Games for 1 player
Three games on this site work for one person: Solitaire, Yahtzee and Shut the Box. Each page has the rules in plain words, a printable rule sheet and a scorekeeper.
Card games for 1 player
Dice games for 1 player
Shut the Box
A dice game played with a tray of tiles numbered 1 to 9.
Choosing a game to play alone
- Solitaire is the one card game here made for 1 player. It needs a standard 52-card deck without the jokers, and a game takes about 5 to 15 minutes.
- Shut the Box lists 1 or more players. Alone, you play a turn and try to shut all 9 tiles. Each player’s turn takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Yahtzee lists 1 or more players. Alone, you play the 13 turns on one score sheet and try to beat your own best total.
- Sorry is for 2 to 4 players, so it is not in the list. Its page also describes Patience Sorry, a puzzle for 1 player.
Questions
What games can you play by yourself?
Solitaire is a card game for 1 player. Shut the Box and Yahtzee are dice games for 1 or more players, so either one works alone. Sorry is for 2 to 4 players and is not in the list, but its page describes Patience Sorry, a puzzle for 1 player.
What kinds of Solitaire are there?
Klondike is the one most people mean. The Solitaire page also covers Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid and Clock. Double Solitaire is a version for 2 or more players, each with their own deck.
Can you play Yahtzee by yourself?
Yes. Play the usual 13 turns on one score sheet and try to beat your own best grand total. The 13 boxes and the upper bonus add up to at most 375, and Yahtzee bonuses come on top of that.
How do you play Shut the Box alone?
Play a turn by the usual rules and try to shut all 9 tiles. If you cannot, your score is the total of the tiles left open. You can try to beat that score on your next turn.
What do you need for a game alone?
Solitaire needs a standard 52-card deck without the jokers. Shut the Box needs a box with tiles numbered 1 to 9 and 2 dice, and paper and a pencil can stand in for the box. Yahtzee needs 5 dice, a score sheet and a pencil.