free time than by enjoying some of these timeless faves?

Are these card & board games hard to learn?

No, most of these games are quite beginner-friendly – even young kids can join in the fun. If you find yourself struggling with the gameplay, just keep practising and practising. The key is to take it slow and enjoy the process.

And when it comes to rules, our lovely Mr Google will always be there to lend a helping hand. House rules are an option too – everyone has that one questionable rule in Monopoly Deal or Uno that they’ll defend with their lives.

Where to buy these card & board games?

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

You’ll actually be able to find these games easily on online retailers like Amazon and Shopee. They’re reasonably priced and stick to the classic designs we all grew up with.

Or just ask your older family members if they still have any tucked away in storage. Not only will you be getting your hands on vintage items, but you will also get to soak up all the memories and love attached to those games.

– Card games –

1. Snap

Tests your focus & speed

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

Growing up, the version I knew best was the one where you smack your hands on the card and yell, “Snap!” There’s nothing quite like that adrenaline rush when you realise you’ve successfully won that round.

The whole point of the smack is to determine who wins. Whoever has their hands right on top of the matching pair wins fair and square. Be warned – this will hurt more as you play, so try to be as calm about it as possible.

Number of players: 2 and up

Aim of the game: Collect as many matching pairs as you can.

How to play:

1. Hand out all the cards to all players face down.
2. Play “Black and White” AKA “Oh Ya Beh Ya Som” to see who goes first.
3. The first player puts 1 card in the centre face up.
4. Each player takes a turn to put down 1 card, clockwise.
5. When 2 of the same cards land on the top of the pile, slap your hand on it and say, “Snap!”
6. Whoever has their hands directly on top of the pair gets the cards.

How to end the game and win: The game ends after all the cards have been used up. The player with the most pairs wins the game.

2. Old Maid & Donkey

Focus on not losing as opposed to winning the game

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

Some more absolute classics, but these 2 games are a little more ruthless. Old Maid and Donkey don’t end when someone wins, but rather, when someone loses.

The objective here is to match your cards into pairs. Cards will be traded between players, and as the pile slowly dwindles, the tension builds. And the unfortunate soul who ends up with the pair of Old Maids or Donkeys loses that round.

Number of players: 2 and up

Aim of the game: Avoid getting a pair of Donkeys or Old Maids.

How to play:

1. All cards are dealt to the players.
2. Players identify all pairs and place them face up on the table.
3. Player 1 presents their cards on hand at random to Player 2 (the person to the right), and Player 2 picks a random card.
4. Continue playing in an anticlockwise direction.
5. As more pairs are unveiled, the pile of cards in play dwindles until the pair of Donkeys or Old Maids is left.

How to end the game and win: Continue playing until all the matching cards are found. The player with the pair of Old Maids or Donkeys loses. To decide a true winner, repeat the game until there’s 1 player left standing.

3. Happy Family

Time to test your poker face

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

As we all know, there are 4 decks in the classic card games we grew up with. The final one in that set is Happy Family. Don’t let the name of the game fool you – it will turn your family gathering into a scene from Sherlock Holmes. You’ll be strategising against one another, turning on your parents, cousins, and siblings to figure out their hand.

Number of players: 2 to 4

Aim of the game: Collect all the families.

How to play:

1. Each player receives 6 cards. If there are 2 players, each player gets 8 cards.
2. The remaining cards are then placed face down in the centre, known as the “stock”.
3. All players check the cards in their hands.
4. If Player 1 has a yellow family card, they can pick any player and ask, “Can I have the mother from the yellow family?”
5. If that player has the card, they will give the card up, and the game continues with the next player.
6. If Player 2 doesn’t have the card, Player 1 has to take the top card from the stock. If it’s still not the card they need, it’s then the next player’s turn.
7. If Player 1 happens to draw the card they need, they say, “Lucky dip!” Player 1 gets to keep the card and play another turn.
8. Once families are complete, the player places the set face up in front of them.

How to end the game and win: The game ends only when all the families have been reunited. The player with the most families is the winner.

Get a set of Snap, Old Maid, Donkey, and Happy Family ($5.34).

4. Solitaire

Solo game perfect for introverts

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

This is for the more introverted ones among us. Family gatherings can get overwhelming, and sometimes, it’s perfectly fine if you just want to enjoy some alone time. But instead of reaching for your phone, try playing Solitaire.

All you need is a standard deck of poker cards, and you’re good to go.

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

There are 4 main areas you’ll need to set up:

1. The Tableau: The main table with 7 piles of cards.
2. The Foundations: Where you start arranging the cards by suit or sequence. There would be 4 piles, one for each suit: hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs.
3. The Stock Pile (AKA “Hand”): The remaining cards are then left in a pile together, known as the “stock” or “hand”.
4. The Talon Pile (AKA “Waste”): This is where you place the cards with no place in the Tableau or Foundations. Place them face up.

Number of players: 1

Aim of the game: To build foundations in order of sequence and suits using the entire deck.

How to play:

1. The Tableau is dealt, with the top card of each deck faced up.
2. Sort the cards in the Tableau in order of alternating suit and in number sequence. For instance, if you get a club, you can put either a heart or a diamond.
3. If there are any Aces, place them aside as the base of a Foundation. Continue building the Foundations throughout the game.
4. When there are no more moves, open 1 card from the Stock until you can move again.
5. If you’ve cycled through the entire Stock, put them back face down and start sorting again.

How to end the game and win: Once all the cards are sorted into the Foundations, the game ends.

Get poker cards ($6.49).

– Board games –

5. Checkers

For those who like strategy-based games

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

Checkers is like the younger sibling of Chess – the one you begrudgingly bring out to play with your friends. But don’t let the simplicity of the gameplay fool you. The right player will constantly keep you on your toes.

Number of players: 2

Aim of the game: Get all your opponent’s pieces off the board.

How to play:

1. Both players place all their pieces only on the darker squares. The player with the black pieces starts the game.
2. Regular pieces are only allowed to move diagonally forward.
3. When you see an opening, jump your opponent’s pieces.
4. Once your piece reaches your opponent’s end, that piece becomes a King. These pieces are allowed to move forward and backwards.

How to end the game and win: Once there is only 1 player’s pieces on the board, the game ends and the last player standing wins.

6. Snakes & Ladders

Great game for all ages that’s easy to pick up

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

This game has probably caused more squabbles in school than group project drama. If you have a big family with many young children, Snakes and Ladders is a good game to have on hand. Hit the ladder, skip squares and inch ever closer to victory. But strike a snake, and you might just find yourself right back to the beginning.

Number of players: 2 to 6

Aim of the game: Get your piece to the “100” square.

How to play:

1. Play “Black and White” to see who goes first.
2. The first player rolls a die.
3. Move the piece up according to the number on the die (1-6).
4. If the piece reaches the bottom of a ladder, it goes up the ladder and jumps a few squares.
5. If the piece hits the mouth of a snake, it goes down the snake and loses squares.
6. Each player takes a turn in a clockwise direction.

How to end the game and win: The first person to reach the “100” square wins. To end the game, keep playing until everyone reaches the final square.

7. Ludo

600-year-old game turned childhood classic

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

You’ve probably seen this game before, but never had the chance to try it. Trust us – Ludo is an absolute blast. Not only are you racing to finish your own game, but you’re also busy sabotaging everyone else along the way. Nothing bonds – or breaks – friendships quite like sending your cousin’s token straight back to the starting point.

Image credit: ‘Arifah Malik

There are 3 sections to take note of:

1. Home Column: A safe zone for your piece that leads up to the Home Triangle.
2. Home Triangle: End goal. All pieces must reach here to win.
3. Base: Where you store all your pieces that are not in play.

Number of players: 2 to 4

Aim of the game: Get all your pieces to the Home Triangle.

How to play:

1. Everyone rolls a die. Whoever gets the highest number starts the game.
2. With a 6, you can choose to either get a piece out of the Base or move an existing piece by 6 squares.
3. Rolling a 6 also grants you an extra turn. But if you roll a 6 consecutively 3 times, you lose that turn.
4. Keep rolling to move the pieces along in a clockwise direction.
5. If a player lands on the same square as an opponent, the opponent’s piece is bumped back to the base.
6. If 2 or more of a player’s pieces are in 1 square, that area is blocked. Only the owner of the blocked set can pass through it.
7. When a piece enters the Home Column, it can no longer be attacked.
8. To get the piece into the Home Triangle, an exact roll is needed.

How to end the game and win: The first person to have all 4 pieces in the Home Triangle wins. Keep playing until everyone’s pieces are in their Home Triangles to end the game.

Get a multi-game board consisting of Ludo, Checkers, and Snakes & Ladders ($14.44).

8. Backgammon

A game of luck & strategy

You know those game sets that come with a whole bunch of classics in one box? Backgammon is usually tucked away in there, but most of us never actually touch it. Well, better late than never. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll definitely be fighting for the win.

Number of players: 2

Aim of the game: Get all your checkers off the board.

How to play:

1. The checkers can be played in any combination – shift just 1, split between 2, or even move 4 if you roll doubles.
2. No checker is allowed to be on the same stick as an opponent with 2 or more checkers.
3. When the other player has 1 checker on a stick and you land at the same place, that checker will have to be moved to the Bar. Your opponent then has to get that checker out of the Bar before continuing the game.
4. If you roll duplicates, that outcome doubles. Let’s say you roll double 5s – this means you now have a total of 20 moves.

How to end the game and win: Whoever gets their checkers off the board first wins, and the game ends.

Get a multi-game board with Backgammon, Chess & Checkers ($18.42).

Take a walk down memory lane with these nostalgic card & board games 

Sure, you can find all these games online in this digital age, but nothing beats the feeling of slamming a card down or moving pieces across the board with your own hands. It’s also the perfect excuse to rest your eyes and actually put your phone aside for a bit.

More nostalgia pieces:

• P5 NDP memories
• Nostalgic childhood books for Singaporean kids
• Water bottles that everyone had as a kid

Cover image adapted from: ‘Arifah Malik
Photography by ‘Arifah Malik.
A portion of this content may contain referral links where The Smart Local may collect a commission. Our opinions remain our own.

The post 8 Nostalgic Card & Board Games From Your Childhood That You May Have Forgotten & How To Play Them appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Fellow gamers, listen up. After more than 7 years of waiting, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally making its way to our shores – expected to land on 26th June 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about it, from A to Z.

What we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 so far

Its bigger size makes it a more comfortable fit for gamers with larger hands.
Image credit: Nintendo

The Switch 2 differs from its predecessor in almost every aspect. Check out the table below for a comparison of key features that most gamers care about, from screen size to internal storage. Of course, if you’re after the full specs breakdown, head over to the Nintendo website.

Even though the Switch 2 is bigger and better in most ways, it’s not bulkier – it’s still the same 13.9mm thick as the OG model. The Joy-Con controllers have gotten a glow-up too, with bigger buttons for easier pressing, and they now attach magnetically. Heck, they can even be used like a mouse, opening up new possibilities to navigate games like Mario Kart or The Legend of Zelda.

Image adapted from: Nintendo

On that note, there’s a slew of new Nintendo games lined up, such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza, among others. Existing games like Kirby and the Forgotten Land will also be getting the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades – basically the same game, but zhnged up with all the fancy features and settings of the Switch 2.

Image adapted from: Nintendo, @impulsegamingpg via Instagram

Gone are the days when you’d have to prop your Switch up against random household items just to get a decent view. The new adjustable stable stand lets you find the best viewing angle up to 150 degrees. Alternatively, just dock the Switch to your TV’s HDMI port, and enjoy gaming in glorious 4K resolution.

Other new features include a built-in microphone to interact with your gaming buddy and a 3D spatial audio system when tethered to headphones. The console now has 2 USB-C ports too, so you can charge it while it’s docked to the TV.

How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?

The Nintendo Switch 2 alone is priced at $796.50, with the new Mario Kart World game costing USD$79.99 (~S$102.93), adding up to $899.43 total. Yikes. However, you can slash that price down all the way to $769, with Amazon’s Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle, available for pre-order. In our eyes, you’re getting way more for a lot less with this deal, saving more than $130 in the process.

You can also pre-order it from FairPrice, with their Nintendo Switch 2 Console Mario Kart World Bundle priced at $809 (U.P. $849) up for grabs until 15th June 2025.

Regardless of which retailer you buy from, these are the following items that you’ll get in the bundle:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Console
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
• Mario Kart World full game (download code)
• Joy-Con 2 (L) in light blue and Joy-Con 2 (R) in light red
• USB-C charging cable
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
• Joy-Con 2 Grip
• 2 Joy-Con 2 Straps

While the official launch date globally is on 5th June 2025, we Singaporeans have to wait a tad bit longer as it’ll only arrive on 26th June 2025. Good things come to those who are patient, though. Once the console lands, you’ll be able to experience all the next-gen gaming goodness it has to offer.

Get your hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 when it lands

Now that you’re all caught up on the latest Switch 2 news, you’ll know what to expect when it drops this month. In the meantime, if you’re itching for a quick gaming fix, tide yourself over with these free online games.

For other cool gaming articles, check out:

• Gamer’s Guild at Bugis+
• Pokémon cards in Singapore
• Retro Game Boy games
• Old school computer games

Cover image adapted from: Nintendo
Last updated on 5th June 2025.

The post All You Need To Know About The Nintendo Switch 2, Launching In Singapore On 26th June appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Any avid gamer will tell you that the bigger the gaming spot is, the better. There’s plenty of room for everyone, with no need to fight for controllers or games. Well, it doesn’t get any bigger than Gamer’s Guild at Bugis+, opening on 14th June 2025. It offers over 300 console games, 50 console stations, and 9 private gaming rooms, making it Singapore’s biggest console esports store. Here’s all you need to know.

What you need to know about Gamer’s Guild

Gamer’s Guild is brought to you by EVO Amusement, the same entertainment company that opened Singapore’s first ever blind box F&B spot, Nana & Friends Cafe. It is located on Level 5 of Bugis+, right beside the Toy Or Game store.

Image credit: Gamer’s Guild

As mentioned, the place is big, spanning more than 3,800sqft. On entering, you’ll be greeted by a 139-inch LED wall that’s got YouTube gaming footage rolling. Add on the club-level audio equipment that Gamer’s Guild is equipped with, and you’ve got a pretty zhnged–up gaming atmosphere.

You’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to the console games here.

First things first – pick your choice of game through the QR catalogue at the front counter. If you’re a newbie at this whole gaming thing like me, the staff will be able to share their recommendations.

For example, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a good pick for the Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5), and I was told that you can never go wrong with Mario Kart Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.

Step into the driver’s seat in the racing simulator room

Getting to know what it feels like to be in the drivers seat, literally.

Fans of the Fast & Furious franchise can put their drifting skills to the test in the racing simulator room. This room was designed by Next Level Racing and Thrustmaster – some of the world’s top sim racing developers, whose hardware are used even by pro F1 and race car athletes.

This is as close as you’ll ever get to driving a high performance car; short of actually sitting behind the wheels of one, you’ll even drift and feel the G-force resistance on the steering wheel that pro racers go through.

What consoles can you find at Gamer’s Guild?

Nintendo Switch

Eager fans keeping tabs on the Nintendo Switch 2 will be glad to know that Gamer’s Guild will be bringing in the console on 26th June 2025. Meanwhile, their current Nintendo Switch consoles are pretty solid too, paired with Google’s latest gaming monitor, the AOC Q27G4XY. TL;DR: it’s the same screens that pro gamers play on. Impressive.

What you can look forward to when you play on these 27-inch screens: HDMI-enabled Vertical Alignment (VA) panels with deeper blacks and high contrast for extra crisp, vivid images, Quad HD (QHD) that displays every last detail to crystal clarity, and a 180Hz refresh rate that means you will experience little motion blur or lag, if any at all.

Sony PlayStation 5 consoles

Yes, the Sony PS5 was released in 2020, but if it makes you feel better, you’ll be playing on the latest Slim version at Gamer’s Guild – the next best thing from a PS5 Pro.

As with all PS5 consoles, you’ll be playing on their wireless DualSense controllers – widely regarded as the best ever PS controller. Its powerful haptic feedback feature was lauded for its responsive, realistic vibrations, and dynamic adaptive triggers that help you achieve full immersion into gameplay. It’s meant to be pretty lifechanging, if you’ve not had a go on the latest PS technology.

Anime pop-ups & merch

Die-hard anime fans can also look forward to rotating anime pop-ups coming to Gamer’s Guild. From now until 29th June 2025, you can check out Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing Pop-Up Store.

Immortalise the visit by copping some merch to bring back home. We thought the keychain holder ($10) and multi-pouch ($30) were pretty cute, though the tote bag ($30) is arguably the most practical for everyday use.

Toy Or Game Store

If you’re interested in playing any of the games again in your own set-up back home, swing by the Toy Or Game store right beside, which stocks all of the games from Gamer’s Guild.

For instance, the games we played earlier, Sonic X Shadow Generations and Mario Kart Deluxe cost $59 and $89 respectively. Of course, there are a bunch of other popular games available, like Black Myth Wukong ($81) which took the gaming world by storm when it was released last year.

How much does it cost to play at Gamer’s Guild?

They run on a first-come-first-serve basis, with a grand opening promotion where you can enjoy 1 hour of free gameplay daily. Yes, you read that right. At the time of writing, there’s no end date planned for this promo, so you know you’ve gotta go down stat.

Simply sign up for the free membership at the counter to get your free hours. Subsequent hours will be charged at $10/hour, slightly higher than average for console games, but still reasonable, considering the sheer number of games you can play.

Visit Gamer’s Guild for a fun gaming experience

Whether you can’t wait for the Nintendo Switch 2 to land on our shores or just need a gaming fix, head over to Gamer’s Guild for a fun gaming experience. With over 300 console games to choose from, 50 gaming stations, and even a racing simulator, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice.

Address: 201 Victoria Street, Bugis+, #05-05, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily

For other cool gaming articles, check out:

• Guide to Pokemon cards in Singapore
• Poker card games
• Multiplayer Nintendo Switch games

Photography by Jaslyn Tan

The post This Gaming Centre Is The Largest Console Esports Stadium In Singapore With Over 300 Console Games & 9 Private Rooms appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

From a simple activity invented by a software engineer for his partner who loves word games to a global hit that was bought by NY Times for over a million bucks, Wordle is quite the viral phenomenon. It’s inspired plenty of relatable Wordle memes and of course, a variety of spin-off Wordle games – many of which are not even word-related.

From world maps and maths equations to terms from the Harry Potter universe, here are some Wordle variations for you to kill time till the OG resets at midnight.

1. Dordle, Quordle, Octordle & Sedordle – 2, 4, 8 & 16 words at a time

Wordle addicts know that waiting 24 hours for a quick round is hardly enough, but have no fear. Double, quadruple, octuple and even sexdecuple – that means 16, FYI – versions are here.

Image adapted from: Quordle

In a nutshell:

• Dordle: Guess two words in seven tries
• Quordle: Guess four words in nine tries
• Octordle: Guess eight words in 13 tries

After your daily round of Wordle, you can work your way up these spin-offs till your brain gets increasingly exhausted, like the intellectual equivalent of easing in from a brisk walk to a full-on HIIT sprint.

Trying to solve 16 words at once will have you a little cross-eyed
Image adapted from: Sedordle

Just when you thought it couldn’t get crazier, bam. Sedordle, a whopping 16-word puzzle and 21 tries to nail them all. But then again, it actually isn’t that difficult considering there are merely 26 letters in the alphabet.

Play Dordle, Quordle, Octordle and Sedordle.

Bonus: Kilordle – 1,000 words at a time

Image adapted from: Kilordle

If you’re feeling like a proper mad lad, there’s a spin-off Wordle game called Kilordle that grants you 1,005 tries to solve 1,000 words.

Guess that’s one way to spend an entire afternoon!

Play Kilordle.

2. Word-leh – Singlish version with Hokkien & Malay slangs

Image adapted from: Word-leh

“We are Singapore, Singaporeans!” So naturally, our Wordle routine has to include a true-blue Singaporean version: Word-leh.

Prepare to wrack your brains for all the five-letter Singlish words in existence. Make sure to brush up on your vocabulary of Malay words and Hokkien dialect, as the answers include terms like “jelak” and “bojio”.

Play Word-leh.

3. Nerdle – Guess a maths equation in 6 tries

As a writer who got E8 for my Maths O level results, games like Nerdle are my greatest nightmare. I can definitely see how satisfying it would be for folks who have a knack for numbers though, and it’s a good way to work out the ol’ noggin especially if you don’t deal with calculations in your daily life.

Trying one round for the purpose of this article had me close to tears
Image adapted from: Nerdle

Filling in not just the digits but the plus (+), minus (-), multiply (*) or divide (/) symbols, you have to correctly guess a full maths equation in six tries. 

Keep in mind that there are eight tiles per guess. So, after discounting two spaces in the tiles for your calculation symbol and equal sign respectively, you still have six tiles to fill. This means no basic, small number equations like “2 * 10 = 20”. In fact, most equations in the game usually have two calculation symbols included, so good luck with that.

Play Nerdle.

4. Lewdle – M18 version with naughty words

Hold your bashful giggles, as Lewdle tends to get – well, lewd. The game is actually surprisingly difficult, considering there’s a tight limit to the number of lewd five-letter words we know.

Image adapted from: Lewdle

There’s a helpful link to the answer’s definition at the end of each round, which is highly appreciated considering some answers are region-specific slang terms. For example, one of the answers was “minge” – British slang for the female pubic area and a rare bit of info I only happen to know from watching Sex Education on Netflix.

One thing’s for sure, I never knew how awkward and paiseh I would feel when playing this game in public, especially on public transport with strangers sitting beside me. Catch me decreasing my brightness to 10% so they won’t see the word “penis” plastered on my screen…

Play Lewdle.

5. Hogwartle – Harry Potter Wordle for Potterheads

Image adapted from: Hogwartle

Hogwartle is a Wordle spin-off that’ll separate the hardcore Potterheads from the muggles.

This fan-operated game uses a word bank of every five-letter term in the Harry Potter universe. It could be as general as “wands” and “books”, or character names like “Avery”, “Padma” and of course, “Harry”.

Play Hogwartle.

Bonus: Lordle Of The Rings – Terms from the LOTR universe

Image adapted from: Lordle Of The Rings

First of all, props for the punny name.

Similar to Hogwartle, Lordle Of The Rings uses terms and character names from Lord Of The Rings series of novels.

Play Lordle Of The Rings.

6. Heardle – Guess the song as quickly as possible

Image adapted from: Heardle

We all know the satisfaction from being able to identify a song the moment its intro plays on the radio. Now you get to experience that high once a day with Heardle, the music version of Wordle.

A song intro will be played five seconds at a time, and the aim is to guess the song correctly as quickly as possible. If you’re stumped, you’ll have to skip the turn and hear the tune in five-second additions.

Tip: As the game uses a SoundCloud plug-in to stream songs, some days’ rounds may be unavailable in Singapore, and require a VPN. Try downloading Hola VPN browser, a free community-powered VPN.

Play Heardle.

7. Squirdle – Pokémon species in The Price Is Right style

Instead of the standard Wordle format which tells you whether certain alphabets are in place, valid but in the wrong position, or not included in the word at all, Squirdle operates more similarly to The Price Is Right.

Image adapted from: Squirdle

Hints are given based on the generation – from One to Eight, species types, and even height and weight. After each guess, the respective Poké Balls will indicate whether it’s an earlier or later generation species, whether the height and weight are lower or higher, and whether the species types – like fire, water, grass, electric and so on – are correct.

Don’t worry, you won’t need to have Pokédex-levels of height and weight memorisation. A drop-down menu with the necessary info will appear when you type in each guess, so you can do a quick check before hitting enter

Tip: If you’d like to limit the answer pool to the generations you’re familiar with, you have the option to toggle the scope of generations. ‘Cause let’s face it, not all of us are privy to the 908 total pocket monsters.

Play Squirdle.

8. Worldle – Guess the country or territory based on a map

You might want to keep a tab of the world map open for reference
Image adapted from: Worldle

One for the Geography buffs, playing Worldle consistently could very well edge you towards Max Zeng status. Y’know, the Singaporean student who hard-carried his team on a UK quiz show with next-level knowledge of the world map.

Unlike the word-based spin-offs, this version will give you the direction and distance in proximity between your guess and the answer. It’s akin to playing hot/cold when you’re searching for something or someone.

Play Worldle.

9. Absurdle – Answers change depending on your guesses

While many of us can’t bear to complete a Wordle round too quickly and having to wait a whole 24 hours, Absurdle will throw you to the other end of the spectrum. 

Prepare to get vexed. Very vexed.
Image adapted from: Absurdle

It’s intentionally programmed to be as prolonged as possible, with an eventual answer that will change in response to your guesses instead of being fixed from the get-go. Basically, the game will try to siam your guesses for as many turns as it can, which could go on for quite some time since Absurdle has no limit on the number of guesses.

Because the possible answer pool changes based on your guesses, keying in different starting words for each round will lead to different game pathways and possibilities each time.

Play Absurdle. 

Free online Wordle game variations to try

Wordle has taken over the world by storm, to the point where some are calling it the Circuit Breaker baking phenomenon of the Omicron era.

It certainly gives us something fun and engaging to look forward to on every new day, and it’s led to wholesome exchanges and communities based on sending each other their Wordle score – depicted in green, yellow, grey and black square emojis.

To keep the momentum going after your Wordle solve of the day, give these free spin-off Wordle games a try. And if you’re itching for more online fun and games, check out our other guides:

• Free multiplayer games
• Free IQ games
• Free co-op games

Cover image adapted from: Worldle, Squirdle, Nerdle|
Originally published on 10th March 2022. Last updated on 28th April 2025.

The post 9 Spin-Off Wordle Games To Exercise Your Brain, Including Singlish, Harry Potter & M18 Versions appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Choosing a game to play with your loved ones can be tough – one of you might prefer cosy farming games while the other might be into intense shootouts. Worse still, you might spend money on a game only to play it once and never pick it up again. To save you from buyer’s remorse and make gaming nights more fun, we’ve paired games for couples and friends to different duo dynamics that are sure to appeal to both parties playing.

Simply pick the dynamic that suits your relationship or friendship best, and get your game night started.

1. Chaotic & calm duo

One-armed robber

Image credit: Steam

As its name suggests, One-armed robber is a game about pulling off a heist and trying to get away without getting arrested. Oh, and you only have 1 functional arm. At first glance, it seems like a classic stealth game: putting down security guards with tranquiliser darts, staying in blind spots to avoid cameras, and picking locks like a pro.

But everything can go sideways at any time, and if you’re the type to thrive under pressure, this is your time to take charge by going in with guns blazing to bail out your partner. Adapt to the different scenarios, but make sure not to lose sight of your objective – robbing the bank and making a clean getaway. 

Image credit: Steam

The best part is that the game is free to play and can host up to 4 players – perfect for a group of friends to enjoy together. Of course, the more players you rope in, the higher the chances of things going south – your once peaceful heist might end up turning into an all-out brawl. 

Available on:

• Steam: Free to play

2. Gamer & non-gamer duo

Bread & Fred

Image credit: Steam

Bread & Fred is basically the cosier, cuter cousin of the chaotic Pico Park games. You play as adorable penguins trying to scale a mountain while being tied together. It’s a great pick, especially if your partner is a non-gamer, thanks to its easy controls and straightforward gameplay.

The challenging part of the game, however, is syncing your jumps and timing just right – which is way harder than it sounds when you’re physically tethered together. No matter how good (or bad) you are at playing games, Bread & Fred is designed to test your patience and coordination with your partner.

Image credit: Eris xd via Steam Community

The slightest mistake could cost you everything as you’ll both free-fall all the way back down to the bottom of the mountain. If anything, this game teaches you how to laugh through the pain and work together even when everything’s falling apart. 

Available on:

• Steam: S$14.50 (free demo available)
• Nintendo Switch: USD$14.99 (~S$20.08)

3. Older & younger sibling duo

Gang Beasts

Image credit: Steam

If the two of you squabble like siblings on a daily basis, feel free to let out your frustrations with Gang Beasts. The sole objective of this game is to be the last person standing, by all means necessary. Make full use of your ability to punch, kick, jump and yeet the other toward their doom. 

The chaos gets turned up a notch with dangerous maps like a wobbly crane, shark-infested waters, and an incinerator waiting to claim clumsy fighters. So, you’d better watch your step while fighting it out. It would be a major aura loss if you tripped and fell to your own doom. 

Image credit: Steam

This slapstick fighting game can host up to 8 players, so it could even be a family activity if there’s some beef to settle between you and your real-life siblings. But if you prefer staying amicable, try the co-op mode instead, where you’ll get to join hands and defeat another group to become the ultimate duo.

Available on:

• Steam: S$18.99
• PlayStation 4: USD$19.99 (~$26.77)
• Xbox: S$29.25
• Nintendo Switch: USD$29.99 (~S$40.17)

4. Yapper & listener duo

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

Image credit: Steam

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is exactly what it sounds like – one of you is trapped in a room with a bomb, and the other has the manual to defuse it. Only the defuser can see the bomb, and only the “expert” knows what to do. So yes, communication is everything.

This game is a perfect fit for the yapper and listener duo. The chatterbox gets to describe every blinking light and wire in detail, while the calm one flips through the manual like a pro. Or, spice things up by swapping roles and seeing who actually handles pressure better.

Available on:

• Steam: S$14.50
• Google Play: S$13.99
• PlayStation 4: S$19.86
• App Store: S$9.99
• Nintendo Switch: USD$14.99 (~S$20.08)

5. Optimist & pessimist duo

BOKURA

Image credit: Steam

BOKURA follows the story of 2 boys running away from home, only to find themselves in completely different worlds – either a bleak, monochrome wasteland or a colourful forest. You’ll need teamwork to navigate and discover the secrets of a strange reality. 

Both the optimist and pessimist would enjoy this game as it highlights how 2 people can see the same situation in totally different ways. With its unique gameplay and touching storyline, BOKURA is a heartwarming and thought-provoking reminder that varying perspectives are valid and essential. 

Available on:

• Steam: S$5.50
• Google Play: S$6.89
• App Store: S$3.99
• Nintendo Switch: USD$5.49 (~S$7.35)

6. Scaredy cat & brave duo

Dark Hours

Image credit: Steam 

What starts off as a routine heist in Dark Hours quickly takes a turn when you and your partner are hunted down by supernatural forces. This game requires serious teamwork, coordination and cooperation to complete your mission. 

Every monster in the game has specific weaknesses and triggers that you’ll have to figure out. This is where your roles come in – the brave one can lure monsters away or stun them as the other plans the best way to carry out the heist. The scaredy cat can take advantage of the distraction, sneakily stealing items and hacking locked doors to get the job done. 

Image credit: Mrs DeclASS via Steam Community

This game is so scary it’s almost comical, especially when you find out some of the absurd ways you can die. It hosts up to 4 players, so bringing in more people might make the game a little easier to beat. Hopefully, not everyone in your friend group is a scaredy cat, because those monsters won’t be distracted by your screams. 

Available on:

• Steam: S$10 (free demo available)

7. Competitive duo

Tricky Towers

A little bit of competition has never hurt anybody, so if you and your partner are competitive, Tricky Towers is the perfect game. Inspired by the classic game Tetris, Tricky Towers amps up the challenge by having both of you play side by side, scrambling to build the highest tower. 

Image credit: Steam 

If that isn’t enough to light a competitive fire, the game also has light and dark spells for extra fun. Some dark spells obscure your opponent’s vision and summon a ghost to steal a brick from their tower. Light spells give you power-ups that bind bricks together with a vine for extra support, or offer a second life. So if you get hit by 3 dark spells in a row, don’t lose hope because the tides can change at any second. 

Available on: 

• Steam: S$14.50
• PlayStation 4: S$21.90
• Xbox: S$19.90
• Nintendo Switch: USDS$14.99 (~S$20.08)

8. Left brain & right brain duo

Unboxing the Cryptic Killer

Image credit: Echo991 via Steam Community

Become the main characters of a noir detective comic in this point-and-click puzzle game called Unboxing the Cryptic Killer. Your objective? To solve a murder case gone cold. The left-brain and right-brain duo would enjoy this game because the in-game puzzles require both logical thinking and creativity to solve.

Image credit: cledus.com via Steam Community

Work together and combine both your skill sets to solve this case. The best part about the game is that you can play it twice as either detective because the gameplay for each is completely different, despite them being linked. Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and see if you can figure out who the cryptic killer is.

Available on: 

• Steam: S$6.50 (free demo available)
• Google Play: S$3.99
• App Store: S$2.99

9. Chiongster & chillax duo

Overcooked 2

Image credit: Elianor via Steam Community

You can’t say that you’ve truly tested your bond unless you’ve played Overcooked 2 together. Battle obstacles, moving maps and a ticking clock as you rush to complete orders for your customers. The chiongster and chillax duo will thrive in this game as it requires a good mix of urgency and calm to run an efficient kitchen. 

One thing’s for sure – rushing through everything is impossible because cooking takes time, but being too chill isn’t any better as there are hangry customers to serve. If you want a perfect 3-star run, make sure to delegate jobs that suit each other’s vibe, like having the chiongster man the cooking stations and the laid-back one in charge of plating and serving. 

Image credit: Gocha via Steam Community

Overcooked 2 can host up to 4 players, so adding another duo is always an option. But having more hands doesn’t always mean more help – sometimes, too many cooks could spoil the broth. Less space, more bumping and communication breakdowns lie ahead in your culinary journey.

Available on: 

• Steam: S$29
• PlayStation 4: S$36.36
• Xbox: S$31.50
• Nintendo Switch: USD$24.99 (~S$33.47)

10. Puzzle lover & mystery solver duo

We Were Here

In We Were Here, an asymmetrical co-op game, you and your partner are thrown into a mysterious castle full of secrets. To escape, you’ll have to think logically and solve problems on the fly.

Numerous puzzles await you, but the mystery solver has a role to play too – you’ll have to piece together information and lore to solve the greatest mystery of all: what happened to the rest of your crew. 

Image credit: Salsa via Steam Community

We Were Here is a spin on traditional co-op puzzle games and detective games as it combines elements of mystery, puzzle-solving and a thrilling tale of secrecy.

Plus, if you can’t get enough, you’ll be glad to know that We Were Here is a whole franchise with 4 other games. We Were Here Too, We Were Here Together, We Were Here Forever, and We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip all have the same vibe, but new mysteries to unravel. 

Available on:

• Steam: Free to play
• Xbox: S$3

 11. Gamer duo

Split Fiction

Image credit: Steam

The brains behind the hit game, It Takes Two, have created a new, co-op experience called Split Fiction that is unlike its predecessor. 

With a mix of complex controls, quick-time events (QTEs) and complicated visuals, this game is objectively tough to play. Gone are the days of calm, puzzle-solving as you and your partner are thrown into fight sequences, chase scenes and high-pressure boss fights.

Image credit: Steam

Gamer duos would enjoy the adrenaline rush, seamless split-screen co-op gameplay, stunning visuals and inspiring story. Bonus: only 1 of you needs to buy the game for 2 to play – so splitting the cost essentially means you get the game for half off.

Available on: 

• Steam: S$64.90
• PlayStation 5: S$62.25 with EA Play (U.P. S$69.17)
• Xbox: S$69.90

Settle in for a fun-filled gaming sesh

No matter your skill level, if you and your duo match any of these dynamics, we guarantee you’ll have a blast. Some of these games for couples and friends even let you bring in more players to up the chaos for a vibey gaming night.

Other gaming-related articles:

• Multiplayer Nintendo Switch games
• Unique board & card games
• Free online games to play with friends

Cover image adapted from: Steam

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